Thematically, it introduces tension to the love dynamic previously constructed throughout the album.
During Tyler’s Apple Music Concert in L.A, he explained that he showed the album to Kendrick Lamar, where Kendrick praised him about the raw feeling of the album and his overall willingness to ‘sing his truth’. This conversation led him to write this song.
When referring to his favorite moments on "IGOR", Tyler said he specifically enjoyed the instrumental behind the beginning of the second verse of the track.
During the week ending June 1, 2019, “RUNNING OUT OF TIME” debuted and peaked at #65 on the Hot 100.
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
Tyler the Creator Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Runnin' out of time to make you love me
Runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time
To make you love me
Secrets, oh, you spin my head around (oh, you spin my head around)
I been lookin' for it (For it, for it)
I been runnin' out of spells (yeah)To make you love me
Secrets (run)
(Run, run)
(Keep it up) to make you love me (ah)
Wade in your water (wade in your water)
And waves wash over me
I drift to the deep end
Don't save, don't save, don't save
It's a low tide (I'll be fine)
I found peace in drownin'
Runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time
Runnin' out of time (run)
To make you love me
(Run) livin' in pretend
Keep it a buck fifty fuck, oh
Livin' in pretend
Are you
(Run)
(Run)
(Run)
So take your mask off
I need her out the picture (wade in your water)Take your mask off (yeah)
Stop lyin' for these niggas
Stop lyin' to yourself
I know the real you (don't save, don't save, don't save)
Halloween ain't for a minute, lose the costume
You need to chill, okay (run)
Been runnin' from the targets and 'em back in the day
And now they working their all, another track at the DAW
Actin' a fool, actin' a ball, we packin' the park, yeah
But I'm still runnin' (run)
Out of time (of time, of time)
Runnin' outta (of time)
Still runnin' outta (of time)
Still runnin' outta time, yeah
(Run, run, run)
The lyrics to Tyler the Creator's song "Running Out of Time" express the feeling of desperation and urgency in trying to make someone love the singer before time runs out. The repetition of the phrase "runnin' out of time" emphasizes the urgency of the situation. The singer knows that they are running out of options and spells to make the other person love them. However, they still hold onto hope and continue to run towards that goal.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of secrets and the importance of being true to oneself. The lines "Secrets, oh, you spin my head around / I been lookin' for it / I been runnin' out of spells / To make you love me" suggest that the other person's secrets are causing confusion and frustration for the singer. They are also tired of pretending to be someone they are not, as indicated by the line "Livin' in pretend / Are you." The singer urges the other person to take off their mask and stop lying to themselves and others.
Overall, the song portrays the struggle of trying to win someone's love while also remaining true to oneself and dealing with the other person's secrets.
Line by Line Meaning
Runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time
Time is running out, time is running out, time is running out
Runnin' out of time to make you love me
I don't have much time left to make you fall in love with me
Runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time
Time is running out, time is running out
To make you love me
To make you fall in love with me
Secrets, oh, you spin my head around (oh, you spin my head around)
Your secrets are overwhelming and causing confusion
I been lookin' for it (For it, for it)
I've been searching for a solution
I been runnin' out of spells (yeah)
I'm running out of ideas to make you love me
To make you love me
To make you fall in love with me
Secrets (run)
The secrets are causing me to flee
(Run, run)
I need to run away
(Keep it up) to make you love me (ah)
I need to keep trying to make you love me
Wade in your water (wade in your water)
I want to be surrounded by your presence
And waves wash over me
I want to be consumed by you
I drift to the deep end
I'm getting lost in these feelings
Don't save, don't save, don't save
Don't try to rescue me
It's a low tide (I'll be fine)
I'm okay even though things aren't perfect
I found peace in drownin'
I found solace in my overwhelming emotions
Runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time, runnin' out of time
Time is running out, time is running out, time is running out
Runnin' out of time (run)
I'm running out of time to make this work
(Run) livin' in pretend
I'm pretending to be someone I'm not
Keep it a buck fifty fuck, oh
I'm not being honest with myself
Livin' in pretend
I'm living a lie
Are you
Are you living a lie too?
(Run)
I need to run away from this situation
(Run)
This situation is becoming unbearable and I need to run
(Run)
I need to run away from my problems
So take your mask off
Be honest and show your true self
I need her out the picture (wade in your water)
I need you to move on from someone else
Take your mask off (yeah)
Reveal your true self
Stop lyin' for these niggas
Stop pretending to be someone you're not for others
Stop lyin' to yourself
Be honest with yourself
I know the real you (don't save, don't save, don't save)
I know who you really are and I don't want you to change
Halloween ain't for a minute, lose the costume
You don't have to pretend to be something you're not
You need to chill, okay (run)
You need to relax and let things happen naturally
Been runnin' from the targets and 'em back in the day
I've been avoiding my problems from the past
And now they working their all, another track at the DAW
My problems are catching up to me and I need to face them
Actin' a fool, actin' a ball, we packin' the park, yeah
We're pretending everything is fine while we're actually struggling
But I'm still runnin' (run)
I'm still trying to escape my problems
Out of time (of time, of time)
I'm running out of time to solve these problems
Runnin' outta (of time)
Time is running out
Still runnin' outta (of time)
Time is still running out
Still runnin' outta time, yeah
Time is still running out, yeah
(Run, run, run)
I need to run to escape my problems
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tyler Okonma
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@glitchxd790
I love Tyler’s music this song is so underrated on the Igor album
@gamesnightmareloulou5452
Its not tho
@ChillMotions_23
It is ?
@whatisahandle123-f7d
it really is lol
@Diamond-y4l
These lyrics make you realize there's conversation that needs to be had but hesitant on how to approach said convos.. running out of time
@Doc_is_cool
Say that again....
@imjustcurious432
If you know what it feels like to be "running out of time" it hurts
@johntorres532
Yeah ..I'm hurting right now...
@FriedKikenFish
I like a girl. Im pretty sure she likes me back. Im leaving for work in 2 weeks. She says we cant be together because im leaving and we likely wouldnt see eachother. I wish i had more time to spend with her. I am infact running out of time
@spikeplushie-real
@FriedKikenFishstop venting under Tyler the creator songs, get a therapist