Time Out
Joe Walsh & the James Gang Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Goin' through the motions
Tryin' not to snore
Didn't know the gun was loaded
Rowin' through the ocean
Caught without an oar
Someone said they all exploded

Time out, save the play
Try to make the line last
Any old way you can
Signed out all the way
When you speak your mind out
Never say what you plan

The maids are in the hallway
Bangin' on the door
Askin' what the funny smell was
Wake you up and tell you
It's okay to sleep some more
By the way, is there any you could sell us?

So the case is gettin' hotter
Guilty 'til you're tried
Stick 'em up, you've just been busted
Your basement's full of water
Forgot about the tide
Hope to God the pump ain't rusted

Signed out, blown away
When you speak your mind out
Never say what you plan
Time out, save the play




Try to make the mind last
Any old way you can

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joe Walsh's song "Time Out" describe a state of confusion and chaos. The singer appears to be dealing with some sort of unexpected situation where they feel caught off-guard and unprepared. The first two lines describe a person who is "goin' through the motions" but struggling to stay awake. Then, there is a sudden realization that "the gun was loaded," suggesting that they may be in danger. The next lines continue this theme of being unprepared as the singer is "rowin' through the ocean" but doesn't have an oar, and hears that "they all exploded." The sense of confusion and disorientation is further heightened by the repetition in the chorus, with the phrase "Time out, save the play" representing a desire to pause or take a break from the chaos.


The second verse introduces additional details that add to the sense of confusion and unexpected events. The singer hears "the maids in the hallway" and is woken up to be told that it's okay to sleep more. But the maids also ask if they can be sold something, which is an unclear and unexpected request. The final lines of the song suggest that the situation is intensifying and the stakes are getting higher, with references to a "case getting hotter," a potential arrest or being "busted," and a basement full of water. The singer appears to be struggling to hold on, to "try to make the mind last" and stay in control.


Overall, the lyrics of "Time Out" suggest a sense of uncertainty and a desire to pause or make sense of chaotic events. The repeated refrains of "time out" and "signed out" may represent a desire to step away from the situation and regroup, or a feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to continue. The imagery of rowing through the ocean without an oar or hearing that "they all exploded" may represent a loss of control, a sense of futility, or a feeling of being at the mercy of larger forces. Combined with the unsettling imagery of maids asking to be sold something and a basement full of water, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone struggling to cope with unexpected events.


Line by Line Meaning

Goin' through the motions
Going through the actions without any real effort or interest


Tryin' not to snore
Attempting to stay awake or alert, despite being bored or uninterested in something


Didn't know the gun was loaded
Being unaware of the potential danger or consequences in a situation


Rowin' through the ocean
Trying to navigate through a difficult or uncertain situation, like rowing through rough waters


Caught without an oar
Finding oneself in a challenging situation without the necessary resources or tools to navigate it


Someone said they all exploded
Hearing rumors or gossip about negative outcomes, which may or may not be true


Time out, save the play
Taking a break or pause to figure out the best course of action for a given situation


Try to make the line last
Attempting to prolong or maintain something enjoyable or positive, like a good moment or feeling


Any old way you can
Trying any and all methods or solutions, even if they are not ideal or efficient


Signed out all the way
Committing to a decision or course of action, fully and completely


When you speak your mind out
Being truthful or honest, without filtering or holding back


Never say what you plan
Keeping one's goals or intentions private, for fear of failure or judgment


The maids are in the hallway
Being in a situation where one is vulnerable or exposed, like being caught off guard


Bangin' on the door
Making noise or causing a disturbance, which may attract unwanted attention or scrutiny


Askin' what the funny smell was
Questioning something that seems suspicious or unusual, like a strange smell


Wake you up and tell you
Bringing someone out of a state of unawareness or ignorance, and informing them of something important


It's okay to sleep some more
Assuring someone that they can relax or take their time, and that things will be okay


By the way, is there any you could sell us?
Asking for something, like a favor or a product, which may or may not be appropriate or ethical


So the case is gettin' hotter
Being in a situation where there is increasing pressure or scrutiny, and the consequences of failure are becoming more severe


Guilty 'til you're tried
Being assumed to be at fault or responsible, without proper evidence or justification


Stick 'em up, you've just been busted
Being caught or exposed in a dishonest or illegal act, and facing consequences


Your basement's full of water
Facing a problem or challenge that is increasing or overwhelming, like a flood in one's home


Forgot about the tide
Overlooking or being unaware of a potential threat or danger, like the rising tide in a coastal area


Hope to God the pump ain't rusted
Expressing desperation or concern about whether a crucial resource or tool is still functional or effective


Signed out, blown away
Making a final decision or commitment, with the knowledge that it may have significant consequences or risks


Try to make the mind last
Attempting to sustain or prolong a good mental state, like a calm or happy mood


Any old way you can
Doing whatever is necessary to achieve one's goals or desired outcome, even if it means cutting corners or taking shortcuts




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Joseph Fidler Walsh

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions