Only Time
Crows Lyrics


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Held my breath for so long now
But I held my tongue for longer than I should have done
And I heard you say and I heard you lie
About some things you said before
And I′m here to give another view of a new life, a new time
The only time you'll needed someone new
Left behind, I′m terrified, but you're not enough
You've given too, given too much all to you

And I′ll say that I
To the old time, the old time, the only time
You′ll need him more than me

Held my breath and I held my tongue
For so long now, for longer than
And I'm here to give it all to you
Your new life, your new eyes
The things you wanted all this time
And I′m left behind and I'm terrified
That I′m not enough, I gave it all
Gave it too much all to you

And I'll say that I
To the old time, the old time, the only time
You′ll need him more than me

Old time
The only time, you'll need it more than
Me
The only time, the only time that you'll
Need me
The only time, you′ll need it more than
Me
The only time, the only time that you′ll
Need

That I, to the old time, the old time
The only time, you'll need him more than me




I′ll say the old time, the old time
The only time, you'll need him more than me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Crow's song "Only Time" depict a conflicted emotional state. The singer has been holding their breath and holding their tongue for an extended period of time, suggesting a suppression of their true feelings and emotions. They have also been aware of lies and falsehoods that were spoken by their partner. Despite all this, the singer is now offering a different perspective, a new view of life and time. They imply that the person they are addressing will eventually need someone new, leaving the singer behind and feeling terrified. They express feelings of inadequacy, having given too much of themselves to this person.


Throughout the song, the singer repeats the phrase "to the old time, the old time, the only time you'll need him more than me." This could be interpreted as the singer acknowledging that there was a period in the past where their partner needed them more, but now things have changed. The repetition emphasizes the singer's realization that the person they are singing to will eventually long for someone else.


Overall, "Only Time" delves into themes of emotional suppression, lies and deception, the fear of being replaced, and the bitterness that can arise when realizing one's own sacrifice and giving has not been reciprocated.


Line by Line Meaning

Held my breath for so long now
Endured a prolonged period of anticipation and silence


But I held my tongue for longer than I should have done
Stayed silent and refrained from speaking up for an extended period of time, exceeding what was necessary


And I heard you say and I heard you lie
Witnessed your words and deceit


About some things you said before
Regarding statements you made previously


And I'm here to give another view of a new life, a new time
Presenting an alternative perspective on a fresh start, a different period


The only time you'll needed someone new
The sole instance when you require someone different


Left behind, I'm terrified, but you're not enough
Feeling abandoned, filled with fear, yet realizing that you alone are insufficient


You've given too, given too much all to you
You have also bestowed excessively, surrendering everything to yourself


And I'll say that I
And I will express that


To the old time, the old time, the only time
Towards the past era, the exclusive occasion


You'll need him more than me
You will require him more than you need me


Held my breath and I held my tongue
Remained silent, restraining myself


For so long now, for longer than
Throughout an extensive duration, surpassing


And I'm here to give it all to you
And now I am offering everything to you


Your new life, your new eyes
Your fresh existence, your altered perspective


The things you wanted all this time
The desires you had throughout this entire period


And I'm left behind and I'm terrified
And I am abandoned and full of fear


That I'm not enough, I gave it all
That I am insufficient, despite dedicating myself completely


Gave it too much all to you
Devoted excessively, giving everything to you


Old time
Previous era


The only time, you'll need it more than
The singular moment when you will require it more than


Me
Me


The only time, the only time that you'll
The sole instance, the exclusive occasion when you will


Need me
Require my presence


That I, to the old time, the old time
That I, towards the past era, the previous period


The only time, you'll need him more than me
The singular moment when you will require him more than you need me


I'll say the old time, the old time
I will express the past era, the previous period


The only time, you'll need him more than me
The singular moment when you will require him more than you need me




Writer(s): James Cox, Steve Goddard, Veerajith Amarasinghe, Samuel Joseph Lister

Contributed by Sebastian I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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