I always sort it into the "dark and sexy" Muse songs. Anyone that knows the song can tell exactly WHY I would think that.
Since the beginning, that deep bass line (being a bassist myself) is welcoming you to a rhythm you can't (and won't) get out of your head. After the first dozen of times listening to it, you start humming along with it (even if you're not aware).
When you're busy copying the distorted bass sound, the voice and drums start. Matthew's voice in this song is specially gaspy (IMO). I think that's the way we use to talk about something erotic. That edgy moment when you can thing of nothing else but that. The usual low and high tones are present, changing the scene from one very sensual moment to the verge of madness.
The drum rhythm takes care of pointing every high and low part of the song. The steady beat says "we're talking clear right now" then it accelerates "we're starting to lose control", the chorus is rushed indicating that, clearly "our time is running out". and the bit after the chorus is like, the downfall. The moment where you let all your barriers down, letting yourself enjoy only the feelings.
Analysing the lyrics, you find the ultimate reason to say THIS IS DARK AND SEXY. Making allusion to the idea of having close to no time left, the whole song is full of
Honestly, I still can't say if Time is Running Out has an exact meaning. Like almost every Muse song, everyone has a way to interpretate it, that varies from the image of a close death, to a simple but strong moment of desire.
My "IT" moment:
The after-chorus. EVERY TIME Matt sings "how did it come to this?" The lyric, the bass, the amazing guitar and the drum beat clashes in a perfect way to make me feel desperate and anxious for more in those few seconds.
Listen to it here:
