Time Out of Mind Lyrics

Lyric discussion by PLA0242 

Cover art for Time Out of Mind lyrics by Steely Dan

I have been fascinated with SD lyrics for many years. I started trying to interpret them before I knew that others were doing the same. I happened on a site called "Fever Dreams" which posted interpretations. Not sure that it still exists.

"Time Out Of Mind" has always drawn my attention because I think it is purposely written for two meanings. I do not put it by SD to be so clever as to write a song that uses one interpretation as a vehicle for another interpretation.

I'm sort of surprised that no one else has put forward this understanding of the song.

No doubt that Time Out Of Mind is about drugs. That has been clearly supported. However, I think that the drug angle is presented in an environment of a religious revival. This shouldn't be too far a reach. After all, a believe that it was a Chinese philosopher that stated "religion is the opiate of the people."

Supporting the religious revival angle:

On this glory day This is your chance to believe What I've got to say

Clearly this is preacher speaking (as they do) to "believe."

Keep your eyes on the sky Put a dollar in the kitty

Self-evident.... Look to the heavens Contribute to the church

The water may change to cherry wine

Changing water to wine as Jesus did

Children we have it right here It's the light in my eyes It's perfection and grace

Children (children of God) "Light" in my eyes Perfection and grace of God

...and so on.

Yes...of course, it is all drug related as stated by other posts. However, we cannot avoid the vehicle of "religion."

Just my 2 cents.

-Paige

Song Meaning

You people don't have a clue. First off, the line is "it's direct from Laos". This is simply a song about SMOKING OPIUM. I have been to the Golden Triangle (where northern Thailand meets Laos and Burma [Myanmar] and I spent time in a village where the men "chased the dregon". The song succinctly defines the smoking of pure opium.

@PLA0242 Great interpretation. The religious context is clear now...

@PLA0242

Karl Marx said religion is the opiate of the people not a Chinese philosopher.