A Matter Of Time
The Killers Lyrics


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You're looking for a way out
I can feel it
Come on, show me where it hurts
Maybe I can heal it

Your feelings are your own
Now you keep 'em under lock and key
You got me drivin' through the streets
For an answer to the mystery

The world's still weak on Charleston Avenue
Outside that vacant Starlight Motel I see you
Laughing with your girlfriends
Not a care in the world, not a burden on your mind

It was a matter of time

There's a panic in this house and it's bound to surface
Just walkin' through the front door makes me nervous
It's creepin' up the floorboards, got me wondering where I stand
I cannot put out the fire, I got a book of matches in my hand

When we first met, headstrong and filled with doubt
Made just enough hustling tables that summer to take you out
I was fallin' back on forever when you told me about your heart
You laid it on the line

Laughing with your girlfriends
Not a care in the world, not a burden on your mind
(You laid it on the line)

It was just a matter, It was a matter of time

We found ourselves
We belong in it forever
Ain't that what it's all about?
Make the promise and keep it
Come hell or high water
We'd figure it out

It was the night, it was the moon
It was the green grass in the garden
The victory and the sin

I know you're weary, look at me
Flailin' in the corner
Here's the towel
Go on, throw it in

It was a matter of time
Can't you see that it's tearing me up inside?
Look what's laying at our feet
That's the wreckage of broken dreams




And burned out hales
And it's here on our street

Overall Meaning

The Killers' song "A Matter of Time" is a powerful ballad that tells a story of a couple going through a rough patch as they struggle to keep their relationship together. The lyrics are poignant and thought-provoking, with lead singer Brandon Flowers delivering an emotional performance.


The song's opening stanza describes the singer's realization that their partner is unhappy and looking for a way out of the relationship. He offers to help heal their pain but acknowledges that their feelings are their own and can't be forced out. As they drive through the streets searching for answers, they come across the Starlight Motel, where the partner was previously seen with friends and where they appeared carefree.


The second verse explores the anxiety present in the relationship, with the singer feeling uncertain about his place in the partner's life. The lyrics describe a panic that is slowly rising to the surface and the singer's inability to extinguish the fire, as he himself is holding the matches. The song then moves to a memory of how their relationship first started, and despite the hurdles faced, how they eventually found each other and promised to be together forever.


The final verse offers a somber tone, with both individuals now feeling the weight of their failing relationship. The lyrics describe the "wreckage of broken dreams and burned-out hales" laying at their feet on their street. The song ends with the singer acknowledging that it was just a matter of time before things fell apart.


Line by Line Meaning

You're looking for a way out
You appear to be searching for an escape from your current situation.


I can feel it
I sense your restless and uncertain demeanor.


Come on, show me where it hurts
Please reveal to me the source of your pain or distress.


Maybe I can heal it
I will try to mend your emotional wounds and make you feel better.


Your feelings are your own
Your emotions belong solely to you and nobody else.


Now you keep 'em under lock and key
You are keeping your emotions hidden and guarded from others.


You got me drivin' through the streets
You've compelled me to cruise aimlessly around town.


For an answer to the mystery
I'm searching for a resolution to the puzzling enigma of your inner turmoil.


The world's still weak on Charleston Avenue
The neighborhood is still struggling to get back on its feet.


Outside that vacant Starlight Motel I see you
I spot you hanging around the abandoned motel across the street.


Laughing with your girlfriends
You're enjoying a lighthearted moment with your female pals.


Not a care in the world, not a burden on your mind
You are without any worries or stresses on your conscience.


It was a matter of time
It was inevitable that your hidden struggles would eventually manifest themselves overtly.


There's a panic in this house and it's bound to surface
There's a sense of anxiety permeating throughout the residence and it's likely to become apparent soon.


Just walkin' through the front door makes me nervous
Simply entering the house fills me with apprehension and unease.


It's creepin' up the floorboards, got me wondering where I stand
The ominous feeling is steadily encroaching and making me question my position in all of this.


I cannot put out the fire, I got a book of matches in my hand
I am powerless to extinguish the metaphorical flames taking hold, despite possessing the very tool to ignite them.


When we first met, headstrong and filled with doubt
Our initial encounter was marked by stubbornness and skepticism.


Made just enough hustling tables that summer to take you out
I earned just enough income from waiting tables over the summer to go out with you.


I was fallin' back on forever when you told me about your heart
I was counting on our relationship lasting into the distant future when you shared your feelings with me.


You laid it on the line
You were completely honest and candid with me.


Laughing with your girlfriends
You're enjoying a lighthearted moment with your female pals.


