It's Time
Elvis Costello Lyrics


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The party's over
Your time is up
You've had your last pointless teardrop
Washed down in that broken coffee cup
This magic moment concludes when that cigarette ends
Did you get what you wanted?
Well I suppose that depends
Well I suppose that depends

If you go, if you go
Where passion is squandered and money is spent
It's time, it's time
It's time, it's time
It's time, it's time, it's time
You must see it's time that you went
You must see it's time that you went

Our brief acquaintance was such a mistake
Now it seems more like a sentence
Or something you always had to fake
This magic moment concludes when they turn out the light
It's not the days when you leave me
But all I fear are the nights
But all I fear are the nights

[Chorus]
You told the same joke to me too many times
I wish that someone would hit it
Just before you reach
Just before you reach
Just before you reach the punchline

The party's over
Time we broke up
It always seemed like a bad dream
One where I finally woke up
This magic moment concluding our mutual fate
But if you do have to leave me
Who will I have left to hate?
Who will I have left to hate?





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The song "It's Time" by Elvis Costello is a classic break-up song that mixes the contradicting emotions of relief and sadness after a tumultuous relationship. The opening lines, "The party's over, your time is up, you've had your last pointless teardrop washed down in that broken coffee cup" set a melancholic tone that continues throughout the song. The singer seems to be addressing their partner, telling them that "it's time" for them to leave, as the relationship has run its course.


As the chorus suggests, the song conveys a sense of disillusionment with the idea of pursuing passion and excitement at the expense of genuine connection and love. When the singer urges their partner to leave and tells them "you must see it's time that you went," they are acknowledging that the relationship was ultimately unfulfilling and unsustainable. The repetition of the phrase "it's time" throughout the song becomes a sort of mantra, emphasizing the urgency of moving on and letting go.


Overall, "It's Time" is a poignant, bittersweet reflection on the end of a relationship. The singer's conflicting emotions of sadness, relief, and bitterness are conveyed with powerful lyrics and a haunting melody, making it a standout track in Elvis Costello's discography.


Line by Line Meaning

The party's over
The enjoyable time is over


Your time is up
Your time is over


You've had your last pointless teardrop
You have cried for the last time for no reason


Washed down in that broken coffee cup
Your tears are meaningless like the broken coffee cup


This magic moment concludes when that cigarette ends
This special moment ends when the cigarette is finished


Did you get what you wanted?
Did you achieve what you desired?


Well I suppose that depends
It's difficult to say


If you go, if you go
If you leave


Where passion is squandered and money is spent
In a place where people waste their energy and money


It's time, it's time
It's time to leave


You must see it's time that you went
You should understand that it's time for you to go


Our brief acquaintance was such a mistake
Our short relationship was a bad idea


Now it seems more like a sentence
It feels like a punishment now


Or something you always had to fake
Or something that you pretended to feel


This magic moment concludes when they turn out the light
This special moment ends when the light is turned off


It's not the days when you leave me
It's not the days when you're gone


But all I fear are the nights
But I'm afraid of the lonely nights


You told the same joke to me too many times
You repeated the same joke too often to me


I wish that someone would hit it
I wish someone would interrupt you


Just before you reach
Right before you say


Just before you reach
Right before you say


Just before you reach the punchline
Right before the climax of the joke


Time we broke up
It's time for us to end our relationship


It always seemed like a bad dream
It has always felt like a nightmare


One where I finally woke up
One where I finally realized the truth


This magic moment concluding our mutual fate
This special moment marks the end of our shared destiny


But if you do have to leave me
But if you have to go


Who will I have left to hate?
Who will be left for me to despise?




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DECLAN MACMANUS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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