I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Anita O'Day Lyrics


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Once I was young, yesterday, perhaps
Danced with Jim and Paul and kissed some other chaps
Once I was young, but never was naive
I thought I had a trick or two up my imaginary sleeve
And now I know I was naive

I didn't know what time it was
Then I met you
Oh, what a lovely time it was
How sublime it was too!

I didn't know what day it was
Then you held my hand
Warm like the month of May it was
And I'll say it was grand

Grand to be alive, to be young
To be mad, to be yours alone
Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Hear your voice say I'm all your own

I didn't know what year it was
Life was no prize
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes

Once I was old, twenty years or so
Rather well preserved, the wrinkles didn't show
Once I was old, but not too old for fun
I used to hunt for little girls up my imaginary gun
But now I ain't for only one

I'm wise and I know what time it is now




I'm wise and I know what time it is now
I'm so wise and I know what time it is now

Overall Meaning

The song "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" is about the singer's discovery of love and the loss of her former naivety. She reflects on her past, specifically on her youth, which she now realizes she wasn’t as knowledgeable in as she initially thought. She reminisces about dancing with Jim and Paul and kissing other guys but admits that she was never so innocent that she didn't believe she had some wiles of her own. The singer then goes to say that after meeting her lover, she finally came to understand the meaning of true love.


The chorus of the song talks about how the singer experienced a beautiful moment and discovered the joy of love after meeting her significant other. She confesses that she was oblivious to what time or day it was when she first met her partner, as she was caught up in the romance of the situation. The singer then goes on to describe the excitement she feels about being alive, young, and in love. She emphasizes that she is happy to be mad to be her lover’s alone.


Lastly, the song concludes with the singer, who is now old, reflecting on how wise she is and how she now knows what time it is. She emphasizes that despite her age, her love for her partner continues to shine and provide her life with joy and wonder.


Line by Line Meaning

Once I was young, yesterday, perhaps
Back in the past, I was young, carefree and reckless, it feels like it happened yesterday


Danced with Jim and Paul and kissed some other chaps
I had fun and enjoyed the company of different men, Jim and Paul were two of them whom I danced and kissed


Once I was young, but never was naive
Although I was young, I was never gullible, I always thought I had tricks to win over any situation


I thought I had a trick or two up my imaginary sleeve
Believing in my own capabilities, I imagined possessing several tricks to help me tackle challenges


And now I know I was naive
Realizing how inexperienced I was, I now feel foolish about my earlier notions of my skills


I didn't know what time it was
Before I met you, I didn't know what true love felt like


Then I met you
My life turned around when I found you


Oh, what a lovely time it was
Spending time with you felt wonderful and made me happy


How sublime it was too!
The experience of being with you has been divinely beautiful


I didn't know what day it was
I was lost and confused before you showed me the right way


Then you held my hand
Everything changed for me when you reached out and held my hand


Warm like the month of May it was
Your touch and affection made me feel comfortable and happy, like the pleasant sun of May


And I'll say it was grand
I can't find words to express how beautiful and grand the experience was, being with you


Grand to be alive, to be young
Being alive, young and free is a great experience in itself


To be mad, to be yours alone
Being crazily in love with you, and you alone, is incomparable


Grand to see your face, feel your touch
Seeing your face and feeling your touch is the best feeling in the world


Hear your voice say I'm all your own
Hearing you say that I belong to you makes me feel complete and beloved


I didn't know what year it was
I was lost and directionless, not knowing which path to take in life


Life was no prize
My life, at that time, was without any purpose or direction and had no charm or excitement


I wanted love and here it was
I had been longing for love and finally found it, in your loving heart


Shining out of your eyes
The love that I had been searching for, I finally found it, reflected in your eyes


Once I was old, twenty years or so
As time passed, I began to feel old, although I was only twenty or so


Rather well preserved, the wrinkles didn't show
Despite feeling old, I still maintained my charm and youthfulness, without any wrinkles showing on my face


Once I was old, but not too old for fun
Although I was aging, I still enjoyed having fun and experiencing new things


I used to hunt for little girls up my imaginary gun
In my younger days, I used to woo and charm little girls, pretending I was chasing them like hunting prey


But now I ain't for only one
Now I have found my one true love and am completely devoted to you


I'm wise and I know what time it is now
Having experienced love and life, I have grown wiser, and now understand the value of true love


I'm so wise and I know what time it is now
I am convinced about my wisdom and knowledge, and am confident in my decisions, especially those related to love and relationships.


I'm wise and I know what time it is now
I believe I have matured and attained both worldly and emotional wisdom, especially when it comes to the matters of the heart.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Britta Wolfert

The amazing Anita O'day, one of if not my favourite Jazz singer of all times. Passionate Class.

HFritzson

I love what she does with this great song. She sounds so young and fresh.

Tom Clohessy

anita plays the ultimate compliment to this great tune....she treats it in her style but let's the tune speak for itself....the tops!

David Randall

Thank you, not only for sharing this, but also for your careful insight and analysis. We must not forget this talent

Joe Hallen

A STUNNING RENDITION BY MISS O'DAY!!! REST IN PEACE PLEASE MISS O'DAY.

Evelyn Kstz

Anita is just great.

Linda Marie Lovison

Lovely song!

David Anthony Stone

one of the greatest gal singers ever Miss O'Day

Cynthia Strasse

Grand indeed....wOW Lovely velvety voix..môn Dieu! Merci

K Lee

Correction, this is a Rodgers and Hart song. Very nice interpretation by Anita O"Day.

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