About The Song
A song designed to anchor a 1982 film about a race car driver and six orphans ended up defining the most optimistic era of the recording career of Kenny Rogers. He had built a massive catalog on heavy story songs about barroom gamblers, broken families, and weary veterans, but Love Will Turn You Around delivered pure joy just as convincingly as he delivered heartbreak.
Kenny Rogers, a name synonymous with country music, has gifted us with countless heartfelt ballads over the years. Among his most beloved tracks is the upbeat and optimistic anthem Love Will Turn You Around. Released in the summer of 1982 as both a single and the title track for his album, this song offers a message of hope and redemption. When he took on the lead role in the movie Six Pack, he needed a title track that matched a much lighter narrative. He sat down with songwriters Even Stevens, Thom Schuyler, and David Malloy to build it.
The shift worked. The track climbed to the top of the country charts and crossed heavily into the pop top twenty. It proved that his gravelly and textured voice did not always need a dark narrative to hold a room. The recording captured the steady warmth that made him a global figure.
Love Will Turn You Around is more than just a song because it is a declaration of faith in the transformative power of love. The lyrics, penned by Rogers himself alongside Thom Schuyler, David Malloy, and Bruce Noel Stevens, paint a vivid picture of someone who has been lost and is finding their way back. The song suggests that love can serve as a guiding light, leading us out of darkness and towards a brighter future.
One of the most striking aspects of this song is its upbeat tempo and positive message. While many of the ballads of Rogers explore themes of heartbreak and loss, Love Will Turn You Around offers a refreshing contrast. The infectious melody and optimistic lyrics of the song make it a perfect choice for anyone in need of a pick me up.
The enduring popularity of the song can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, the theme of redemption is universal. Everyone has experienced setbacks and challenges in life, and the hope of finding a way back to happiness is something that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds. Additionally, the upbeat tempo and positive message of the song make it a perfect choice for celebrations and special occasions.
The interpretation of Kenny Rogers of this song is nothing short of infectious. His powerful vocals and energetic delivery convey a sense of optimism and determination that is both inspiring and uplifting. The arrangement of the song is both catchy and memorable, featuring a driving rhythm and a soaring chorus that is sure to get listeners singing along. How that specific writing session unfolded in the studio, and the way it influenced his musical choices throughout the early eighties, remains a wider chapter of his creative peak.
Love Will Turn You Around is an uplifting and inspiring anthem that has earned its place in the country music canon. The powerful performance of Kenny Rogers, combined with the positive message of the song, makes it a truly unforgettable listening experience. Whether you are facing a personal challenge or simply looking for a song to lift your spirits, this is one track that is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Lyric
You can run you can hide never let it inside
Keep livin’ your life in the dark
But sooner or later that gentle persuader
Is gonna catch up with your heart
Make you a dreamer, believer
Believin’ in love
Right when a man’s doin’ all that he planned
And he thinks he’s got just what he needs
Life will deliver a shock that will shiver
And drivin’ him down to his knees
Make him start givin’, livin’
Livin’ again
Well, it’s your mind, that tricks you in believin’ every time
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Well, it’s your heart, that talks you into to stayin’ where you are
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Out of the blue she reaches for you
And you tell her you don’t have the time
So you move away fast but you know it won’t last
‘Cause you can’t get her off of your mind
Thoughts are burnin’, turnin’
They’re turnin’ around
How do you know when to stay or to go
And how do you know when it’s real
You don’t need a sign to make up your mind
You got your heart at the wheel
You want to start sharin’, carin’
Carin’ again
Well, it’s your mind, that tricks you in believin’ every time
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Well, it’s your heart, that talks you into to stayin’ where you are
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Love will turn you around, turn you around
Turn you around