Released: 2012
P!nk’s “Try” is a powerhouse anthem about the resilience needed in love and life. It’s a call to arms, telling us that no matter how many times we get knocked down, it’s essential to stand back up and keep pushing forward. The song pairs emotional vulnerability with a fierce determination, embodying the spirit P!nk is celebrated for.
The opening lines of “Try” dive into the uncertainty and pain that often accompany relationships. P!nk poses questions many of us have pondered in silence, reflecting on the transition from truth to deception in love. She hints that ignorance might be bliss by saying, “Sometimes I think that it’s better to never ask why,” suggesting that digging for truth might lead to more pain than staying in the dark.
Immediately following, she hits us with the song’s core message: “Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame; Where there is a flame, someone’s bound to get burned.” This verse is a straight-shooting metaphor for risk-taking in love. It implies that with any passion or love, there’s always a risk of getting hurt, but that shouldn’t deter us from trying. The hook, “You’ve gotta get up and try, try, try,” serves as a relentless reminder that the risk of pain is not an excuse to avoid the pursuit of happiness or love.
The second verse delves into the deceptive nature of the heart, acknowledging that we’ve all been fooled more than once by love’s illusions. Here, P!nk tackles the question of why we repeatedly subject ourselves to potential heartbreak, pondering, “Why do we fall in love so easy / Even when it’s not right?” This part of the song taps into the universal quest for love, despite knowing the dangers that come with it.
In a later verse, she explores the fear of failure and the dread of mediocrity, asking if the fear of ruining things makes us want to cry, or if we’re just content with getting by in life and love. The repetition of “Are you just getting by, by, by?” emphasizes the importance of not settling for mere survival in our endeavors.
Throughout “Try,” P!nk consistently circles back to the chorus, pushing the message that despite the potential for heartbreak, failure, or pain, the act of trying, of persisting, is paramount. The song is a motivational speech set to music, urging us to face our fears, embrace vulnerability, and never give up on ourselves or the pursuit of love. P!nk doesn’t just suggest we get up and try; she practically insists on it, making it clear that pain is temporary, but the regret of not trying is far worse.
In essence, “Try” by P!nk is more than just a pop song; it’s a life lesson wrapped in melody. It teaches us that the fire of trying, even if it means getting burned, is what makes life worth living. It’s an anthem for the brave, for those who understand that to truly live and love, you’ve got to put your heart on the line and get up and try, again and again.
