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.
When I get the time
I'd like to sit down
and write a little rhyme for you
Just a couple few
I'd tell you what you mean to me
When I get the time
I'd put it all down
And pick you up
I'd say throw it all away
The world is me and you tonight
Will there come a day
With nothing standing in my way
Loving that dream
Within your arms
Well I'll make it happen some day
I look in your eyes
Warm places inside
I've never been before
I gotta find some more
I know you don't owe me anything
When I get the time
When I get the guts
To live my life for me
And do what I want to do
I'd be the friend that you said you once knew
Will there come a day
When we give up and turn away
And I'd have nothing left
Nothing left except
I'd have all the time in the world
Time to remember
Look through the window
And time to cry
Time to cry
I gotta get the time
Where can I find the time?
I'd like to sit down
and write a little rhyme for you
Just a couple few
I'd tell you what you mean to me
When I get the time
I'd put it all down
And pick you up
I'd say throw it all away
The world is me and you tonight
Will there come a day
With nothing standing in my way
Loving that dream
Within your arms
Well I'll make it happen some day
I look in your eyes
Warm places inside
I've never been before
I gotta find some more
I know you don't owe me anything
When I get the time
When I get the guts
To live my life for me
And do what I want to do
I'd be the friend that you said you once knew
Will there come a day
When we give up and turn away
And I'd have nothing left
Nothing left except
I'd have all the time in the world
Time to remember
Look through the window
And time to cry
Time to cry
I gotta get the time
Where can I find the time?
Lyrics submitted by Psychedeliasmith
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is one of my favorite girl songs ever. He is either in love with his friend or just madly in love with his girlfriend. I don't think that he can be around all the time, or is constantly busy hence the title, "Get the Time." It's about that girl that makes you OK. Makes you feel like you are not a total failure and there is hope for you. I love this song.
I think this is just about ordinary pressures (work/school/whatever) getting in the way of relationships. The whole song's good, but I love the last two verses.
such a good song