The song "When the Time Comes" by Ultravox discusses the emotions and turmoil experienced during the end of a romantic relationship. The lyrics are filled with feelings of sadness, doubt, and ultimately acceptance. The song begins with someone believing that the relationship is over, convinced that it is the only way out. They describe themselves as a "sad excuse for lovers" and feel that their partner has their head held high, but their heart is still full of doubt. The speaker accuses their partner of scorning them and believes that they will be the only one mourning the day their partner stops loving them. In the chorus, the speaker expresses their vulnerability and how they will cry when their partner cuts the thread of their relationship. They anticipate their heart tearing apart, causing them to cry. The second verse focuses on the partner's actions, where they have given up on giving and put on a smile despite the silence and denial of the life they are living. The love they once had has become fleeting and only half remembered. The speaker accuses their partner of turning their passion into hate. The chorus repeats, emphasizing the speaker's anticipation of crying when the relationship ends. The bridge of the song describes the unstable state of their relationship, feeling helpless as their heaven turns into hell. The "taker and the giver" reference the dynamics between the two, and they feel washed in anger as they reflect on how far they have fallen. The speaker once again accuses their partner of taking the step that finally breaks their love apart. Finally, the chorus repeats, emphasizing the speaker's emotional vulnerability and the inevitability of their tears when the time comes for the relationship to end. Overall, "When the Time Comes" explores the pain and emotions involved in the dissolution of a relationship, highlighting feelings of heartbreak, sadness, and acceptance.
