Currently, the group comprises singer and harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla and keyboardist Ben Wilson. Tad Kinchla and Ben Wilson joined the band following the death of original bassist Bobby Sheehan in 1999.
While Blues Traveler is best known among fans for their improvisational live shows, the general public is most familiar with the group from their Top 40 singles "Run-Around" and "Hook". They gained mainstream popularity after their fourth studio album four, released in 1994. Sheehan's death and Popper's struggle with obesity put a damper on the group's success, and A&M dropped the band in 2002.
Borrowed Time
Blues Traveler Lyrics
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How you loved to lie to me
So recklessly fragile
So beyond my power to see
And yet so demanding
By making me believe
That I am standing
That all our days are numbered
No matter the amount
Well, there's a first and then at last
There is finally the fact
That the numerals just don't count
And all our time is borrowed
No deposit, no return
And no promise of tomorrow or the next day
What was lent you can never earn
If I took care of you
And loved you all your days
I'd still have to let you go
'Cause nothing ever stays
You taught me to stand
And then you left the job to me
Now as a man
I'm finally forced to see
That all our days are numbered
No matter the amount
Well, there's a first and then at last
There is finally the fact
That the numerals just don't count
And all our time is borrowed
No deposit, no return
And no promise of tomorrow or the next day
What was lent you can never earn
What was lent you can never earn
What was lent you can never earn
What was lent you can never earn
The lyrics to Blues Traveler's "Borrowed Time" delve into the fragility and fleeting nature of life. The first verse acknowledges how life can deceive us, appearing strong and unbreakable while remaining delicately at risk. The song's narrator paints life as a demanding force, convincing us that our own personal interference can impact the longevity of our existence. But ultimately, the lyrics suggest that our time on earth is limited, regardless of how we choose to live, and we are simply borrowing time that we cannot earn.
The second verse further explores the idea of life's impermanence. The singer recognizes that even if he were to devote himself to caring for someone else, their time would still eventually come to an end. This realization pushes him to acknowledge that he must face life as an independent entity, forced to stand on his own and navigate the unpredictable future. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes how the human experience, with all its joys and sorrows, is fleeting and unsustainable.
Overall, "Borrowed Time" reminds listeners to live in the moment and appreciate what they have while they have it. The song acknowledges that life is complex and demanding, and that ultimately, all we can do is make the most of our borrowed time on this earth.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, precious life
The singer refers to life as precious and valuable.
How you loved to lie to me
The singer feels that life is deceitful and often does not give them what they want or expect.
So recklessly fragile
The singer thinks that life is delicate and can easily be lost or damaged.
So beyond my power to see
The artist feels that they cannot predict or control what happens in life.
And yet so demanding
The artist thinks that life requires a lot of effort and attention from them.
By making me believe
The singer thinks that life has fooled them into thinking they have more control than they actually do.
That I am standing
The singer acknowledges that they are alive and present in this world.
In the way of my own reprieve
The artist realizes that they are the only one who can save themselves from their problems.
That all our days are numbered
The artist believes that everyone will die eventually.
No matter the amount
The artist believes that it doesn't matter how many days someone has, they will still die at some point.
Well, there's a first and then at last
The singer acknowledges that everyone has a beginning and an end.
There is finally the fact
The artist believes that the truth is that everyone will die.
That the numerals just don't count
The singer believes that counting the days won't change the fact that everyone will die.
And all our time is borrowed
The singer believes that the time they have is not guaranteed and could be taken away at any moment.
No deposit, no return
The singer believes that there is nothing they can offer in exchange for the borrowed time they have.
And no promise of tomorrow or the next day
The artist believes that they cannot predict what will happen in the future.
If I took care of you
The artist imagines taking care of life as if it were a person or thing.
And loved you all your days
The singer imagines loving and cherishing life throughout its duration.
I'd still have to let you go
The singer realizes that even if they do everything right, they will still eventually die.
'Cause nothing ever stays
The artist believes that everything in life is temporary and will eventually pass away.
You taught me to stand
The artist reflects on the things that they have learned from life.
And then you left the job to me
The artist realizes that it is up to them to take charge of their own life and make their own decisions.
Now as a man
The singer reflects on their maturity and growth throughout life.
I'm finally forced to see
The artist realizes that they can no longer avoid or deny the reality of life.
What was lent you can never earn
The singer believes that life is a gift and they cannot earn or deserve it.
What was lent you can never earn
The singer repeats this line to emphasize its importance.
What was lent you can never earn
The singer repeats this line once more as a final reminder.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: BRENDAN HILL, CHAN KINCHLA, TAD KINCHLA, JOHN C. POPPER, BEN WILSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind