Turnin' On The Screw

Queens Of The Stone Age's song 'Turnin' On The Screw' is a complex and layered piece that delves into themes of societal expectations, personal identity, and the struggle against conformity. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and metaphors that paint a picture of a world where individuals are constantly pressured to fit into predefined molds. The line 'The world is round, My square don't fit at all' encapsulates the feeling of being out of place in a society that values uniformity over individuality.

The song also critiques those who impose their views on others, as seen in the lines 'They say those who can't just instruct others & act like victims or jilted lovers.' This suggests a disdain for people who, unable to achieve their own goals, resort to dictating how others should live their lives. The phrase 'You ain't a has been if you never was' further emphasizes the idea of societal judgment and the pressure to achieve conventional success.

In the chorus, the lyrics 'I'm so tired, I'm wired too, I'm a mess, I guess I'm turning on the screw' reflect a state of mental and emotional exhaustion. This could be interpreted as the toll that constant societal pressure takes on an individual. The phrase 'turning on the screw' might symbolize tightening the pressure or making things more complicated, adding to the sense of being overwhelmed. Overall, the song is a raw and honest exploration of the struggles of maintaining one's identity in a world that often demands conformity.