Try

"Try" is a powerful anthem about resilience, perseverance, and the courage to embrace love and life despite the inherent risk of pain and heartbreak. The song's central message is that while pursuing any desire or passion—especially love—comes with the certainty of getting hurt ('burned'), this pain is not a reason to give up. It's an ode to taking risks and continuing to fight for what you want, even after facing disappointment and failure. The lyrics explore the internal conflict of dealing with a relationship that has turned to 'lies' and the temptation to simply stop questioning it to avoid further pain. However, the chorus serves as a powerful counter-argument, urging the listener to 'get up and try, try, try.' This repetition emphasizes that persistence is key to overcoming setbacks. The song acknowledges the vulnerability and foolishness one might feel for falling in love 'even when it's not right,' but ultimately frames this as a necessary part of the human experience. It's a motivational speech set to music, encouraging listeners to meet disappointment with determination and to believe that love and dreams are worth the struggle.

The song begins with the narrator questioning a past relationship that ended in deceit. She contemplates whether it's sometimes easier to avoid seeking answers for why things went wrong, suggesting a desire to sidestep the pain of truth. This introduces a core conflict between facing painful realities and the instinct for self-preservation.

The chorus erupts as the song's central thesis, a powerful metaphor about the inherent risks of love and passion. It posits that where there is desire, a 'flame' is inevitable, and with that flame comes the certainty of getting 'burned.' However, the crucial message is one of resilience. The pain, or the burn, is not fatal. It's a necessary part of the experience that one must overcome. The emphatic repetition of 'You've gotta get up and try, try, try' serves as a mantra, transforming the song from a lament into an anthem of empowerment. It's a command to oneself to persist despite the certainty of being hurt again.

The second verse delves into the perplexing nature of love, observing how easily people fall for others, even when it's clear the relationship is not 'right.' This speaks to the often-irrational, yet deeply human, tendency to follow the heart's lead, even against better judgment. It highlights a vulnerability and a pattern of being 'deceived' by one's own emotions, adding a layer of self-awareness to the struggle.

A later verse shifts from past reflection to present anxiety, questioning if a current endeavor—be it a relationship or another life pursuit—is on the verge of being 'ruined.' The lyrics ask if the narrator is merely 'getting by,' surviving rather than thriving. This moment of vulnerability reveals the fear and emotional toll that past hurts have taken, making the act of 'trying' again even more significant.

Ultimately, the song concludes by reinforcing its primary message. The recurring chorus acts as a relentless reminder that pain is a byproduct of desire, but giving up is not an option. The narrative arc moves from questioning and pain to a resolute determination to face challenges head-on, encapsulating a journey of emotional healing and the courage required to remain open to love and life, despite the scars.

"Try" was originally written and composed by Ben West and busbee. They first recorded the song in 2010 under the name GoNorthToGoSouth. Before the song reached P!nk, it was considered for other prominent artists. The songwriters initially thought of giving it to Kelly Clarkson and then to the band Daughtry. Adam Lambert also recorded a version, but according to busbee, it 'just wasn't the right fit.' Eventually, the song was pitched to P!nk. Her version was produced by Greg Kurstin, who was a significant collaborator on her sixth studio album, The Truth About Love (2012), producing four other tracks as well. The recording took place in 2012 at Earthstar Creation Center in Venice, California, and Echo Studios in Los Feliz, California. P!nk's version premiered on the radio on September 6, 2012, and was officially released as the second single from the album in October 2012. A lyric video was uploaded on September 12, 2012, ahead of the official music video's release.

The rhyme scheme in "Try" is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) in the verses, as seen in "doing/ruined" and "lies/why" (a slant rhyme). This simple structure makes the lyrics accessible and direct. The chorus employs a similar pattern with "flame/flame" and "burned/die" (another slant rhyme), focusing the listener on the core message. The song maintains a moderate tempo of 104 beats per minute. Its rhythm is defined by a pop-rock beat with a steady, driving pulse that gains intensity in the chorus, propelled by strong drum work and handclaps that enhance its anthemic quality. The lyrical rhythm is conversational in the verses, flowing naturally with the melody. In the chorus, the rhythm becomes more forceful and declarative, with the repetition of "try, try, try" creating a percussive, insistent effect that reinforces the song's theme of determined effort.

Musically, "Try" is a pop-rock ballad structured with a dynamic two-volume arrangement reminiscent of 1980s FM rock. The verses are delivered in a quieter, more contemplative tone, which builds into a loud, powerful, and anthemic chorus, creating a strong emotional contrast that mirrors the lyrical shift from doubt to determination. P!nk's vocal performance is central, showcasing her distinctive raspy voice and raw, passionate delivery that conveys deep emotional conviction. The instrumentation features piano, guitar, and drums, which work together to enforce the lyrics and give the song a powerful, uplifting feel. Lyrically, the song employs rhetorical questions to engage the listener, such as "Ever wonder 'bout what he's doing?" and "Why do we fall in love so easy / Even when it's not right?". The most prominent literary device is repetition, particularly the recurring phrase "You've gotta get up and try, try, try," which functions as a motivational mantra and the song's core hook.

"Try" was a significant commercial and critical success, cementing P!nk's status as a pop-rock powerhouse. It became a worldwide top-ten hit, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking her 13th top-ten single in the country. The song reached number one in Spain and the top ten in numerous other countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, and the UK. The song's music video, directed by Floria Sigismondi, garnered widespread attention for its artistic and highly physical choreography. The dance, inspired by the Apache dance, visually depicted a tumultuous relationship and was praised for its raw emotion and P!nk's physical prowess. P!nk recreated this iconic performance at several award shows, including the 2012 American Music Awards and the 2014 Grammy Awards, receiving standing ovations and critical acclaim. The song and its video are remembered as highlights of P!nk's career, praised for pushing the boundaries of what a pop video can be and showcasing her unique blend of artistry, athleticism, and emotional vulnerability.

The dominant metaphor in "Try" is the imagery of fire, representing desire and passion. The lyrics, "Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame / Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned," establish a direct link between intense emotional pursuit and the inevitability of pain. This fire symbolism is not destructive in a final sense; instead, it represents a transformative or trial-by-fire experience. The subsequent line, "But just because it burns, doesn't mean you're gonna die," reframes the 'burn' as a survivable wound rather than a fatal blow, turning it into a symbol of resilience. The music video further deepens the song's symbolism. The use of brightly colored paints on the dancers' bodies can symbolize the messy, chaotic, yet vibrant nature of their emotions and relationship. The choreography, inspired by the French street dance known as the Apache dance, is a physical manifestation of the song's lyrical conflict—a volatile mix of passion, struggle, intimacy, and aggression, symbolizing the complex dynamics of a turbulent relationship.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Try" is the lyrical hook and central message: "You've gotta get up and try, try, try." This phrase is repeated extensively throughout the chorus and the outro, functioning as a powerful, motivating mantra. Its repetition drills the theme of perseverance into the listener's mind, transforming the song from a story of heartbreak into an anthem of resilience. Another key recurring motif is the fire metaphor: "Where there is desire, there is gonna be a flame / Where there is a flame, someone's bound to get burned." This line appears in every chorus and establishes the song's foundational idea that passion and pain are inextricably linked. Its repetition reinforces the notion that getting hurt is an expected consequence of loving deeply, which in turn gives more power to the call to "try" again. The song also features a simple, non-lyrical vocal hook ("Eh, eh, eh") that serves as a bridge, providing a brief musical break before launching back into the powerful chorus.