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A Little Time
The Beautiful South Lyrics


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I need a little time to think it over
I need a little space just on my own
I need a little time to find my freedom
I need a little

Funny how quick the milk turns sour, isn't it, isn't it?
Your face has been looking like that for hours, hasn't it, hasn't it?
Promises, promises turn to dust
Wedding bells just turn to rust




Trust into mistrust

I need a little room to find myself
I need a little space to work it out
I need a little room all alone
I need a little

You need a little room for your big head, don't you, don't you?
You need a little space for a thousand beds, won't you, won't you?
Lips that promise, fear the worst
Tongue so sharp, the bubble burst

Just into unjust

I've had a little time to find the truth
Now I've had a little room to check what's wrong
I've had a little time, and I still love you
I've had a little

You had a little time and you had a little fun, didn't ya, didn't you?
While you had yours, do you think I had none, do you, do ya?
The freedom that you wanted bad
Is yours for good, I hope you're glad

Sad into unsad

I had a little time to think it over
Had a little room to work it out
I found a little courage to call it off
I've had a little time

I've had a little time
I've had a little time
I've had a little time

Overall Meaning

The Beautiful South's song "A Little Time" is about needing time and space to reflect on a relationship and find one's own freedom. The song's lyrics express a longing for personal space and time to assess the health of a relationship that may have turned sour. The singer of the song is seeking room to breathe and search for their own identity outside of the relationship.


The song's verses allude to the promise and trust that have turned to mistrust and unjust. The singer's partner, who seemingly had used them, had their fun while they bore the burden of their relationship's upkeep. There was dishonesty in the relationship, evident from the lyrics: "Lips that promise/fear the worst/Tongue so sharp, the bubble burst."


The song's chorus is repeating "I've had a little time" which is a reflection of the need for time, solitude, and freedom from a relationship burden. The song's lyrics describe the singer's journey to finding out the truth about this relationship and ultimately being able to walk away from it with a newfound strength.


Line by Line Meaning

I need a little time to think it over
I require some time to consider the situation thoroughly.


I need a little space just on my own
I require some personal space to work through things.


I need a little time to find my freedom
I require some time to find my independence.


Funny how quick the milk turns sour, isn't it, isn't it?
It's interesting how easily something that was once good can turn bad.


Your face has been looking like that for hours, hasn't it, hasn't it?
Your facial expression has remained the same for a long time.


Promises, promises turn to dust
Assurances often do not come to fruition.


Wedding bells just turn to rust
Even a marriage can fall apart over time.


Trust into mistrust
Believing in someone can turn into doubting their intentions.


I need a little room to find myself
I require some space to explore and develop my identity.


I need a little space to work it out
I require some room to solve my problems.


You need a little room for your big head, don't you, don't you?
You require some space to accommodate your ego.


You need a little space for a thousand beds, won't you, won't you?
You require plenty of space to pursue your many romantic interests.


Lips that promise, fear the worst
Those who make grand pledges may have hidden motives or deceitful intentions.


Tongue so sharp, the bubble burst
Your words were so cutting that our bond was destroyed.


Just into unjust
Our relationship has turned from equitable to inequitable.


I've had a little time to find the truth
I had space to understand what really happened.


Now I've had a little room to check what's wrong
I have space to examine what went awry.


I've had a little time, and I still love you
I have had some time to reflect, and my love for you has not faded.


You had a little time and you had a little fun, didn't ya, didn't you?
You had some time to yourself, and you used it to enjoy yourself.


While you had yours, do you think I had none, do you, do ya?
While you were doing your own thing, do you think I was just sitting around with nothing to do?


The freedom that you wanted bad
The independence you desired so greatly


Is yours for good, I hope you're glad
You now have the freedom you craved; I hope it makes you happy.


Sad into unsad
My sadness has been replaced with something more positive.


I had a little time to think it over
I had a chance to reflect on our relationship.


Had a little room to work it out
I had space to solve our problems.


I found a little courage to call it off
I found the strength to end our relationship.


I've had a little time
I've had the space and time I need to sort things out.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dave Rotheray, Paul Heaton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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