About the song
Background
- Origin: Released in 1966 on the UK version of the album Aftermath. A shorter version later appeared on the 1967 US album Flowers.
- Chris Farlowe Cover Success: The most commercially successful version was a cover by Chris Farlowe, produced by Mick Jagger, which hit #1 in the UK singles chart.
- Rolling Stones’ 1975 Version: This version featured a blend of Jagger’s vocals from the original with the orchestration and backing vocals from Farlowe’s hit cover. It was released on the rarities compilation Metamorphosis.
- Live Debut: The Stones didn’t perform “Out of Time” live until the opening concert of their 2022 ‘Sixty’ tour.
Lyrics & Themes
The song focuses on a man addressing a former lover who treated him poorly and has now returned, hoping to rekindle the relationship. Key themes:
- Revenge: The speaker revels in the power reversal. He coldly tells his ex-lover she is “out of time”, dismissing her attempts to come back.
- Outdated and Obsolete: He emphasizes how she’s now out of fashion and irrelevant to him (“My poor old-fashioned baby”).
- Betrayal’s Aftermath: There’s an implied sense of satisfaction as the speaker finally holds the power in a relationship where he was once mistreated.
Video
Lyrics
You don’t know what’s going onYou’ve been away for far too longYou can’t come back and think you are still mine
You’re out of touch, my babyMy poor discarded babyI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Well, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeYou are left outOut of there without a doubt, ’causeBaby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
The girl who wants to run away (run away)Discovers that she’s had her dayIt’s no good you’re thinking that you are still mine
You’re out of touch, my babyMy poor, unfaithful babyI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Well, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeYes, you are left outOut of there without a doubt, ’causeBaby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
You thought you were a clever girl (clever girl)Giving up your social whirl (social whirl)But you can’t come back and be the first in line, oh no
You’re obsolete, my babyMy poor old-fashioned babyI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Well, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeYes, you are left outOut of there without a doubt, ’causeBaby, baby, baby, you’re out of time
Sing the song now
Baby, baby, baby, you’re out of timeI said, baby, baby, baby, you’re out of time