The song "Turn Away" by James Taylor explores the theme of heartbreak and the disappointment that comes when someone you love turns away from you. The lyrics express the narrator's confusion and hurt as they try to understand why their partner is rejecting them. The opening lines, "I open my arms to hold you, you turn away," set the tone for the song. The narrator is reaching out for love and affection, but their partner chooses to turn away, leaving them feeling rejected and dejected. The lyrics continue to emphasize the emotional impact of this rejection, with lines like "I feel it just like I told you, how can you turn away?" The narrator is desperately trying to make their partner understand how much this rejection hurts them. The song then reflects on the past, recalling a time when their love was strong and genuine. The lines "The things that we said last Saturday night, you turn away you turn away," suggest that their relationship was once filled with promises and passion. However, it seems that their partner now wants to throw all of that away, leaving the narrator devastated. The chorus delves into the portrayal of the purity and beauty of their love, with lines like "It was true love, it was you and me and the silver moon and the shining sea." This emphasizes the depth of their connection and highlights the disappointment and sadness that comes with its loss. As the song progresses, the narrator realizes that their partner's eyes no longer meet theirs and expresses the pain of never wanting to experience that kind of love again: "I never want to taste that sweet wine again, how can you turn away?" Despite the heartbreak and confusion, the narrator still holds onto their love for their partner. They express their willingness to keep this love, proclaiming "after this love I'm keeping for you, you turn away." However, the song concludes with a sense of acceptance and self-preservation. The narrator decides to dry their tears and move on, stating, "I'll dry these tears that I'm weeping for you and take my turn to turn away." This signifies their realization that they deserve better and it's their turn to protect themselves from further pain. In summary, James Taylor's "Turn Away" captures the emotions of heartbreak, rejection, and the struggle to understand why someone would turn away from a once-strong love. The song ultimately conveys the narrator's acceptance and decision to move on from the relationship.
