LSD – It’s Time [ft. Labrinth, Sia, Diplo]. Lyrics & Meaning
LSD – It’s Time: The Painful, Powerful Art of Saying Goodbye
Ever felt like you were watering a plastic plant, desperately hoping it would grow? You pour all your energy, your time, and your love into something, only to realize you’re the only one trying. It’s a lonely, draining feeling, being the sole caretaker of a love that’s already withered on the vine. You know deep down that it’s over, but admitting it feels like a monumental task.
That exact feeling, that quiet, heartbreaking moment of clarity, is perfectly captured in a song. The supergroup LSD—composed of Labrinth, Sia, and Diplo—bottled this precise emotion in their track “It’s Time.” It’s more than just a sad song; it’s a powerful anthem for anyone who’s ever had to make the difficult choice to walk away. Let’s dive into what makes this track such a resonant and deeply moving piece of art.
“Darlin’, It’s Time”: Unpacking the Heartbreak in LSD’s Masterpiece
From the very first line, Sia paints a bleak, vivid picture of a relationship that has long since lost its magic. There’s no gentle letdown here; it’s a stark and honest depiction of love’s decay.
A Story Told in Dead Roses and Cheap Wine
Sia begins with imagery that is just so painfully specific. It’s not just a lack of romance; it’s the opposite of it. Think about it:
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Dead roses on Valentine’s
Rumours lying on grape vines
Your love washes over me like cheap red wine
But you feel on your lows and they leave me dry
A gift of “dead roses” isn’t just thoughtless; it’s almost a cruel joke, a symbol of a love that’s dead on arrival. The mention of “cheap red wine” is another gut punch. Good wine is rich, complex, and savored. Cheap wine? It gives you a quick, hollow buzz followed by a headache. That’s the love she’s receiving—a temporary, low-quality feeling that ultimately leaves her feeling worse, completely “dry.” The relationship isn’t nurturing; it’s depleting her. The cycle of hurt is relentless, as she describes in the next lines:
I live on a broken heart
Your blood washes over me like cheap red wine
Your words are like bullets, leave me to die
This isn’t a simple disagreement. This is a warzone. Her pain is met with louder shouting, and his words aren’t just words—they’re “bullets.” She’s not just sad; she feels like she’s been left for dead emotionally. It’s a powerful and brutal illustration of a toxic dynamic.
The Simple, Crushing Realization
And then comes the chorus. After all the chaotic and painful imagery, the chorus strips everything down to its most basic, undeniable truth. It’s the moment the mind stops making excuses and accepts the reality of the situation. It’s a mantra of clarity.
When you don’t need me
When you don’t want me
Darlin’, it’s time
There’s no ambiguity here. It’s a checklist of neglect. The repetition of “When you don’t” feels like someone finally, bravely listing the reasons they have to leave. It’s not an angry outburst; it’s a moment of profound, sorrowful acceptance. The final line, “Darlin’, it’s time,” is delivered with a sense of finality. It’s the conclusion she, and the listener, have been working towards. It’s time to go.
From Frostbite to Finding a Foothold
Labrinth’s verse offers a parallel perspective, reinforcing the theme of a one-sided, emotionally barren relationship. He starts with a firm declaration of self-respect:
Won’t stay when I’m not welcomed
Swarms in and I have been stung
He feels the hostility, the sense of being an unwelcome guest in his own relationship. His experience is just as damaging, but the imagery shifts from cheap wine to something colder. His partner’s love is like “gin and lime,” sharp and acidic, and their words leave him with “frostbite.” This isn’t the warmth of love; it’s an emotional deep-freeze.
But then, he reveals the internal conflict that makes leaving so hard:
Do I need truth or healing? (Get up)
Down your neck, I’m breathing (Get up)
I need to feel needed (Get up)
This doesn’t justify, yeah
This part is so incredibly real. He’s wrestling with the universal human desire to be wanted, to be needed. It’s that desperate plea that keeps people in bad situations for far too long. But the constant “Get up” in the background acts like an inner voice, a coach in his corner, telling him to find his strength. He acknowledges that his need to feel needed doesn’t justify the pain he’s enduring. It’s the final piece of the puzzle falling into place.
The true beauty of “It’s Time” is that it’s not just a song about sadness. It’s an anthem of empowerment. It gives you permission to stop fighting a losing battle. The message is clear: your well-being matters more than a broken relationship. Recognizing that you’re not loved, not needed, and not wanted isn’t a failure—it’s a critical piece of information. It’s the signal you need to save yourself. This song is a reminder that the bravest thing you can do is acknowledge the truth and decide that, yes, it’s finally time.
Of course, music is all about personal interpretation. This is how the song speaks to me, but I’d love to know what you think. Does “It’s Time” resonate with you in a different way? What emotions or memories does it bring up for you? Let’s talk about it!
