Misplaced Pages

Time (Pink Floyd song): Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 01:59, 23 October 2019 editTAnthony (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, File movers, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers, Template editors857,197 edits Fix CS1 cite error (extra text in "page" or "edition" parameter), and genfixesTag: AWB← Previous edit Latest revision as of 08:49, 24 September 2024 edit undoImadeanpinkfloydpage8324 (talk | contribs)3 editsNo edit summary 
(146 intermediate revisions by 93 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Song by Pink Floyd}} {{short description|1973 song by Pink Floyd}}
{{Infobox song {{Infobox song
| name = Time | name = Time
| cover = Pink Floyd - Time (label).png | cover = Pink Floyd - Time (label).png
| cover_size = | cover_size =
| alt = | alt =
| border = yes | border = yes
| caption = US ] single | caption = US ] single
| type = single | type = single
| artist = ] | artist = ]
| album = ] | album = ]
| A-side = ] | A-side = ]
| released = {{Start date|1974|02|04|df=y}} (US) | released = {{Start date|1974|02|04|df=y}} (US)
| recorded = 3 June 1972 – 1 February 1973<ref name="Guesdon, Jean-Michel, 306">{{Cite book|title=Pink Floyd : all the songs : the story behind every track|last=Guesdon, Jean-Michel|others=Margotin, Philippe,, Elliott, Richard George,, Smith, Jackie (Translator)|isbn=9780316439244|edition=First English-language |location=New York|pages=306|oclc=972386567|date = 2017-10-24}}</ref>
| format = ]
| studio = ], London
| recorded = June 1972 – January 1973<ref name="Guesdon, Jean-Michel, 306">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/972386567|title=Pink Floyd : all the songs : the story behind every track|last=Guesdon, Jean-Michel,|first=|publisher=|others=Margotin, Philippe,, Elliott, Richard George,, Smith, Jackie (Translator),|year=|isbn=9780316439244|edition=First English-language |location=New York|pages=306|oclc=972386567}}</ref>
| genre = ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/141547-best-25-rock-songs-of-all-time/P3/|title=The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time|last=Murphy|first=Sean|date=22 May 2011|website=]|access-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
| studio = ], London
| length =
| genre = ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/141547-best-25-rock-songs-of-all-time/P3/|title=The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time|last=Murphy|first=Sean|date=22 May 2011|website=]|access-date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
* 6:53 (album version)
| length =
*{{Duration|m=3|s=33}} (single edit) * {{Duration|m=3|s=33}} (single edit)
| label = ]
*6:52 (album version)
| producer = Pink Floyd
| label = ]
| writer =
| producer = ]
|writer=| composer = | composer =
*] (single edit) * ]
* ]
*], ], ], ] (album version)
* ]
| lyricist = Roger Waters
* ]
| chronology = Pink Floyd US singles
| lyricist = Roger Waters
| chronology = Pink Floyd US singles
| prev_title = ] | prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 1973 | prev_year = 1973
| next_title = ] | next_title = ]
| next_year = 1975 | next_year = 1975
| misc = {{External music video|header=Audio|{{YouTube|Qr0-7Ds79zo|"Time"}}}}
}} }}
"'''Time'''" is a song by English ] band ]. It is included as the fourth track on '']'' (1973) and was released as a single in the United States. Bassist ] wrote the lyrics and the music is credited to all four band members. Keyboardist ] shares lead vocals (his last until "]" on '']'') alongside guitarist ]. "'''Time'''" is a song by English ] band ]. It is included as the fourth track on their eighth album '']'' (1973) and was released as a single in the United States. With lyrics written by bassist ], guitarist ] shares lead vocals with keyboardist ] (his last until "]" on the band's 1994 album '']'').


