Time

Song Meaning

The lyrics immediately establish a profound anxiety, with the speaker admitting that "Time is all I fear," driving a constant state of "running." This dread, however, is balanced by a deep-seated belief in the enduring power of a shared "quest for love." Despite the relentless march of moments, there's a conviction that "We will survive." A core tension emerges between the speaker's urgent dread about potentially running out of time and a hopeful trust in the eventual "fullness of time." This isn't just about aging, but about the lifespan of a relationship. The speaker grapples with the pressure of conventional expectations, asking about future aspirations when friends settle into a more suburban existence, suggesting a desire to resist a predictable path. The lyrics cleverly use contrasting ideas of time. The frantic repetition of "time, time, time" in the verses underscores the speaker's immediate panic, while the phrase "in the fullness of time" offers a counterpoint of patient faith. This duality highlights a relationship strong enough to weather both present anxieties and future uncertainties, grounded in mutual acceptance and a shared purpose. The emotional impact comes from this blend of vulnerability and resilience. Intimate details, like the image of a partner with a "beat still in your head, and a good book by your bed," paint a picture of a shared, unconventional life that feels deeply personal and cherished. The "old man's" wisdom about loyal friends who "never judge you" further solidifies the idea of an unbreakable bond, suggesting a relationship built on profound trust and forgiveness that can withstand the pressures of time and societal norms.