Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: singer-songwriter
Song Meaning of “For The Turnstiles” by The Be Good Tanyas
For The Turnstiles was written as a tribute to the time-honored tradition of older musicians playing at small gigs for little money, with no expectation of fame or recognition. Its lyrics speak of the hope and courage of these players in the face of the struggles they face.
The song looks back on the journey of a struggling musician, as if from the future, with the narrator singing of the resilience of the artist in spite of the hardships they faced. This could represent any artist trying to make an honest living in any industry, in the face of adversity.
The chorus of the song “No matter what the turnstiles say, I will be here till the break of day” speaks of that same resilience, no matter what fate brings. It speaks of dedication and the belief that in the end, things will work out and the hard work will pay off.
The Turnstiles of this song is ultimately a symbol of the struggles that all artists face; moments in time that can try to break them, but from which they can ultimately still find the strength to succeed. To keep playing, keep writing, and ultimately to keep on striving for something better.