Out of Touch
D. Hall Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Shake it up is all that we know
Using the bodies up as we go
I'm waking up to fantasy
The shades all around aren't the colors we used to see
Broken ice still melts in the sun
And times that are broken can often be one again
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Take a look around

You're out of touch
I'm out of time (time)
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time (time)
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around

Oh, ohh
Ohh

Reaching out for something to hold
Looking for a love where the climate is cold
Manic moves and drowsy dreams
Or living in the middle between the two extremes
Smoking guns hot to the touch
Would cool down if we didn't
Use them so much, yeah
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Too much

You're out of touch
I'm out of time (time)
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time (time)
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around

Oh, ohh
Ohh
Ooh
Oh, ohh
Ohh (ohh)

(Out of touch, out of touch)

(Wow!) You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time (time)
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around

You're out of touch (we're soul alone, girl)
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around (not around)
You're out of touch
I'm out of time (out of touch, out of time)
But I'm out of my head (out of touch, out of time, girl)
When you're not around

You're out of touch
Reach out for something to hold (time)
But I'm out of my head
When you're not around (too cold, girl)
You're out of touch (too cold, girl)
I'm out of time (too cold, girl)
Yeah open eyes (not around)

You're out of touch (out of touch)
I'm out of time (out of time, out of touch)
But I'm out of my head (out of time)
When you're not around
You're out of touch
Yeah I'm out of time (time)




But I'm out of my head
When you're not around

Overall Meaning

"Out of Touch" is a song by Daryl Hall & John Oates, written by Daryl Hall and produced by the duo and their collaborator Neil Kernon. Released in 1984, it was the lead single from their album "Big Bam Boom". The song's lyrics talk about the disconnect between people in a society that's all about superficiality and materialism. The verses describe a world where people are using each other for pleasure and lost touch with the essential things in life. The chorus then addresses someone who's been out of touch and out of time, making the singer lose their mind and soul.


The opening lines "Shake it up is all that we know, using bodies up as we go" suggest that the society depicted in the song is all about excess, indulgence, and thrill-seeking. The second verse juxtaposes manic moves and drowsy dreams, conveying the idea that people are either hyperactive or apathetic, and that finding a balance and a real connection is hard. The bridge features the repetition of "we're soul alone," emphasizing the emptiness and the longing for a deeper connection. The chorus, with its catchy "You're out of touch, I'm out of time" refrain, is a lamentation of the distance between people who used to be close, but now feel cold and isolated.


Line by Line Meaning

Shake it up is all that we know
We constantly seek to disrupt and change our lives, as this is our default behavior.


Using the bodies up as we go
We consume resources and expend energy without much thought, until we run out or suffer burnout.


I'm waking up to fantasy
I'm realizing that much of what I thought was true or possible is actually a product of my imagination, not reality.


The shades all around aren't the colors we used to see
The world has changed, and the things we used to believe and value no longer hold as much significance or truth.


Broken ice still melts in the sun
Even things that seem irreparable or impossible to fix can ultimately be restored or transformed under the right conditions.


And times that are broken can often be one again
Just as broken things can be mended, so too can broken relationships or moments in time be reconciled or redeemed.


We're soul alone
Despite our constant activity and engagement with the world, we often feel isolated or disconnected from others, and even from ourselves.


And soul really matters to me
While we may feel disconnected or disillusioned, our inner selves and spirits are still important and valuable to us.


Take a look around
Let's pause and reflect on our lives, our relationships, and the world around us, and try to gain some perspective and clarity.


You're out of touch
You don't understand or relate to me, my experiences, or my perspective.


I'm out of time (time)
I'm running out of patience or opportunities, and I may not have much more time to spare or waste.


But I'm out of my head
I'm losing my mind, becoming irrational or emotional, or simply feeling overwhelmed and out of control.


When you're not around
I rely on your presence, support, or validation to feel grounded and centered, and without you I feel lost or alone.


Reaching out for something to hold
I'm seeking stability, security, or comfort in the midst of chaos or uncertainty.


Looking for a love where the climate is cold
I'm seeking a relationship or connection that is detached, cool, or unemotional, perhaps as a way to protect myself from being hurt or vulnerable.


Manic moves and drowsy dreams
I'm oscillating between frenzied activity and lethargic escapism, as I struggle to find balance and fulfillment in my life.


Or living in the middle between the two extremes
I'm trying to find a middle ground or compromise between two opposing forces or ideas, as I seek harmony or integration rather than polarization or conflict.


Smoking guns hot to the touch
Dangerous or volatile situations or emotions that are difficult to handle, but that we can't resist getting close to or experimenting with.


Would cool down if we didn't
If we could resist the temptation or impulse to engage with these volatile aspects of our lives, they might ultimately become more manageable or less threatening.


Yeah, we're soul alone
We can't escape our fundamental sense of loneliness or disconnection, and this awareness can be both painful and enlightening.


And soul really matters to me
Our inner selves and spirits may be our only reliable sources of meaning and purpose, and we should cherish and nurture them even in the face of external challenges or uncertainties.


