TheUglylucy4's video: Fliting with Time

"Flirting with Time" was written by Tom Petty and is the third track off of his 2006 solo release...Highway Companion. The album was produced by former Traveling Wilburys bandmate Jeff Lynne who also produced Full Moon Fever and Into the Great Wide Open, Petty's two solo efforts prior. Highway Companion reached the No. 4 spot on the Billboard charts. "Flirting with Time" tells the story of an aging woman, most likely from the view of her former lover. Perhaps this is a slap at Petty's former wife Jane Benyo (the two split in 1996). Either way, the ballad is a sarcastic interpretation of a woman who is rapidly approaching her "best if used by date". The choice of using the coyote reference in the opening line as opposed what commonly is described as a cougar is very tongue-in-cheek. Coyotes are more of the aloof wandering types whereas a cougar is the more sleek seductive form..."A coyote ran across the road, On the move without a home, A flash of light reminded me of you". On the move without a home shows our woman possibly leaving the author behind and that flash of light is how he sees her. As someone that lit his world up, but quickly was gone. "This could well be your last stand, Hold the sunlight in your hand, Spread your fingers, Feel the sand fall through" is where we get the sarcastic look from. Sunlight, which in this case is parallel with sand, falls through her hand the way an hour glass evaporates. In other words, her time is rapidly counting down. "Shadow men talk a real good game , Every punch line has your name, You cried out and no one came to you" is our author letting her know that she is becoming some sort of joke. Perhaps in regard to her running around yet not cashing in on her effort. All of this leads to the ballads main chorus..."I've done all I can do, now it's up to you, You're flirting with time baby, Flirting with time, and maybe, Time, baby, is catching up with you". "Flirting with Time" is another one of Tom Petty's efforts about being downed by a woman, as many of his ballads are. Another one of his songs centered around the "I told you so" motiff.