Time To Go
Harry Connick Jr. Lyrics
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The opening act takes the stage
The applause is polite
They’re not waiting for him
Everybody knows he’s at least twice their age
Took him 2 days to get there
His eyes tired and red
His car is his dressing room
Office and bed
But at least he got him up here
Sings from his heart
And keeps from cryin
He knows it’s a young man’s game
He’s makin the reelin while the crowd’s all dyin to hear
The headliner’s name
And as he continues to play
He can hear the audience say
[Chorus:]
It’s time to go
This ain’t no variety show
We’re sure you was someone
Someone with note
But buddy, it’s time to go
As he packs his things he can hear from the winds
The audience singing along
They know every word
They know every line
And he wonders will he get one
As the stage door closes, goodbye
He sings what’s been on his mind
[Chorus:]
It’s time to go
This ain’t no variety show
We’re sure you was someone
Someone with note
But buddy, it’s time to go
Oh buddy, it’s time to go
The song "Time to Go" by Harry Connick Jr. is a poignant reflection on aging and the unforgiving nature of the entertainment business. The lyrics describe an aging performer who is taking the stage as the opening act for a younger, more popular artist. Despite his prominence in the past, he is greeted with polite applause, as the crowd is not waiting for him. The performer, who spends much of his life on the road, has been reduced to using his car as his dressing room, office, and bed. He sings from his heart and tries not to cry, knowing that the music industry is a young man's game. The audience continues to wait for the headliner, and as the performer packs his things, he hears the audience singing along to the younger artist's songs. He knows it's time to leave and can't help but wonder if he will ever get another chance to perform for such an enthusiastic crowd.
The song is a reflection on the fleeting nature of fame, and how even the most talented performers must eventually give way to younger, more popular artists. It is also a reminder that even the most successful performers can fall on hard times, forced to live out of their cars and perform in front of small, disinterested crowds. The chorus, "It's time to go, this ain't no variety show, we're sure you were someone, someone with note, but buddy, it's time to go," is a poignant and heartbreaking reminder of this fact.
Line by Line Meaning
The curtain goes up as the lights go dim
The performance is about to start with the lights dimming and the curtain being raised.
The opening act takes the stage
The first performer of the night starts their set.
The applause is polite
The crowd claps politely for the opening act, but it's not enthusiastic.
They're not waiting for him
The crowd isn't anticipating the arrival of the main act on stage.
Everybody knows he's at least twice their age
The main performer is older than the audience and is aware of it.
Took him 2 days to get there
The main performer went through a long journey to arrive at the venue.
His eyes tired and red
The main performer is exhausted, evident from the appearance of his eyes.
His gear in the back of his way
The equipment and instruments that the main performer brought are stored in the back of the stage.
His car is his dressing room
The main performer uses his car as a place to prepare himself for the show.
Office and bed
The performer also uses his car as a makeshift office and sleeping quarters.
But at least he got him up here
Despite the difficult journey and makeshift accommodations, the performer is grateful to be on stage.
Sings from his heart
The performer sings with genuine emotion.
And keeps from cryin
The performer tries to maintain his composure and not cry while singing.
He knows it's a young man's game
The performer is aware that in the entertainment industry, youthfulness is often favored and he may not appeal to the younger crowd.
He's makin' the reelin' while the crowd's all dyin' to hear the headliner's name
The performer is making the audience feel emotional and want to hear the headliner's set.
And as he continues to play
The performer keeps performing on stage.
He can hear the audience say
The performer can hear murmurs of the audience talking in the background.
It's time to go
The audience is indicating that it's time for the performer to end his set and leave the stage.
This ain't no variety show
The performance isn't a variety show, where multiple performers take the stage one after another.
We're sure you was someone
The audience acknowledges the performer's talent and potential.
Someone with note
The audience recognizes the performer as someone noteworthy and talented.
But buddy, it's time to go
Despite the recognition from the audience, it's time for the performer to leave the stage.
As he packs his things he can hear from the winds
As the performer gathers his belongings, he hears the sound of the wind outside.
The audience singing along
The performer can hear the audience singing along with his music.
They know every word
The audience is familiar with the performer's music and knows all the lyrics.
They know every line
The audience is even familiar with the intricate details of the performer's music.
And he wonders will he get one
The performer wonders if he'll get just one encore before leaving the stage.
As the stage door closes, goodbye
As the performer exits the stage, the door behind him closes, signaling the end of his set.
He sings what's been on his mind
The performer sings about his thoughts and feelings that have been on his mind during his set.
Oh buddy, it's time to go
The phrase is repeated as a reminder that it's time for the performer to leave the stage.
Contributed by Savannah D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.