He has since worked as a writer, producer, director, musician, writer, and celebrity pitchman (most notably for Priceline.com). He has worked with Ben Folds a great deal, both on Folds' Fear of Pop project, and more recently on Shatner's album Has Been (which also featured Joe Jackson on his cover version of Pulp's "Common People"). Shatner's other collaborators include Peter Frampton, Bootsy Collins, and Steve Miller among many others (with that just being on one album).
Upon reaching his seventies and beyond, Shatner still shows no signs of slowing down. His acting career reached a new peak when he won two Emmy Awards (in 2004 and 2005) for his portrayal of attorney Denny Crane in the television series The Practice and Boston Legal. In 2008, Shatner stared in his own talk show, entitled Shatner's Raw Nerve on Bio (the Biography Channel). It focused on the personal lives of celebrities stuff that is not normally discussed.
You'll Have Time
William Shatner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Live life like you're gonna die
because you're gonna
I hate to be the bearer of bad news
But you're gonna die
Maybe not today or even next year
But before you know it you'll be saying
What was all the fuss?
Why did I bother?"
Now, maybe you won't suffer maybe it's quick
But you'll have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn't I taste it?
You'll have time
Because you're gonna die.
Yes it's gonna happen because it's happened to a lot of people I know
My mother, my father, my loves
The president, the kings and the pope
They all had hope
And they muttered just before they went
Maybe, I won't let go
Live life like you're gonna die
Because you are
Maybe you won't suffer maybe it's quick
But you'll have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn't I taste it?
You'll have time
'Cause you're gonna die
I tell you who else left us
Passed on down to heaven no longer with us
Johnny Cash, JFK, that guy in the Stones
Lou Gehrig, Einstein, and Joey Ramone
Have I convinced you?
Do you read my lips?
This may come as news but it's time
You're gonna die
You're gonna die
By the time you hear this I may well be dead
And you my friend might be next
'Cause we're all gonna die
Yeah, oh maybe you won't suffer and maybe it's quick
But you'll have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn't I taste it?
You'll have time
You'll have time cause you're gonna die
Yes, you're gonna die
You're gonna die, I tell you
You're gonna die
You are gonna die
'Cause maybe you won't suffer maybe it's quick
But you have time to think
Why did I waste it?
Why didn't I taste it?
You'll have time 'cause you're gonna die
Live Life
Life life like you're gonna die
Because you're going to
Oh yes
I hate to be the beater of bad news
But you're gonna die
Maybe not today or even next year
But before you know it you'll be saying
"Is this all there was?
What was all the fuss?
Why did I bother?
Why did I waste it?
Why didn't I taste it?"
You'll have time, baby
You'll have time
'Cause you're gonna die
You are gonna die
Oh yeah
William Shatner’s "You’ll Have Time" is a powerful reminder to live life to the fullest because we all will eventually pass away. The lyrics explore the inevitability of death and the importance of making the most of the time we have. The singer encourages the listener to live life like they're going to die because they will. He acknowledges the pain of losing loved ones and those who left a mark on history, such as Johnny Cash, JFK, Lou Gehrig, and Einstein.
Shatner highlights the fact that we don’t know when death will come, and it may not be in the distant future. He warns listeners not to waste their time, and to take advantage of every moment while they can. He suggests that some people may have a quick passing while others may suffer, but regardless, they will have time to reflect on their lives and question why they didn't make more out of it.
He hopes to convince his audience through this song that death is a natural part of life and instead of fearing it, we should embrace it by living our lives to the fullest. Shatner recorded this song when he was already in his seventies, so the message is even more poignant as he himself must have been thinking about what he still wanted to achieve in his remaining years.
Line by Line Meaning
Live life
Make the most of your life
Live life like you're gonna die
Live your life to its fullest because you never know when it may end
because you're gonna
Death is inevitable
I hate to be the bearer of bad news
Death is a difficult truth to face
But you're gonna die
Death is a fact of life for every living being
Maybe not today or even next year
Death may not come immediately
But before you know it you'll be saying
Time flies by quickly
"Is this all there was?
Reflecting on one's life
What was all the fuss?
Wondering about the purpose of all the struggles and achievements
Why did I bother?"
Questioning the motivations and priorities in one's life
Now, maybe you won't suffer maybe it's quick
Death can be unpredictable
But you'll have time to think
There is still time to make the most of your life before death
Why did I waste it?
Regretting not making full use of one's life
Why didn't I taste it?
Regretting not enjoying all that life has to offer
You'll have time
Time is valuable
Because you're gonna die.
Death is inescapable
Yes it's gonna happen because it's happened to a lot of people I know
Death is a shared experience
My mother, my father, my loves
People close to the singer have passed away
The president, the kings and the pope
People in positions of power have also passed away
They all had hope
Even famous and powerful people cannot escape death
And they muttered just before they went
People often have final thoughts before passing away
Maybe, I won't let go
Hoping to cling to life
I tell you who else left us
Naming famous people who have died
Passed on down to heaven no longer with us
Using a metaphor for death
Johnny Cash, JFK, that guy in the Stones
Naming famous people who have died
Lou Gehrig, Einstein, and Joey Ramone
Naming famous people who have died
Have I convinced you?
Encouraging listeners to face the truth of death
Do you read my lips?
Asking listeners if they understand the message
This may come as news but it's time
Emphasizing the importance of accepting death
You're gonna die
Reiterating the inevitability of death
By the time you hear this I may well be dead
Acknowledging the possibility of the singer's own death
And you my friend might be next
Reminding listeners that death can come unexpectedly
'Cause we're all gonna die
Death is a universal experience
Yeah, oh maybe you won't suffer and maybe it's quick
Death is unpredictable and may be painless
But you'll have time to think
There is still time to reflect on and enjoy one's life before death
You'll have time 'cause you're gonna die
Time is valuable because death is coming
Yes, you're gonna die
Emphasizing the inevitability of death
Oh yeah
Adding emphasis
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BEN FOLDS, BENJAMIN SCOTT FOLDS, WILLIAM SHATNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ferociousgumby
No, not dead at all! 92 years young, still performing, still hosting a show I never miss called The UnXplained. Who else has been with me for that long - more than fifty years - and has never let me down?
@paull7240
I think I need to have this played at my funeral.
@mimmusiciansinmourning1691
I have a "play this disc" for mine all prepared. It is all Dylan and all from his debut album. I should tape it to the wall of my music room so she won't miss it.
@ulrichfleischer2796
... and listen more often to it while living! It makes perfect sense!!!
@faaipdeoiad9470
What a great song............it needs to have a full choir in the background and a little more rowdy gospel music also, but
Shatner smashed a hit and no one seemed to notice !
@christopherkessler4827
also has one Mr. Ben Folds playing piano and arranging/writing the musical part. That didn't hurt. But yeah I listened to this song hundreds of times in 2005-2006.
@mimmusiciansinmourning1691
Yep, so he did. But a lot of people have noticed here. This is near the top in being the most view of all those that have been posted.
@mimmusiciansinmourning1691
Yes, Ben Folds provides the framework into which Bill weaves his singular art.
@TertiusOculusOris
Probably because his track record with music, leaves a lot to be desired. But who can hate on that? He does it because he enjoys it and doesn't give any fucks about who likes it or not. Shatner is the shit.
@everybody48
My friends and I have all agreed that we’re going to have this played at our funerals. Gives off major summer of 2016 vibes (for us anyway) because we listened to it on the way to Canada’s Wonderland all the time