About The Song
Released in November 1983, John Denver’s “It’s About Time” wasn’t just another catchy folk tune. It was a culmination of personal reflection, burgeoning social consciousness, and the musical collaboration that defined Denver’s later career.
Co-written with Glen D. Hardin, the song’s genesis lay in Denver’s introspection. Approaching 40, he grappled with personal growth and a changing world. This introspective thread manifests in verses like “Mirror, mirror on the wall, tell me can you see it all? The lines upon my face, the changes time has made.”
But “It’s About Time” transcended self-discovery. It became a rallying cry for environmental and social action. Denver, always an advocate for the outdoors, channeled his growing concern for Earth’s fragility into lines like “We’ve been building walls instead of bridges, chasing shadows in the sun.” He urged listeners to embrace connection and understanding, singing “It’s time we open up our hearts, it’s time to let the feelings start.”
Musically, the song marked a shift for Denver. He embraced electronic beats and layered instrumentals, adding a modern sheen to his classic folk sound. This sonic tapestry mirrored the song’s thematic complexity, blending personal anxieties with calls for collective action.
So, when you hear “It’s About Time,” immerse yourself in its multifaceted world. It’s a snapshot of John Denver at a personal crossroads, a heartfelt plea for environmental and social consciousness, and a testament to the transformative power of music. It’s more than just a song; it’s a snapshot of an era, a call to action, and a timeless reflection on the human condition.
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Lyrics
There’s a full moon over India, and Gandhi lives againWho’s to say you have to lose for someone else to winIn the eyes of all the people the look is much the sameFor the first is just the last one when you play a deadly game
It’s about time we realize it, we’re all in this togetherIt’s about time we find out it’s all of us or noneIt’s about time we recognize it, these changes in the weatherIt’s about time, it’s about changes, and it’s about time
There’s a light in the Vatican window, for all the world to seeAnd a voice cries in the wilderness, and sometimes he speaks for meI suppose I love him most of all, when he kneels to kiss the landWith his lips upon our Mother’s breast, he makes his strongest stand
It’s about time we start to see it, the Earth is our only homeIt’s about time we start to face it, we can’t make it here all aloneIt’s about time we start to listen, to the voices in the windIt’s about time, it’s about changes, and it’s about time
There’s a man who is my brother, I just don’t know his nameBut I know his home and family, because I know we feel the sameAnd it hurts me when he’s hungry, and when his children cryI too am a father, and that little one is mine
It’s about time we begin, to turn the world aroundIt’s about time we start to make it, the dream we’ve always knownIt’s about time we start to live it, the family of manIt’s about time, it’s about changes, and it’s about timeIt’s about peace, and it’s about plenty, and it’s about timeIt’s about you and me together, and it’s about time
