Time Machine
Britta Persson Lyrics


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When I run into you at concerts and bars
We talk for ten minutes before I get harsh
I say I’m sorry but you say I’m not

This is no déjà vu, this is no bug in time
This is a real time machine!
You and me, back to when birds and bees lost their self esteem
I hit the breaks, I badly want it to stop
You’re not impressed by my attempts to get off
You say you’re sorry but I know you’re not

This is no déjà vu, this is no bug in time
This is a real time machine!
You and me back to when birds and bees lost their self esteem

By reading messages that went from ending with
Many hugs and kisses to showing less interest
Than a daughter getting parents’ warnings
At the dinner table on a Friday night…
…In 20 minutes the bus arrives, going all the way to paradise
Where the homemade fog and discolights
Run your body while you fantasize
About the pubs in Scotland, the shores of Brazil,
The meat in Argentina and the floors of a European Tour

This is no déjà vu, this is no bug in time




This is a real time machine!
You and me back to when birds and bees lost their self esteem

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of Britta Persson's "Time Machine" sets the scene of two people meeting at concerts and bars. However, despite their initial conversation, it doesn't take long for things to turn sour. The singer admits to being harsh towards their conversation partner, and apologizing for it, but their partner is not interested in letting it go. The lyrics suggest that although there may be some familiarity in this situation, it's not a case of déjà vu or a glitch in time - something has changed.


The chorus of the song introduces the idea of a "real time machine" which takes the singer and their partner back to a time when "birds and bees lost their self-esteem." This imagery seems to suggest a time before sexual confidence or dating knowledge was really established, which possibly points to a time in their relationship when things were simpler or less complicated. However, as the second verse unfolds, it becomes clear that this isn't just a happy trip down memory lane - the singer hits the "breaks" because they "badly want it to stop" and their partner isn't impressed by their attempts to make things right. The singer acknowledges that their partner says sorry, but they know it's not genuine.


Line by Line Meaning

When I run into you at concerts and bars
Encountering you randomly in social settings


We talk for ten minutes before I get harsh
Engaging in small talk before getting confrontational


I say I’m sorry but you say I’m not
Apologizing while receiving no forgiveness


This is no déjà vu, this is no bug in time
This isn't a repeated event or a malfunction


This is a real time machine!
This is an actual time-travel experience


You and me, back to when birds and bees lost their self esteem
Traveling to a time of naivety and insecurity


I hit the breaks, I badly want it to stop
Putting an end to a situation that is unwanted


You’re not impressed by my attempts to get off
Not being amused by efforts to end the situation


You say you’re sorry but I know you’re not
Being aware that an apology is insincere


By reading messages that went from ending with
Observing a shift in the tone of communication


Many hugs and kisses to showing less interest
Going from affectionate to disinterested


Than a daughter getting parents’ warnings
Less attention than a typical family dinner conversation


At the dinner table on a Friday night…
A specific scenario for the previous statement


…In 20 minutes the bus arrives, going all the way to paradise
Boarding transportation to an ideal location


Where the homemade fog and discolights
Describing the atmosphere of this location


Run your body while you fantasize
Being consumed by daydreams in this environment


About the pubs in Scotland, the shores of Brazil,
Imagining exotic and diverse locations


The meat in Argentina and the floors of a European Tour
Mentally traveling through different cultures and experiences


You and me back to when birds and bees lost their self esteem
Repeating the chorus to emphasize the time-travel theme




Contributed by Makayla W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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