Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States. He is the head of the film music division at DreamWorks studios and works with other composers through the company that he founded, Remote Control Productions, formerly known as Media Ventures. His studio in Santa Monica, California has an extensive range of computer equipment and keyboards, allowing demo versions of film scores to be created quickly.
Zimmer's works are notable for integrating electronic music sounds with traditional orchestral arrangements. He has received four Grammy Awards, three Classical BRIT Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award. He was also named on the list of Top 100 Living Geniuses, published by The Daily Telegraph.
Zimmer was born in Frankfurt am Main, Germany on 12th September 1957, and moved to London as a teenager. While he lived in London, Zimmer wrote advertising jingles for Air-Edel Associates. Zimmer began his musical career playing keyboards and synthesisers. In 1980 he worked with The Buggles, a New Wave band formed in 1977 with Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, and Bruce Woolley, appearing briefly in the video for "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1979).
In the 1980s, Zimmer worked with film composer Stanley Myers, a prolific film composer who composed scores for over sixty films. Zimmer and Myers co-founded the London-based Lillie Yard recording studio. Together, Myers and Zimmer worked on fusing the traditional orchestral sound with state-of-the-art electronics. Some of their first movies with this new sound include "Moonlighting" (1982), "Success is the Best Revenge" (1984), "Insignificance" (1985), and "My Beautiful Launderette" (1985). In 1986, Zimmer joined David Byrne and Ryuichi Sakamoto on their Oscar-winning score for "The Last Emperor" (1988).
Soon afterwards, Zimmer began working on his own solo projects. During his solo career years, Zimmer experimented and combined the use of old and new musical technologies. His first solo score was for Chris Menges’s film "A World Apart" (1988). However, the turning point in his career came later that year when he was asked to compose a score for Barry Levinson’s film "Rain Man" (1988). In the score, Zimmer uses synthesizers mixed with steel drums. The score was nominated for an Academy Award in 1989. A year later Zimmer was asked to compose a score for Bruce Beresford's "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), which won a Grammy Award 1991.
In 1994, Zimmer won his biggest commercial hit for Disney’s "The Lion King" (1994). He wanted to go to South Africa himself to record the soundtrack, but couldn't because he had a police record there for making subversive films. "The Lion King" soundtrack won numerous awards, including an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and two Grammys. It was then adapted for the Broadway musical version, which won the Tony for Best Musical in 1998.
Since the success of "The Lion King", Zimmer has written numerous film scores. His hundredth composition was for "The Last Samurai" (2003), for which he won both a Golden Globe and a Broadcast Film Critics nomination in 2004. After composing over a hundred film scores, Zimmer finally performed live for the first time in concert with a hundred-piece orchestra and a hundred-person choir at the twenty-seventh Annual Flanders International Film Festival.
He has received numerous honours and awards, including: Prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in Film Composition from the National Board of Review, Frederick Loewe Award in 2003 at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, ASCAP’s Henry Mancini Award for Lifetime Achievement, and BMI's prestigious Richard Kirk Award for lifetime achievement in 1996. Today, Zimmer is considered to be the father of integrating the electronic musical world with traditional orchestral arrangements.
Zimmer's first wife was a model, Vicki Carolin, with whom he has a daughter, model Zoe Zimmer. Zimmer lives in Los Angeles with his second wife Suzanne Zimmer with whom he has an additional three children.
The Time of Your Life
Hans Zimmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you gonna do with it? - Don't fool with it
This is the time of your life
You better face it, don't waste it
Don't think about the future, don't think about the past
There's just this moment, better make it last
You better get it right 'cause This is the time of your life
The Madonna's on the high spire, she's shining gold in the sun
I'm looking in the mirror, and it feels like staring down thebarrel of a gun
Don't want to confuse you and I don't want to let you down
I'm a little confused myself 'cause we're both strangers now
Can't we start all over again?