The lyrics deal with the passage of time – time can slip by, but many people do not realise it until it is too late. Waters got the idea when he realised he was no longer preparing for anything in life, but was right in the middle of it. He has described this realisation taking place at ages 28 and 29 in various interviews.<ref name="knoware1">{{cite web |url=http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/ptr/pfloyd/interview/dark4.html |title=PINK FLOYD'S DARK SIDE OF THE MOON 4 |publisher=Utopia.knoware.nl |accessdate=10 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207023449/http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/ptr/pfloyd/interview/dark4.html |archivedate=7 December 2012 }}</ref> It is noted for its long introductory passage of ]s chiming and alarms ringing, recorded as a ] test by ], not specifically for the album.<ref name=Schaffner157>{{cite book|last=Schaffner|first=Nicholas|title=Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey|year=2005|publisher=Helter Skelter|location=London|isbn=1-905139-09-8|page=157|edition= New|chapter=The Amazing Pudding}}</ref> The lyrics deal with the passage of time. Waters got the idea when he realised he was no longer preparing for anything in life, but was right in the middle of it. He has described this realisation taking place at ages 28 and 29 in various interviews.<ref name="knoware1">{{cite web |url=http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/ptr/pfloyd/interview/dark4.html |title=PINK FLOYD'S DARK SIDE OF THE MOON 4 |publisher=Utopia.knoware.nl |access-date=10 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121207023449/http://utopia.knoware.nl/users/ptr/pfloyd/interview/dark4.html |archive-date=7 December 2012 }}</ref> It is noted for its long introductory passage of clocks chiming and alarms ringing. The sounds were recorded in an antique store made as a ] test by engineer ], not specifically for the album.<ref name=Schaffner157>{{cite book|last=Schaffner|first=Nicholas|title=Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey|year=2005|publisher=Helter Skelter|location=London|isbn=1-905139-09-8|page=157|edition= New|chapter=The Amazing Pudding}}</ref>

The album track also includes a reprise of the song "]". It is the only song on the album to credit all four principal members for songwriting, and the last to do so in the band's discography.<ref name="Spotify">{{cite web |url= https://spotify.link/WIk2kQ1Lfyb|title=Pink Floyd, Time, 2023 Master, Single}}</ref>


==Composition== ==Composition==
"Time" is in the key of ]. Each clock at the beginning of the song was recorded separately in an ]. These clock sounds are followed by a two-minute passage dominated by ]'s drum solo, with ]s and backgrounded by a ''tick-tock'' sound created by ] picking two muted strings on his bass. With ] singing lead on the verses and with ] singing ] on the bridges and with female singers and Gilmour providing backup vocals, the song's lyrics deal with ]' realization that life was not about preparing yourself for what happens next, but about grabbing control of your own destiny.<ref name="knoware1"/> "Time" is in the key of ]. Each clock at the beginning of the song was recorded separately in an ]. These clock sounds are followed by a two-minute passage dominated by ]'s drum solo, with ]s and backgrounded by a ''tick-tock'' sound created by ] picking two muted strings on his bass. ] sings lead on the verses, while ] sings ] on the bridges with female singers and Gilmour providing backup vocals. The song's lyrics deal with Roger Waters' realization that life was not about preparing yourself for what happens next, but about grabbing control of your own destiny.<ref name="knoware1"/>


