Borrowed Time
Steve Lukather Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Just silence, from the thunder
The reflection of a life
Can't reveal the light inside
But it's no wonder
Never took the chance to say
For whatever reasons why
Good intentions aren't enough
Can't afford to put them off anymore
But there's nothing to do to make it right
Cause the path of our fate won't be turned aside
Can't expect anyone to understand
But the answer is in your hands

Cuz it's borrowed time
When's the dime running out
Yes it's borrowed time
Just so much life
Without a doubt
Only borrowed time
Who decides, I wonder why
I can't say goodbye

Daylight casts my shadow like the rest
Cause the world keeps going on
And I know that from beyond
You feel my helplessness
But if you were standing here
You would laugh about my fears
Like you always did before
You demanded nothing else
Than you ever save yourself
So what am I frightened for
You were the one
To lead the way
Never fooled by the lights
That lead us all astray
And the last one to think
The worst of things
Doesn't change what
Tomorrow brings





(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Steve Lukather's song Borrowed Time are about the fleeting nature of life and how we should make the most of it while we can. The first verse talks about how the silence after the thunder is like the reflection of a life - it can't reveal the true light inside, but it's no wonder. The singer of the song never took the chance to say something important and now realizes that good intentions aren't enough. They can't afford to wait any longer to take action, but they also know that there's nothing they can do to make it right. The path of their fate won't be turned aside and they can't expect anyone else to understand, but the answer to their problems is in their own hands. The chorus repeats the idea that life is borrowed time and we never know when the dime will run out.


The second verse is a reminiscence of someone who has passed away. The singer talks about how the daylight casts their shadow like everyone else's and how the world keeps going on without them. The singer feels helpless without this person, but if they were still alive, they would laugh at their fears like they always did before. The person who passed away was someone who never followed the lights that lead us astray and always led the way. They were never one to think the worst of things and that doesn't change what tomorrow brings. The chorus then repeats the idea that life is borrowed time and we never know when it will run out.


Overall, the song is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life and how we should make the most of the time we have. It also talks about the importance of taking action and not waiting until it's too late.


Line by Line Meaning

Just silence, from the thunder
Amidst the chaos and noise of life, there are times of utter silence and stillness.


The reflection of a life
Life is like a mirror, it reflects back what we put out into the world.


Can't reveal the light inside
Sometimes our inner light is hidden and cannot be seen by others.


But it's no wonder
This is not surprising.


Never took the chance to say
Missed an opportunity to express oneself.


For whatever reasons why
Unknown reasons prevented this expression.


Good intentions aren't enough
Intentions must be translated into actions to have a meaningful impact.


Can't afford to put them off anymore
There is no time to delay making things right, or pursuing one's dreams.


But there's nothing to do to make it right
Some situations cannot be undone or fixed.


Cause the path of our fate won't be turned aside
The road ahead is already set for us.


Can't expect anyone to understand
We shouldn't assume others comprehend or empathize with our own experiences.


But the answer is in your hands
The solution lies within oneself, rather than seeking it externally.


Cuz it's borrowed time
Our time on earth is finite and we never know when it may end.


When's the dime running out
When will we run out of time and opportunities?


Yes it's borrowed time
Reinforcing the limited nature of our time here.


Just so much life
Making the most of our existence despite its concise duration.


Without a doubt
Unquestionably, every moment counts.


Only borrowed time
We have only been granted a short loan on this planet.


Who decides, I wonder why
Musing over who or what determines the length of our stay, and why.


I can't say goodbye
Reluctance and difficulty in letting go of a loved one that has passed.


Daylight casts my shadow like the rest
Acknowledgement of one's mortality and inevitable fate.


Cause the world keeps going on
The world will continue to rotate, regardless of individual struggles and hardships.


And I know that from beyond
The presence and guidance of loved ones that have passed away is often felt by those left behind.


You feel my helplessness
Those who have left us may empathize with the burdens and difficulties left behind.


But if you were standing here
If they were still here with us, they would offer words of comfort and support.


You would laugh about my fears
Despite human fears and anxieties, in the grand scheme of things these might not be as grave or as weighty as one believes.


Like you always did before
Reflecting on the past and the effect one person had on the life of the singer.


You demanded nothing else
Certain individuals impact others without being overbearing or demanding expectations.


Than you ever save yourself
Prioritizing their own well-being allowed this person to be a positive influence in others' lives.


So what am I frightened for
Considering the impact of the departed's example, fear and hesitation may be unwarranted.


You were the one
Emphasizing the unique quality and impact of the individual in a departed loved one's life.


To lead the way
This person had already blazed a trail, so to speak, via their own life and acts.


Never fooled by the lights
The departed had a clear-eyed view of life: not easily swayed by external temptations or distractions.


That lead us all astray
These temptations and distractions frequently lead people to a path unfulfilling or contrary to their own desires.


And the last one to think
A humble and measured approach marked the individual's interactions.


The worst of things
Optimism characterized their outlook, even in challenging or upsetting circumstances.


Doesn't change what
Despite optimistic or pessimistic attitudes, the world keeps revolving and provides its own set of challenges and opportunities.


Tomorrow brings
Reflecting on the unknown of the future, and making the best of the time we have.




Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: DAVID GARFIELD, FEE WAYBILL, STEVE LUKATHER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

NICOUD JJ

Steve Lukather is a fantastic guitar player and Also a very good singer ! Outstanding ballad !!! Peace ☮️✌️

Erik Siahaan

Steve is a complete talented mucisian, graat singer, guitarist and also composer 👍

Nina K.G.S

Beautiful song😍🥰

Wil D

Saw them live twice on the 94 or 95 world tour in Paris.Second time i brought a friend who didn't know at all Toto and Luke and he totally adored.
I remember they played Borrowed Time only the first night. Love that tune.
I had Candyman in Cassette at the time now i have it in CD DTS in 5.1 and i just listened it .Still love that album. The Best from Luke for me.
Don't why it's not on Spotify.

Gerald Chen

Here is another song "Never Walk Alone" from the same album "Candyman".

https://youtu.be/t7uttmtyktA

Nuruddin Subhan

Such a great song..👍

Jorge Alejandro Gonzalez Gallardo

Para mí Steve Lukather es el más grande guitarrista y este tema siempre me recordara un tiempo inolvidable.

Dino Navarro

Beautiful

Gilberto Colafabio

Grazie stupendaaaaaaaa lukater artista unico il suo talento unico

Jose Newton

Esteve Lukather is one legend live
Perfect singler and perfect guitar
I like Esteve Luckater solo Also
Im Newton from Brasil

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