The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
A coyote ran across the road
On the move without a home
A flash of light reminded me of you
This could well be your last stand
Hold the sunlight in your hand
Spread your fingers
Feel the sand fall through
I've done all I can do, now it's up to you...
You're flirting with time baby
Flirting with time, and maybe
Time, baby, is catching up with you
Shadow men talk a real good game
Every punch line has your name
You cried out and no one came to you
I've done all I can do, now it's up to you...
You're flirting with time baby
Flirting with time, and maybe
Time, baby, is catching up with you
Should be more to learn from this
Can't say I know what it is
No difference 'tween a hit or miss, it's true
I've done all I can do, now it's up to you...
You're flirting with time baby
Flirting with time, and maybe
Time, baby, is catching up with you
On the move without a home
A flash of light reminded me of you
This could well be your last stand
Hold the sunlight in your hand
Spread your fingers
Feel the sand fall through
I've done all I can do, now it's up to you...
You're flirting with time baby
Flirting with time, and maybe
Time, baby, is catching up with you
Shadow men talk a real good game
Every punch line has your name
You cried out and no one came to you
I've done all I can do, now it's up to you...
You're flirting with time baby
Flirting with time, and maybe
Time, baby, is catching up with you
Should be more to learn from this
Can't say I know what it is
No difference 'tween a hit or miss, it's true
I've done all I can do, now it's up to you...
You're flirting with time baby
Flirting with time, and maybe
Time, baby, is catching up with you
Lyrics submitted by Nick the Bastard
Flirting with Time Lyrics as written by Tom Petty
Lyrics © Adria K Music
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
The man is absolutely brilliant. His music is the soundtrack to my life and having seen him live when he came to London last year, I am privileged. This song is sublime. Whatever the lyrics mean I think it's very tongue in cheek.