Time Waits For No One by The Rolling Stones

Album: It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (1974)

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Songfacts®:

This song, with a handy adage for a title, is a commentary on the value of time. Mick Jagger turned 30 the year it was released.
This was one of guitarist Mick Taylor's last appearances with The Stones. He left after It's Only Rock 'n' Roll because of differences with Keith Richards and frustration over not getting writing credits on this and other songs he helped compose. The only song he was credited on was "Ventilator Blues."
For percussion, Mick Jagger brought in Ray Cooper, known for his work with Elton John.
This wasn't released as a single, but it was recognized years later on The Rolling Stones "best of" compilation Sucking In The Seventies.
The Stones started working on this in 1971 during the Sticky Fingers sessions at Stargroves, the estate where Mick Jagger lived in Hampshire, England. It was the first song they recorded for It's Only Rock 'N' Roll.
Before getting together to record the album, the band members had some time off and went their separate ways. Mick Taylor went to Brazil, which he credits for the Latin influence in the song.
On the It's Only Rock 'N' Roll album, the "Glimmer Twins" get a production credit. This is a name for Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The origin of the pseudonym: Jagger and Richards took a cruise in 1969 and found themselves at a table with an older English couple who vaguely recognized them. Jagger and Richards played coy, and the couple asked for a "glimmer," as in a little hint as to who they were.
Mick Taylor said in 2012: "My favorite [Stones song] in terms of my own guitar playing is 'Time Waits for No One.' I love that solo. I think it's probably the best thing I did with the Stones. It's not one of their hits; it was an album track. But it's quite lyrical and it's a bit different from a lot of other Stones songs. I'd done something that I'd never done. Because of the structure of the song. It pushed my guitar playing in a slightly different direction. It's more - I don't like to use the term Carlos Santana-esque because it sounds too pretentious, but I kind of played in a different mode. I was playing over a C maj 7 to an F maj 7, which aren't chords the Stones used that much. You know, they had their rock and roll songs and they had their ballads as well, and they were very different. And mostly the ballads were usually written by me." >>
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Comments: 28

