Hey it's me what a big surprise
Calling you up from a restaurant
Around the bend
Just got in from way up North
I'm achy and tired now
And I could use a friend
I'd be a fool
To think that you do
Want to see me again

I Know it's been awhile since I talked to you
Nothing wrong
Just nothing ever goes as planned
Many times I thought I'd call
Didn't have your number in my hand
Oh, I know it's true
You'd never do
The same thing to me

I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
For everything we've lost
Bad timing that's all

And maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
As just bad timing that's all

Used to have so many plans
Something always seemed to turn out wrong
Never could catch up to you
Moving on and doing all you've done
I don't know why
The harder I try
The harder it comes

I never meant to make you cry
And though I know I shouldn't call
It just reminds us of the cost
For everything we lost
Bad timing that's all

And maybe soon there'll come a day
When no more tears will fall
We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
It's just bad timing that's all

We each forgive a little bit
And we both look back on it
It's just bad timing that's all


Lyrics submitted by Manderzterz

Bad Timing Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © CONEXION MEDIA GROUP, INC.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Bad Timing song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

7 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +1
    General Comment

    I read an interview with Jim Cuddy (the singer/songwriter) that said this song is literally about bad timing...how sometimes you are presented with a relationship opportunity, but due to the need to keep moving with your life (in this case, being a traveling musician who must keep at it on the road) is sometimes more important than stopping and taking the time to honor the opportunity that is right in front of you. That it is tempting sometimes to try to "reconnect" with that certain person who you've had this opportunity with, but if the timing isn't right, it can end up opening up old wounds and causing pain for both parties involved.

    ironhead83on December 16, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I CAN'T BELIEVE NOONE HAS COMMENTED ON THIS SONG!! IT'S AMAZING, AWESOME MEANING...BEAUTIFUL.

    Manderzterzon June 28, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this is your classic song for that person who always pops back into your life .. but never at the right time.. but yet they never fail to come around again.

    Catie86on March 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    She has moved on, but it was very difficult for her, because he never has moved on, and always out of the blue calls her up. He admits that he knows she has moved on but he can't let go and hopes that someday they would eventually get back together.

    eric_jr2005on September 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't think I agree. I feel that its about really knowing the ship has sailed,... the sense that there's no turning back at all. The narrator is fully aware that he will never be with the woman he is singing about, but he is acknowledging the still-aching and poignant memory of the love they had. You can know something will never be, but the memory of his lost love is stronger than his "knowing he shouldn't call". So beautiful.

    Being_Opheliaon August 04, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Got me lonely:(

    bear_hug20on October 15, 2008   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    FROM THIS SONG I GET...

    HE'S HOPING FOR ONE MORE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME...

    'I MIGHT BE A FOOL TO THINK THAT YOU DO WANNA SEE ME AGAIN'

    'MAYBE SOON ONE DAY'

    HE STILL LOVES HER, BUT, OTHER THINGS GOT IN THE WAY

    SHE HAS CARRIED ON WITH HER LIFE

    BUT, HE'S STILL HOPING (NOW THAT HE'S FREE & ABLE) THAT SHE WILL STOP & TURN AROUND & WALK BACK TO HIM.

    ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE...IF YOU BELIEVE.

    FAITH IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS EVERY DOOR.

    PRAYER GETS YOU THERE.

    ;)L.

    LaynaLandon February 21, 2019   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Album art
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version. Great version of a great song,
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Album art
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it. “I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.