“Running Out of Time” is a song by American rock band Paramore, released on February 10, 2023. The song addresses the common feeling of constantly running out of time and the frustration that comes with it. The lyrics describe situations where the singer intended to do something but failed due to a lack of time. This essay will analyze the lyrics and explore the meaning behind them in detail.
Running Out of Time Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Said I was gonna take some flowers to my neighbor, but I
Ran out of time
Didn’t wanna show up to the party empty-handed, but I
Ran out of time
Said I’d walk the dog a little further than the driveway tonight
The extra mile
Thought I’d send a card with my condolences, but, damn, I
Just ran out of time
[Pre-Chorus]
Intentions only get you so far
What if I’m just a selfish prick? No regard, ah
[Chorus]
I’m always running out of time
I’m always running out of time
[Verse 2]
Never mind, I hit the snooze on my alarm twenty times
But I was just so tired
There was traffic, spilled my coffee, crashed my car, otherwise
Woulda been here on time
Shoulda, coulda, wouldn’t matter, ultimate alibi
You know it’s a lie
There was a fire (Metaphorically)
Be there in five (Hyperbolically)
[Pre-Chorus]
Intentions only get you so far
(It was on my list, I swear I meant to get to it)
A harsh reality to discover, ah
[Chorus]
I’m always running out of time
(She’s always running out of time)
I’m always running out of time
[Bridge]
Why we gotta be in a rush?
My watch is just for decoration, mm
Look, I showed up early for once
Now that’s a new sensation, mm
[Chorus]
We’re always running out of time
(She’s always running out of time)
I’m always running out of time
I’m always running out of time
(She’s always running out of time, out of time)
I’m always running out of time
Verse 1
The first verse begins with the singer expressing the desire to take some flowers to her neighbor, but she ran out of time. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, where the singer describes other situations where she intended to do something but failed. The second line describes her intention to bring a gift to a party, but she ran out of time. The third line talks about her plan to walk the dog further than usual, but she couldn’t. The fourth line describes her intention to send a condolence card but failed to do so.
Pre-Chorus
The pre-chorus begins with the singer questioning her own intentions. She wonders if she is a selfish person who doesn’t care about others’ feelings. The line “No regard” suggests that the singer feels guilty for not fulfilling her promises. She acknowledges that intentions can only go so far and that actions are what truly matter.
Chorus
The chorus is the most repeated section of the song, emphasizing the main theme of running out of time. The singer repeats the line “I’m always running out of time” several times, highlighting her frustration. The repetition also serves to create a sense of urgency and stress, emphasizing how much the singer feels like she is constantly racing against time.
Verse 2
The second verse continues to describe the singer’s failed attempts to do things due to a lack of time. The first line talks about hitting the snooze button on her alarm, indicating that she overslept and didn’t have enough time to do everything she planned. The second line describes a traffic jam and spilling her coffee, leading to a car accident. These incidents prevented her from arriving on time. The third line talks about how she wishes she could have done something differently, but ultimately, it wouldn’t have mattered because she would have run out of time anyway. The fourth line is an exaggeration, suggesting that she always has an excuse for being late.
Pre-Chorus
The second pre-chorus is similar to the first one, with the singer questioning her own intentions and whether she truly cares about other people. The line “It was on my list, I swear I meant to get to it” suggests that the singer is aware of her shortcomings and feels guilty about not being able to follow through with her plans.
Bridge
The bridge is a brief respite from the repeated theme of running out of time. The singer questions why everyone is always in such a rush and suggests that her watch is just for decoration. The line “Look, I showed up early for once” suggests that the singer is aware of her tendency to be late and is proud of herself for making an effort to be on time.
Chorus
The final chorus repeats the main theme of running out of time, emphasizing the frustration the singer feels. The line “She’s always running out of time, out of time” suggests that the singer is aware of how her behavior affects others and feels guilty about it.