{{Quote|He (]) had just recently before we did that album gone out with a whole set of equipment and had recorded all these clocks in a clock shop. And we were doing the song ''Time,'' and he said ''"Listen, I just did all these things, I did all these clocks,"'' and so we wheeled out his tape and listened to it and said ''"Great! Stick it on!"'' And that, actually, is Alan Parsons' idea.|]<ref name="shades">{{cite web| title=Shades of Pink - The Definitive Pink Floyd Profile| work=The Source Radio Show| author=Kendall, Charlie| url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1483-gilmour-waters-mason-wright-shades.html| date=1984| accessdate=2011-07-26| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6AbUYov2v?url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1483-gilmour-waters-mason-wright-shades.html| archivedate=2012-09-11}}</ref>}} {{Blockquote|He &lsqb;]&rsqb; had just recently before we did that album gone out with a whole set of equipment and had recorded all these clocks in a clock shop. And we were doing the song ''Time,'' and he said "Listen, I just did all these things, I did all these clocks," and so we wheeled out his tape and listened to it and said "Great! Stick it on!" And that, actually, is Alan Parsons' idea.|]<ref name="shades">{{cite web| title=Shades of Pink - The Definitive Pink Floyd Profile| work=The Source Radio Show| author=Kendall, Charlie| url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1483-gilmour-waters-mason-wright-shades.html| date=1984| access-date=2011-07-26| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927080840/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t1483-gilmour-waters-mason-wright-shades.html| archive-date=2012-09-27}}</ref>}}


{{Quote|The drums used on the ''Time'' track are roto-toms. I think we did some experiments with some other drums called ''],'' which are very small, tuned drums, but the roto-toms actually gave the best effect.|]<ref name="shades" />}} {{Blockquote|The drums used on the ''Time'' track are roto-toms. I think we did some experiments with some other drums called ''],'' which are very small, tuned drums, but the roto-toms actually gave the best effect.|]<ref name="shades" />}}
According to an interview by Phil Taylor in 1994, David Gilmour had been using a ] PCM-70 to store the circular delay sounds heard in "Time", which could duplicate the kind of echo he used to get from his old ] echo unit.<ref>{{cite web| title=Welcome to the Machines| work=Guitar World| author=Tolinski, Brad| url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html| date=September 1994| access-date=2011-07-29| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617034157/http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html| archive-date=2012-06-17}}</ref>

According to an interview by Phil Taylor in 1994, David Gilmour had been using a ] PCM-70 to store the circular delay sounds heard in "Time", which could duplicate the kind of echo he used to get from his old ] echo unit.<ref>{{cite web| title=Welcome to the Machines| work=Guitar World| author=Tolinski, Brad| url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html| date=September 1994| accessdate=2011-07-29| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/67tsZag1h?url=http://www.pinkfloydfan.net/t11634-phil-taylor-welcome-machines-guitar.html| archivedate=2012-05-24}}</ref>


The verse chords cycle through F♯ minor, ], ], and F♯ minor again. During this section, Gilmour's guitar and Wright's keyboards are panned to the extreme right and left of the stereo spectrum, respectively. Gilmour sings lead during this section.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon'' (1973 Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd., London, England, {{ISBN|0-7119-1028-6}} )</ref> The verse chords cycle through F♯ minor, ], ], and F♯ minor again. During this section, Gilmour's guitar and Wright's keyboards are panned to the extreme right and left of the stereo spectrum, respectively. Gilmour sings lead during this section.<ref name="ReferenceA">''Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon'' (1973 Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd., London, England, {{ISBN|0-7119-1028-6}} )</ref>


The bridge section, with Wright singing lead, has a notably "thicker" arrangement, with the female backing vocalists singing multi-tracked "oohs" and "aahs" throughout, and Gilmour singing harmony with Wright in the second half. The chords of this section are D ] to A major seventh, which is repeated. The D major seventh, with the notes of D, F♯, A, and C♯, can be heard as an F♯ minor chord with a D in the bass, fitting the song's overall key. The second half progresses from D major seventh to ], then ] to ].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The bridge section, with Wright singing lead, has a notably "thicker" texture, with the female backing vocalists singing multi-tracked "oohs" and "aahs" throughout, and Gilmour singing harmony with Wright in the second half. The chords of this section are D ] to A ], which is repeated. The second half progresses from D major seventh to ], then ] to ].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