Doug Crooks from Almost As Far Northwest As You Can GetHands down, my favorite Stones song ... So many layers of musical genius.
Pat From Wallingford, Pa from Wallingford, PaIt's a Deep Track, so well under the Radar. But it shouldn't be. The flow of this tune is unique for the Stones. A real masterpiece that takes you on a soothing, melodic journey. Mick & Mick, what a combo!
Lisa from SarasotaI love this song. Love the melody, the lyrics, all of it. Wonder what direction Mick and Keith would have gone in if MT had stayed.
Mahkeh from LaThis might be one of the finest ever recorded moments for the Stones. Truly a high water mark. Profound introspective lyrics over a great set of chords an equally great groove, and a guitar solo among guitar solos. Much is made of the style MT plays the solo with. Yes, it evokes Carlos Santana. And, so what? ... it certainly serves the song well to play it that way. Transcends the moment. If you really think Carlos Santana played the solo on TWFNO, you may not really understand what it is to be influenced by another player. BTW, someone on this thread says, "show us any time where M.T. sounded ANYTHING LIKE THIS..... NEVER." Wrong! ... simply listen to the middle section/outro of Can't You Hear Me Knocking'" C'mon man, you cannot be serious.
Two Wheeler from UsaTime may never tell. All guitarist have DNA. No one can change that. Stevie could never sound like Jimmy...Nor can anyone sound like Carlos Santana. I will NEVER believe M.T. played the guitar in Time. Carlos Santana is the only person who could have played the guitar in that song.. You could NEVER imitate Santana EVER! Also show us any time where M.T. sounded ANYTHING LIKE THIS..... NEVER. GREAT musician's will keep this under their hat..
Jeff from Lakewood Ranch Great song. Lyrics. Melody. Instruments. Berry underated just like Moonlight Mile, Waiting on a Friend, Memory Motel, ….and even early ones like Last Time, time is on my side
John from On The Road To Nowhere Graduated from high school the year this song was released. Became a personal ballad over the next several years as several personal friends went on in other directions both good and tragically bad. Absolutely loved the song the first time and never understood but now glad it was never a typical Stones hit that is played I to the dirt. Not the emotional type, but one of the few tunes that truly can bring a tear to my eye. Best stones song in my opinion.
Pt from Cape CodThis song will be played at my funeral......
Rob Nickel from Manitoba CanadaYep one of their best alright. Nobody ever played a finer solo than Mick T does on this song and I’ve always thought it stunk how he wasn’t credited for his contributions to the band. No mystery why he quit.
Steve P from SydneyThis song? ! Firstly, it is arguably the Stones greatest moment. Secondly, it cannot be replicated Live because the band lost Mick Taylor soon after its release. The lead could be authentically (practiced &) performed by another Likely Lad (apart from Taylor), like say Gary Moore, but he's dead, or perhaps Santana, but as for Ronnie Wood (or Keef) - not bloody likely. One of the other great moments of the Stones: 'Wild Horses'. And again: Thanks to the nuance of MT's guitar following Jagger around (or vice versa)!
Steve W from Cambridge, MaStargroves was the name of Mick Jagger's country house, not their mobile studio. Of course they used their mobile recording truck to record there. They rented or loaned it to others as well; see the lyrics to Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water".
Lorenzo from Houston, TxMy best died when I was 8. I have lived my life differently because of that.
Live your life as if it were last day on earth.
Tell your loved ones that you love them - you may not have tomorrow.
Cherish your life, loved ones and friends.
Adrian from London, United KingdomTime can tear down a building or destroy a woman's face, hours are like diamonds don't let it waste!
Ny from Canberra, AustraliaAint that the truth, time waits for none of us. 'HOURS ARE LIKE DIAMONDS, DONT LET THEM WASTE..' we all need to be reminded of that from time to time.
James from Philadelphia, PaOne of my favorite Stones songs. Mick Taylor!
Bg from Brooksville, FlSomething both so sad and so earthy about this song that you never hear on the radio ! I guess I jsut found out why the Stones dont play it now, the magic of the soloist cannot be repeated or they dont want to
David from Woburn, MaTaylor's guitar solo at the end of the song reminds me of Santana's style of play. Absolutely beautiful song by the best band in the world.
Norm from Seattle, WaIn a recent Rolling Stone piece on the Stones Keith Richards was quoted as saying if it was up to him Mick Taylor "would still be in the band."
Christopher L. from Fort Worth, TxI saw the stones in 1981 @ the Cotton Bowl in Dallas,Tx it was my first and last time to see them and I remember waiting for them to sing this song but they didn't sing it. I was somewhat disappointed but the show was so damn good you couldn't help but forgive them!!!
Sam from Hipsville, CaI too think that Mick Taylor was a great asset to the Stones[Exile on Main St.]...need i say more?
Channing from Washingon, DcI think at this point this is my favorite Stones song. I agree that it is completely underrated. To me this is a Mick Taylor/Mick Jagger cut and illustrates how both the Stones and Mick Taylor lost out when the Stones lost Taylor, as far as I can tell due to ill-treatment and jealously of Richards. If the Sones want to prove me wrong, they can perform it in concert, which they never have! Jagger and Taylor had real chemistry and synergy, and it was a very long time, perhaps never, before the Stones recaptured this level of quality. Not that I do not love Ron Wood. He certainly is core to the current Stones line-up. Not that I do not love Richards, too.
Toe from C Town, OhThe best Stones song nobody ever talks about. Severely underrated.
Craig from Melbourne, AustraliaAmazing song. Extremely well crafted. The Taylor influence is very noticeable on IORR - his last album.
Robert from Queens, NyContrary to believe, Mick Taylor wrote most of this song and was extremely displeased over this. One of the reasons why he left the band in 1974.
Karl Middleton from Melbourne, AustraliaI was 16 when this song came out on Its Only Rock and Roll. It could transport me to another plane then, and it still does now. The message is clear. Time is precious and is the only thing you can not recover if you spend it. Use it wisely. As Napoleon once said, he know the true value of five minutes. Time waits for no one.
Bill from Louiville, CoThis song lifts the spirit and brings a tear joy, even now, 33 years later. Another great: Santana, "Song of the wind". circa 1972. Bill, louisville,co.
Stacey from Houston, TxI cannot believe there are so few postings on this song. This song and "Tops" are two absolute favorites of mine....both are very spacy and surreal. Love it!!!
-Stacey "Seven" Madding, Houston
Mike from Warwick, RiMick is now 60 and reminds us everytime he takes the stage that time waits for no one. I suspect they will still be touring and selling out retirement homes in another 20 years.

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