"Time" Featuring Ariana Grande: A Dreamy Meditation on Time's Fleeting Nature
A Sonic Shift
"Time" marks a stark departure from the previous tracks on Atavista. The song opens with a droning, dance-infused beat that unexpectedly gives way to a gentle acoustic guitar and Childish Gambino's soft vocals. This sonic shift creates a dreamy and introspective atmosphere, offering a respite from the album's previous intensity. However, a constant, glitchy synth sound lingers throughout the track, adding a touch of unease to the otherwise mellow vibe.
A Collaborative Effort
Ariana Grande's vocals blend seamlessly with Gambino's, creating a harmonious duet that feels like a genuine collaboration rather than a mere guest appearance. Her sweet, airy vocals complement Gambino's introspective musings, adding a layer of warmth and tenderness to the song. The interplay between their voices enhances the song's emotional resonance, evoking a sense of shared contemplation.
Existential Musings and Fleeting Moments
The lyrics of "Time" grapple with themes of existentialism, uncertainty, and the fleeting nature of time. Gambino and Grande ponder the meaning of life and question whether their pursuits are truly fulfilling. The lines "Running after something, but I don't know what" and "Maybe all the stars in the night are really dreams" express a sense of disorientation and a longing for clarity in a world that seems increasingly chaotic and unpredictable.
The chorus, with its repeated refrain "We're running out of time," underscores the urgency of finding meaning and purpose in the present moment. The song's production further emphasizes this theme, with the glitchy sounds and warped vocals serving as a reminder of time's relentless march forward.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the song's melancholic undertones, there is a glimmer of hope embedded in its lyrics. The lines "Time is everlasting, I can't wait that long" and "Gotta get better, gotta get better" suggest a desire for growth and self-improvement, a recognition that even in the face of uncertainty, there is still potential for positive change.
A Dreamy Interlude
"Time" stands out as a unique and introspective track on Atavista. Its dreamy atmosphere, introspective lyrics, and collaborative spirit make it a standout moment on the album. The song serves as a reminder to cherish the present moment and to strive for personal growth and meaning, even as time continues its relentless march forward.
Listen to Time Featuring Ariana Grande by Chidlish Gambino
Childish Gambino Time Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Time" by Childish Gambino featuring Ariana Grande is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of time and the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems increasingly uncertain. The lyrics explore themes of existentialism, disorientation, and the urgency of living in the present moment. The song opens with a sense of existential dread, as Gambino sings about "seven billion people tryna free themselves" and "a billion prayers tryna save myself." These lines speak to a collective yearning for liberation and salvation in a world that can often feel overwhelming and chaotic. The line "I can see it coming, but it's moving fast" suggests a sense of impending doom, a recognition that time is slipping away.
Finding Joy in the Chaos
Ariana Grande's verse adds a layer of emotional complexity to the song, as she sings about finding joy and freedom in the midst of chaos. Her lines about dancing through a hurricane and waiting for the sunrise offer a counterpoint to Gambino's darker musings, suggesting that even in times of uncertainty, there are moments of beauty and hope to be found.
The Inescapable Passage of Time
The chorus, with its repeated refrain "We're running out of time," serves as a stark reminder of life's impermanence. The lyrics "Maybe all the stars in the night are really dreams" and "Maybe this whole world ain't exactly what it seems" express a sense of disorientation and a questioning of reality. These lines suggest that time can distort our perceptions and make us question the very nature of existence.
A Search for Direction
Gambino's later verses delve deeper into the struggle to find meaning and direction in life. He describes running after something unknown, "too afraid to stop," and acknowledges the pressure to succeed and "be better." These lines speak to the universal human desire to make the most of our time on Earth, even when the path ahead is unclear. The lyrics convey a sense of urgency and a recognition that time waits for no one.
An Urgent Plea for the Present
Ariana Grande's final verse adds a layer of urgency to the song, as she sings about running out of time and feeling the weight of high emotions. Her repetition of "running out of time" underscores the song's central theme and creates a sense of mounting anxiety. The song's outro, with its repeated refrain "We're running out of time," leaves the listener with a lingering sense of unease and a renewed appreciation for the present moment. "Time" serves as a poignant reminder to cherish the time we have and to strive for personal growth and meaning, even in the face of uncertainty and the relentless march of time.
Childish Gambino Time Lyrics
[Verse 1: Childish Gambino]
Seven billion people
Tryna free themselves
Said a billion prayers
Tryna save myself
I can see it coming
But it's moving fast
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
Been through a hurricane
With the sunroof down
Dancing with no pain
We wait to see the sunrise
It's a holiday (Hey)
When you're around (When you're around)
Breath of fresh air like a cold winter breeze
And I can feel it slow down, oh
[Chorus: Childish Gambino]
Maybe all the stars in the night are really dreams
Maybe this whole world ain't exactly what it seems
Maybe the sky will fall down on tomorrow
But one thing's for certain, baby
We're running out of time
[Post-Chorus: Childish Gambino]
Oh, time, time, yeah
[Verse 3: Childish Gambino]
Running after something
But I don't know what
Am I running to?
Too afraid to stop
Hundred miles an hour
With no seatbelt on
Time is everlasting
I can't wait that long (Ooh)
[Chorus: Childish Gambino]
Maybe all the stars in the night are really dreams (All the stars)
Maybe this whole world ain't exactly what it seems (This whole world)
Maybe the sky will fall down on tomorrow (Ooh)
But one thing's for certain, baby
We're running out of time
[Verse 4: Ariana Grande]
My feet are falling to the bottom of the ocean
Running out of time, out of time, uh, oh yeah
High on emotion, I can feel it moving forward
Running out of time, running out
Running out, running out of time
[Chorus: Brent Jones & The Best Life Singers]
Maybe all the stars in the night are really dreams (All the stars)
Maybe this whole world ain't exactly what it seems (This whole world)
Maybe the sky will fall down on tomorrow (Ooh)
But one thing's for certain, baby
We're running out of time
[Bridge: Childish Gambino]
(Time)
(Time)
Uh
It's about power (Time)
All about power (Time)
Oh, I'm in time
I'm just tryna feel it (Time)
Get a little bit stronger
Gotta go all out (Time)
A nigga gon' ball out
Try not to fall out
Tryna be better
Gotta get better (Time)
Too many pressure
Nigga need pressure
People need pressure
Uh, woo
[Outro]
Running out of time
We're running
Running out of time (Woah)
We're running
Running out of time
We're running