Out of time
Luke Jackson Lyrics


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got your best dress on im coming home
and I know I havn't seen you in a while
but let me take my wrongs, and try to make em right
just to be a little more in the right

oh I didn't know I was running out of time
I didn't know I was running out of time
well my friends they say we're still young
we should be raising hell and tearing up the town
they say it's not a crime to smile, but it's easier said then done

to rid our pasts and think of things to come
well I hope my streets and towns they stay the same
though I knew some things in time were bound to change
but I thought by coming home, well maybe I'd change your mind

but it seems you've been getting on just fine
but I didn't know I was running out of time

no I never knew I was running out of time

oh you've got your best dress on I'm coming home
and I'm sorry I havn't seen you in a while
oooh and all my streets and towns they have changed

so let me take my wrongs and let me try to make em right
just to be a little more in your eyes
but I didn't know I was running out of time
I didn't know I was running out of time
oh no
so people grow they move away
most others spend their whole life finding home
and the things that once seemed small

well they well they overcome us both
well we got so damn tired from all the tryin
but I didn't know I was running out of time
I didn't know I was running out of time
I didn't know I was running
no I never knew I was running




oh I didn't know we were running out of time
no didn't know we were running out of time

Overall Meaning

The song "Out of Time" by Luke Jackson is a poignant reflection on the brevity of life, the importance of reconciliation, and the inevitability of change. The opening lines of the song reveal the singer's desire to make amends with a loved one he hasn't seen in a while. He apologizes for his mistakes and hopes to make things right. However, the chorus reveals his sense of urgency - "I didn't know I was running out of time." This line suggests that the singer may have a deeper concern that he may never have the chance to reconnect and make amends if he waits too long.


The second verse introduces the theme of change and growing older. The singer's friends encourage him to enjoy life and not worry about the future, but he struggles to let go of the past and hold onto the present. He hopes that by returning home, he can rekindle his connection with the person he loves and preserve the memories of his youth. However, upon returning home, he realizes that much has changed and he must confront the fact that time has marched on without him. The final verse brings together these themes of change and time, underscoring the importance of cherishing the present and making the most of the time we have.


Overall, "Out of Time" is a poignant reflection on the transience of life, the inevitability of change, and the value of human connection. Through its tender, reflective lyrics, the song expresses a sense of longing for what was lost, mixed with a deep gratitude for what remains.


Line by Line Meaning

got your best dress on im coming home
Announcing the singer's arrival at home, noticing the good dress of the person being addressed.


and I know I havn't seen you in a while
Acknowledging the long time between visits from the singer to the person being addressed.


but let me take my wrongs, and try to make em right
Admitting past mistakes and attempting to make amends for them.


just to be a little more in the right
Trying to improve the singer's own standing by making amends for past mistakes.


oh I didn't know I was running out of time
Realizing that time is limited and that there may not be many opportunities left to make things right.


well my friends they say we're still young
Observing that the singer's friends believe they are still relatively young.


we should be raising hell and tearing up the town
Tempted to live life in a more wild and carefree manner.


they say it's not a crime to smile, but it's easier said then done
Acknowledging that while being happy is not bad, actually achieving happiness is often difficult.


to rid our pasts and think of things to come
Reflecting on the past and trying to plan for the future while living in the present.


well I hope my streets and towns they stay the same
Expressing a desire for things to stay the same despite the inevitable passage of time.


though I knew some things in time were bound to change
Recognizing that change is inevitable despite wishing things would stay the same.


but I thought by coming home, well maybe I'd change your mind
Hoping that seeing the singer again would help the person being addressed to see things differently.


but it seems you've been getting on just fine
Observing that the person being addressed seems to be doing well without the presence of the singer.


no I never knew I was running out of time
Repeating the realization that time is limited and that there may not be many opportunities left to make things right.


oh you've got your best dress on I'm coming home
Coming full circle in announcing the singer's return home and acknowledging the good dress of the person being addressed.


and I'm sorry I havn't seen you in a while
Apologizing again for the long time between visits from the singer to the person being addressed.


oooh and all my streets and towns they have changed
Observing that things have changed in the singer's hometown since their last visit.


so let me take my wrongs and let me try to make em right
Repeating the desire to make amends for past mistakes.


just to be a little more in your eyes
Hoping to improve the singer's standing in the eyes of the person being addressed.


so people grow they move away
Acknowledging that people often move away from their hometowns as they grow older.


most others spend their whole life finding home
Noting that many people spend their entire lives searching for a place that feels like home.


and the things that once seemed small
Reflecting on the changing perspectives that come with growing up and leaving home.


well they well they overcome us both
Recognizing that life's complexities can overcome even the strongest relationships.


well we got so damn tired from all the tryin
Acknowledging that trying to make things work can be tiring and difficult.


but I didn't know I was running out of time
Repeating the realization that time is limited and that there may not be many opportunities left to make things right.


no I never knew I was running out of time
Repeating the refrain one final time to emphasize the idea that time is limited and should not be wasted.


oh I didn't know we were running out of time
Realizing that it's not just the singer who has limited time, but everyone.


no didn't know we were running out of time
Repeating this idea again for emphasis.




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