Completed Action in the Past

We use the Past Simple to express the idea that an action started and finished at a specific time in the past. Sometimes, the speaker may not actually mention the specific time, but they do have one specific time in mind.

Examples:

  • I saw a movie yesterday.
  • I didn't see a play yesterday.
  • Last year, I traveled to Japan.
  • Last year, I didn't travel to Korea.
  • Did you have dinner last night?
  • She washed her car.
  • He didn't wash his car.
When we look at the three examples that are highlighted in orange in the song, no specific time in the past is mentioned. However, the speaker does have a specific time in mind, but it is not mentioned and does not need to be mentioned as it is not important to the meaning.

Past Perfect

Completed Action Before Something in the Past

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past. It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

Examples:

  • I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to Kauai.
  • I did not have any money because I had lost my wallet.
  • Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the city several times.
  • Had Susan ever studied Thai before she moved to Thailand?
  • She only understood the movie because she had read the book.
  • Kristine had never been to an opera before last night.
  • We were not able to get a hotel room because we had not booked in advance.
  • A: Had you ever visited the U.S. before your trip in 2006?
  • B: Yes, I had been to the U.S. once before.
In the song an example of the present perfect is highlighted in blue. This use of the present perfect says that something happened before a specific time in the past.

All I want is time

I don't know where I am going and I don't know where I've been
I've got life sitting on my shoulders and happiness within
I've got feelings of estrangement and strangely time that I can spare
I don't know if I'm alone in this or if I even care
I don't want to know what is next for me but I don't know what I want
Can someone look me in the eye tell me that I'm wrong
I'm doing a hundred miles an hour and I'm sitting on my porch
You can bet I've got an answer cause it seems the change is on


Because I'm going to be the one who's got everything he really wants
Cause all I want is time
And I'm going to smile when I am done cause I'll know I had a run
At this point in my life

You can talk about the future or dream about the past and
Someone will ask you what you're doing and how it went so fast
You can look all around you and see that time brings change
Or you can point at everyone and pass along the shame
I plan to leave a trail of highlights yeah with some to give away
And maybe we can do it all in each and every way
Try not to tune into those noises you hear from far behind
We're just listening to our hearts and packing up our minds

Because I'm going to be the one who's got, everything he really wants
Cause all I want is time
And I'm going to smile when I am done cause I'll know it had begun
At this point in my life

Musical Break

I haven't seen a cause to worry so I ain't looking for a cure
You can say I am a liar and never take my word
If there is one last thing to do then it better be done soon
I've been trying to keep ideas, but I never have the room
Cause I feel like I am winning and I'm willing to take a chance
I've got all my bases covered and I saw you steal a glance
So don't think I am oblivious to my ever changing mind
I've got all my things in check I'm just waiting to decide

Because I'm going to be the one who's got, everything he really wants
Cause all I want is time
And I'm going to smile when I am done cause I'll know I had a run
At this point in my life

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