The first bridge leads to a guitar solo by Gilmour, which plays over the verse and bridge progressions. The solo is followed by another verse sung by Gilmour. When the bridge is repeated, it does not conclude on E major as before. Instead, the B minor leads to an ] chord, while Waters's bass stays on B, resulting in an unusual ] as a transition to the key of ] for "Breathe (Reprise)".<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The first bridge leads to a guitar solo by Gilmour, which plays over the verse and bridge progressions. The solo is followed by another verse sung by Gilmour. When the bridge is repeated, it does not conclude on E major as before. Instead, the B minor leads to an ] chord, while Waters's bass stays on B, resulting in an unusual ] as a transition to the key of ] for "Breathe (Reprise)".<ref name="ReferenceA"/>


Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1972 to 1975, and after the departure of Waters, from 1987 to 1994. Waters began performing the song in his solo concerts, singing the verses himself, beginning in 1999 with ] and again with ] from 2006 to 2008. Nick Mason made a number of guest appearances on the latter tour. Gilmour has performed the song live on every one of his solo tours since Pink Floyd's ''Pulse'' tour, with the late Richard Wright sharing vocals until his death. Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1972 to 1975, and after the departure of Waters, from 1987 to 1994. Waters began performing the song in his solo concerts, singing the verses himself, beginning in 1999 with ] and again with ] from 2006 to 2008 (occasionally featuring guest appearances from Nick Mason) and the ] from 2017 to 2018. Gilmour has performed the song live on every one of his solo tours since Pink Floyd's ''Pulse'' tour, with the late Richard Wright sharing vocals until his death.


==Reception== ==Reception==
In a contemporary review for ''The Dark Side of the Moon'', Lloyd Grossman of '']'' gave "Time" a positive review, describing the track as "a fine country-tinged rocker with a powerful guitar solo by David Gilmour".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Grossman|first1=Lloyd|title=Dark Side of the Moon|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/dark-side-of-the-moon-19730524|website=Rolling Stone|accessdate=14 August 2017|date=24 May 1973}}</ref> In a contemporary review for ''The Dark Side of the Moon'', ] of '']'' gave "Time" a positive review, describing the track as "a fine country-tinged rocker with a powerful guitar solo by David Gilmour".<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Grossman|first1=Loyd|title=Dark Side of the Moon|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/dark-side-of-the-moon-19730524|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=14 August 2017|date=24 May 1973}}</ref> '']'' and '']'' ranked the song number nine and number five, respectively, on their lists of the 50 greatest Pink Floyd songs.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/pink-floyd-songs-best-hits-list-7889845/|title=The 50 Greatest Pink Floyd Songs: Critic's Picks|first=Andrew|last=Unterberger|magazine=]|date=August 4, 2017|accessdate=May 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-50-greatest-pink-floyd-songs-ever|title=The 50 greatest Pink Floyd songs ever|website=]|date=September 20, 2022|accessdate=May 25, 2023}}</ref>


==Film== ==Film==
Line 60: Line 64:
| isbn = 978-1-84938-370-7 | isbn = 978-1-84938-370-7
| last = Mabbett | last = Mabbett
| first = &#32;Andy | first = Andy
| title = Pink Floyd - The Music and the Mystery | title = Pink Floyd - The Music and the Mystery
| location = London | location = London
| year = 2010 | year = 2010
}}</ref><ref name="Post-2010-08">{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2010/08/06/ian-emes-is-caught-on-film-65233-26996191/|title=The wild ideas of Birmingham film-maker Ian Emes|last=Jackson|first=Lorne|date=2010-08-06|work=Birmingham Post|accessdate=7 August 2010}}</ref> The film was subsequently included as an extra on the ].<ref name=Mabbett-MM /> }}</ref><ref name="Post-2010-08">{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghampost.net/life-leisure-birmingham-guide/postfeatures/2010/08/06/ian-emes-is-caught-on-film-65233-26996191/|title=The wild ideas of Birmingham film-maker Ian Emes|last=Jackson|first=Lorne|date=2010-08-06|work=Birmingham Post|access-date=7 August 2010}}</ref> The film was subsequently included as an extra on the ].<ref name=Mabbett-MM />


