I have waited
dined on ashes
swung from chandeliers
and climbed Everest,
and none of it's gotten me
close to this.

I've waited all my life
If not now, when will I...

We've been good
even a blast
but don't you feel like
something's missing here?
Don't you dear?

I've waited all my life
If not now, when will I
stand up and face the bright light?
Don't hide your eyes...
It's time.

No umbrellas
no sunglasses
hell and hallelujah everyday.

I've waited all my life
if not now, when will I
stand up and face the bright light?
Don't hide your eyes...
It's time.




Lyrics submitted by abbnormal

Track duration: 05:05


If Not Now, When? song meanings
Add your thoughts

21 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:this song leaves me speechless everytime I hear it!.
    Flag FacuCbaon July 10, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:If Not Now, When? Is an awesome title for both the song and the entire album. Stop procrastinating. I think I'll grow a grey.
    Flag Kjellumon May 05, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'll second bella57's notion above.

    I just wanted to add something that jumped out at me on my first listen, being a long time Incubus fan.

    The words "umbrellas" & "sunglasses" were both used in previous songs by Incubus referring to hiding or sheltering. Under My Umbrella & Look Alive used those words to great effect and the way they're used in this song jumped out at me and made me draw a comparison. Both awesome songs & this one is on par at the least, maybe better.
    Flag Johann4uon November 30, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:I agree with most of the comments above. This is a fascinating band who has evolved as they have aged.
    *
    I think the song simply refers to taking that chance. It's incredibly uplifting.
    Take a chance; find what you believe in. Go forward with open eyes (no sunglasses) knowing that it might have downfalls/ pitfalls/ (no umbrellas; no safety nets).
    *
    The first verse makes me think that whatever he's found is greater than all the experiences he's had leading up to this moment, and fear cannot/ should not hold him back because after all If no now when? when we will do the things that present themselves to us, but we hold back because of fear, etc.
    IT's a great album.
    Flag bella57on August 15, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I was listening to the Jimmy Eat World song "For me this is heaven" and it contains the lyrics:

    And the mindless comfort grows
    When I'm alone with my 'great' plans
    And this is what she says gets her through it
    "If I don't let myself be happy now, then when?
    If not now, when?"

    Obviously it's just a co-incidence, but it's a potent lyric still worth highlighting.
    Flag tommyhaychon August 11, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:(For Philippe Petit on the album cover the song is clearly about walking on a wire between the twin towers)
    Flag stefanroion August 08, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I am pretty sure you guys are all right.
    To me the song simply about 'just do it' - 'take the chance' - follow your dream and don't postpone the unpleasant.
    In that sense the lyrics are kept very open - which is what I really like.

    If it's about marriage or about God, then maybe that's simply what you want :)

    An inspiring song!
    Flag stefanroion August 08, 2011   Link
  • -1
    Song Meaning:Okay I think I know what the song means, I was listening to it and I think I got it, it's a song about the album itself.

    "I've waited all my life
    If not now, when will I
    stand up and face the bright light?
    Don't hide your eyes...
    It's time."

    It means he's waited his entire life (or, his entire musical career.), to release an album like this and if not now, when would he get a chance to? I think this is what it means, so it's pretty appropriate to put it as the first song off the album.
    Flag JulesGatzon August 07, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:"If not now when?" sounds like he's ready to propose for marriage.

    "I have waited
    Dined on ashes
    Swung from chandeliers and climbed Everest
    And none of it's got me close to this "

    ^ This verse sounds like a reference that he's had an exhilarating adventurous feeling but nothing feels greater or scarier than what he's about to do. "Propose"


    "We've been good
    Even a blast, but
    Don't you feel like something's missing here?
    Don't you dare"

    ^ this verse sounds like that everything's great being together, but what's missing is that they need to take the relationship to the next level. "Don't you dare" <-- probably is like a statement to her don't run away from this from this moment or what we have.


    "Stand up and face the bright light "

    ^Moment that he's about do something amazing, almost comparing it to bliss or heaven?

    "No umbrellas
    No sunglasses
    Healing [hearing?] Hallelujah everyday "

    The next step of the relationship doesn't mean that life ends.

    Flag RedSiixon August 04, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is absolutely about God to me. if not God, then the act of death itself. sooooo beautiful.
    Flag trishyraeon August 02, 2011   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain