Turning Blue

The Swallows' song 'Turning Blue' delves into the emotional turmoil of unrequited love and the frustration of being in a one-sided relationship. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone who is always the second choice, only called upon when the primary partner is unavailable. This dynamic is encapsulated in the line, 'If I can't have the cake, I'll settle for the crumbs,' which metaphorically represents the narrator's willingness to accept whatever little attention they can get, despite knowing they deserve more.

The chorus, 'Sister, I'm turning blue, I'm holding my breath for a dream gone dead,' powerfully conveys the suffocating feeling of waiting for something that will never come to fruition. The phrase 'turning blue' is a metaphor for the narrator's emotional and physical exhaustion from holding onto hope. The dream they once had is now 'gone dead,' indicating that the relationship they longed for is no longer viable, if it ever was. This sense of hopelessness is further emphasized by the line, 'I'm kickin' a jones for you, 'cause the truth don't fit inside my head,' suggesting that the narrator is addicted to the idea of the relationship, even though they know deep down it isn't real.

The second verse continues to explore the complexities of this unbalanced relationship. The narrator acknowledges that they are not in a traditional familial or romantic role ('You ain't no baby mother, I'm not some kind of brother'), yet they feel an obligation to 'work it out.' This sense of duty contrasts sharply with their growing doubts and frustrations, as they struggle to 'stay back,' 'stay cool,' and 'not shout.' The repeated lines, 'I can't take anymore,' underscore the breaking point that the narrator is approaching, highlighting the emotional toll of their unreciprocated feelings.