This Is The Time
Billy Joel Lyrics
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They're tearing it down now
But it's just as well
I haven't shown you everything a man can do
So stay with me baby
I've got plans for you
This is the time to remember
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
And now I need the rest of you
Did you know that before you came into my life
It was some kind of miracle that I survived
Some day we will both look back
And have to laugh
We lived through a lifetime
And the aftermath
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you know
Sometimes it's so easy
To let a day
Slip on by
Without even seeing each other at all
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
And those will be the days you can never recall
And so we embrace again
Behind the dunes
This beach is cold
On winter afternoons
But holding you close is like holding the summer sun
I'm warm from the memory of days to come
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
But we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
But now I need the rest of you
The song "This Is The Time" by Billy Joel is an ode to love and reminiscing about a relationship. In the first verse, the singer walks on the beach with his lover next to an old hotel that is being torn down. He talks about how he hasn't shown his lover all that he can do for her and implies that he has grand plans for their future together. This sets the tone for the song, as he recognizes that times are changing, and he wants to seize this moment.
The chorus emphasizes that this is the time to remember because it will not last forever. The singer wants to hold onto these moments and these days, but he also acknowledges that eventually, things will change. He wants to move forward with his lover, butnot at the expense of losing her. He recognizes that she has given him the best of her, and he needs the rest of her.
The second verse delves into the idea that the singer survived before his lover came into his life. He also recognizes that one day, they will look back on this time and have to laugh at how they lived through a lifetime and the aftermath. The bridge of the song highlights the idea that it can be so easy to let days slip away without seeing each other. This is the time to turn back, to embrace each other on this cold beach and to remember that sometimes, the best times come when we are together.
Line by Line Meaning
We walked on the beach beside that old hotel
We strolled on this sandy shore next to the dilapidated inn.
They're tearing it down now
That structure is being demolished presently.
But it's just as well
That's alright by me, it no longer has significance.
I haven't shown you everything a man can do
There are still things I'm capable of that I haven't demonstrated to you.
So stay with me baby
Remain with me, darling.
I've got plans for you
I have intentions for you.
This is the time to remember
This moment should be cherished in our memories.
Cause it will not last forever
This state of being cannot exist eternally.
These are the days
This period right now.
To hold on to
To clutch onto and not let go of.
Cause we won't
We will not be able to preserve this.
Although we'll want to
It will be something we yearn to do.
But time is gonna change
However, time is bound to alter it.
You've given me the best of you
You've shared your finest with me.
And now I need the rest of you
And now I desire the remaining parts of you.
Did you know that before you came into my life
Were you aware that prior to meeting you,
It was some kind of miracle that I survived
It was some sort of miracle that I was able to pull through.
Some day we will both look back
In the future we'll reflect on
And have to laugh
And be compelled to laugh.
We lived through a lifetime
We made it through a long span of time.
And the aftermath
And experienced the repercussions.
I know we've got to move somehow
I am aware we must make a change somehow.
But I don't want to lose you know
But I do not want to part ways with you, you know.
Sometimes it's so easy
At times it's so effortless
To let a day
To allow a day
Slip on by
To pass by unnoticed.
Without even seeing each other at all
Without catching a glimpse of each other at all.
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
However, this moment we'll both turn and see each other.
And those will be the days you can never recall
And those will be the days that you will never remember.
And so we embrace again
So we hold each other tightly once more.
Behind the dunes
Out of sight from the shore, behind the hills of sand.
This beach is cold
The air on this beach is chilly.
On winter afternoons
During the wintertime afternoons.
But holding you close is like holding the summer sun
Yet clasping you dear is like clutching the warmth of the summer sun.
I'm warm from the memory of days to come
I'm filled with warmth from the notion of days in our future.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILLY JOEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ladypage5193
We walked on the beach beside that old hotel
They're tearing it down now
But it's just as well
I haven't shown you everything a man can do
So stay with me baby
I've got plans for you
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
And now I need the rest of you
Did you know that before you came into my life
It was some kind of miracle that I survived
Some day we will both look back
And have to laugh
We lived through a lifetime
And the aftermath
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you know
Sometimes it's so easy
To let a day
Slip on by
Without even seeing each other at all
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
And those will be the days you can never recall
And so we embrace again
Behind the dunes
This beach is cold
On winter afternoons
But holding you close is like holding the summer sun
I'm warm from the memory of days to come
This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
But we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
But now I need the rest of you
@joyceyolandastorch8964
Every year there was one less person at the holiday dinner. I always thought of this song everytime i was having a good time with family or friends. Especially as we are getting older, everyday is precious. We must hold on to these times as much as we can and treasure them. Thank you for this meaningful song, Billy Joel.🌹
@cosimovelella9406
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@stormcorrosion176
Amen Joyce, I just heard this one again after many years. Tears falling down my face; Incredibly emotional song! Take care
@asihendrickson740
Amen
@babycaykz
Your a beautiful soul
@geetallygee5089
✨🥰🙏🏼💜
@joebo73
My late husband and I loved Billy Joel. Our 4 kids were small I would tell him listen to this song. Now he's almost gone 9 years our children are grown, he missed a lot . This song makes me think of him❤
@MarcoCicuto
Credo che nessuno, in Italia, possa ascoltare questa canzone e non correre col pensiero agli anni andati, quando la mamma, la nonna, oppure una zia, al pomeriggio guardavano sull'immancabile Rete4 "Sentieri". E, discretamente silenziosa, una lacrima di nostalgia si fa strada, perchè magari quella persona ci ha lasciati. Buoni ricordi a tutti!!!
@Jen-fr4sd
❤❤
@Mr.Futuro
Assolutamente,ricordo mia nonna,dopo pranzo e quei pomeriggi spensierati anni 80.
Bello esserci stato.