No Time
The Who Lyrics


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(No time left for you) On my way to better things
(No time left for you) I found myself some wings
(No time left for you) Distant roads are callin' me
(No time left for you)

Time, time, time, time, time

No time for a gentle rain
No time for my watch and chain
No time for revolving doors
No time for the killin' floor
No time for the killin' floor
There's no time left for you
No time left for you

(No time left for you) On my way to better things
(No time left for you) I found myself some wings
(No time left for you) Distant roads are callin' me
(No time left for you)

No time for a summer friend
No time for the love you send
Seasons change and so did I
You need not wonder why
You need not wonder why
There's no time left for you
No time left for you

(No time left for you) On my way to better things
(No time left for you) I found myself some wings
(No time left for you) Distant roads are callin' me
(No time left for you)

No time for a summer friend
No time for the love you send
Seasons change and so did I
You need not wonder why
You need not wonder why
There's no time left for you
No time left for you

(No time) No time, no time, no time, no time
No no no time, no no time, no time, no time
I got, got, got, got no time
I got, got, got, got no time for you, woman
I got no time for you, woman
I got no time for your stupid games anymore
No, no
I got no time for you, woman, no
I got no time for hangin' around
For gettin' stepped on




For gettin' pushed around, woman
I got no time for hangin' around them kind of things

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of The Who’s song No Time are about moving on from a relationship that has run its course. The singer declares that they do not have any more time for their partner and is moving forward to better things. The opening line, “No time left for you” is a declaration of the singer’s position. They have found a new path in life and do not have any more time to waste on their partner. The lines that follow declare the singer’s supposed success in their journey to find something better. The singer found their wings and the distant roads are calling them, indicating that they have moved on to better things.


The chorus of the song reinforces the singer’s decision to move on. Seasons have changed and so has the singer, leaving their old partner behind. The lines “You need not wonder why” is a statement of finality, the singer has already made up their mind and has no intention of going back to the relationship. The repetition of “No time left for you” in the chorus adds emphasis to the singer’s position.


The song’s bridge highlights the singer’s impatience with their former partner. They do not have time for a gentle rain or their old summer friend. The lines “I got, got, got no time” and “I got no time for your stupid games anymore” reinforce the message that the singer has moved on to better things and does not want to be bothered with the relationship again.


Line by Line Meaning

(No time left for you) On my way to better things
I cannot waste time on anything that hinders my progress towards better things.


(No time left for you) I found myself some wings
I have discovered a new sense of freedom and liberation and hence cannot afford to invest any more time in you.


(No time left for you) Distant roads are callin' me
There is a greater calling that I cannot ignore and I don't have any time to spare because I need to follow that path.


Time, time, time, time, time
The repetition of this shows the constant ticking of the clock and how time is always slipping away.


No time for a gentle rain
Every moment is precious and I cannot afford to waste any time, even for things that bring minimal beauty or joy.


No time for my watch and chain
Even the act of checking time is something I cannot indulge in as I have no time for it.


No time for revolving doors
The idea of a revolving door suggests a continuous cycle of repetition, which isn't something I can entertain anymore given the paucity of time.


No time for the killin' floor
There is no time to waste on things that bring pain and suffering to others.


There's no time left for you
I have exhausted all my time on you, and now I need to move on to better things.


No time for a summer friend
A ''summer friend'' refers to someone who is only around for a short time and then leaves with the changing of the seasons, which isn't something I can afford anymore.


No time for the love you send
Even love and affection cannot be invited, as there is too little time left to spare on such things.


Seasons change and so did I, You need not wonder why
I have evolved and grown as a person, and it shouldn't surprise you that I can no longer entertain you, given my newfound path.


No, no, no time, no, no time, no time, no time
Again, the constant repetition of ''No time'' emphasizes the urgency of the matter at hand.


I got, got, got, got no time, For your childishness now
I have outgrown your immaturity and pettiness, and I don't have any time to indulge in it.


I got no time for hangin' around, For gettin' stepped on, For gettin' pushed around, woman
I can no longer waste my time with people who belittle or hurt me in any way, especially not you.


I got no time for your stupid games anymore, No, no
The artist has had enough of the other person's foolish games and doesn't have any time to invest in them anymore.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network
Written by: Randy Bachman, Burton Cummings

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

@glitterknightnewrockbandfr1743

@captaindavis I disagree.
There are lots of younger people who appreciate that music. And you should honor them for that.
That has kinda been shown since Gen-X. That is what they gave us. They helped to revive a lot of that, and still keep it in synch with other new things of the times. That music, after all, is timeless. And its influence is still one of those things that does go into modern music, and part of why all those new, innovative sounds come from. And I really think Gen-X put out a lot of good music, too. They were showing they DID like it. As one of them said, “the music is for everybody”.
That’s a nice thought, isn’t it?
I used to think I was the Lone Stranger in that area, too, but not anymore.
Not ever since the ‘90s.

Which is when this song came back into being of regular importance to me too, btw. I heard it a lot. Bought back some Guess Who tapes and CDs. It is a beautiful song with lots of personal meaning to me. This is twice in my life now, and I was just a kid when I heard this song playing on the radio all the time in Sacramento, Ca., my hometown. And it went well with how the new songs coming out in the ‘90s resonated with me, too.
And I was in college in the ‘90s, to boot.

The ultimate reward was getting to see The Guess Who play in downtown Las Vegas in ‘99. I got to meet them and got an autographed picture —which someone STOLE! But it was really special. Two nights. Those guys are seriously nice guys, too.



All comments from YouTube:

@hotdog12ify

I am 79 and still love this sound. My wife tells me i'm too old for this music i say. i may be getting old but i am still alive,

@lynnleiby

I was staying at a campground and couldn't help but noticing the Led Zeppelin marathon that was going on a few campsites down from me. After a few hrs, I happened to walk past, expecting to see some young long-haired hippie types. To my surprise, it was an elderly couple. LOL!! I guess those long-haired hippie types aged like everyone else.

@HaXaW5150

You're only too old, when you say I'm too old. So, carry on. 🙃😉

@CoverageStation

Let's see - You were about 27 years old when this tune was out . . . No surprise there!

@danellwein8679

am 66 .. right there with you ..

@michaelmarsh2133

We grew up with the best

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@drh-ov7eq

Who else thinks that Burts voice is one of the best in rock history ?

@raquelaguirre8005

Me!!

@karengower-um6of

Burton Cummings has one of the greatest voices in Rock and Roll history. His voice will always be one that never gets old for me. He is a brilliant entertainer. Guess Who great band. 🎸🎹🎶🎼

@lucilleizzo7419

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