Funny How Time Slips Away
B. B. King & Bobby Blue Bland Lyrics
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My, it's been a long long time
How am I doin'
Oh well, I guess I'm doin' fine
It's been so long now and it seems that
It was only yesterday
Ain't it funny how time slips away
I hope that he's doin' fine
Heard you told him, yes baby
That you'd love him till the end of time
Well you know, that's the same thing
That you told me
Well, it seems like just the other day
Ain't it funny how time slips away
Gotta go now
Guess I'll see you hanging round
Don't know when though
Never know when I'll be back in town
But I remember what I told you
That in time you're gonna pay
Well ain't it surprisin' how time slips away
Yeah, ain't it surprisin' how time slips away
The song "Funny How Time Slips Away" is a classic track by B.B. King and Bobby Blue Bland. The lyrics are a conversation between two old lovers who meet by chance. The first verse sets the scene, where the singer greets his or her old lover and asks how they are doing. The singer then reflects on how time has flown by since they last met, although it feels like it was only yesterday that they were together. The use of the phrase "funny how time slips away" suggests that the singer is struggling to come to terms with the passage of time and how it affects relationships and memories.
The second verse is essentially a comparison between the singer's old lover's current relationship and their past together. The singer asks how their new love is doing, and hears that they have promised to love him forever, just as they once promised the same thing to the singer. This parallel between old and new love serves to highlight the cyclical nature of relationships, and how people sometimes repeat the same patterns even though they may not intend to.
The final verse brings the conversation to a close. The singer acknowledges that they have to leave and will not know when they will see their old lover again. However, they remind the old lover that they once warned them that they would pay for their mistakes. This final line is a warning that the past will catch up with them eventually, and that time has a way of bringing everything full circle. Overall, "Funny How Time Slips Away" is a poignant and thought-provoking song that asks us to reflect on our relationships and how they change over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Well hello there
Opening greeting to someone who hasn't been seen in a long time
My, it's been a long long time
Statement acknowledging how much time has passed since the last meeting
How am I doin'
Inquiry into how the other person perceives the singer
Oh well, I guess I'm doin' fine
Response suggesting the artist is alright
It's been so long now and it seems that
Observation that time has gone by quickly despite the long period since the last encounter
It was only yesterday
Figurative expression to represent how vivid the memory still is
Ain't it funny how time slips away
Rhetorical question showing the irony of how time can pass without one truly being aware
How's your new love
Inquiry into the current relationship status of the person being addressed
I hope that he's doin' fine
Wish for the other person's happiness
Heard you told him, yes baby
Indication that the artist has some knowledge of the other person's current relationship
That you'd love him till the end of time
Expression of eternal love to the new significant other
Well you know, that's the same thing
Commentary on how the other person is repeating the same words they once told the artist
That you told me
Clarification of the previous statement
Well, it seems like just the other day
Expression of how fresh the memory of the previous relationship is
Ain't it funny how time slips away
Reiteration of how time can make memories seem like they happened only recently
Gotta go now
Announcement that the conversation must end
Guess I'll see you hanging round
Assumption that the other person may still frequent the same areas as before
Don't know when though
Admission of uncertainty as to when the singer will see the other person again
Never know when I'll be back in town
Explanation of why the next meeting is unpredictable
But I remember what I told you
Recollection of previous conversation
That in time you're gonna pay
Statement suggesting that actions have consequences and time will tell
Well ain't it surprisin' how time slips away
Final reiteration of the main theme of the song, pointing out the irony of how quickly time passes
Contributed by Ella D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kurt Scott
I was privileged to hear these gentlemen signing this song live late in their long careers , and felt then that they were saying goodbye to each other and their audience. It was the most moving thing I ever witnessed and I cried shamelessly.
Badtothebones Gaming
The best song these two did together. May they both rest in peace.
1LaneBridge
RIP BB. Thank you for that beautiful music
Lincoln Jones
Man I miss these guys you can feel the love and friendship they had together thanks for sharing
Kayla Garcia
GOD BLESS BOBBY HE TRULY LOVED THE BLUES AND HIS MUSIC RIP
tuxguys
I love these guys, and I love this tune, which I consider to be Willie Nelson's masterpiece ("Crazy" notwithstanding), and the King makes Lucille sing a great chorus...
...but Bobby's phrasing cuts B.B.'s here.
bearbearcooper
wonderful!! thx for posting... another great tune added to my favs!!
Joe Johnson
Heard this on B.B. king's Blue station and I came close to crying about relationships with people that are no longer living that I missed out on.
Mickey McGill
I use to sit for hours and list to big Bobby Blue Bland at the club on hwy 43, love his music.
john kwock
Thanks Bobby for everything. RIP