Time Warp
The Rocky Horror Show Original Cast Lyrics
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It's astounding - Time is fleeting
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
All
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
Narrator
It's just a jump to the left
All
And then a step to the right
Narrator
With your hands on your hips
All
You bring your knees in tight
Trio
But it's the pelvic thrust
That starts to drive you insane
All
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
Magenta
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'll see all
With a bit of a mind flip - you're there in the time slip
Nothing can ever be the same
You're spaced out on sensation
Like you're under sedation
All
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
Columbia
Well I was walking down the street
Just having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink
Well it shook me up, it took me by surprise
He had a pick up truck and the devil's eyes
Oh - he stared at me and I felt a change
Time meant nothing - never would again
All
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
Repeat
All
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
The lyrics to the song 'Time Warp' from The Rocky Horror show, sung by the original cast, are a mixture of madness, dreams, fantasies, and insinuations. The song opens with Riff Raff, who speaks about the fleeting nature of time and the toll madness can take on people. He urges the listener to pay attention closely because time is running out. Riff Raff then recalls doing the 'Time Warp' which involved drinking to the point of blackouts, the void calling out to them. The echoes of the song then resound with an invitation to 'let's do the Time Warp again' as the chorus joins in.
The 'Time Warp' is a bizarre dance that is described in the second verse. The singer explains that it is just a jump to the left, a step to the right, placing your hands on your hips, and bringing your knees in tight. All of which culminates in a pelvic thrust that drives you 'insane.' The dance is seemingly hypnotic and encourages the listener to join in.
In the third verse, Magenta sings about being in another dimension. She talks about how she can see everything with voyeuristic intentions and that she is 'well secluded.' The chorus echoes the sentiment of the song by inviting everyone to 'do the Time Warp again'. In the fourth verse, Columbia, another character in the musical, talks about a strange encounter she had. She was walking down the street when a snake of a guy gave her an evil wink. This changed everything for her, and from that moment onwards, Time meant nothing.
Line by Line Meaning
It's astounding - Time is fleeting
Time passes by so quickly and it's truly astonishing
Madness takes its toll
Being insane can have a significant impact on one's life
But listen closely - Not for very much longer
Pay attention before the time runs out
I've got to keep control
I need to remain in charge of the situation
I remember doing the Time Warp
I clearly recall when I did the Time Warp
Drinking those moments when
I fondly remember the fun times
The blackness would hit me - And the void would be calling
I experienced moments of utter darkness and emptiness
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
Let's repeat the Time Warp dance steps
It's just a jump to the left
Move quickly to the left side
And then a step to the right
Take a step towards the right side
With your hands on your hips
Place your hands on your hips in a certain position
You bring your knees in tight
Draw your knees closer together
But it's the pelvic thrust That starts to drive you insane
It's the distinct move of thrusting the pelvis that can make one go crazy
It's so dreamy - oh fantasy free me So you can't see me - no not at all
I want to escape to a different world and become invisible
In another dimension - with voyeuristic intention Well secluded - I'll see all
I will watch everything from a secret place in a different dimension
With a bit of a mind flip - you're there in the time slip Nothing can ever be the same You're spaced out on sensation Like you're under sedation
With a sudden mental shift, you can time travel, but the experience is so exhilarating that you feel like you're high on drugs
Well I was walking down the street Just having a think When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink Well it shook me up, it took me by surprise He had a pick up truck and the devil's eyes Oh - he stared at me and I felt a change Time meant nothing - never would again
While I was deep in thought on the street, a devilish man with piercing eyes drove by and caused me a shock. It was a life-changing moment that made me realize time is insignificant
Let's do the Time Warp again (twice)
Let's repeat the Time Warp dance steps
Contributed by Joseph L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.