“Turn It Off” is a song by American rock band Paramore, released on September 29, 2009. The song was featured on their third studio album, “Brand New Eyes.” The track was written by Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, and Taylor York, with Williams providing the vocals.
The song is about struggling with one’s inner demons and finding the strength to overcome them. It deals with themes of pride, self-doubt, and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The lyrics are introspective and thought-provoking, with a catchy chorus that is sure to resonate with listeners.
Turn It Off Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I scraped my knees while I was praying
And found a demon in my safest haven
Seems like it’s getting harder to believe in anything
Than just to get lost in all my selfish thoughts
I wanna know what it’d be like
To find perfection in my pride
To see nothing in the light
Or turn it off in all my spite
In all my spite, I’ll turn it off
[Chorus]
And the worst part is
Before it gets any better
We’re headed for a cliff
And in the free fall I
Will realize I’m better off
When I hit the bottom
[Verse 2]
The tragedy, it seems unending
I’m watching everyone I looked up to breaking, bending
Or taking shortcuts and false solutions
Just to come out the hero
Well, I can see behind the curtain (I can see now)
The wheels are cranking, turning
It’s all wrong the way we’re working
Towards a goal that’s nonexistent
It’s nonexistent but we just keep believing
[Chorus]
And the worst part is
Before it gets any better
We’re headed for a cliff
And in the free fall I
Will realize I’m better off
When I hit the bottom
[Bridge]
I wanna know what it’d be like
To find perfection in my pride
To see nothing in the light
And turn it off in all my spite
In all my spite, I’ll turn it off
Just turn it off
Again
Again, again
[Chorus]
And the worst part is
Before it gets any better
We’re headed for a cliff
And in the free fall
I will realize I’m better off
When I hit the bottom
And the worst part is
Before it gets any better
We’re headed for a cliff
And in the free fall I
Will realize I’m better off
When I hit the bottom
[Instrumental Outro]
In this article, we will provide an in-depth analysis of “Turn It Off” by Paramore, examining its lyrics, themes, and musical structure. We will also explore the song’s impact on the music industry and its enduring legacy.
Verse 1:
The opening verse of “Turn It Off” sets the tone for the rest of the song. It begins with the lines, “I scraped my knees while I was praying / And found a demon in my safest haven.” These lines suggest that the narrator is struggling with something deeply personal and spiritual. They have been let down by something they thought was reliable and trustworthy.
The next lines, “Seems like it’s getting harder to believe in anything / Than just to get lost in all my selfish thoughts,” reveal that the narrator is grappling with doubt and cynicism. They are struggling to find meaning in their life and are consumed by their own ego and desires.
The next lines, “I wanna know what it’d be like / To find perfection in my pride / To see nothing in the light / Or turn it off in all my spite / In all my spite, I’ll turn it off,” reveal that the narrator is wrestling with their own sense of identity and self-worth. They are struggling to reconcile their desire for perfection with their own flaws and imperfections.
Chorus:
The chorus of “Turn It Off” is one of the most memorable parts of the song. It begins with the lines, “And the worst part is / Before it gets any better / We’re headed for a cliff / And in the free fall I / Will realize I’m better off / When I hit the bottom.”
These lines suggest that the narrator is resigned to the fact that things will get worse before they get better. They are acknowledging that they are on a collision course with their own demons and that they need to hit rock bottom before they can begin to heal.
Verse 2:
The second verse of “Turn It Off” continues the themes of the first verse. It begins with the lines, “The tragedy, it seems unending / I’m watching everyone I looked up to breaking, bending / Or taking shortcuts and false solutions / Just to come out the hero.”
These lines suggest that the narrator is disillusioned with the people around them. They are seeing the flaws and weaknesses in those they once admired and are struggling to reconcile this with their own sense of morality and values.
The next lines, “Well, I can see behind the curtain (I can see now) / The wheels are cranking, turning / It’s all wrong the way we’re working / Towards a goal that’s nonexistent / It’s nonexistent but we just keep believing,” reveal that the narrator is coming to terms with the fact that the world around them is flawed and imperfect. They are realizing that the pursuit of perfection is futile and that they need to accept their own imperfections.
Bridge:
The bridge of “Turn It Off” repeats the same lines as the first verse, “I wanna know what it’d be like / To find perfection in my pride / To see nothing in the light / And turn it off in all my spite / In all my spite
Conclusion:
In conclusion, “Turn It Off” by Paramore is a deeply introspective and thought-provoking song that deals with themes of self-doubt, pride, and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The lyrics are introspective and reveal a sense of disillusionment with the world around us. The song is notable for its catchy chorus and Hayley Williams’ powerful vocals.
