Time Machine
T-Pain Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yeah, yeah, yeah
Tebunan, Pedalofogus, from the planet Telegusa, yeah

Ilutium-pu-36 explosive space modulator (space modulator)
Goin' on a trip, I'll be back home; Boy, I'll see you later
Goin' back to a time when I know everything was straighter (everything was straighter)
Everything's great now, but back then it was greater (it was greater)
And I don't need no clothes, I go in just what I'm wearin' (just what I'm wearin')
Matter fact, I just go back to what I used to wear then (what I used to wear then)
No matter how the weather, everything back then was just so better
I can dream; it's a simple thing; I'm building a time machine

[Chorus:]
Back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back in time
I can dream; it's a simple thing
I'm building a time machine
Back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back in time
I can dream; it's a simple thing
I'm building a time machine

Yean, I'm goin' back to a time when this music shit was more than business (more than business)
Back to a time when I knew my niggas was down and if they still is (if they still is)
And I didn't have to worry about what I got on when I go outside (go outside)
And I didn't have to worry about what kind of car I got when I ride (when I ride)
And I didn't have to have twenty-twos, twenty-fours or twenty-sixes (twenty-sixes)
And I didn't have to be forever surrounded by a million bitches (a million bitches)
No matter how bad my life was I still got love no matter how mad my wife was
I can dream; it's a simple thing; I'm building a time machine

[Chorus]

Back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back in time
It's a simple thing
Back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back in time




It's a simple thing
Building a time machine

Overall Meaning

The song "Time Machine" by T-Pain talks about the desire to travel back in time to a point in life when things were simpler and better. The lyrics begin with the artist introducing himself as being from another planet, Telegusa, which gives an alternative perspective on life from another world. He then goes on to mention the possibility of using the ilutium-pu-36 explosive space modulator as a way to build a time machine to transport himself back in time when everything was straighter, and life was more manageable.


The chorus repeats the phrase "back in time" several times and emphasizes that dreaming of the past is a simple yet reassuring thing. T-Pain desires to return to a time when the music industry was not only business, but life, and he had a group of friends who always had his back. He seeks a time when he could go outside without worrying about his outfit or the type of car he drove, and it was not about the quantity of money or the number of women he had around him. Regardless of how bad life was for him, he knew that he still had love and support from the people he cared about. The song is a testament to the fact that sometimes, life is simpler and more enjoyable in the past.


Line by Line Meaning

Yeah, yeah, yeah
An expression of excitement and anticipation for time travel


Tebunan, Pedalofogus, from the planet Telegusa, yeah
A reference to science fiction and fantasy, alluding to the idea that time travel is possible


Ilutium-pu-36 explosive space modulator (space modulator)
A reference to classic cartoons, parodying the idea that time travel requires a complex device or machine


Goin' on a trip, I'll be back home; Boy, I'll see you later
Acknowledging that time travel is a journey that cannot be predicted or controlled


Goin' back to a time when I know everything was straighter (everything was straighter)
Describing a desire to return to a simpler, more straightforward time in the past


Everything's great now, but back then it was greater (it was greater)
Recognizing that the present is good, but the past holds a special nostalgic value


And I don't need no clothes, I go in just what I'm wearin' (just what I'm wearin')
Asserting that time travel can be achieved without material possessions, as it is a mental journey


Matter fact, I just go back to what I used to wear then (what I used to wear then)
Acknowledging the personal impact of nostalgia, specifically regarding fashion and style


No matter how the weather, everything back then was just so better
Reflecting on a perception that the past was literally better, independent of circumstances or experiences


I can dream; it's a simple thing; I'm building a time machine
Reiterating the idea that time travel is a mental escape, and expressing a desire to create a tool to facilitate it


Back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back in time
Repeating the goal of time travel, underscoring its importance


Yean, I'm goin' back to a time when this music shit was more than business (more than business)
Identifying a specific aspect of the past that is idealized, in this case, music culture


Back to a time when I knew my niggas was down and if they still is (if they still is)
Romanticizing the strength and loyalty of past friendships


And I didn't have to worry about what I got on when I go outside (go outside)
Expressing a desire for a time when appearance was not a source of anxiety or self-consciousness


And I didn't have to worry about what kind of car I got when I ride (when I ride)
Expressing a desire for a time when material possessions did not define one's status or identity


And I didn't have to have twenty-twos, twenty-fours or twenty-sixes (twenty-sixes)
Rejecting the fetishization of cars and specifically, car wheels


And I didn't have to be forever surrounded by a million bitches (a million bitches)
Rejecting the notion that sex and relationships are the ultimate source of happiness


No matter how bad my life was I still got love no matter how mad my wife was
Celebrating the resilience and support of loved ones in the face of hardships


Building a time machine
Repeating the desire to create a tool for time travel, underscoring its importance




Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: FRANK ROMANO, NAJM FAHEEM

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

Lil Mayo

I remember my mom buying me this CD when I was like 10. This was always my favorite track. This song makes me feel that time again

Greenwood 1800

The real t pain fans would know this song . still playing this in 2020

Every things completely different now everything....

Irene Kilburn

Bartender puts me in mind of my ex I remember I would get off work and spend early hours jus playing pool and spending time with her the good days

Irene Kilburn

4 real πŸ’― try 2022 and still bumpin this still have the cd I still tear it up love it β€οΈπŸ’―πŸ’―πŸ’―

DOMINO EFFECTZZ

Greenwood 1800 I wish he was more popular

Adam Mckinnie

Man this song instantly sparks a reminiscence of how things felt to you around that time Long live this song tpain did this specially for us

Black Mamba 4.0

Yep

Black Mamba 4.0

@Matthew Carbone No

Matthew Carbone

Same here Brandon. I was madly in love. Those times will never return.

Be8zy Wordpl8y

Adam Mckinnie frfr I had the best relationship around that time and just was soooo young

More Comments

More Versions