Time Is On My Side :: Irma Thomas

Ah, the blues.

When you got 'em, you got 'em bad. And Irma Thomas knows how to work those blues.

The Soul Queen of New Orleans never saw the same sort of commercial fame as Aretha Franklin or Etta James or Gladys Knight, but she works it just the same. Hell, she is still around working it! Her voice is rich, her feeling is deep, and I love her.

I'm featuring her recording of "Time Is On My Side", the much covered classic by Jerry Ragovoy (but under the pseudonym of Norman Meade). You probably know the Rolling Stones version of it, but have you heard Irma's? Both the Stones and Irma recorded this tune in 1964. Sure, the Stones channel the blues - but Irma channels way more soul. It is a rollicking, gospel influenced version complete with organ and done the way that only a soul queen could do it - I much prefer it to the Stones, actually. Oooh, it is GOOD.

Check it!


Lyrics:
Time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is

Now you always say
That you want to be free
But youll come running back (said you would baby)
Youll come running back (I said so many times before)
Youll come running back to me

Oh, time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is

Youre searching for good times
But just wait and see
Youll come running back (I wont have to worry no more)
Youll come running back (spend the rest of my life with you, baby)
Youll come running back to me

Go ahead, go ahead and light up the town
And baby, do everything your heart desires
Remember, Ill always be around
And I know, I know
Like I told you so many times before
Youre gonna come back, baby
cause I know
Youre gonna come back knocking
Yeah, knocking right on my door
Yes, yes!

Well, time is on my side, yes it is
Time is on my side, yes it is

cause I got the real love
The kind that you need
Youll come running back (said you would, baby)
Youll come running back (I always said you would)
Youll come running back, to me
Yes time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Oh, time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
I said, time, time, time is on my side, yes it is
Oh, time, time, time is on my side
Yeah, time, time, time is on my side

If you like Irma, I would highly recommend picking up a copy of the album "Time is On My Side", an awesome retrospective collection of many of Irma's best. It features the downright nifty album art featured above. It is the perfect album for when you need a little soul in your life.

XOXO
Kim