Time for a Change
Peter Hammill Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Time for a change:
I felt bad, things looked strange.
Home, home on the range...
yes, it's time for a change.

"Well, young man, when you grow up
what do you want to be?"
"Please, sir, if that's alright
I'd really rather like to learn how to be me."

Switch on the light,
getting late, almost night.
A shilling puts you right,
you can switch off the night.

The world was looking stretched and tight,
it's an overblown balloon.
I've got the feeling something big
has got to happen soon.

Oh, time for a change,
out of reach, out of range.
Go and tell Doctor Strange
that it's time for a change.





Time for a change,
time for a change.

Overall Meaning

The song "Time for a Change" by Peter Hammill is a contemplative and introspective piece that seems to be about a person feeling disillusioned and disconnected from the world around them. The opening lyrics, "I felt bad, things looked strange. Home, home on the range... yes, it's time for a change," suggest a feeling of uncertainty and discomfort with one's surroundings. The phrase "home on the range" may refer to the idea of searching for a place where one truly belongs, or perhaps a longing for a simpler, more natural way of life.


The next verse features a conversation between a young person and an adult figure, in which the young person expresses a desire to learn how to be themselves, rather than conforming to societal expectations. This could be seen as a commentary on the pressures that many people face to conform to certain norms and expectations, rather than pursuing their own individual paths.


The chorus of the song emphasizes the need for change, both on a personal and a societal level. The world is described as feeling "stretched and tight" and "an overblown balloon," suggesting a sense of tension or precariousness. The final lines of the song, "Time for a change, time for a change," leave things open-ended, but seem to suggest a call to action, an acknowledgment that something needs to be done.


Overall, "Time for a Change" is a thoughtful and introspective song that captures a sense of disquiet and longing for something different.


Line by Line Meaning

I felt bad, things looked strange.
I was feeling down and the world seemed off.


Home, home on the range...
A reference to the classic American folk song, possibly meant as a sarcastic joke about how different the world feels from what is familiar and comfortable.


yes, it's time for a change.
Despite any attachment to familiarity, it is necessary to embrace change for the better.


"Well, young man, when you grow up what do you want to be?" "Please, sir, if that's alright I'd really rather like to learn how to be me."
A commentary on societal pressure to conform to certain ideals, and a desire to be true to oneself instead.


Switch on the light, getting late, almost night. A shilling puts you right, you can switch off the night.
Tangible actions that can be taken to improve one's mood and perspective, such as turning on the light and paying for entertainment.


The world was looking stretched and tight, it's an overblown balloon. I've got the feeling something big has got to happen soon.
A sense of instability and tension in the world, leading to anticipation for a significant change.


Oh, time for a change, out of reach, out of range. Go and tell Doctor Strange that it's time for a change.
Emphasizing the need for change, even if it seems difficult or unattainable. The reference to Doctor Strange may suggest a supernatural or mystical change beyond what is humanly possible.


Time for a change, time for a change.
Repetitive affirmation that change is necessary and imminent.




Contributed by Camden L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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

More Versions