We walked on the beach beside that old hotel
They're tearing it down now
But it's just as well
I haven't shown you everything a man can do
So stay with me baby
I've got plans for you

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
And now I need the rest of you

Did you know that before you came into my life
It was some kind of miracle that I survived
Some day we will both look back
And have to laugh
We lived through a lifetime
And the aftermath

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
Cause we won't
Although we want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
I know we've got to move somehow
But I don't want to lose you know

Sometimes it's so easy
To let a day
Slip on by
Without even seeing each other at all
But this is the time you'll turn back and so will I
And those will be the days you can never recall

And so we embrace again
Behind the dunes
This beach is cold
On winter afternoons
But holding you close is like holding the summer sun
I'm warm from the memory of days to come

This is the time to remember
Cause it will not last forever
These are the days
To hold on to
But we won't
Although we'll want to
This is the time
But time is gonna change
You've given me the best of you
But now I need the rest of you


Lyrics submitted by kevin

This Is the Time Lyrics as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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This Is The Time song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment
    This is about enjoying the present, because things inevitably change, even if we wish they didn't. It's about not taking anyone important in your life for granted, because you never know when your relationship (or even life) will end.
    krisstieon June 27, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I love this lyric: But holding you close is like holding the summer sun I'm warm from the memory of days to come.
    crdesqon March 08, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    I'm not much of a Billy Joel fan, but this song is exceptional. It is SO sad, but it is rather like a hopeful warning. This IS the time to remember...
    styledataon June 13, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment
    This is the number one song that i have always wanted to slow dance to...it isn't about new love...but love that has endured...great song
    ltienkeon November 14, 2008   Link
  • +1
    Memory
    When I was little, my sister and I fought over two songs: "We Didn't Start the Fire" and this one. We'd always say, "Okay mom, now let's listen to THIS one!" We were rivals back then; my sister always wanted "We Didn't Start the Fire" and I always wanted this one, and we didn't particularly care for each other's taste in music. As time went on, we remembered "Fire" but I forgot what this song was called or who performed it - although I still loved it all the time and was paying attention if I ever heard it again. Imagine my surprise when so many years later, a couple weeks ago, I pop in "The Bridge" on my iPod and this song comes up - and as it turns out we were squabbling over two Billy Joel songs! I thought only one of them was Billy Joel. Anyway, great song about enjoying the moment.
    SMUSER17456518on December 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    mmm this sog rminds me of my old camp it makes me sad but its so beautiful I listen to it anyways
    nat leehunni4667on February 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    Memory
    It was guiding light's soundtrack
    isacon January 14, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment
    A lot of high schools play this song at the senior prom
    thomas1057on May 06, 2022   Link
  • -1
    General Comment
    "You've given me the best of you, but now I want the rest of you." Great line that was stolen and screwed up by those faggots named O-Town.
    Ferthukoon April 10, 2002   Link

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