==Personnel== ==Personnel==
* ] – electric guitars, lead vocals (verses and "Breathe (Reprise)"), and backing vocals (bridges and "Breathe (Reprise)") * ] – electric guitars, co-lead (verses and "Breathe (Reprise)") and backing vocals (bridges and "Breathe (Reprise)")
* ] – ],<ref name="watersish.com">http://www.watersish.com/archives/cat_wrightish.html</ref> ],<ref name="watersish.com"/> ], and lead vocals (bridges) * ] – ],<ref name="watersish.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.watersish.com/archives/cat_wrightish.html |title = Wrightish {{!}} Watersish.com}}</ref> ],<ref name="watersish.com"/> ], co-lead vocals (bridges)
* ] – bass guitar, EMS VCS 3<ref name="Guesdon, Jean-Michel, 306"/>
* ] – bass guitar, VCS 3<ref name="Guesdon, Jean-Michel, 306">{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/972386567|title=Pink Floyd : all the songs : the story behind every track|last=Guesdon, Jean-Michel,|first=|publisher=|others=Margotin, Philippe,, Elliott, Richard George,, Smith, Jackie (Translator),|year=|isbn=9780316439244|edition=First English-language |location=New York|pages=306|oclc=972386567}}</ref>
* ] – drums and ]s * ] – drums, ]s


with: with:


* ] – backing vocals * ], ], Liza Strike, & ] – backing vocals
* ] – backing vocals
* Liza Strike – backing vocals
* ] – backing vocals


==Live versions== ==Live versions==
* Live versions of the song are on the Pink Floyd albums '']'' and '']''. * Live versions of the song are on the Pink Floyd albums '']'' and '']''. The ''Delicate Sound of Thunder'' version does not feature the reprise of "Breathe".
* A Roger Waters solo version is on the album '']'', sung Waters, ] and ]. * A Roger Waters solo version is on the album '']'', sung by Waters, ] and ].
* Live versions with Richard Wright appear on the David Gilmour solo '']'' DVD and '']'' album. * Live versions with Richard Wright appear on the David Gilmour solo '']'' DVD and '']'' album.

==In popular culture==
===Television, films and video games===
"Time" was used several times in the seventh episode of '']'', an ] series.

"Time" was used in the opening of the ] film '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burt |first=Kayti |date=2021-11-04 |title=Eternals Soundtrack List: Every Song From the Movie |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/marvel-eternals-soundtrack-songs-bts/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref>

"Time" was used in the final trailer of the ] film ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-25 |title=What Song Plays During The Final Trailer For The Flash? |url=https://www.looper.com/1296825/what-song-plays-final-trailer-the-flash/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|type=single|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Time|award=Gold|relyear=1973|certyear=2017|note=sales since 2009|access-date=26 November 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Pink Floyd|title=Time|award=Silver|relyear=2004|certyear=2021|id=7603-1497-1|note=sales since 2009|access-date=8 February 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

== Roger Waters version ==
{{Infobox song
| name = Time
| cover = Roger Waters Time.webp
| type = single
| artist = ]
| album = ]
| released = 24 August 2023
| genre =
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
| length = 7:19
| writer =
* Waters
* Gilmour
* Wright
* Mason
| producer =
* Waters
* ]
| prev_title = ]
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = ]
| next_title2 = ]
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|NcEHCVLMjAU|"Time"}}}}
}}

"'''Time'''" is a single by English musician and Pink Floyd cofounder Roger Waters, which serves as the second single to his album '']'', a full re-recording of ''The Dark Side of the Moon''.

