If I had the brains, here's what I'd do
Build a time door and visit my youth
This cigar burn is for effect
In the future you won't forget
When you're trapped in that airtight room
Flick the red switch but not the blue

So, if you remember
If you remember me
That'd be the rip-cord in my destiny

I know how it sounds, trust me on this
Your life to be hangs on this one choice
Keep your Hilti near, you'll know when
Twenty minutes of oxygen

So, if you remember
If you remember me
That could be the rip-cord in my destiny
So, if you remember
If you remember me
That could be the rip-cord in my destiny

If I had the brains, that's what I'd do

Build that time door and poke my head through
It's too late now and I'm still dumb
Twenty minutes of oxygen

No, you won't remember
You won't remember me
There'll be no rip-cord in my destiny
No, you won't remember
You won't remember me
There'll be no rip-cord in my destiny


Lyrics submitted by diabolusmagus

20 Minutes Of Oxygen song meanings
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  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is set in a science fiction universe, with a hapless spacehopper trapped in an airtight room with 20 minutes of air left him. While railing agsinst his predicament, he muses on the possibility of building a device to allow him to visit a younger version of himself and provide sufficient warning to prepare for and escape from this trap (the "rip-cord in my destiny"), in the form of a cigar burn (as a reminder) and an exhortation to keep a "Hilti" (a type of power drill) on his person.

    devonappleon October 04, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I really like the image/phrase "ripcord in my destiny" - something that instantly slows the action and takes you out of danger.

    I also like the term "time door" rather than "time machine" - it's instantly obvious that it's basically the same thing, but it sounds like the singer actually knows what he's talking about.

    Dubious Meriton March 10, 2006   Link

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