Not a care in the world, not a burden on your mind
You are without any worries or stresses on your conscience.


(You laid it on the line)
You divulged your deepest thoughts and emotions to me.


It was just a matter, It was a matter of time
It was only a question of when, not if, we would confront and address the underlying problems in our relationship.


We found ourselves
We discovered our true selves through our relationship.


We belong in it forever
We are meant to be together indefinitely.


Ain't that what it's all about?
Isn't this the ultimate goal of romantic love?


Make the promise and keep it
Let's vow to commit to each other and honor our commitment.


Come hell or high water
Regardless of the challenges and obstacles we encounter.


We'd figure it out
We would work together to solve any problems that arise.


It was the night, it was the moon
The magical atmosphere of the evening and the glowing lunar orb contributed to the mystical ambiance of our romance.


It was the green grass in the garden
The verdant lawn in the yard added to the idyllic setting of our relationship.


The victory and the sin
The moments of triumph and spiritual transgression we shared ensured that our love was complex and multidimensional.


I know you're weary, look at me
I recognize that you are exhausted and drained from our tumultuous relationship, so please focus on me for a moment.


Flailin' in the corner
I am struggling and floundering as I try to understand and cope with our issues.


Here's the towel
I give up and throw in the metaphorical towel.


Go on, throw it in
You also might consider giving up and walking away from me.


It was a matter of time
It was inevitable that our relationship would eventually become strained and tenuous, given our problems and challenges.


Can't you see that it's tearing me up inside?
Don't you realize how much emotional pain and inner turmoil I am experiencing as a result of our problems?


Look what's laying at our feet
Our issues and challenges are right there in front of us, waiting to be addressed.


That's the wreckage of broken dreams
The sad remnants of our once-vibrant aspirations and hopes for a happy future together.


And burned out hales
The remnants of our past selves and identities that no longer exist due to the strain of our relationship.


And it's here on our street
All of these problems and issues are present and manifest in our shared spaces and environment.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brandon Flowers, Dave Brent Keuning, Mark August Stoermer, Ronnie Jr. Vannucci

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@jazzystorm1146

You're looking for a way out, I can feel it
Come on, show me where it hurts, maybe I can heal it
Your feelings are your own, now you keep them under lock and key
You've got me driving through the streets for an answer to the mystery

The world's still awake on Charleston Avenue
Outside that vacant starlight motel
I see you
Laughing with your girlfriends
Not a care in the world
Not a burden on your mind

It was a matter of time

There's a panic in this house and it's bound to surface
Just walking through the front door makes me nervous
It's creeping up the floorboards, got me wondering where I stand
How can I put out the fire? I've got a book of matches in my hand

When we first met, headstrong and filled with doubt
Made just enough, hustling tables, that summer to take you out
I was falling back on forever
When you told me about your heart
You laid it on the line

Laughing with your girlfriends
Not a care in the world
Not a burden on your mind
You're hanging on the line!

It was just a matter
It was a matter of time

We'd find ourselves a place, we belong in this forever
Ain't that what it's all about?
Make the promise and keep it
Come hell or high water
We'd figure it out

It was the night, it was the moon
It was the green grass in the garden
The victory and the sin

I know you're weary, look at me
Flailing in the corner
Here's the towel
Go on, throw it in

It was a matter of time
Can't you see that it's tearing me up inside?
Look what's laying at our feet
That's the wreckage of broken dreams
And burned out halos
And it's here on our street



All comments from YouTube:

@DexterNewton32

Battle Born is the most underrated Killers album

@jfej111

Correction...sam's town is the most underrated killers album.

@taylorprocker

Sams is my favorite. I honestly really didn’t know any of the were underrated!

@joemitchell3779

Battle born is the best of the killers original sound before their hiatus, they perfected it for battle born and it's absolutely everything I love about the killers all in one album. But pressure machine might be his best album in terms of writing and feel it's a purely genius album. But battle born will forever be the album that reminds me why I love the killers so much.

@Beetlebum55

@@jfej111 Sams town is one of the best according the críticas, battle born not

@lukemimnagh2594

Their best albums were from Hot Fuss to Direct Hits, after that they're still good, but not as good as the first ones

2 More Replies...

@tabiroro

"Look what's laying on our feet. That's the wreckage of broken dreams and burnt out halos and it's here on our street." That line is just so powerful.

@musicgeekfi3800

I thought 'halos' was hails? Like

"All hail _____"

@gregogonzalez8759

I love "We'd find ourselves a place, we belong in this forever ain't that what it's all about?" is so beautiful

@valeriepayne2874

It was the night, it was the moon
It was the green grass in the garden
The victory and the sin

<3 chills

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