Then you say, “go slow”
And I fall behind
The second hand unwinds.

In “Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper explores a somewhat ambiguous period in a relationship. Perhaps she and her significant other went on a break. Perhaps they are completely broken up. Things and events in her daily life remind her of him and it brings her back. “The second hand unwinds” as she does things in her life that turn back the clock and move the relationship back to her ex. Things like thinking about him, calling him, hooking up with him, whatever.

We also know that he is experiencing similar things. He might reach out and then they seem to fall into their old patterns. Lauper seems to be encouraging him to venture out. She encourages him and tells him she will always be there for him. It is a really lovely sentiment. I am not sure many people feel this way after a relationship ends. She says this as much for her as for him.

“Time After Time” is Lauper’s greatest hit, but she has many. She is one of the more surprising candidates missing from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She has two songs on this list, but also a near miss in “All Through the Night” and of course “Girls just want to have fun”, which was a hit, but not good.

Time After Time Lyrics

Lying in my bed, I hear the clock tick and think of you
Caught up in circles
Confusion is nothing new
Flashback, warm nights
Almost left behind
Suitcase of memories
Time after

Sometimes you picture me
I’m walking too far ahead
You’re calling to me, I can’t hear
What you’ve said
Then you say, “go slow”
And I fall behind
The second hand unwinds

If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I’ll be waiting
Time after time
If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time

After my picture fades and darkness has
Turned to gray
Watching through windows
You’re wondering if I’m okay
Secrets stolen from deep inside (deep inside)
And the drum beats out of time
If you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time

If you fall I will catch you, I’ll be waiting
Time after time
If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall, I will catch you, I will be waiting
Time after time
Time after time

I’ve got a suitcase of memories that I almost left behind
Time after time
Time, time, time
But you say to go slow but I fall behind
Time after time after time (after time, oh)
written by Cyndi Lauper, Hyman Zaret