Colton graduated Heritage Hall School in OKC. After leaving his hometown of Oklahoma City to attend Southern Methodist University, Colton began writing and performing songs in and around the Dallas pubs and coffee houses: “I would return to my college dorm room and have e-mails from kids across the country asking where to buy the album,” says Colton. Quickly Colton began recording songs on a shoestring budget for his ever-growing local fan-base and distant admirers. The self-titled demo became a local favorite and began making waves outside the Texas music scene. It wasn’t long before the CD fell into the hands of Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) who quickly asked Graham to support them on their 2002 fall tour. It would prove to be a friendship that would evolve over the next two years of touring and recording. The month long tour put Colton and his newly formed band in front of sold out audiences and fans they didn’t know they had. After the fall stint with Counting Crows and a signed record deal with Strummer Recordings/ Universal, dates with John Mayer, Maroon 5, Train, Dave Matthews, Guster, and Kelly Clarkson followed proving the band had the ability to connect with all types of listeners.
This Time
Graham Colton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She'll be waiting around
Then she'll push you in
And watch you drown
I've heard better to go ahead and let her in
I've been here before
But I'm not coming round again
I want you to hear me this time
Turn around take a good look now
Cuz i'm leaving
I want you to hear me, I'll be fine
She will rush you in
Then slowly back out
When you're suffering
She'll push you down
I've heard better to go ahead and let her in
I've been here before
But I'm not coming round again
How can you turn a blind eye when i'm screaming
I want you to hear me this
Time turn around take a good look now
Cuz i'm leaving
I want you to hear me, I'll be fine
You never had time to get away
From reasons why
Or the things you say
When the moment's not right
You never had time for different ways
You're wondering why
You're still the same
As you break down and cry
The lyrics of Graham Colton's song "This Time" tell the story of a person who has been hurt by someone who keeps playing games with their heart. The subject of the song is not sure what to do, as this person keeps coming back, but once again, their heart is being played with. The opening lines set the scene by describing the person who is pulling the strings: "She will let you win, She'll be waiting around, Then she'll push you in, And watch you drown." This person is manipulating the subject of the song, pulling them in, and then letting them go, only to see them suffer. The subject of the song has heard advice to go ahead and let this person in, but they're not coming round again. They want the person to hear them screaming, but they're being ignored. The chorus repeats these themes, with the subject of the song trying to make this person realize what they are losing out on. They are leaving and will be fine, but want this person to know what they have let go of.
The second verse strikes a similar chord, with the lyrics again describing the dangerous game that is being played. Once more, the chorus repeats the central theme of the song, with the subject of the song demanding to be heard this time, as they will not be coming back. The song ends with a more reflective and melancholic tone, with the subject of the song contemplating how they got to this situation. They wonder whether they could have done anything differently and whether the person hurting them will ever change. The song ends on a sad note, with the subject of the song breaking down and crying.
Overall, the lyrics of "This Time" by Graham Colton are a powerful meditation on the pain of being played with and the consequences of letting someone manipulate your heart. The song is a warning to others, urging them not to fall into the same trap and to listen to their hearts even when things get tough.
Line by Line Meaning
She will let you win
She will give in to you, but only to set you up for failure
She'll be waiting around
She will bide her time and manipulate you
Then she'll push you in
Once you're comfortable, she'll catch you off guard and push you towards trouble
And watch you drown
She will stand by and revel in your struggles
I've heard better to go ahead and let her in
Others have advised me to give her a chance, despite her track record
I've been here before
I have experienced this same situation with her in the past
But I'm not coming round again
I refuse to repeat this pattern and subject myself to her games
How can you turn a blind eye when i'm screaming
I am actively trying to communicate my feelings to you, yet you choose to ignore them
I want you to hear me this time
I want you to finally listen to me and my concerns
Turn around take a good look now
Before I leave, I want you to acknowledge the gravity of the situation
Cuz i'm leaving
I have reached my breaking point and am choosing to walk away
I'll be fine
Despite the pain, I will eventually heal and move on
She will rush you in
She will entice you with a sense of urgency, only to retract her offer later
Then slowly back out
Once she has gained your attention, she will gradually withdraw her affection
When you're suffering
She will not offer comfort during your times of distress
She'll push you down
Instead, she will capitalize on your weakness and bring you further down
You never had time to get away
You have been so consumed with this toxic relationship that you haven't had the chance to step back and reassess
From reasons why
From the underlying issues that have caused this dysfunction
Or the things you say
Or the harmful words and actions that have been exchanged
When the moment's not right
When the timing is not conducive to having a productive conversation or resolution
You never had time for different ways
You have not explored alternative approaches to this problem
You're wondering why
You are left feeling confused and uncertain
You're still the same
You are still stuck in this cycle, unable to break free
As you break down and cry
As you finally succumb to the emotional toll that this relationship has taken on you
Contributed by Luke C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Milkshakesrule
Love this song !
Christy Westerlaken
LOVE IT!
Jenny Fawley
I'm trying so hard to find this album right now. I loved it back in the day
Marion Fiedler Music
One song more beautiful... thanks for sharing this Graham Colton tune! I am sending you happy greetins from a fellow musician :-)
dhartmann34
One of my favorites. Wish GCB would have lasted. Solo stuff is decent. But definitely miss the whole band.
Elizabeth Holmes
This band didn't get near enough of the credit they deserve
Sully Garcia
My life meshes with this song so much.
Selina Starr
But I do still like it (first time hearing it)
Callie C
i've never heard this song b4. i love graham. :) i have his solo CD. :D i wanna get Drive, but I don't have any money, lol
WEEZER SZNZ Statue
@adarkangel88 It was from his 2002 solo album. He was in a band called THE GRAHAM COLTON BAND.