In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Let's change the subject to someone else
You know lately I've been subject to change
Normally I reel in the strange
Hangover, I'm older
You're one to talk, the heart is a clock
Just like a bomb it keeps on ticking away
Counting down to detonate
You will need an army to summon me
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you, ooh, ooh
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you
It's just a matter of time before, before
It's just a matter of time before, before
And though I hate to rewind before, before
It's just a matter of time
My past is getting us nowhere fast
I was never one for taking things slow
Nowhere seems like somewhere to go
Come over, and over
Doing my time for line after line
When will I learn to sing these crimes to myself?
Prisoners to share a cell with
I'm holding, still holding
Holding you in
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you, ooh, ooh
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you
It's just a matter of time before, before
It's just a matter of time before, before
And though I hate to rewind before, before
It's just a matter of time
Where the hell are you? Ooh, ooh
Where the hell are you? Ooh, ooh
Where the hell are you?
It's just a matter of time before, before
It's just a matter of time before, before
And though I hate to rewind before, before
It's just a matter of time
What does it matter now?
What does it matter now?
What does it matter now?
What does it matter now?
It's just a matter of time
Time
You know lately I've been subject to change
Normally I reel in the strange
Hangover, I'm older
You're one to talk, the heart is a clock
Just like a bomb it keeps on ticking away
Counting down to detonate
You will need an army to summon me
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you, ooh, ooh
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you
It's just a matter of time before, before
It's just a matter of time before, before
And though I hate to rewind before, before
It's just a matter of time
My past is getting us nowhere fast
I was never one for taking things slow
Nowhere seems like somewhere to go
Come over, and over
Doing my time for line after line
When will I learn to sing these crimes to myself?
Prisoners to share a cell with
I'm holding, still holding
Holding you in
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you, ooh, ooh
It doesn't matter much to me
If it doesn't matter much to you
It's just a matter of time before, before
It's just a matter of time before, before
And though I hate to rewind before, before
It's just a matter of time
Where the hell are you? Ooh, ooh
Where the hell are you? Ooh, ooh
Where the hell are you?
It's just a matter of time before, before
It's just a matter of time before, before
And though I hate to rewind before, before
It's just a matter of time
What does it matter now?
What does it matter now?
What does it matter now?
What does it matter now?
It's just a matter of time
Time
Lyrics submitted by intothegrinder2
A Matter Of Time Lyrics as written by Taylor Hawkins David Eric Grohl
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think this song is about someone who is trying to move on with his life, still remembering his old thang. "I'm holding, still holding. Holding you in."
but it'll just be a "matter of time" till he forgets that twat and moves on.
Yeah I think that sums it up well, what Revelry said. But the lyrics made me think about alcoholism or drug addiction.. somebody is trying to stop it but can't. Or the person has stopped but can't forget about it and is close to starting to use 'em again.
I feel like it's the opposite of what his songs are usually about, and rather, he knows that it's just a matter of time before he rekindles something with a certain person.
I think the significant thing here is the part about "doing my time for line after line, when will I learn to sing these crimes to myself". Seems this is a bit of a sarcastic play about doing time in a jail for "singing" about crimes!! I think though, it has a serious undertone. What crimes? And this is pretty accusing!!!
"Prisoners to share a cell with" ... obviously about someone going to jail. "It's just a matter of time .." well, if you tie this in with the part about crimes and sharing a cell, then this song is about it being just a matter of time before someone goes to jail for crimes they committed. Interesting song !!!
The whole song isn't about anyone in particular when he says "me". He wrote it in first person for the effect, it ties in the meaning of the song. It's a matter of time before reality hits. You have to be true to who you are, learn from mistakes... jump in head first into the unknown and oh, bring your friends.
My past is getting us nowhere fast. I was never one for taking things slow. Nowhere seems like somewhere to go. Come over, and over.
This is the only line that really supports my opinion but he's totally sarcastic with the rest of the lines. Check it out
Doing my time for line after line. When will i learn to sing these crimes to myself? Prisoners to share a cell with. I'm holding, still holding. Holding you in.
Making decisions your not comfortable with but doing it because the other "prisoners" are doing it too- it's not comfortable in a jail cell. But you do it anyway?
Love them!
I wanna add to the post before this, after the first stanza I feel like he's looking at the younger version of himself or just youth in general. Not wanting to revise- not having regrets. And idk why but when he sings "It doesn't matter much to me. If it doesn't matter much to you." I just picture an awkward moment trading looks with someone trying to read how they feel about something you did before you know you're okay with it. I think he was just pointing out how strange we act when were young. I read this the other day "The young are permanently in a state resembling intoxication" by Aristotle. Coincidence he mentioned he was hungover? lol
From my understanding this is about a partner of Dave, perhaps his life partner, that won't let him forget his past drug and alcohol abuses.
It seems he's talking from his perspective of how what's done is done and his past cannot be changed but he's still doing time by being reminded about what he got up to by his partner, when all he wants is to just move on.
As he says, it's a hangover into old age where he's still made to feel bad about the "night before" (his past).
Never was any "abuse". He smoked pot a lot in high school (as most kids do) and drinks to this day but not moreso than the average guy from what I can tell. <br /> <br /> I would argue the past is just past relationships, if it is a song about relationships that is.
Fuck this shit. This is a love song. Or tragedy-love. He loves this chick, but shits going nowhere, theyre stuck, and its time to break up, or quickly do something about it. They're talking about it, first Dave talks about him, then about her, and how he feels shes just so much better than him.
Then he talks about the relationship status, he doesn't care, if she doesn't care. Its just a matter of time They break up "and tho I hate to rewind" - Shit happened in the past.
The conversation carries on, he talks about his past, and how it is a burden, and how it will take them nowhere. "Nowhere seems like somewhere to go" I can translate it to "fuck it, we're gonna break up anyways. The next part, maybe he talks about how they blame each other for the things that happen, "Prisioners to share a cell with" They're both guilty, they share the same cell, for the same crimes. Hes holding on to her, because they love each other, but the relationship is coming to an end.
Then the too bridges are like the fight between them. "Where the hell are you?" Where have you been, you are not this person, I miss the old you.
"What does it matter now, its just a matter of time" Again, Fuck this Shit, we're gonna break up anyways.
Foo Fighters prove once again why they are one of the best rock bands in the world. It is a song that has everything: catchy hooks, heavy riffs, emotional lyrics and amazing vocals. It is a song that will touch your heart and rock your soul. Don’t miss this song or any other from Wasting Light. >>> honateez.com/live-at-boston-calling-the-foo-fighters-deliver-an-intense-passionate-and-gritty-comeback/