Killing Time
Jonathan Bailey and Matt Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feels like I'm dying all the time
Can you feel it ending, did it ever start?
Calm down, let's do another line
I think I'm bleeding, I may start screaming
One more bump and you'll be fine
The end is just a state of mind
You go on without me, maybe I'll stay behind
'Cause there's no finish at the finish line
If we're dead already, then let's keep going
What is left to hold us back?
We've all got our secrets (my heart's pounding)
There's no way of knowing (but my heartbeat's gone)
If they'll be blood upon the track
Keep on going, and you too will find
The end is just a state of mind
You go on without me, maybe I'll stay behind
There's no finish at the finish line
'Cause when you've made it ('cause when you made it)
What will you find (what will you find)
Heaven's just a (it's my) state of mind
You are not moving mountains or changing lives
You're just killing while you're killing time
The lyrics of Jonathan Bailey and Matt Smith's “Killing Time” reflect on the feeling of being stuck in a never-ending cycle, unable to escape it. The first line brings up the idea that this stagnation cannot continue forever and there is something wrong with the character's present state. The second line references the feeling of dying, both physically and mentally. The third and fourth lines question whether the situation being experienced ever really started and suggests the use of drugs to cope with the realization of this repetition.
The following lines then delve into the physical and mental effects of drug abuse, with the image of bleeding and potentially screaming representing the negative effects. The character then resolves to continue using drugs in the hopes of finding a way out, though acknowledges that there might not be anything to hold them back (line 17). The song concludes by saying that the pursuit of ambition without purpose can be seen as killing time, and even if one reaches their goals, it ultimately leads to a hollow existence.
Overall, the song’s message is that time should not be wasted on pursuits that have no real meaning or purpose. The lyrics emphasize that although reaching a certain goal may be fulfilling, it does not guarantee happiness or fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
This can't go on forever, there's something wrong
We can't continue like this indefinitely, there's something not right
Feels like I'm dying all the time
I feel like I'm slowly being killed all the time
Can you feel it ending, did it ever start?
Can you sense this coming to an end? Or did it even begin in the first place?
Calm down, let's do another line
Stay relaxed, let's do another pour of drugs
I think I'm bleeding, I may start screaming
I believe I'm hurt; I might scream out in pain
One more bump and you'll be fine
After one more dose, you'll feel good again
Keep on going and you, too, will find
The end is just a state of mind
If you keep going, you'll realize that there's no actual end--it's just a mental state
You go on without me, maybe I'll stay behind
'Cause there's no finish at the finish line
You can go ahead without me, for there's no actual end to what we're doing
If we're dead already, then let's keep going
What is left to hold us back?
If we're already dead inside, then why not continue? What's left to stop us?
We'VE all got our secrets (my heart's pounding)
There's no way of knowing (but my heartbeat's gone)
If they'll be blood upon the track
We all have our hidden inner turmoil (my heart is racing), and there's really no telling what damage we might do
Cause when you've made it ('cause when you made it)
What will you find (what will you find)
Heaven's just a (it's my) state of mind
Because when you achieve success, what will you discover? That 'heaven' is only a state of mind
You are not moving mountains or changing lives
You're just killing while you're killing time
You're not actively contributing to society or making a meaningful impact; you're only wasting time while engaging in self-destructive behavior
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Duncan Sheik
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Matthew
can I just say that this should really be more popular
Spyrocine
I know how to make that happen. Give me a few months to do it myself, and if I haven’t I’ll tell you how.
Matthew
@Spyrocine well that's cryptic.
pookapine
@Spyrocine what
Spyrocine
@pookapine If you find the right way to launch it then it can work. But I definitely overestimated my ability to pull it of I think. I still want to make it an animated music video but It will take a while
Giselle Kent
Is it just me or is Duncan Sheik' s music so beautifully disturbing? Of course Spring Awakening and American Psycho are two very different shows but through listening to both of these shows I've gotten the feeling that "What is happening is so messed up, but the way it's said is so beautiful that I CAN'T stop listening" anyone else feel the same?
Katherine Davis
Giselle Kent totally agree. They both give me a weirdly hollowed-out feeling that's almost nostalgic in a way, but it isn't unpleasant.
mothaykien
it’s just you
María Maravilla
This song is completely different in the recording of the Broadway cast that you can find on youtube. I'd be really curious to watch a recording of the London cast doing this song. I really like this version.
mxi
I prefer the London version. It has better songs and its not as messy. They did a comparison and the London had more songs than Broadway, despite Broadway adding another song.
I think that's why it didn't do very well on Broadway. It is actually my second favorite musical of all time.