Got The Time
Joe Jackson Lyrics


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Wake up, got another day to get through now
Got another man to see
Got to call him on the telephone
Got to find a piece of paper

Sit down, got another letter to write
Think I'll got to get the letter just right
There's a ringing on the telephone
Oh no, got to write a little later
No such day as tomorrow, only one two three go!

Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head

If I tell you what I'm doing today
Will you shut up and get out of my way?
Someone asked me what the time is,
I don't know
Only know I gotta go now

No time - trying to get a watch repaired
No time - never got a thing to wear
Hear the ringin' of the telephone no no
Hear a ringin' in my head now
No such thing as tomorrow, only one two three go!

Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head

Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head




Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head

Overall Meaning

In Joe Jackson's "Got The Time," the lyrics tell the story of a busy day in the life of a person. The day begins with an alarm clock ringing, signifying that there is another day to navigate through. The singer has a lot to do, including seeing a man, making a phone call, and writing a letter.


The song emphasizes the fleeting nature of time, as the character feels the pressure of deadlines and the ongoing ticking of a clock in their head. There is no time to waste, with no such thing as tomorrow, only "one two three go!" The song then repeats the phrase "got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head" to emphasize the importance of staying on schedule and making the most out of time.


The song speaks to the stress and pressure of modern life, where time management is vital to getting everything accomplished. It's a relatable story that reminds listeners to keep moving forward, even when everyday life feels chaotic and overwhelming.


Line by Line Meaning

Wake up, got another day to get through now
I have just started my new day which is full of tasks and to-do's that I need to complete.


Got another man to see
I have an appointment or a meeting with someone else today which I need to attend.


Got to call him on the telephone
I need to communicate with the person I need to meet on the phone to confirm and discuss the details of the meeting.


Got to find a piece of paper
I need to find a piece of paper to write down important notes or reminders of the tasks I have to do today.


Sit down, got another letter to write
I need to write a letter and to do so I need to sit down and focus on getting the message right.


Think I'll got to get the letter just right
I am focused on writing the letter correctly and making sure the message is clear and concise.


There's a ringing on the telephone
The phone is ringing and I need to answer it to attend to whatever business or task is being asked of me.


Oh no, got to write a little later
I need to continue writing the letter later because I have to attend to other tasks for now.


No such day as tomorrow, only one two three go!
There is no such thing as tomorrow, today is the only time I have to get anything done and I need to work on my goals effectively by utilizing every minute.


Time - got the time tick-tick-tickin' in my head
I am constantly aware of the passage of time and how it is moving quickly with each passing moment.


If I tell you what I'm doing today
If I explain to you the list of tasks I need to accomplish today,


Will you shut up and get out of my way?
would you stop interfering and let me work in peace?


Someone asked me what the time is, I don't know
Someone asked me the time, but I don't have a watch on me to check.


Only know I gotta go now
I am only aware that I have to leave now to get to my next appointment or task on time.


No time - trying to get a watch repaired
I don't have time for anything extra, but I need to get my watch fixed.


No time - never got a thing to wear
I don't have time to buy or choose clothes to wear, despite not having anything suitable.


Hear the ringin' of the telephone no no
I can hear that the phone is ringing, but I cannot stop to pick it up right now.


Hear a ringin' in my head now
I am so busy and distracted that I can hear the ringing in my head even when the phone is not actually ringing.


Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head
The passage of time is constantly on my mind, causing me stress and anxiety.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: David Ian Jackson

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

Schulpantalker

Got The Time By Joe Jackson

Wake up, got another day to get
Through now, got another man to see
Gotta call him on the telephone AY-O
Gotta find a piece of paper
Sit down, got another letter to write
Think hard, gotta get a letter just right
Little ringin' on the telephone oh no,
Gotta write another letter

No such thing as tomorrow
All we want, Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head

If I, tell ya what I'm doing today
Will you, shut up and get out of my way
Someone ask me what the time is, I don't know
Only know I gotta know now
No time, tryin' ta get a watch repaired
No time, never got a thing to wear
Little ringin' on the telephone
Oh no, hear a ringin' in my head now

No such thing as tomorrow
All we want, Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head

No such thing as tomorrow
All we want, Two, three, go!
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Time, got the time tick tick tickin' in my head
Tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head, tickin' in my head



Danel DanSar

Wake up,got another day to get.
Through now,got another man to see.
Gotta call him on the telephone,
Gotta find a piece of paper.
Sit down, got another letter to write.
Think hard,gotta get a letter just right.
Little ringing on the telephone, wo no.
Gotta write another letter.

No such thing as tomorrow, all we want...
(two three go!)
Got the time tick, tick, tickin' in my head.
Ticking in my head

If I tell you what i'm doing today,
will you shut up and get out of my way?
Someone asked me what the time is,
I don't know only know I gotta go now.
No time, tryin' to get a watch repaired.
No time, never got a thing to wear.
Little ringing on the telephone, wo no.
Hear a ringing in my head now

No such thing as tomorrow, all we want...
(two three go!)
Got the time tick, tick, tickin' in my head.
Ticking in my head



All comments from YouTube:

GonsalvoDeCordova

Cannot believe that for all these decades I had no idea the Anthrax version was a cover. I own Joe Jackson vinyl, just not this. Wow. Never too late to learn.

mtemps 79

Not only is it a cover - it’s a pretty faithful one as well. They didn’t change much at all

MetalForTheMasses

Oh yeah, Anthrax's setlist consist of almost 50% covers, almost 40 years into their career..

mtemps 79

MetalForTheMasses By 50%, you mean 2.

LaserGadgets

SOME DUDE JUST TOLD ME >< because I wrote "its one of those anthraxiest anthrax songs". Googled it, and here I am. Dammit :<

JP

Me neither.. I was not aware the anthrax versión was a cover and so is Anthrax's antisocial...

27 More Replies...

Al Roman

Been a fan of Joe Jackson since the late 70’s, met hm at a College Radio convention in NY before the Look sharp album dropped. We got advanced copies, I played his album to death on air and at home. This is one my favorite songs. Later as an adult, I got to see him in concert in Poughkeepsie NY, many bands came there to work out the bugs before touring. I was blown away. You can tell he’s a perfectionist, won’t settle for anything less than perfection in execution of his works. I’m thankful I came of age during the 80’s. Grateful my hearing somehow survived the decibel abuse so I can still blast the guitar solo towards the end of Got the Time. Just like I’m doing right now as I type this. CRANK IT UP!!!!!

bottomburp

Absolutely love the Anthrax version because I'm a metalhead, but this original version is pretty damn good too. never heard the original version till today.

Heroin Mom

Same here!

TitanFind

Maby was (and is) a great bassist.

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