Out of Time
Blur Lyrics


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Where's the love song to set us free?
Too many people down
Everything turning the wrong way 'round
And I don't know what life would be
If we stop dreaming now
Lord knows we'd never clear the clouds

And you've been so busy lately
That you haven't found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning
Gently out of time

Feel the sunshine on your face
It's in a computer now
Gone to the future, way out in space

And you've been so busy lately
That you haven't found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning
Gently out of time

And you've been so busy lately
That you haven't found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning
Gently out of time

Tell me I'm not dreaming
But are we out of time?
We're out of time
Out of time
Out of time




Out of time
Out of time

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Blur's "Out of Time" concern the "love song" that sets people free, and the need for such an expression in a time when "everything [is] turning the wrong way 'round." The song seems to be a call for a renewal of optimism or perhaps just an act of resistance, as if the band is saying "don't give up on love." The lines "Too many people down / Everything turning the wrong way 'round" suggest a time when none of the old values and promises seem to hold up, and the listener might ask, "where is the love song?" Only by continuing to dream and imagine a better world can one clear the clouds, the song suggests.


The subsequent verses are about the busy-ness and modernization of contemporary life, and the importance of making time to "open up your mind / And watch the world spinning / Gently out of time." The harmony here is surprisingly complex and beautiful, evoking a sense of peacefulness and positivity. The world might be chaotic and overwhelming, but one can still pause to observe it and enjoy its beauties. The chorus lyrics repeat this idea, asserting that the listener has not yet missed the chance to experience the world, to feel the sun on their face, and to appreciate the physical world before it becomes lost behind computer screens and space exploration. These closing lines, repeating "we're out of time," suggest a bittersweet quality to the song. It is as if the band knows these experiences and moments will soon be lost or eclipsed, but they continue to sing about them all the same.


Line by Line Meaning

Where's the love song to set us free?
Expressing a desire for a song that inspires us with love and sets us free from negativity.


Too many people down
Noticing that too many people are feeling discouraged, depressed or upset.


Everything turning the wrong way 'round
Feeling that everything is going wrong and not according to plan.


And I don't know what life would be
Wondering about the purpose and meaning of life.


If we stop dreaming now
Recognizing that dreaming is crucial to keep hope alive and achieve greater things.


Lord knows we'd never clear the clouds
Acknowledging that overcoming obstacles is challenging and requires faith and determination.


And you've been so busy lately
Addressing someone who has been preoccupied with other matters and unable to appreciate life.


That you haven't found the time
Highlighting the importance of taking time to reflect and enjoy life's pleasures.


To open up your mind
Encouraging the person to be more receptive to new ideas, experiences and perspectives.


And watch the world spinning
Inviting the person to observe and appreciate the beauty and complexity of the world.


Gently out of time
Emphasizing the passing of time and the need to savor each moment in a calm and peaceful way.


Feel the sunshine on your face
Encouraging the person to enjoy the warmth and light of the sun, which represents life and vitality.


It's in a computer now
Noting the changing nature of technology and how it influences our perception of reality.


Gone to the future, way out in space
Reflecting on the possibilities and uncertainties of the future, which is vast and mysterious like space.


Tell me I'm not dreaming
Expressing disbelief or confusion about whether something is real or not.


But are we out of time?
Asking a question about the availability or scarcity of time to achieve a certain goal or aspiration.


We're out of time
Reiterating the idea that time is running out and action needs to be taken urgently.


Out of time
Echoing the title of the song and its message that time is finite and precious.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David Rowntree, Damon Albarn, Steven Alexander James

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@artless3438

@@simsalonaut Hmm, difficult list. If we're just talking these style songs, then Think Tank will be the majority of these styled songs. That being said for Think Tank then:
Good Song,
Sweet Song,
Ambulance,
On the Way to the Club
From other albums (13 and Blur will be closest to these styled songs):
Coffee and Tv,
1992,
You're so Great,
Strange News from Another Star,
Beetlebum



@lauraluciagallego5321

Where's the love song to set us free
too many people down
everything turning the wrong way round
and i don't know what life would be
if we stop dreaming now
lord knows we'd never clear the clouds
Chorus:
and you've been so busy lately
that you haven't found the time
to open up your mind
and watch the world spinning
gently out of time
Feel the sunshime on your face
it's in the computer now
gone to the future way out in space
Chorus×2
Tell me i'm not dreaming
but are we out of time
we're out of time
out of time



@OthO67

"Out Of Time"

Where's the love song to set us free?
Too many people down
Everything turning the wrong way 'round
And I don't know what love would be
But if we stop dreaming now
Lord knows we'd never clear the clouds

And you've been so busy lately
That you haven't found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning
Gently out of time

Feel the sunshine on your face
It's in a computer now
Gone to the future way out in space

And you've been so busy lately
That you haven't found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning
Gently out of time

And you've been so busy lately
That you haven't found the time
To open up your mind
And watch the world spinning
Gently out of time
Tell me I'm not dreaming
But are we out of time?

We're out of time
Out of time
Out of time
Out of time
Out of time



@augustuscolumbano

I remember the first time I heard this song, the first time I saw this music video. I was like 12 or 13 inside my makeshift room, we had a Sharp CATV which was a CRT. It was like 12mn or 1AM when this came on MTV (ch. 41) and oh boy.

I had that indescribable mixed feeling of sadness and happiness. Sad because I thought the song tackles lonliness (due to the title, and music video subtitles towards the end,) and happy because I discovered something new, I felt alive and content for that short moment of my teenage life 😊

From then on I kept on humming the melody coz I didn't know any basic English back then 😅 had no idea of the lyrics, internet wasn't that popular in my area and I only got to hear this song when someone from the network "decided" to play it.

Now almost 20 years later, I still consider it a gem and I still relate to this song and music video, it has a special place in my being, a part of my psyche. Kudos to the crew, people, minds behind this. Damon, your voice is haunting and I like it. Very much.

Very much.



All comments from YouTube:

@Luigi1980

Most underrated Blur song. Its beautiful.

@stevejackson5963

Beautiful certainly but not underrated. Not by those with taste 🙂

@christopherwrightson4326

Not by me ❤

@RossMcCarthy1990

I think a better music video, and this song would be better regarded

@wilfullness

Anything is only underated by the person who names it as such. Don't do it. We rate things according to how and where we rate them. Rating is subjective. If you really mean it wasn't more commercially successful then, well, it had the success it was due.

@dudestyle01

​@@RossMcCarthy1990😅

1 More Replies...

@lucidjuicekid

Such a beautiful song. No-one does melancholia as well as Damon.

@MrShahid0072

Natalia P. Lol.. what does that even mean

@owlpacheyt7824

The new album Merrieland by The Good The Bad and The Queen would suggest otherwise

@melciveng

The Spirit Molecule His Mongolian throat-singing album was inspired 😀

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