Time Warp
Rocky Horror Show Original London Cast Lyrics
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Madness takes its toll
But listen closely, not for very much longer
I've got to keep control
I remember doing the Time Warp
Drinking those moments when
The blackness would hit me and the void would be calling
Let's do the time warp again!
It's just a jump to the left
And then a step to the right
With your hands on your hips
You bring your knees in tight
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
Let's do the Time Warp again!
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me
So you can't see me, no not at all
In another dimension, with voyeuristic intention
Well-secluded, I see all
With a bit of a mind flip
You're there in the time slip
And nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation, like you're under sedation
Let's do the Time Warp again!
Well I was walking down the street just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
He sme up, he took me by surprise
He had a pickup truck and the devil's eyes.
He stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing, never would again
Let's do the Time Warp again!
The lyrics to Time Warp is a song featured in the musical The Rocky Horror Show. The opening lines "It's astounding, time is fleeting, Madness takes its toll" is an allusion to time and the strange nature of life that is represented by the musical. The song's opening lines are essentially an acknowledgment of the strange and twisted world that the musical is set in. The singer then urges the listener to focus and keep control because time is slipping away.
In the next few lines, the singer urges the listener to remember a time when they have done the Time Warp before. The Time Warp is a dance that is done by jumping to the left, stepping to the right, and doing a pelvic thrust. It's a dance that is meant to be done in a group and is a key part of the musical. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost and spaced out that one gets while doing the Time Warp, which is essentially the feeling of being transported to another dimension.
The last few lines of the song describe the singer's encounter with a mysterious man that changes his perception of time forever. The man takes him to another world where time has no meaning, and he can do the Time Warp again and again. The song is essentially an invitation to join in the madness and lose oneself in the music.
Line by Line Meaning
It's astounding, time is fleeting
The fleeting nature of time is astounding.
Madness takes its toll
Madness has its cost.
But listen closely, not for very much longer
Listen carefully before time runs out.
I've got to keep control
I need to maintain control.
I remember doing the Time Warp
Recalling a previous experience of performing the Time Warp.
Drinking those moments when
Savoring the memories of when
The blackness would hit me and the void would be calling
Experiencing a sense of emptiness and being drawn to it.
Let's do the time warp again...
Proposing to perform the exercise all over again
It's just a jump to the left
The movement involves taking a leap to the left.
And then a step to the right
Afterward, stepping towards the right.
With your hands on your hips
Having hands placed on the hips.
You bring your knees in tight
Draw the knees closer to the body.
But it's the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane,
The sensual motions trigger intense pleasure.
Let's do the Time Warp again!
Let's repeat the exercise repeatedly.
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me
This is alluring and magical.
So you can't see me, no not at all
So that the performer is invisible to others.
In another dimension, with voyeuristic intention
Existing in a different realm, with a hidden purpose to observe.
Well-secluded, I see all
Despite being well-hidden, the performer can still see everything.
With a bit of a mind flip
A slight modification of one's thoughts.
You're there in the time slip
Suddenly transported through time.
And nothing can ever be the same
The change is significant and alters everything.
You're spaced out on sensation, like you're under sedation
Feeling powerful, otherworldly sensations as if under the influence of medication.
Let's do the Time Warp again!
Let's repeat the experience multiple times.
Well I was walking down the street just a-having a think
Recalling a memory of walking down the street lost in thought.
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
A questionable man made an unsavory gesture towards the performer.
He sme up, he took me by surprise
The man appeared quickly and unexpectedly towards the performer.
He had a pickup truck and the devil's eyes.
The man had a pickup truck, and his suspicious gaze gave pause for concern.
He stared at me and I felt a change
The man's gaze brought about an internal shift in thoughts and feelings.
Time meant nothing, never would again
The perception of time shifted and would not ever go back to its original condition after that moment.
Let's do the Time Warp again!
Repeat the sensation and experience of the Time Warp once more.
Contributed by Liliana J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
remy1309
I love the "It's just a jump to the left" and "Put your hands on your hips". They sound so rock&roll :-)
Jökull
The man that played the narrator played Dr. Everett Scott in the movie. :)
dlsofsetx
I can't believe this song was never a single,it would have a smash.
Hubert Bieniek
It actually was in Mexico where it’s known by “baile del sapo”
NationGentaObrien
I love Pat! Her voice is fantastic! <3
Ron Craig
This is fantastic! I love this. Magenta is great, the tap dancer is just right on! Great. I realise the missing part of the tap dancer added into the usa version. but, this is really great. a must for Rocky Horror people to hear.
Leo Licinio
Real rock n'roll...brilliant version. Thanks for posting this.
APRB
Saw the show ... was impressive ... befor the film came out and there was that hype ... once in a lifetime moment ... forever grateful ...
Quinli Hugo
this version has an awesome beat!
Al Stewart
The backing band were some of the Wrecking Crew. If you haven't heard of them, check out all the hits they were on