This song is a very emotional song by Adele that suites every person in the world who had felt what it is to love so much and get hurt.
I
"Close enough to start a war,
All that I have is on the floor,
God only knows what we're fighting for,
All that I say, you always say more"
(Line 1) They had a confrontation, and any moment someone could burst out in to emotions.
(L2) They are throwing their things out of anguish and every thing's on the floor OR this could mean that she had let go of her relationship and now it's on the floor.
(L3) They don't even remember what caused them to argue.
(L4) The man said a lot of promises but carried out a few.
II
"I can't keep up with your turning tables,
Under your thumb, I can't breathe,"
Under your thumb, I can't breathe,"
(L1) She's tired of him, always trying to get even or reversing situations and justifying his actions and trying to make HER the bad person.
(L2) She only mentioned the thumb because she really wants to be in his hand but his grip is just too much. She just wants him to change because it's killing her.
III
"So I won't let you close enough to hurt me,
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me,
I cant give you,what you think you gave me,
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables,
To turning tables,"
No, I won't ask you, you to just desert me,
I cant give you,what you think you gave me,
It's time to say goodbye to turning tables,
To turning tables,"
(L1) But now she has had enough, and he wont allow him to hurt her anymore.
(L2) She wont go back with him, because it's just asking for him to hurt her again and to leave her crying again.
(L3) She can't give him love in return for all the pain he has caused her.
* He thinks he's not hurting her because he keeps on justifying his actions, hence, Turning tables.
(L4) And now she's leaving him and his foolish acts.
IV
"Under haunted skies I see, ooh.
where love is lost, your ghost is found.
I've lived a hundred storms to leave you.
As hard as you try, no I will never be knocked down."
where love is lost, your ghost is found.
I've lived a hundred storms to leave you.
As hard as you try, no I will never be knocked down."
(L1)Every night she still thinks of him.
(L2) And even though she doesn't love him anymore, he'll always have a place in her heart.
(L3) She had suffered/cried a lot to forget him/not love him anymore.
(L4) He can't court her back again, her decision is final.
V
"Next time I'll be braver,
I'll be my own savior,
When the thunder calls for me,
Next time I'll be braver,
I'll be my own savior,
Standing on my own two feet,"
I'll be my own savior,
When the thunder calls for me,
Next time I'll be braver,
I'll be my own savior,
Standing on my own two feet,"
(L1) The next time she gets in to a relationship she know what she'll do.
(L2) She wont be the damsel in distress waiting for a prince charming to save her. No, not anymore.
(L3) When trials come her way.
(L6) She'll do things on her own.
Summary
"Turning Tables" is a song about a break up. She's telling a story about her bad past with her boyfriend, and how she tries to empower herself to remind her her strengths and that she doesn't need a man to take care of her or either wise.
My favorite rendition of Turning Tables by Gwyneth Paltrow in the hit series "Glee Season 2 Episode "Night of Neglect"
