“Time is On My Side”

The double 60th anniversary (1963/1964) of a three-time classic!

Listen to any broadcast of ‘60s rock long enough, and you will hear “Time is On My Side” as The Rolling Stones did it. Shout-outs to this song are to be heard in its 60th anniversary year. 

Rightly so, as slow, steady blues can make you rock side-to-side as you feel for the singer’s romantic loss. Yet our vocal protagonist is confident that this is only a temporary state, as the chorus contains this reminder:

You’ll come running back (said you would, baby)

You’ll come running back (I said so many times before)

You’ll come running back to me-ee-ee!

Which is why it’s worth running back to the first time this song appeared to enhance consciousness and a second time the following year, the same as the aforementioned remake. Both feature remarkable vocals that will put words into your heart and instrumentation that emphasizes the pain in the verse and pre-verse and the hope in the chorus.

In October 1963, a then-7-year-old jazz label called Verve released “Time is On My Side” as a single by trombonist Kai Winding. His trombone takes center stage with lush horn accompaniment and pounding drums. The lyrics were minimal - only12 words: “Time is on my side, yeah”  and “You’ll come running back (to me).”  Interpreting them with profound confidence lyrically and musically were The Gospelaires. The vocal trio pouring their hearts into the words were Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick, and Dee Dee Warwick. Yes, Whitney Houston’s mom and cousins ensured that the song was propelled into music history! The wailing of “Time is on my side,” sung only near the end after the chorus was sung twice, makes the message clear: even in grief you know her man will “come running back.”

In June 1964, Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, saw her own voice hit the airwaves. She sung additional new lyrics that deepened the certainty of a lover’s return. This time, the piano was again a powerful opening, and her emotive voice was buttressed by a jazz organ. She also belts out a spoken interlude, exuding even more confidence and power. Note that it was issued by Imperial Records as the b-side to “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand).” As any serious collector of 7-inches can attest, do not underestimate the flip side! Meanwhile, the Stones were recording their take on this already-classic tune.

Oh, you know somebody that doesn’t particularly care for either of these two recordings? Be assured that songs have power, if you believe them to have it. Those who dare to walk away have a message aimed right at them. 

You’ll come running back 

You’ll come running back

You’ll come running back to me-ee-ee!