04 Time After Time
Cassandra Wilson Lyrics


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Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
And I think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcases of memories
Time after
Sometimes you picture me
And I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, and I can't hear
What you've said
Then you say go slow
I fall behind
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost you can look, you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting
Time after

My picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows you're wondering
If I'm OK
Secrets stolen from deep inside
The drum beats out of time

If you're lost you can look, you will find me
Time after time




If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting
Time after time

Overall Meaning

In Cassandra Wilson's song Time After Time, the singer is lying in bed, listening to the clock tick and reflecting on their feelings for someone. They are caught up in circles and feeling confused, but have warm memories of past nights that they almost left behind. The singer describes the memories as "suitcases" that they carry with them over time.


The second verse talks about a disconnect between the singer and the person they are thinking of. The singer feels like they are walking ahead and cannot hear the other person calling to them. However, the other person tells them to "go slow" and the singer falls behind. As time passes, the second hand unwinds and the singer realizes that they will always be waiting for this person, time after time.


The final verse describes the singer's fading picture and feelings of darkness and uncertainty. The other person is watching through windows, wondering if the singer is okay. Secrets are stolen from inside the singer, and the drum beats out of time, creating a sense of urgency and desperation. But even in this state, the singer promises to be there for the other person if they fall, waiting for them time after time.


Overall, the song is about the enduring nature of love and the memories that we carry with us over time. Even when things are confusing or difficult, the singer is willing to wait for the other person and catch them if they fall. The repetition of "time after time" reinforces the idea that love is a constant in our lives, even as time marches on.


Line by Line Meaning

Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
As I lay here, I hear the clock ticking away, passing time and bringing my thoughts to you.


And I think of you
My mind is flooded with thoughts of you as I stare up at the ceiling.


Caught up in circles
In my mind, my thoughts often become trapped in an endless cycle.


Confusion is nothing new
I've grown accustomed to feeling lost and unsure in matters of the heart.


Flashback warm nights
I can still vividly remember nights spent wrapped up in your warmth and love.


Almost left behind
Those memories could have easily slipped away, but they've remained with me all this time.


Suitcases of memories
I carry with me a lifetime's worth of precious memories, ones that I can't bear to part with.


Time after
Time passes by, without a care for the memories and emotions it leaves behind.


Sometimes you picture me
At times, you were able to imagine me by your side, walking ahead of you.


And I'm walking too far ahead
But I was always a few steps ahead, lost in my own world and my own problems.


You're calling to me, and I can't hear
You tried to call out to me, to connect with me, but I was too lost in my own thoughts to hear you.


What you've said
I was too consumed with my own misunderstandings and problems to truly hear what you were trying to say.


Then you say go slow
You tried to slow me down and get me to see things from a different perspective.


I fall behind
But I was always a few steps behind, always struggling to keep up with you and with myself.


The second hand unwinds
Time passes endlessly, counting down the seconds and reminding me of what I've lost.


If you're lost you can look, you will find me
If you ever feel lost and alone, remember that I'm here for you, always and forever.


Time after time
No matter how many times time moves on and we grow older, my love and support for you will never fade.


If you fall I will catch you I'll be waiting
Even if life gets tough and you stumble, I'll always be here to catch you and lift you back up.


My picture fades and darkness has
As time passes, my presence and memory may begin to fade, and the world may feel darker without me there.


Turned to gray
Colors may lose their vibrancy, and life may lose some of its spark, but that doesn't diminish the love and memories that remain.


Watching through windows you're wondering
You may be looking out at the world, watching the seasons change and wondering what could have been.


If I'm OK
You may wonder how I'm doing, if I'm happy and fulfilled, or if I'm missing you as much as you miss me.


Secrets stolen from deep inside
There are secrets and emotions that we keep hidden away, deep within ourselves, that only come to light in moments like this.


The drum beats out of time
Life can sometimes feel like a song with a misplaced beat, with a rhythm that feels off and unsteady, out of sync with what we're feeling inside.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Robert Hyman, Cyndi Lauper

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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