Tick tock, hear the clock count down,
Wish the minute hand could be rewound;
So much to do, and so much I need to say,
Will tomorrow be too late?
Feel the moment slip into the past,
Like sand through an hourglass;
In the madness, I guess I just forget,
To do all the things I said...
Time passes by,
Never thought I'd wind up,
One step behind;
Now I've made my mind up...
Today, I'm gonna try a little harder;
Gonna make every minute last longer;
Gonna learn to forgive and forget,
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it;
Today, I'm gonna love my enemies;
Reach out to somebody who needs me;
Make a change, make the world a better place,
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late...
One day too late...
One day too late...
Tick tock, hear my life pass by,
I can't erase and I can't rewind,
Of all the things I regret the most I do...
Wish I'd spent more time with you;
Here's my chance for a new beginning,
I saved the best for a better ending;
In the end I'll make it up to you, you'll see;
You'll get the very best of me...
Time passes by,
Never thought I'd wind up,
One step behind;
Now I've made my mind up...
Today, I'm gonna try a little harder;
Gonna make every minute last longer;
Gonna learn to forgive and forget,
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it;
(Today!) Today, I'm gonna love my enemies;
(Today!) Reach out to somebody who needs me;
Make a change, make the world a better place,
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late...
Your time is running out,
You're never gonna get it back!
So make the most of every moment,
Stop saving the best for last!
(Today!) Today, I'm gonna try a little harder;
(Today!) Gonna make every minute last longer;
Gonna learn to forgive and forget,
'Cause we don't have long, gonna make the most of it;
(Today!) Today, I'm gonna love my enemies;
(Today!) Reach out to somebody who needs me;
Make a change, make the world a better place,
'Cause tomorrow could be one day too late!
One day too late!
One day too late...
One day too late...
One day too late...
One Day Too Late
One Day Too Late Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Skillet's song "One Day Too Late" deeply explores the universal theme of time, regret, and the urgent call to live purposefully in the present. The opening verses immediately establish a sense of time running out, comparing life's passage to a ticking clock and sand slipping through an hourglass. This imagery underscores the feeling of having let moments pass by, wishing for a chance to rewind and say or do the things that were left unaddressed. The narrative conveys the simple, poignant realization of falling "one step behind" in the rush of daily life, leading to a determination to change course.
The core of the song lies in the resolute commitment declared in the chorus: "Today, I'm gonna try a little harder; Gonna make every minute last longer." This shift from regret to resolution is powerful. The lyrics outline a clear action plan for the present: focusing on forgiveness, cherishing moments, extending kindness to others, and actively working towards making the world a better place. The repeated assertion of "Today" highlights the immediacy and importance of these actions, driven by the stark understanding that waiting could mean missing the opportunity entirely.
Beyond general regrets, the song touches on a specific, heartfelt sorrow: not dedicating enough time to cherished relationships, expressed directly with "Wish I'd spent more time with you." This personal admission adds emotional weight to the broader message. It leads to a promise of a "new beginning," saving the best of oneself not for a distant future, but for the crucial present, ensuring loved ones receive the best efforts now rather than later.
The urgency is reinforced throughout the song, particularly in the bridge that serves as a direct warning: "Your time is running out, You're never gonna get it back!" This serves as a powerful reminder that time is a non-renewable resource. The song emphatically states the need to make the most of every moment and to cease postponing important actions or expressions of love and care, emphasizing that tomorrow might indeed be "one day too late" for reconciliation, connection, or positive change.
Released as a music video on September 13, 2009, the song's message resonates with inspirational themes found in various contexts, including scripture, which encourages wisdom in the use of time, forgiveness, loving others (including enemies), and not delaying good deeds. The lyrics serve as both a lament for past inaction and a stirring call to present-day purpose, urging listeners to seize the moment and live fully, intentionally, and compassionately before time irrevocably passes them by.
