Difference between revisions of "Time Warp"

Revision as of 14:44, 26 March 2019

Time Warp is a song composed by Richard O'Brien for his stage musical, The Rocky Horror Show. It is the most recognizable of the songs from the musical, and features the Time Warp dance that is so popular at showings. The song has been used in each of the games.

Games

The Rocky Horror Show (C64)

The Rocky Horror Show (C64)

Arranger Robert Hartshorne, Graham Jarvis Programmer Graham Jarvis or Jay Derrett Released 1985-??-?? Length 2:18 BPM 188 Format SID Loops Yes

A Computer Video & Games article and the inlay of a Tubular Bells demo from CRL Group (the publisher of The Rocky Horror Show (C64)), both 1986, credit the C64 music to Robert Hartshorne and Graham Jarvis of Clever Music (their own company, founded as Alphingwood).

Unfortunately, the C64 game merely uses crazy credits, including Jay Derrett for "Dress Design" and Alphingwood for "Ivory Tickling". Derrett was initially a games programmer, then a sound programmer, and finally "the main tune writer" (in his words) at CRL. In the 2000s, he also credited the C64 music to Clever Music; however, both Jarvis and Derrett stated that they each wrote a driver for Clever Music's work, making it unclear whose ended up in the C64 game.

The back cover mentions Druidcrest Music, which is simply the owner of O'Brien's composition.

The Rocky Horror Show (CPC)

The Rocky Horror Show (CPC)

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Arranger Unknown Released 1985-??-?? Length 0:22 (Menu), 2:16 (In-game) Format UNK Loops No (Menu), Yes (In-game)

The CPC version has two variants of Time Warp. The first is heard from the menu, while showing the Time Warp dance. It's short and doesn't loop. The second is the full version which does loop. But both are poorly arranged.

The Rocky Horror Show (ZXS)

The Rocky Horror Show (ZXS)

Arranger Jay Derrett Released 1985-??-?? Length 2:16 Format AY

Jay Derrett originally arranged the Time Warp for the ZX Spectrum. He did a rather poor job, as the final result sounds almost like a different song altogether. Only the "Let's do the Time Warp again" chorus is readily recognizable.

The Rocky Horror Show (A2)

The Rocky Horror Show (A2)

Arranger Unknown Released 1986-??-?? Format UNK

Unlike the other ports, in the Apple II version the music is heard only in the title screen.

The Rocky Horror Show (C128)

The Rocky Horror Show (C128)

Arranger Jay Derrett Released 1986-??-?? Format SID

The Rocky Interactive Horror Show (W32)

The Rocky Interactive Horror Show (W32)

Arranger Richard O'Brien Released 1999-??-?? Length 1:27 Format CD

This version is a cover, played by O'Brien himself on guitar in jukebox in the game. It has a good part from beginning, but not the full song. It's the only version that has lyrics.

Lyrics

Almost none of the game's versions feature the lyrics of the original song.

Riff-Raff:
It's astounding;
Time is fleeting;
Madness takes its toll.
But listen closely...

Magenta:
Not for very much longer.

Riff-Raff:
I've got to keep control.

I remember doing the time-warp
Drinking those moments when
The Blackness would hit me

Riff-Raff:
And the void would be calling...

Transylvanians:
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Narrator:
It's just a jump to the left.

All:
And then a step to the right.

Narrator:
With your hands on your hips.

All:
You bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Magenta:
It's so dreamy, oh fantasy free me.
So you can't see me, no, not at all.
In another dimension, with voyeuristic intention,
Well secluded, I see all.

Riff-Raff:
With a bit of a mind flip

Magenta:
You're into the time slip.

Riff-Raff:
And nothing can ever be the same.

Magenta:
You're spaced out on sensation.

Riff-Raff:
Like you're under sedation.

All:
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Columbia:
Well I was walking down the street just a-having a think
When a snake of a guy gave me an evil wink.
He shook-a me up, he took me by surprise.
He had a pickup truck, and the devil's eyes.
He stared at me and I felt a change.
Time meant nothing, never would again.

All:
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Narrator:
It's just a jump to the left.

All:
And then a step to the right.

Narrator:
With your hands on your hips.

All:
You bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust
That really drives you insane.
Let's do the time-warp again.
Let's do the time-warp again.

Links

• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Warp_%28song%29 - Wikipedia.
• youtube.com/watch?v=tkplPbd2f60 - Excerpt from the movie.