Only Time
Mackintosh Lyrics
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So Maybe that was the end
Now I don't know if I ever knew her
I learned that she could pretend
I liked when we could give each other cover
I hate when she says we can be friends
I thought maybe she'd like me when I'm older
Only time
Maybe I never made any effort
To prove I'd be the best in the end
I'm probably a mess and she knew it
Who gives a shit so I should pretend
I'm not possessed oh but I know I blew it
I lost the best thing I had
Maybe really I'm the one that's stupid
Now I'm learning how to pretend
Only time
She gave me darker fears than my old toothache
Maybe somehow she got revenge
For everything I've done and didn't know it
Maybe I only pretend
Sometimes I think I might've had it coming
It would be a lost cause to defend
I guess I have my life to think it over
I guess I don't have to pretend
Only time
In the first verse of Mackintosh's song "Only Time," the singer reflects on a past relationship where they allowed the other person to have power over them. The singer questions whether they truly knew the other person and acknowledges that the other person may have been pretending throughout the relationship. Despite the ups and downs, the singer appreciated the sense of protection and cover they had with this person but struggles with the idea of remaining friends after the relationship ends.
The second verse delves into the singer's feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt regarding the relationship. They admit to not making enough effort to prove themselves as the best partner and feel like a mess. The singer grapples with the realization that they may have lost something valuable due to their own shortcomings and contemplate whether they are simply pretending to be okay with the situation.
The lyrics in the third verse depict a sense of regret and guilt as the singer acknowledges the impact of their actions on the other person. The mention of "darker fears" suggests that the relationship brought out negative emotions, and there is a hint of karma or retribution in play. The singer questions their own culpability and wonders if they deserved the consequences of their actions.
In the final verse, there is a sense of acceptance and resignation as the singer reflects on the consequences of their past choices. They understand that they have to live with the outcome and don't need to pretend about their feelings anymore. The phrase "Only time" serves as a reminder that healing and clarity come with time, and the singer is coming to terms with the end of the relationship and the lessons learned from it.
Overall, the song "Only Time" by Mackintosh explores themes of power dynamics in relationships, self-reflection, regret, and acceptance. The lyrics convey a sense of emotional complexity and growth as the singer navigates the aftermath of a failed relationship and grapples with their own flaws and vulnerabilities.
Line by Line Meaning
She saw that I could let you take me over
She noticed that I allowed myself to be controlled by you
So Maybe that was the end
Perhaps that was the conclusion of our relationship
Now I don't know if I ever knew her
I am unsure if I truly understood her
I learned that she could pretend
I discovered that she was capable of deception
I liked when we could give each other cover
I enjoyed when we could protect each other
I hate when she says we can be friends
I dislike when she suggests we can remain friends
I thought maybe she'd like me when I'm older
I believed she might appreciate me as I matured
she taught me how she cuts in the end
She showed me how she ends relationships
Only time
Time will reveal the true outcome
Maybe I never made any effort
Perhaps I never truly put in effort
To prove I'd be the best in the end
To demonstrate that I would be the most suitable in the end
I'm probably a mess and she knew it
I am likely a mess and she recognized it
Who gives a shit so I should pretend
I shouldn't care, so I should pretend not to
I'm not possessed oh but I know I blew it
I am not controlled, but I am aware I made a mistake
I lost the best thing I had
I lost the most valuable thing in my life
Maybe really I'm the one that's stupid
Perhaps I am the one who is foolish
Now I'm learning how to pretend
Now I am mastering the art of pretending
She gave me darker fears than my old toothache
She instilled greater fears in me than my previous toothache
Maybe somehow she got revenge
Perhaps she somehow sought revenge
For everything I've done and didn't know it
For all my actions, even those of which I was unaware
Maybe I only pretend
Perhaps I only pretend to be unaffected
Sometimes I think I might've had it coming
At times I consider that I deserved what happened
It would be a lost cause to defend
It would be futile to try and justify
I guess I have my life to think it over
I suppose I have my existence to contemplate
I guess I don't have to pretend
I suppose I no longer need to feign emotions
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Ian Mackintosh
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind