After self-releasing her first three records and gaining popularity in New York City's independent music scenes, particularly the anti-folk scene centered on New York City's East Village, Spektor signed with Sire Records in 2004 and began achieving greater mainstream recognition. After giving her third album a major label re-release, Sire released Spektor's fourth album, Begin to Hope, which achieved a Gold certification by the RIAA. Her following two albums, Far and What We Saw from the Cheap Seats, each debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200. 2016's Remember Us to Life peaked at 23 on the Billboard 200.
Mayor Bill de Blasio proclaimed June 11, 2019, Regina Spektor Day in New York City. Spektor was also inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame on May 18, 2019, by Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr.
That Time
Regina Spektor Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, remember that time we decided to kiss anywhere except the mouth?
Hey, remember that time when my favorite colors were pink and green?
Hey, remember that month when I only ate boxes of tangerines?
So cheap and juicy
Hey, remember that time when I would only read Shakespeare?
Hey, remember that other time when I would only read the backs of cereal boxes?
A street cat got him by morning, and I had to bury pieces of his body in my building's playground
I thought I was going to be sick
Hey, remember that time when I would only smoke Parliaments?
Hey, remember that time when I would only smoke Marlboros?
Hey, remember that time when I would only smoke Camels?
Hey, remember that time when I was broke?
I didn't care; I just bummed from my friends
Bum...
Hey, remember that time when you OD'ed?
Hey, remember that other time when you OD'ed for the second time?
Well, in the waiting room while waiting for news of you
I hallucinated I could read your mind
And I was on a lot of shit too, but what I saw, man, I tell you it was freaky
Regina Spektor's "That Time" is a song that tells a story about memories. The lyrics are filled with seemingly random and unrelated events, but they are all connected through the theme of nostalgia. The song captures the essence of looking back on old times and realizing how much has changed.
The lyrics are presented in a stream-of-consciousness style, where each line jumps to a different memory. The use of the word "remember" emphasizes the importance of memories and how they shape who we are today. The tooth found on Delancey and the attempt to save a pigeon with a broken wing are examples of odd experiences that become significant and memorable. The mention of different brands of cigarettes and the willingness to bum from friends during a time of financial crisis shows how priorities change as circumstances change.
The most poignant part of the song is when Regina Spektor sings about someone who OD'ed twice. The wait for news about their well-being is torturous, and the hallucination that she could read their mind adds to the surreal horridness of the experience. This event represents the end of the period of innocence and youth that the song revolves around.
Overall, "That Time" is a masterful piece of songwriting that explores the fragility and fleetingness of life, as well as the power of memories. It reminds us to appreciate the little moments that make life worth living and to cherish the times we have with people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you remember the time when I found a human tooth down on Delancey?
Do you recall that moment when, while crossing Delancey Street, I discovered a human tooth lying on the ground?
Hey, remember that time we decided to kiss anywhere except the mouth?
Do you remember when we agreed to exchange kisses on other parts of our bodies rather than on the mouth?
Hey, remember that time when my favorite colors were pink and green?
Do you recollect that period when my preferred color combination was pink and green?
Hey, remember that month when I only ate boxes of tangerines?
So cheap and juicy
Do you recall that month when I exclusively consumed boxes of tangerines due to their low price and juiciness?
Hey, remember that time when I would only read Shakespeare?
Do you remember when I solely read Shakespeare's works?
Hey, remember that other time when I would only read the backs of cereal boxes?
Do you remember when I was only interested in reading the side panels of cereal boxes?
Hey, remember that time I tried to save a pigeon with a broken wing?
A street cat got him by morning, and I had to bury pieces of his body in my building's playground
I thought I was going to be sick
Do you remember when I attempted to rescue a pigeon with an injured wing? Unfortunately, a feral cat attacked and killed the bird, forcing me to dispose of its remains in the playground of my complex, which made me nauseous.
Hey, remember that time when I would only smoke Parliaments?
Hey, remember that time when I would only smoke Marlboros?
Hey, remember that time when I would only smoke Camels?
Hey, remember that time when I was broke?
I didn't care; I just bummed from my friends
Bum...
Do you remember the phases when I only smoked Parliament, Marlboro, or Camel cigarettes, but when I ran out of cash, I would scrounge off my pals for smokes?
Hey, remember that time when you OD'ed?
Hey, remember that other time when you OD'ed for the second time?
Well, in the waiting room while waiting for news of you
I hallucinated I could read your mind
And I was on a lot of shit too, but what I saw, man, I tell you it was freaky
Do you remember the time you overdosed not once but twice? I was waiting in the hospital's waiting room to hear news about your condition. Under the influence of drugs, I had a hallucination that I could read your thoughts, and the present situation was causing something unusual to happen.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REGINA SPEKTOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind