A Question Of Time is Depeche Mode's seventeenth single. It was released on 1986-08-11.
The song was written by Martin Gore. The video was directed by Anton Corbijn and marked the beginning of a collaboration that is still continuing over twentythree years later.
There can be no doubt what so ever of what the song is about, but I'll still walk you through the lyrics.
| I've got to get to you first |
This is the basis of a good FTF hunt |
| Before they do |
| It's just a question of time |
| Before they lay their hands on you |
| And make you just like the rest |
Just like the rest of the caches: Found! |
| I've got to get to you first |
The mantra that is repeating in the head of an FTF hunter. |
| It's just a question of time |
| |
| Well now you're only fifteen |
15 minutes after publication, the race for FTF is in full swing. |
| And you look good |
A new cache hasn't had time to get dirty. |
| I'll take you under my wing |
The point of creating a new cache is that somebody should find it. |
| Somebody should |
| They've persuasive ways |
Some have been known to use tricks to discourage other FTF hunters. |
| And you'll believe what they say |
| It's just a question of time |
As soon as a cache is published, the clock is ticking and time will soon have ran out for all FTF hunters except one. |
| It's running out for you |
| It won't be long until you'll do |
What is it that the FTF hunter wants the cache to do once he or she has arrived at the location? Revealing itself and giving up its secrets, obviously. |
| Exactly what they want you to |
| |
| I can see them now |
On the way to an unlogged cache, the FTF hunter is often haunted by visions of other cachers searching for the cache, finding it, signing the log book and taking the FTF prices. |
| Hanging around |
| To mess you up |
| To strip you down |
| And have their fun |
| With my little one |
| |
| Sometimes I don't blame them |
Of course, you understand that the others just want the same fun of an FTF. It's just for fun. Not really a competition at all... |
| For wanting you |
| You look good |
| And they need something to do |
| Until I look at you |
But when you look at the cache on the map, the competitive feeling comes back even stronger. All the FTF hunters are thinking the same thing and they all know it. |
| And then I condemn them |
| I know my kind |
| What goes on in our minds |
| |
| It's just a question of time |
On the way to an FTF, things could always go better. The bus could come sooner, the red light could change faster, pedestrians could get away from the bicycle path... |
| It should be better |
| It's just a question of time |
It would be better to already be there. |
| It should be better with you |
| It's just a question of time |
| |