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Tulsa Time
Don Williams Lyrics


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I left Oklahoma drivin' in a Pontiac
Just about to lose my mind
I was goin' on to Arizona, maybe on to California
Where the people all live so fine
My baby said I was crazy, my momma called me lazy
I was goin' to show 'em all this time
'Cause you know I ain't no fool and I don't need no more schoolin'
I was born to just walk the line

Livin' on Tulsa time
Livin' on Tulsa time
Well, you know I've been through it
When I set my watch back to it
Livin' on Tulsa time

Well, there I was in Hollywood wishin' I was doin' good
Talkin' on the telephone line
But they don't need me in the movies and nobody sings my songs
Guess I'm just wastin' time
Well, then I got to thinkin', man I'm really sinkin'
And I really had a flash this time
I had no business leavin' and nobody would be grievin'
If I went on back to Tulsa time

Livin' on Tulsa time
Livin' on Tulsa time
Gonna set my watch back to it
'Cause you know I've been through it
Livin' on Tulsa time

Livin' on Tulsa time
Livin' on Tulsa time
Gonna set my watch back to it
'Cause you know I've been through it
Livin' on Tulsa time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Don Williams's song "Tulsa Time" describe the singer's journey from Oklahoma to Arizona and California. The singer's loved ones, including his baby and mother, question his decision and call him crazy and lazy. However, the singer believes he was born to "just walk the line" and doesn't need any more schooling. The chorus, "Livin' on Tulsa time," refers to the singer's desire to return to his hometown's relaxed way of life, where time moves more slowly.


As the singer goes to Hollywood, he realizes that he's not succeeding in the entertainment industry. He feels like he's wasting time and begins to think that he left Tulsa unnecessarily. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes his desire to go back to his roots and to set his watch back to the slower pace of Tulsa.


The song's message appears to be that the singer's love for his hometown is stronger than his desire for fame and fortune. Despite leaving home to pursue his dreams, he realizes that he doesn't fit into the Hollywood scene and would be happier back in Tulsa. The lyrics capture the desire many people have for a slower pace of life and a return to their roots.


Line by Line Meaning

I left Oklahoma drivin' in a Pontiac
I departed Oklahoma in a Pontiac car


Just about to lose my mind
I was on the brink of going insane


I was goin' on to Arizona, maybe on to California
I planned to travel to Arizona and potentially California


Where the people all live so fine
I was looking forward to the good life people were living there


My baby said I was crazy, my momma called me lazy
My significant other thought I was irrational and my mother thought I was indolent


I was goin' to show 'em all this time
I was determined to prove them wrong


'Cause you know I ain't no fool and I don't need no more schoolin'
I was confident in my abilities and didn't require any further education


I was born to just walk the line
I was meant to lead a life full of adventures and take risks


Livin' on Tulsa time
I'm living a carefree life where time stands still, in Tulsa


Livin' on Tulsa time
I'm still living the same way in Tulsa


Well, you know I've been through it
I've experienced it all already


When I set my watch back to it
I'll go back to living in Tulsa again


Well, there I was in Hollywood wishin' I was doin' good
I was in Hollywood wanting to succeed


Talkin' on the telephone line
I was making calls on the phone


But they don't need me in the movies and nobody sings my songs
But I wasn't needed in movies and nobody sang my tunes


Guess I'm just wastin' time
I realized I was wasting my time in Hollywood


Well, then I got to thinkin', man I'm really sinkin'
I contemplated and realized that I was getting deeper into trouble there


And I really had a flash this time
I had a sudden realization


I had no business leavin' and nobody would be grievin'
I had no reason to leave Tulsa since no one would miss me


If I went on back to Tulsa time
If I returned to Tulsa, everything would be better


Livin' on Tulsa time
I'm living a carefree life where time stands still, in Tulsa


Livin' on Tulsa time
I'm still living the same way in Tulsa


Gonna set my watch back to it
I'll go back to living in Tulsa again


'Cause you know I've been through it
I've experienced it all already


Livin' on Tulsa time
I'm living a carefree life where time stands still, in Tulsa




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Daniel W. Flowers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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