How long will I have to wait for your call
How long will I wait
How long will I have to wait for your call
I'd like to get away
This time around

I can't get it right, when you hold the dice
You're gonna have to let me down
This time around

How long can I stand to be around
How long will it take
Till I'm gone, till I'm moving on
I want to get away
This time around

I can't get it right, when you hold the dice
You're gonna have to let me down
This time around

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Beauty Queen's "This Time Around" explore the struggle of waiting for someone who is not reciprocating the same level of interest. The singer is tired of waiting and questions how much longer they have to endure the disappointment of unreturned calls and unfulfilled promises. They express their desire to distance themselves and move on from the situation.

The first verse asks the simple question of how long they will have to wait for a response, indicating that it's been happening for a while. The repeated line "I'd like to get away" highlights the singer's desire for space and separation. The chorus emphasizes that the person holding the power in the relationship is not playing fair and the singer cannot get it right, indicating that they cannot seem to win the other person over. The final verse again emphasizes the singer's discomfort and the need to move on from the situation.

The song's melancholic tone is supported by its instrumentation, featuring a slow and steady beat and soft keyboard notes. The lyrics express a relatable feeling of frustration and uncertainty in modern romance, ultimately encouraging listeners to recognize when to walk away from a situation that no longer serves them.

Line by Line Meaning

How long will I have to wait for your call
The Beauty Queen is waiting for a phone call and wonders how much more patience she needs to exercise.

How long will I wait
She is tired of waiting and would like to know how much longer she has to endure.

How long will I have to wait for your call
She is still waiting for the phone call that she has been anticipating and is growing impatient.

I'd like to get away
She wants to escape the stress and pain brought about by waiting and uncertainty.

This time around
She has had enough of the same cycle of waiting and disappointment and is determined to take a different approach this time.

I can't get it right, when you hold the dice
She feels that she has no control over the situation and the outcome, as it all depends on the other person's action, which is unpredictable and beyond her power.

You're gonna have to let me down
She realizes that no matter how much she hopes or invests in someone, there's always a possibility for disappointment and heartbreak. She is asking the other person to let her down easy, acknowledging that she is aware of the probable outcome.

How long can I stand to be around
Being around that person is taking a toll on her, mentally and emotionally. She questions her ability to continue being present in their life while silently suffering.

How long will it take
Her mind is occupied with wondering how much longer she can endure the pain and disappointment, and when will she finally move on from this situation.

Till I'm gone, till I'm moving on
She knows that eventually, she will have to leave and move forward to escape the hurt and uncertainty. She is just waiting for the right time to do so.

I want to get away
She longs for the freedom and peace that comes with being separated from someone who is causing her emotional pain.

This time around
She is determined to break free from the cycle of waiting and disappointment and take control of her own happiness and well-being.