In Europe and United Kingdom, it was a stand-alone single, released in November 1982. For this market, its first inclusion on a Culture Club album was on their 1987 compilation, called This Time: The First Four Years.
Like many of the songs composed by Boy George at this time, the lyrics interrogate the pleasure and shame inherent in taboo homosexual relationships. The song can be interpreted as both a seduction piece, and a lament, for Jon Moss, the band's drummer, with whom George was romantically involved.
In a retrospective review of the song, Allmusic journalist Stewart Mason wrote: "Of all of Culture Club's early hits, Time (Clock of the Heart) has probably aged the best. Boy George drops the cryptic self-mythology long enough to deliver a tender, heartfelt lyric on lost love."[1]
The music video has been released in two versions. The only difference was a scene where the group is watching TV, along with vocalist Helen Terry. In one version, a Christmas tree is shown. In the other, the tree is removed. This was because of the date of release for certain markets. The "Christmas" version (which is on the 2005 DVD "Greatest Hits"), was for European countries and the "regular version" was for the other markets, where the song was released in spring 1983.
The song has been remixed in 1998 for a Japanese compilation. It was also released as a "reggae dub" version on Culture Club's 2002 Box Set. A rare promo 12" was also issued in 1999 in United Kingdom, including three dance remixes by Quivver, which was released in the same time as Culture Club's single "Your Kisses Are Charity". One remix (Amityville Mix) was also included on the limited CD of that single.
In 2008, for his solo shows, Boy George let his former backing singer, Zee Asha, sing this song as a special guest
Time
Culture Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sink me in a river of tears
This could be the best place yet
But you must overcome your fears
In time it could have been so much more
The time is precious I know
In time it could have been so much more
Time won't give me time
And time makes lovers feel like they've got somethin' real
But you and me, we know they've got nothin' but time
And time won't give me time won't give me time
Don't make me feel any colder
Time is like a clock in my heart
Touch, we touch, was the heat too much
I felt I lost you from the start
In time it could have been so much more
The time is precious I know
In time it could have been so much more
The time has nothin' to show because
Time won't give me time
And time makes lovers feel like they've got somethin' real
But you and me, we know they've got nothin' but time
And time won't give me time won't give me time
Time, time, time
In time it could have been so much more
The time is precious I know
In time it could have been so much more
The time has nothin' to show because
Time won't give me time
And time makes lovers feel like they've got somethin' real
But you and me, we know they've got nothin' but time
And you know time won't give me time
And time makes lovers feel like they've got somethin' real
But you and me, we know they've got nothin' but time
And you know time won't give me time
And time makes lovers feel
like they have something real, but the truth is they don't have anything except time. These lyrics speak to the idea that time can be a powerful force, but it can also be confining and limiting when it comes to love and relationships. The singer is pleading with his partner not to hold him too close, not to become too emotionally attached, because he knows that time is fleeting and ultimately will not be on their side.
The imagery in the first verse is particularly striking. The line "Sink me in a river of tears" creates a vivid picture of someone who is engulfed by emotion and struggling to hold on. The second verse speaks to the idea of missed opportunities and lost chances, reinforcing the theme of time as a limited resource that cannot be regained.
Overall, "Time" is a poignant song about the complexities of love and the ways in which time can both help and hinder us in our pursuits.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't put your head on my shoulder
I am not interested in physical intimacy or emotional connection with you
Sink me in a river of tears
Your actions are making me very emotional and upset
This could be the best place yet
But you must overcome your fears
We have potential to build something great but you need to work through your issues first
In time it could have been so much more
The time is precious I know
In time it could have been so much more
The time has nothin' to show because
If we had more time, our relationship could have been amazing, but unfortunately, we do not and therefore, it did not work out
Time won't give me time
And time makes lovers feel like they've got somethin' real
But you and me, we know they've got nothin' but time
And time won't give me time won't give me time
Time is not on our side and it is causing us to feel like we have something meaningful, when in reality, all we have is time running out
Don't make me feel any colder
Your actions are pushing me away and making me feel disconnected and uncared for
Time is like a clock in my heart
I am acutely aware of the passing of time and how it is affecting my emotions
Touch, we touch, was the heat too much
I felt I lost you from the start
Our physical intimacy could not make up for the feeling that we were never truly connected from the beginning
And you know time won't give me time
I am aware that I cannot control the passage of time and how it affects our relationship
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), CTM Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: George O'Dowd, Jonathan Moss, Michael Craig, Roy Ernest Hay
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomgeorge9025
My wife sang this song 6 months before she passed away to my girls,,
She knew she was sick,,
And that night she kept saying show your dad this video of us dancing and singing this song..
Time did not give us enough time…
I was 49 when the love of my life passed away…
Gone to soon, only those who went through this know the feeling….
Miss you baby girl..
My true Endless ❤️ love❤️❤️💔💔💔💔💔💔❤️❤️❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️
Edit.for my baby girl 💔💔💔
It’s been 2 years 5 months since you passed away,, and you still have my heart, even in death my love for you is so strong and wanting to be with you just to hold you and kiss you my baby girl ..
Kathy you took my heart with you, and I will never be the same without you here with me…Xxxxxoooo..
@play030
Been a fan since the 80s. Never ever even thought about his sexuality. All I knew was that this man had a gift and he shared it with the world.
@shanettacane7101
Yep say that, him and Michael from WHAM.
@mzh8625
Yesssss
@hollyphelps5755
I dig your energy and concur with your statement. ✌
@toniwilliams9817
And no one had an issue with him wearing lipstick...we didn’t even care because he could sing lol they had great songs!
@michellebolden3143
Hear-Hear❤
@user-xk8yv9po2t
MY BROTHER LOVED CULTURE CLUB AND THIS TUNE ALWAYS REMINDS ME OF HIM. HE DIED OF H.I.V. ON SEPTEMBER 12TH 1992. “REST EASY DARREN” ❤
@opal6873
Sorry for your loss. ❤
@cynthiamadrid1430
I lost friends....It was a good time to stay celibate.
@edwardfaris8516
Well given HIV doesn't technically exist...I beg to differ...