Until It's Time For You to Go

Album: Many A Mile (1965)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Buffy Sainte-Marie was inspired to write this song after falling in love with someone who could not be with her. Although it was never released as a single, it became one of her most popular songs.
  • According to Sainte-Marie's official site, the lyrics to the song are about "honesty and freedom inside the heart."
  • This hit US #40 for Elvis Presley in 1972. Other artists who have covered this song include Eddy Arnold, Shirley Bassey, Glen Campbell, Cher, Petula Clark, Bobby Darin, Neil Diamond, Johnny Mathis, Maureen McGovern, Willie Nelson, Nancy Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Andy Williams. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Jerro - New Alexandria, PA, for all above
  • Some listeners have interpreted "Until It's Time For You to Go" as an illicit love song about a mistress sending her lover back to the arms of his wife, but Sainte-Marie told Magnet Magazine it's "not just about illicit love, but also about anybody you just can't have … like a soldier who's on the way to Vietnam or somebody who's dying or just plain unavailable to you in spite of the love. It's been recorded by more than 200 artists in 13 different languages, so I guess it’s a common experience."
  • When asked if Elvis' controversial manager "Colonel" Tom Parker tried to secure half the songwriting credit, as he often did, Sainte-Marie says if he tried, he failed. "I never gave up anything on 'Until It's Time For You To Go,' and it's allowed me to survive as an artist instead of having to take a day job, she explained. "It's still a thrill to think that it was Elvis' love song with his wife."
  • Sainte-Marie, who also wrote heavy protest songs like the anti-war anthem "Universal Soldier" and "Now That The Buffalo's Gone," about the plight of indigenous people, caught some backlash when she wrote this. "The folkies called me a sellout," she told Bruce Pollock.
  • This was used in the movies Diamond's Edge (1988) and This Year's Love (1999). It was also featured on the TV series McMillan & Wife ("An Elementary Case Of Murder" - 1972).
  • In later years, listeners have viewed the song as a proto-feminist anthem of autonomy. "When I wrote it, nobody had even used the word feminism!" Sainte-Marie chortled to The Guardian. "To me, the most important line in the song is 'we'll make a space in the lives we've planned.' That's about leaving room in your life for life to happen."

Comments: 3

  • Susan from Philadelphia, PaUntil Its Time For You To Go is a song that I relate to tremendously, like so many others, because many of us have loved someone who could not remain in our lives. The version sung by the group New Birth with Susaye Greene on lead vocals is my favorite version. Have you ever heard it? if you haven't you should listen to it. Thank you for sharing what was in your heart with me, and thank you for earning your doctorate, because I too am following in your footsteps. Please continue to be true to yourself and your crafts, and never let anyone or anything turn you from the truth.
  • Bob from Grand Rapids, MiUntil its time for you to go was GREAT sung by Neil Diamond!!!
  • Dan from Charleston, ScI have read that Lee Hazelwood wrote this song instead of Buffy. Supposedly it was written for a male but Nancy SInatra wanted to record it - and did so. It's a very nice version from about 1966?
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.