Take Five
Carmen McRae with the Dave Brubeck Quartet Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Won′t you stop and take a little time out with me,
Just take five;
Stop your busy day and take the time out to see,
I'm alive.

Though I′m going out of my way,
Just so I can pass by each day,
Not a single word do we say,
It's a pantomime and not a play

Still I know our eyes often meet,
I feel tingles down to my feet,
When you smile that's much too discrete,
Sends me on my way.

Wouldn′t it be better not to be so polite,
You could offer a light;
Start a little conversation now, it′s alright, just take five,
Just take five.

Though I'm going out of my way,
Just so I can pass by each day,
Not a single word do we say,
It′s a pantomime and not a play

Still I know our eyes often meet,
I feel tingles down to my feet,
When you smile that's much too discrete,
Sends me on my way.

Wouldn′t it be better not to be so polite,
You could offer a light;
Start a little conversation now, it's alright,




Just take five, just take five
Just take five, just take five

Overall Meaning

Dear Carmen McRae,


"Take Five" is a song that captures the essence of a fleeting, yet powerful attraction that doesn't need words to be felt. The singer, a busy person, implores their intended love interest to take a little time out with them: "Just take five; Stop your busy day and take the time out to see, I'm alive." The line "I'm alive" implies that the singer is coming from a place of loneliness, or at least isolation, and hopes to connect with someone they may be secretly admiring.


The next verse suggests that the attraction is mostly physical – the two parties do not exchange words, only glances: "Not a single word do we say, It's a pantomime and not a play." The pantomime may be subtle, as the next line highlights the physicality of the interaction: "Still I know our eyes often meet, I feel tingles down to my feet." The desire is palpable, yet both the singer and their love interest remain polite and formal.


In the last verse, the singer suggests that perhaps it would be better to break the ice and start a conversation: "Wouldn't it be better not to be so polite, You could offer a light; Start a little conversation now, it's alright, just take five." However, the song ends with the repeated phrase "Just take five," indicating that the singer and the love interest may never connect on a deeper level - just five minutes of conversation would suffice.


Overall, "Take Five" is a witty, well-crafted song that captures the thrill and the longing of an unspoken attraction.


Line by Line Meaning

Won't you stop and take a little time out with me
Join me in a moment of rest and relaxation


Just take five
Spend five minutes away from your busy day


Stop your busy day and take the time out to see
Pause your hectic routine and acknowledge my presence


I'm alive
I exist and want to be noticed


Though I'm Going out of my way
I am making an effort


Just so I can pass by each day
To catch a glimpse of you


Not a single word do we say
We don't speak, but our eyes do


It's a pantomime and not a play
Our interactions are silent and theatrical


Still I know our eyes often meet
We make eye contact frequently


I feel tingles down to my feet
My body responds to your presence


When you smile that's much too discrete
Your smile is subtle and restrained


Sends me on my way
Your smile affects my mood


Wouldn't it be better not to be so polite
Maybe we should speak more openly


You could offer a light
We could start a conversation with a simple gesture


Start a little conversation now, it's alright
Let's talk, there's no reason not to


Just take five, just take five
Let's take a brief break together




Writer(s): Paul Desmond

Contributed by James T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@oooq4900

Won't you stop and take
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five
Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way
Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five



@dannyelmeza9130

Won't you stop and take
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive
Though I'm going out of my way

Though I'm going out of my way

Just so I can pass by each day

Not a single word do we say It's a pantomime and not a play
Still, I know our eyes often meet I feel tingles down to my feet When you smile, that's much too discreet Sends me on my way

Wouldn't it be better Not to be so polite You could offer a light Start a little conversation now It's alright, just take five Just take five Though I'm going out of my way Just so I can pass by each day Not a single word do we say It's a pantomime and not a play Still, I know our eyes often meet I feel tingles down to my feet When you smile, that's much too discreet Sends me on my way Wouldn't it be better Not to be so polite You could offer a light Start a little conversation now It's alright, just take five Just take five



@user-pv1cz1ej5e

Won't you stop and take
A little time out with me
Just take five
Stop your busy day
And take the time out
To see if I'm alive

Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play

Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way

Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five

Though I'm going out of my way
Just so I can pass by each day
Not a single word do we say
It's a pantomime and not a play

Still, I know our eyes often meet
I feel tingles down to my feet
When you smile, that's much too discreet
Sends me on my way

Wouldn't it be better
Not to be so polite
You could offer a light
Start a little conversation now
It's alright, just take five
Just take five



All comments from YouTube:

@ericsalomonsson4098

S-o-o-o-o Hip-Cool. Never heard a vocal version before. This is just wonderful.

@claudinewarner1728

)111! ppl

@yvetterenee8256

Al Jareau has a vocal version. Not sure if it's the same words.

@thesoultwins72

@Eric Salomonsson......Yes, I used to mix this in on the original Dave Brubeck instrumental version - always sent the audience wild! [released in the UK in 1962 - Fontana Records H.379]

@rmelin13231

My understanding is that Iola Brubeck, Dave's wife, composed the lyrics.

@ivanbueno4153

Me too, was the first time. Vocal version.

6 More Replies...

@TJSol

I absolutely love this, and Carmen McRae's voice is splendid!!!

@Bradyvilleboy

What a strong clear voice. Wow.

@jdixonhearne4559

Wow! It doesn't get any better than Carmen's rendition.

@rhondarobinson8443

Except for Al Jarreau's!!

More Comments

More Versions