Shades Of Time
Carlos Santana Lyrics


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Tell me the things that you see
Or is it some time that you need
All of the things that you've done
I'm certain that you had your fun

Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better

Somebody calls in the night
Says he can make things go right
I know there'll soon come a day
Things will start falling your way

Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better

I'll try to help if I can
So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no
Why are you feeling so low
You're wondering where will you go

Go out and make it better




You can make it if you try
Try to make it better

Overall Meaning

The song "Shades of Time" by Carlos Santana conveys the message of positivity and encouragement to those feeling down in their lives. In the opening lines, the singer asks the listener to open up and share their troubles, suggesting that they may need some time to heal. However, the next line assures the listener that they have had their fun, and it's time to move ahead and make things better. The next set of lines in the song talks about someone calling the listener and telling them that they can make things right. This message gives the listener hope that things will start to fall in their favor soon.


The chorus of the song repeats the message to "go out and make it better," suggesting that it's up to the listener to take action and make a positive change in their lives. The singer reiterates the point that they are willing to help and listen, and the listener must not hide their head in the sand. The final lines of the song ask the listener about their worries and where they will go, but the chorus comes in again to remind them to make an effort to make things better.


Overall, "Shades of Time" encourages the listener to take control of their lives, get out of their comfort zones, and make a positive change, instead of just waiting for things to go right.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me the things that you see
Share with me your perception of the world around you


Or is it some time that you need
Perhaps you require more time to reflect and process your experiences


All of the things that you've done
The entirety of your past actions


I'm certain that you had your fun
I believe that you enjoyed yourself


Go out and make it better
Take action to improve your situation


You can make it if you try
It is within your power to succeed if you put in the effort


Try to make it better
Attempt to improve your current circumstances


Somebody calls in the night
An unspecified person contacts you during nighttime


Says he can make things go right
They claim to have the ability to improve the situation


I know there'll soon come a day
I am confident that a time will come in the near future


Things will start falling your way
Your circumstances will begin to improve


I'll try to help if I can
I will endeavour to assist if possible


So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no
Do not deny the reality of the situation


Why are you feeling so low
What is causing you to be in a negative emotional state?


You're wondering where will you go
You are uncertain about your future direction




Contributed by Miles V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Melanie Coleman

Tell me the things that you see
Or is it some time that you need
All of the things that you've done
I'm certain that you had your fun

Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better

Somebody calls in the night
Says he can make things go right 
I know there'll soon come a day
Things will start falling your way

Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better

I'll try to help if I can
So don't hide your head in the sand, oh no
Why are you feeling so low
You're wondering where will you go

Go out and make it better
You can make it if you try
Try to make it better

Songwriters: Carlos Santana / Gregg Rolie

☆☆☆



All comments from YouTube:

Gamers against Lean Alberta 2007

One of the best songs they ever recorded,they have a lot of amazing content on this album too but this one and Soul Sacrifice are always what stuck.

Magnifico35

This is possibly Santana's most underrated musical piece IMO.

aldair martinez

It definitely is

Gefelderter Grüntäubling

But one of the best!

Jose Olivares

esta es la verdadera banda de santana de todos los tiempos ,sonido original con la voz inconfundible de greg junto al teclado y gracias por estar activos en la actualidad cada uno en sus proyectos ,desde punta arenas chile un gran saludo a los que saben de buena musica

dlanodrelda

Talking about a band hitting the ground running, Santana hit the ground at world class sprint speed. Been saying this for 42 years. Anyone agree?

Tim P

Considering they played Woodstock before the first album was even released, I’d say yeah, I agree!

Scott Gibson

One of my favorite artists. This lineup was the best. Greg added a lot.

Elizabeth Ordanza

Me

Atlantean Caveman

55 years now!

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