Too much
We may be overwhelmed or overburdened by our own inner demons or the complexities of the world around us, and struggle to find a way to cope or thrive.


(Out of touch, out of touch)
Repetition of the refrain, emphasizing the theme of disconnection and distance between people.


(Wow) You're out of touch
This person's inability to relate to us or understand us is particularly striking or frustrating.


Yeah, open eyes (not around)
We need to be willing to face reality and see things as they really are, rather than clinging to illusions or delusions.




Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Oates, Daryl Hall

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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:

@kxjejsj

Shake it up is all that we know
Using the bodies up as we go
I'm waking up to fantasy
The shades all around aren't the colors we used to see
Broken ice still melts in the sun
And times that are broken can often be one again
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Take a look around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time (time)
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Reaching out for something to hold
Looking for a love where the climate is cold
Manic moves and drowsy dreams
Or living in the middle between the two extremes
Smoking guns hot to the touch
Would cool down if we didn't use them so much, yeah
We're soul alone
And soul really matters to me
Too much
You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
You're out of touch
Time
But I'm out of my head when you're not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time
Not around
You're out of touch
I'm out of time



@martinkuliza

well... YOU JUST EXPERIENCED IT
(as one that lived through it) there it is mate.
the difference is , in our time
1. We were young (like .. 2nd grade young)
2. This music was everywhere, in the shop, at the bus stop, at home, in the disco, at the roller rink, everywhere
so when you have a constant influence of positivity like this , You feel fucking awesome

3. Then.. the world was different as well
- No LGBTQ
- no Flat earthers
- No Trolls
- Not much stupidity

and if any of those decided to rear their heads they were told to fuck off

Trying starting a debate in the 80s like
- Let's discuss what defines a personal as male or female
EXPECT THE RESPONSE........ Ohhh Fuck off mate !!!

- But.. No really the earth is flat
EXPECT THE RESPONSE........ Ohhh Fuck off mate !!!

- Trolling got you a punch in the face,
We called these people FUCKWITS

- As for stupidity , Your first offence would result in everyone looking at you and laughing at you and saying
.....DUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHH!!!!
LOL

After a while you pick up the rules of being normal and not being a fuckwit
so, that's why the world was a better place

and then the music made it fucking better

Then....
YOU HAD CHOICES
Were you a pop person
Were you a rap person
Were you a heavy metal person

Your choices were
Really fucking good
Awesome
fucking Awesome
Amazing beyond words
and without a lie, ... when these are your choices YOU ACCEPT IT AS NORMAL, NOT AS AWESOME
You just figure.... Hey, they are professionals and they are Artist's .
it took my generation 30 years to figure out how fucking good we had it BY SEEING COMMENTS LIKE YOURS
Make no mistake... YOUR GENERATION MAKES MY GENERATION UNDERSTAND WHAT WE HAD

but it was dreamy and cool and romantic and you could find a chick and get with her and it was cool because the music suited the mood


IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO BE ALIVE
IT WAS A GOOD TIME TO BE A KID
Everything was new and emerging
We had technology ... but not too much
We still had to do shit on our own and not be lazy
We learned respect and if we didn't we got a punch in the face and then we did learn it
LESSONS IN LIFE MATE... Simple as that
People can say what they like but if you go to school in the 80s and you decide your'e going to be a prick to someone
Sooner or later something is going to happen to you that makes you wish
you never fucking did that
you have the living fucked kicked out of you

AND AS A RESULT, WHEN YOUR'E AN ADULT, YOU'RE NOT A DICKHEAD
The system works
there was no hiding behind a keyboard
if you did shit, someone would threaten to bash you
if you hid from the bashing ....

- We'd get on our BMX Bikes and find where you lived (YES.. REALLY LOL) i guess it sounds funny now to say it, but yes this is what we did

- When you came outside, You'd be bashed

You couldn't run from a bashing, sooner or later you'd be somewhere where the other person was, School, the shops, your own house, whatever

and if you actively ran away from it.. YOU WERE A FUCKING PUSSY FOR LIFE.

IMPORTANT LESSONS WERE LEARNED
EVERYONE KNEW THE LESSONS
AND THE MUSIC WAS AWESOME
AND FIGHTS WERE FAIR, You went hard but everyone knew when enough was enough
you win the fight, you help the other guy up
if he did anything on the way up, he'd have the shit kicked out of him and then you leave him down
it was all fair

great time to be alive and i'd do it again in a heartbeat



All comments from YouTube:

@williammarroquin9343

Whoโ€™s listening this golden song in 2024

@cottoncandyskies33

Me!!

@user-zc1ty9tk4n

Me!

@LoRobert-bl4up

Me!

@joeljones1411

This is why we call this song a classic, it never goes outta style

@user-jm5sh2fi6s

Yo!

4 More Replies...

@tkb5726

I am legally required to watch this every Thursday

@overgrownghost

It's Thursday :)

@thesingingidiot2851

But why legally? And why Thursday?? ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

@smee1969

Itโ€™s mondays for me Ohhh ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh out of touch .. out of touch....

More Comments

More Versions