It's About Time Backstories and Lyrics

I didn’t get to go to my high school reunion because I was on tour with Trooper at the time, but as a teacher I would always hear grads (especially the girls) talking about how they would be ‘best-buds’ forever.  Within weeks, though, most would separate forever, some to college, some to work and later marriage, kids, careers etc.  Although the verses are about true events growing up, the chorus has an element of “Thick as Thieves’ (Trooper album) and of course the Three Musketeers when it says, “all for one, one for all, forever we had it all.

Verse 1 recounts how in grade 11 we heard the rumour that the grads had gone to Tent Island off Chemainus and ALL got drunk, got naked, and had sex. We then spent grade 12 in high expectation of our grad party where a small group of us losers (all guys, of course) ended up going to the river up Copper Canyon where absolutely nothing happened. Of course this was the 60's prior to the hippie generation where sexual activity was all talk and no action except for "that one couple."

Verse 2 is about a bunch of friends each chipping in 10 to 25 cents for gas (that's how long ago it was) and we would drive to far off places such as Duncan and Lake Cowichan in search of girls. Apparently the local girls were only beautiful to guys from out of town who thought the girls in their town were ugly. The grass does appear greener on the other side. Anyway, the door of the old Morris Oxford would fly open on corners so that the front passenger could fly out as we went around corners and then slam back in when we straightened out, much like a P.N.E. ride. Really stupid and dangerous. Of course these trips usually ended up back at the Drive-in in Duncan where the boys would have a burger and shake before heading home empty-handed. The "Screamin' round in circles, gravel shootin' high" refers to the environmentally bad practice (we know now) of racing cars on the beach at Long Beach, Tofino. Some cars got too close to the water line and got stuck.

Verse 3 is about a trip to Seaside Oregon with friend Trevor whose Mom and Dad invited me along. About 10:00 p.m. they gave in and allowed us to go to the pier where there was a ferris wheel, cotton candy etc. As we headed off, Trevor was ahead due to his being one of the fastest track athletes on Vancouve Island, so was running backwards as we talked. I yelled out, "watch out" only in time for him to turn and run straight into a bus stop sign. He splatted down on the pavement. I caught up and when I asked, "are you alright, man?" He lept up and yelled, "Women" and we proceeded on with our quest. Of course no self-respecting "woman" would even want to talk to someone with blood coagulated on the centre of his forehead and bits of rock still stuck in his head. Thank heavens for the cotton candy.

Perhaps you've sensed the recurring theme here..best described as hormonally young and stupid, but there was a great energy and the spirit was indominatable.

Monday in the classroom, rumours flying high,
Scandals from the weekend, still refuse to die,
We all knew the secrets, but we’d never tell,
Weekend education, bent on Raisin’ Hell
And oh we thought we’d be friends forever
Loves like ours would never die
Lookin’ now upon a sea of strangers
I wonder how the years passed by
Time was on the fly

We had it all, and boy could we abuse it
We had it all, never gonna lose it
We had it all
All for one, one for all, forever we had it all

Friday night we’re rollin’, blasting out the doors
Runnin’ fast on empty, got the pedal to the floor
Screamin’ round in circles, gravel shootin’ high
Though the tide was rollin’, rollin’ in,
We never would say die

And oh we thought we’d be friends forever
True loves like ours would never die
Lookin’ now all I see is a room full of strangers
Wonderin’ how the years passed by
Time was on the fly

We had it all, and boy could we abuse it
We had it all, never gonna lose it
We had it all

Running down the boardwalk,
jungle cats on the prowl
We could talk the talk, get knocked off our socks
But we’d never throw in the towel
Seems like yesterday,
but I know it’s been some years
The whole place was goin’ crazy,
cuz everyone was here

And oh we thought we’d be friends forever…
Loves like ours, loves like this could never die

We had it all, and boy could we abuse it
We had it all, never gonna lose it
We had it all
All for one, one for all, forever we had it all