Words get trapped in my mind
Sorry I don't take the time to feel the way I do
'Cause the first day you came into my life
My time ticks around you

But then I need your voice
As the key to unlock
All the love that's trapped in me
So tell me when it's time
to say I love you

All I want is you to understand
That when I take your hand
It's 'cause I want to
We are all born in a world of doubt
But there's no doubt
I figured out
I love you

All I want is you to understand
That when I take your hand
It's 'cause I want to
We are all born in a world of doubt
And there's no doubt
I figured out
I love you

And I feel lonely for
All the losers that will never take the time to say
What was really on their mind instead
They just hide away
Yet they'll never have
Someone like you to guard them
And help along the way
Or tell them "when it's time?, to say I love you"
So tell me "when it's time, to say I love you"


Lyrics submitted by kittyhudson

When It's Time Lyrics as written by Billie Joe Armstrong

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

When It's Time song meanings
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12 Comments

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  • +6
    General Comment

    Great Song! Billie wrote it to Addie when he was 19!

    emi025on June 14, 2010   Link
  • +5
    General Comment

    This is a beautiful song. Billie Joe really out did himself. iF Billie Joe ever put out a solo record I bet the majority of the songs on it would most likely be love ballads, break up song, heart warmers. He's written over 40 songs all on the piano. Don't get me wrong i love it if they put out another punk rock album like Dookie or Insomniac but I think the next step for Green Day is ballads. they've been toying around the idea for 13 years but I personally think it's time for Green Day to show there softer side.

    But that's just my opinion

    KyleMartinon July 13, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    In my opinion, every man should be made to listen to this song before starting a relationship! Why can't more men be like him? It's not asking too much of a man to either express how he feels or just say, "I'm clueless when it comes to this kind of stuff, so drop a hint when I need it." Also, I'd have to say his marriage puts all those Hollywood "irreconcilable differences" divorces to SHAME!

    cydoniaon November 19, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    i <3 this songg :) he sang it at mike dirnt's wedding xxx

    greenday4evaaon June 17, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I saw Green Day live on Saturday at Wembley Stadium and Billie did this live in the acoustic encore, at the end of the song the whole audience went 'Aawww' :) he was getting a bit choked up and it was adorable. The song is so beautiful, I cry every time I hear it :)

    Rhoney16on June 21, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this is such a beautiful song i love green day<3

    heres a link if anyone wants to hear it youtube.com/watch

    strokeron June 18, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    <3

    Duyver182on June 15, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    was Wembley the biggest Green Day concert ever?

    KyleMartinon June 23, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    <3

    WannabePunkEmoKidon July 22, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This is an amazing song i've heard billie play it live at msg and its just beautiful. This is by far my favorite song that he has written for adrienne.

    AnHonestMesson October 01, 2010   Link

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