Time

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“Time” is the sixth track off of David Bowie’s 1973 album Aladdin Sane. As the third single off of the album, it was released just one week after the album’s second single… Read More

Apr. 13, 19731 viewer65.2K views

Time Lyrics

[Intro]

[Verse 1]
Time - He's waiting in the wings
He speaks of senseless things
His script is you and me, Boy
Time - He flexes like a whore
Falls wanking to the floor
His trick is you and me, Boy
Time - In Quaaludes and red wine
Demanding Billy Dolls
And other friends of mine
Take your time
The sniper in the brain
Regurgitating drain
Incestuous and vain
And many other last names
Well, I look at my watch it says 9:25 and I think
"Oh God! I'm still alive."

[Chorus]
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li

[Verse 2]
You - Are not a victim
You - Just scream with boredom!
You - Are not evicting time...
[Bowie breathing heavily]
Chimes - Goddamn, you're looking old
You'll freeze and catch a cold
'Cause you've left your coat behind
Take your time
Breaking up is hard
But keeping dark is hateful
I had so many dreams
I had so many breakthroughs
But you, my love, were kind
But love has left you dreamless
The door to dreams was closed
Your park was real and dreamless
Perhaps you're smiling now
Smiling through this darkness
But all I have to give
Is guilt for dreaming

[Chorus]
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
We should be on by now
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
Li, li, li, li, li, li, li, li
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la, yes, time!

About

“Time” is the sixth track off of David Bowie’s 1973 album Aladdin Sane. As the third single off of the album, it was released just one week after the album’s second single “Drive-In Saturday”.

Mike Garson, Bowie’s long time veteran pianist, is credited with giving the song its distinct sound. The track would be later described as “burlesque vamp”, with Garson’s piano and Mick Ronson’s guitar parts creating a cabaret soundscape.