Only Time Will Tell by Asia

Album: Asia (1982)

Charted: 54 17

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Songfacts®:

Asia keyboard player Geoff Downes and lead singer/bass player John Wetton wrote this song, which finds a man learning that the woman he loved never loved him in return, only using him for her own gain. He walks out on her, refusing to live a lie, and predicting that she will probably have a lonely future, but "only time will tell."

In our interview with John Wetton, he explained that the songs he wrote came from personal experience, and were often very vivid. In this song he's saying, "I know this new guy is not as good as I am, but only time will tell. But you're making a big mistake."

The lyrical kiss-off led some to accuse Wetton of misogyny, but he points out that the song follows a dialogue he started in the song "Heat of the Moment," where he apologizes for past transgressions.
John Wetton was a member of the band Wishbone Ash when he started working on this song. This was toward the end of 1980 when that band was recording their Number the Brave album at Criteria Studios in Miami, and Wetton would stay late after sessions to work up ideas, many of which ended up on the first Asia album. During this time, Wetton's musical hero John Lennon was killed, which made the experience even more vivid.
The video was directed by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme (Godley & Creme), who also did Asia's video for "Heat of the Moment." Both videos broke up the screen into smaller boxes, with "Only Time Will Tell" showing the band members inside TV sets. A gymnast also shows up throughout the video doing some slow motion tumbling; this didn't make a lot of sense, but did make for an interesting visual, which in 1982 worked very well (first gymnast on MTV!). In a Songfacts interview with Godley, he explained: "We just felt it would look interesting - it's as simple as that. I don't think we were driven by it having any meaning initially. It was just the memories that came to mind as a device that might look rather interesting and it felt like the music felt to a degree."

Godley & Creme would later direct some of the most acclaimed videos of the era, including "Every Breath You Take" by The Police and "Rockit" by Herbie Hancock.

Comments: 17

M. Turboffy from Alma Co.Nice little band. Dig the lead & backing vocals. Can see the traces of the past groups Yes etal.
Plathathocador from Albany Georgia UsaI never could could decipher “the darkest ring around the moon”. But I thought the wrap up was “and talk of when I die!”. That seemed so bitterly cruel of the offender. It really felt so much in the spirit of the song’s message. It’s a great song!
Jason From The Los Angeles Region from CaliforniaThe Marilyn McCoo version must have been on the television series "Solid Gold", where she was host or co-host from 1981 to 1984, then again from 1986 to 1988. Her version would have been on the show in 1982. She did a lot of cover songs on the show that was known for its singing hosts and the Solid Gold Dancers. YouTube has many of those videos, including powerful versions of two Journey songs, "Who's Crying Now" from 1981 and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" from their 1983 countdown of the year show broadcast in 1984. She could really switch from genre to genre with ease.
M from Nj"If you were wrong, the brightest ring around the moon will darken when I die" is my favorite line. Imagine someone dying and their death is so major, it darkens the glow of the moon. He is saying that the world will feel his death and that she does not believe it. IF she was incorrect about him, we will all feel it when he dies. And we did.
David from HoustonTill Asia ever hear Marilyn McCoo's version? She did it justice!
Scott A from BoiseI always loved this song, even though it came out at a time that I could relate to it very well. The ring around the moon might have some kind of occult meaning. Having a dragon on your album covers makes one wonder. It is a really well played song. Carl PAlmer is a very powerful drummer, and it comes out, here.
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenSo the singer dumps a manipulative girlfriend and he's a misogynist? Right.
George from Minneapolis, MnAlways loved this song and the video. Never understood the why the gymnast, but I do understand she's cute. Anybody know who she is?
Dogg from Tulsa, OkThis is a very rich, nicely orchestrated song.
Esskayess from Dallas, TxThe common theme for their debut album was 'time,' while the mediocre follow-up album seemed to have 'eyes' throughout.
Lonewulf from Tampa, FlOld song that resonates a feeling of betrayal. Emotional. But something has always tickled me about the florid line "If you were wrong, the brightest ring around the moon, would darken when I die". Has a lot of imagery, but, what is it supposed to symbolize, if that?? The singer questions if he was right?? Is it a metaphor for a person's eyes and tears for having done wrong?

Inquiring minds have to know... (lol)
Dennis from Pasadena, CaThe lyric in this song at 1:59, "The brightest ring around the moon will darken when I die" is very similar to the lyric, "The brightest ring around the moon will darken as you cry" at 1:47 from the song, Spanish Tide, by Family. John Wetton wrote both lyrics and sang on both songs but did not receive a writing credit for the Family song.
Ellen from Chicago, IlAgruably the best of their very few hits, certainly my favorite.
Jim from Long Beach, CaI loved all the previous bands from Asia.ELP,Yes,King Crimson and The Buggles. I couldn't believe that how commercial they became, I was shocked but yet i loved it!!
Brendan from Cape Town, South AfricaWhat's with the gymnast. It's funny how music videos have changed. This song was used in an episode of "Cold Case"
Ed from Incognito, IlIn my humble, learned opinion they tried real hard to be hard-edged, but they just couldn't quite make it.
Rob from Detroit, Mi"People who like this song also like "Dancing Queen'"?

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