branched out into music, but that is the opposite of how they began. After first being brought to life in Bagdasarian's 1950s novelty recordings under the name David Seville and the Chipmunks, the characters were an unprecedented success, and the singing Chipmunks and their manager were given life in several animated cartoon series and motion pictures.
The voices of the group were all performed by Bagdasarian, who sped up the playback to create the higher pitched, squeaky voices. This process was not entirely new; Bagdasarian had also used it for a previous novelty song project, "The Witch Doctor", but it was so unusual and well executed it earned the "trio" two Grammy Awards for engineering. Although the characters were fictional, they did release a long line of "real" albums and singles, with "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" becoming a number-one hit single in the United States. After his death in 1972, the voices of the Chipmunks were subsequently recorded by his son, Ross Bagdasarian, Jr., and his wife, Janice Karman, in all subsequent incarnations to date.
Time Warp
Alvin and The Chipmunks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time is fleeting
Madness takes its toll
But listen closely
(Oh, not for very much longer)
I've got to keep control
I remember doing the time-warp
The Blackness would hit me
And the void would be calling
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's do the time-warp again
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
Put your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's do the time-warp again
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me
So you can't see me,
No, not at all
In another dimension
With voyeuristic intention
Well secluded, I see all
With a bit of a mind flip
You're into the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation
Like you're under sedation
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's do the time-warp again
Well I was walking down the street
Just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck, and the devil's eyes
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's do the time-warp again
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
Put your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's do the time-warp again
"Time Warp" is a classic song from the musical "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." The song is known for its dance moves that accompany the lyrics and the catchy chorus. The lyrics speak about time slipping away, madness, and being transported to another dimension. The singer expresses the desire to keep control and remember doing the time-warp. The lyrics also mention the joy of being free from reality and living in a fantasy world. The song suggests that doing the time-warp is an escape from reality, and the pelvic thrusts provide a sense of exhilaration that drives people mad.
The lyrics to "Time Warp" were written by Richard O'Brien, who also wrote the script and played the character Riff Raff in the original stage production and film adaptation. The song was first performed by O'Brien and Patricia Quinn in the original 1973 stage production of "The Rocky Horror Show" and later in the 1975 film adaptation. The song became so popular that it is often played at midnight screenings of the film, where fans dress up in costumes and perform the dance moves.
Line by Line Meaning
It's astounding
This is amazing or unbelievable
Time is fleeting
Time passes by quickly
Madness takes its toll
Mental instability can have adverse effects on you or your surroundings
But listen closely
Pay attention
(Oh, not for very much longer)
The situation may not last much longer
I've got to keep control
I need to maintain my composure
I remember doing the time-warp
I recall having done the time-warp
Drinking those moments when
Savoring those moments where
The Blackness would hit me
When I would experience intense or overwhelming emotions
And the void would be calling
And I would feel empty or lost
Let's do the time-warp again
Let's revisit past memories and experiences
It's just a jump to the left
This is just a slight change in direction
And then a step to the right
Followed by another change in direction
Put your hands on your hips
Stand with your hands on your waist
You bring your knees in tight
Bend your knees inwards
But it's the pelvic thrust
The pelvic thrust is a crucial move in the dance
That really drives you insane
That's what makes the dance so captivating
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me
This is surreal, and I feel liberated from reality
So you can't see me,
So no one can see me or judge me
No, not at all
It's like I don't exist in this world
In another dimension
In another reality or parallel universe
With voyeuristic intention
With a desire to watch or observe
Well secluded, I see all
Isolated and alone, I can observe everything
With a bit of a mind flip
With a slight change in mentality or perspective
You're into the time slip
You experience time differently or lose track of time
And nothing can ever be the same
Everything changes irreversibly
You're spaced out on sensation
You're caught up in an overwhelming feeling or experience
Like you're under sedation
Like you're being drugged or medicated
Well I was walking down the street
I was simply walking down the road
Just a-having a think
Contemplating or reflecting
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
A dubious or dangerous person flirted with me
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise
He startled me or gave me a shock
He had a pickup truck, and the devil's eyes
He had a truck and a sinister look in his eyes
He stared at me and I felt a change
I sensed a transformation or shift
Time meant nothing, never would again
Time lost its significance for me forever after that
Let's do the time-warp again
Once again, let's revisit past memories and experiences
Contributed by Tyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
zman383992
I love this song, and the fact that it is Chipmunks just makes it that much better!!!!!
almelon
Oh. My. God. This is so dramatic and hilarious, I love it! XD
SansClassic
“I’ve got to smoke a bowl”
The audience and me
Mike
Theodore sounds like the original girl from the movie. Haha
Zoe Playz
The intro of this song scared me as a kid.
Neel L. Lumi
‘…Say something.’
‘Say! Do any of you guys know how to do the Alvin Twist?’
Ask Trixie Bumblebutter
I mean.... they really did try to sell that Magenta accent.
Kaylie Ordoyne
I want to find this on Apple Music but the only place I can find it is here 😢
Anita Foster
Now, my life is complete! (poopoopoo)
Anita Foster
You are awesome!