I Didn't Know What Time It Was
Cole Nat 'King' Lyrics


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I didn't know what time it was,
Then I met you.
Oh, what a lovely time it was,
How sublime it was too!
I didn't know what day it was,
You held my hand.

Warm like the month of May it was,
And I'll say it was grand.
Grand to be alive, to be young,
To be mad, to be yours alone!
Grand to see your face, feel your touch,
Hear your voice say I'm all your own.

I didn't know what year it was,
Life was no prize.
I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes.
I'm wise,
And I know what time it is now.

I wanted love and here it was
Shining out of your eyes.




I'm wise,
And I know what time it is now.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nat King Cole's "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" describe the transformative power of love, and the joy and clarity it can bring to a person's life. The singer reflects on a time when he felt adrift and disconnected from the world around him, with no sense of direction or purpose. Then, he met someone special who brought light and warmth into his life, and he describes their time together as "lovely" and "sublime". They held hands and enjoyed each other's company in a way that made him feel alive and young, and he revels in the joy of being "yours alone". By the end of the song, the singer has gained a newfound sense of wisdom and understanding, declaring that he now knows what time it is, and that he has found the love he always wanted in the eyes of his partner.


The lyrics of "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" are simple, yet powerful, and convey a universal message about the transformative power of love. The words are set to a mellow, romantic melody that perfectly captures the dreamy, nostalgic mood of the song. Nat King Cole's smooth, velvet-voiced delivery adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the lyrics, making them all the more poignant and affecting.


Overall, "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" is a classic example of the timeless, romantic ballads that Nat King Cole was famous for. The song's themes of love, transformation, and the passage of time are still relevant today, and its simple, heartfelt lyrics and beautiful melody continue to resonate with listeners across generations.


Line by Line Meaning

I didn't know what time it was,
I was lost and unaware of the passing hours.


Then I met you.
But then you came into my life and changed everything.


Oh, what a lovely time it was,
The time spent with you was joyful and enchanting.


How sublime it was too!
In fact, it was so wonderful that it felt ethereal and divine.


I didn't know what day it was,
I was so lost in your love that I lost track of the days.


You held my hand.
But you were there to guide me through it all.


Warm like the month of May it was,
The love we shared was as warm and vibrant as the month of May.


And I'll say it was grand.
I'll tell you, it was absolutely glorious.


Grand to be alive, to be young,
Being alive and young while in love with you was truly wonderful.


To be mad, to be yours alone!
I was head-over-heels in love with you and only you.


Grand to see your face, feel your touch,
Seeing your face and feeling your touch was pure bliss.


Hear your voice say I'm all your own.
Hearing you say that I belonged to you was music to my ears.


I didn't know what year it was,
Prior to meeting you, I was lost and unaware of the years going by.


Life was no prize.
Life was barren and unfulfilling before I found you.


I wanted love and here it was
What I truly yearned for was love and you came along and gave it to me.


Shining out of your eyes.
Your love for me was radiating from your eyes.


I'm wise,
Now that I have experienced your love, I am wise and enlightened.


And I know what time it is now.
I am now fully aware of the present and understand the true value of time.




Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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