This is the time of your life
What you gonna do with it? - Don't fool with it
This is the time of your life
You better face it, don't waste it
Don't think about the future, don't think about the past
There's just this moment, better make it last
You better get it right 'cause
This is the time of your life
I'm looking down on the rooftops, the changes are comin' too fast
Don't have no answers, I don't even know what questions to ask
Better off saying nothing than telling you lies
Try and ride out the fire and kiss goodnight
I'm lost if I don't see myself in your eyes
This is the time of your life
What you gonna do with it? - Don't fool with it This is the time of your life
You better face it, don't waste it
Don't think about the future, don't think about the past
There's just this moment, better make it last
You better get it right 'cause
This is the time of your life
This is the time of your life
The lyrics of Hans Zimmer's "The Time of Your Life" pose an existential question that is relevant to the listener - what are you going to do with this moment in time? The song urges the listener to approach this moment in time with caution, asking them not to fool with it. It's a time to face realities head-on and to make the most of every second that ticks away - it's a time that ought not to be wasted.
The song then reminds the listener that there is no point fretting about the future or ruminating about the past. What matters is the present moment, and one ought to make it last. This is the time to get your life on track, to make it count, and to make sure that you don't waste the precious time you have.
The second verse of the song presents the listener with a more introspective view of the same concept. It uses metaphors that suggest fleetingness - the Madonna on the high spire is shining gold now, but that shimmer is only temporary. The singer is looking in the mirror and is almost overwhelmed by the speed with which time is passing. The song concludes with the line that the time of your life is now - this is your moment to make everything that you've ever wanted come true.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the time of your life
Emphasizing the importance of the present moment.
What you gonna do with it? - Don't fool with it
Challenging the listener to make the most of their time and not waste it on frivolous pursuits.
You better face it, don't waste it
Encouraging the listener to confront their life head-on and not let opportunities slip away.
Don't think about the future, don't think about the past
Advising against dwelling on regrets or worries about the future, but instead focusing on the present moment.
There's just this moment, better make it last
Highlighting the fleeting nature of time and the importance of cherishing each moment.
You better get it right 'cause This is the time of your life
Stressing the urgency of making the most of this moment and not wasting any opportunities.
The Madonna's on the high spire, she's shining gold in the sun
Painting a picturesque scene to contrast with the uncertainty and confusion of the singer's life.
I'm looking in the mirror, and it feels like staring down the barrel of a gun
Expressing the artist's anxiety and sense of being at a crossroads in their life.
Don't want to confuse you and I don't want to let you down
Acknowledging the artist's uncertainty about their own life choices and not wanting to lead others astray.
I'm a little confused myself 'cause we're both strangers now
Describing the distance that has grown between the artist and someone else, reflecting the internal conflict within the artist.
Can't we start all over again?
Expressing a desire to reset and try again, to make the most of this time of life.
I'm looking down on the rooftops, the changes are comin' too fast
Describing a world that is evolving quickly, heightening the need to seize the moment.
Don't have no answers, I don't even know what questions to ask
Conveying the singer's sense of confusion and lack of direction.
Better off saying nothing than telling you lies
Advising against hiding the truth, even if it means staying silent.
Try and ride out the fire and kiss goodnight
Encouraging the listener to withstand adversity and have the courage to move forward.
I'm lost if I don't see myself in your eyes
Expressing an emotional need for connection and validation from others.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: STEVEN VAN ZANDT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EerieAndShadows
There's a vibe in this music that we cannot explain
@alexbaron5088
I CAN !!! ;)
@daesooho
Exactly
@dademayer194
Absolutely
@sallybally344
Never say cannot in relation to this music score
@polynesianmovtgp7439
This song makes me cry
@madavmessi7947
cristopher nolan's sci fi film + hans zimmer background score = paradise
@spacejesus4747
@italian cadet Dark Knight trilogy too
@Kev24
+ leonardo dicaprios acting = heaven
@jotaro__8310
Do you know what is heaven ?