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.
Uptown
Goin down
Ole life line
Walkin down faster
Walkin with the master of Time
My lady woke up
And she broke down
She got up
She let go
Take me Timer
Shake me Timer
Timer let it blow
Let it blow
Oh I belong to Timer
He changed my face
You're a fine one Timer
You've got me walkin'
Through the gates of space
I keep rememberin'
Indoors that I used to walk through
Baby I'm not tryin' to talk you down
But I could walk through them doors
Onto a pleasure ground
It was sweet and funny
A pleasure ground
Didn't know about money
Didn't know about Timer
Did not know about Timer
Holdin' to my cradle at the start
But now my hand is open
And now my hand is ready
For my heart
So let the wind blow Timer
I like her song
And if the song goes minor
I won't mind
And Timer knows the lady's gonna love again
Time says the lady rambles never more
If you love me true
I'll spend my life with you
And Timer
You're a jigsaw Timer
God is a jigsaw
Soulin' with
Soulin' with Timer
Goin down
Ole life line
Walkin down faster
Walkin with the master of Time
My lady woke up
And she broke down
She got up
She let go
Take me Timer
Shake me Timer
Timer let it blow
Let it blow
Oh I belong to Timer
He changed my face
You're a fine one Timer
You've got me walkin'
Through the gates of space
I keep rememberin'
Indoors that I used to walk through
Baby I'm not tryin' to talk you down
But I could walk through them doors
Onto a pleasure ground
It was sweet and funny
A pleasure ground
Didn't know about money
Didn't know about Timer
Did not know about Timer
Holdin' to my cradle at the start
But now my hand is open
And now my hand is ready
For my heart
So let the wind blow Timer
I like her song
And if the song goes minor
I won't mind
And Timer knows the lady's gonna love again
Time says the lady rambles never more
If you love me true
I'll spend my life with you
And Timer
You're a jigsaw Timer
God is a jigsaw
Soulin' with
Soulin' with Timer
Lyrics submitted by just_old_light
Timer Lyrics as written by Laura Nyro
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Great version of a great song,
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FFS! This is not a song about her cat, or any cat for that matter. You deniers are a laugh. Laura was bi-sexual, and this is a song about a lady lover. For god's sake, get over it and accept Laura for what she was, not how you "imagine" she would be.
Great, GREAT lyrics! What they mean .. I don't rightly know yet. It is the kind of song you need to cogitate on a few times before it has a meaning for you.
I think it has, intentionally, multiple meanings. First, Timer is a metaphor for, well, time.
But if so, what is she talking about in "If you love me true ... I'll spend my life with you"??? Doesn't quite sound like something you'd say to Mr. Time. More like something you say to a Significant Other.
But later, Timer is, essentially, equated with God. But you don't normally place a demand on God to 'love me true'.
So, Timer is 1) the simple passage of time; 2) a boyfriend/girlfriend; 3) God; 4) some combination of the previous.
I think there is no correct answer. Again, this vagueness is intentional, and is also why this song is so great - it lets the listener take from it what they may, rather than spelling everything out clearly for them. This way, it makes the song more personal and meaningful to the listener.
God bless you, Laura!
F*CK! justoldlight .. your comment is a PERFECT example of why I am always so afraid to read anything on songmeanings.net. Here's what I mean: from now on, every time I hear this wonderful song, I will forever have the image of a cat - could be the most lovable cat in the world - but nevertheless, a cat is NOT what I used to imagine when I listened to this song. Sorry it isn't your fault - it is mine, for reading your comment when I should've known better
Oh I belong to Timer -> Oh I belong, two-timer He changed my face You're a fine one Timer -> You’re a fine one-timer … I'll spend my life with you And Timer
Based on my first listen, seems like it’s about infidelity.
Amazing song overall.
My projection of the meaning of this song is that she tells us in the first paragraph what is going on. She's contemplating her demise, the passage of time, as she lets go and accepts what she cannot stop. "My Lady" is herself. Then she reminisces when life was carefree, no money worries, or worries about the passage of time. She describes letting go of the cradle (youth) and acceptance of what is to come, which is freeing. She makes an invitation to share the rest of her remaining life with a lover if they will accept her and the fact that she is fading. It makes me wonder if the song was written after her cancer diagnosis.
Aha, Laura Nyro once said that this song was written about her cat :D. Obviously, there's a bit more to it than an ode to a fluffy friend, but I kind of love that coy little answer--and Laura, and all of her marvelous idiosyncrasies.