Around early 2023, Waters announced that in celebration of the 50th anniversary of ''The Dark Side of the Moon'', he would be releasing a full-length re-recording of the record not featuring the rest of Pink Floyd that would try and re-address the political and emotional statements made on that record.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-21 |title=Roger Waters / The Dark Side of the Moon Redux – SuperDeluxeEdition |url=https://superdeluxeedition.com/news/roger-waters-the-dark-side-of-the-moon-redux/ |access-date=2023-08-08 |language=en-US}}</ref> The record's name, cover, and lead single, "]" was released on 21 July 2023. "Time" would be released 2 months later alongside a lyric video on 24 August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rapp |first=Allison|date=2023-08-24 |title=Listen to Roger Waters' New Version of Pink Floyd's 'Time' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/roger-waters-time/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |language=en}}</ref>

Similar to lead single "Money", Waters strips back much of the ] instrumentation and heavily slows it down from the original, putting a greater emphasis on Waters' crooning vocals, atmospheric production, and in general a more mellow sound.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=Roger Waters Unveils New Version of Pink Floyd's "Time" |url=https://consequence.net/2023/08/roger-waters-pink-floyd-time/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Skinner |first=Tom |date=2023-08-24 |title=Roger Waters shares reworked version of Pink Floyd's 'Time' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/roger-waters-shares-reworked-version-of-pink-floyd-song-time-listen-3488114 |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=Roger Waters: Hear His New Version of Pink Floyd's 'Time' |url=https://wdhafm.com/2023/08/24/roger-waters-hear-his-new-version-of-pink-floyds-time/ |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=WDHA FM |language=en}}</ref>

=== Personnel ===
* ] – vocals
* Gus Seyffert – bass, guitar, percussion, keys, synth, backing vocals
* ] – drums, percussion
* ] – guitars, synth, organ
* Johnny Shepherd – organ, piano
* Via Mardot – ]
* ] – vocals
* Gabe Noel – string arrangements, strings, ]
* Jon Carin – keyboards, lap steel, synth, organ


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}} {{Reflist}}


==External links== ==External links==
{{Wikiquote|The Dark Side of the Moon}} {{Wikiquote|The Dark Side of the Moon}}
* {{MetroLyrics song|pink-floyd|time}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->


{{The Dark Side of the Moon}} {{The Dark Side of the Moon}}
{{Pink Floyd}} {{Pink Floyd}}
{{Roger Waters}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Time (Pink Floyd Song)}}
] ]
]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]

Latest revision as of 08:49, 24 September 2024

1973 song by Pink Floyd
"Time"
US Harvest Records single
Single by Pink Floyd
from the album The Dark Side of the Moon
A-side"Us and Them"
Released4 February 1974 (1974-02-04) (US)
Recorded3 June 1972 – 1 February 1973
StudioEMI, London
GenreProgressive rock
Length
  • 6:53 (album version)
  • 3:33 (single edit)
LabelHarvest
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Roger Waters
Producer(s)Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd US singles chronology
"Money"
(1973) 		"Time"
(1974) 		"Have a Cigar"
(1975)
Audio
"Time" on YouTube

"Time" is a song by English rock band Pink Floyd. It is included as the fourth track on their eighth album The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and was released as a single in the United States. With lyrics written by bassist Roger Waters, guitarist David Gilmour shares lead vocals with keyboardist Richard Wright (his last until "Wearing the Inside Out" on the band's 1994 album The Division Bell).

The lyrics deal with the passage of time. Waters got the idea when he realised he was no longer preparing for anything in life, but was right in the middle of it. He has described this realisation taking place at ages 28 and 29 in various interviews. It is noted for its long introductory passage of clocks chiming and alarms ringing. The sounds were recorded in an antique store made as a quadrophonic test by engineer Alan Parsons, not specifically for the album.

The album track also includes a reprise of the song "Breathe". It is the only song on the album to credit all four principal members for songwriting, and the last to do so in the band's discography.

Composition

"Time" is in the key of F♯ minor. Each clock at the beginning of the song was recorded separately in an antiques store. These clock sounds are followed by a two-minute passage dominated by Nick Mason's drum solo, with rototoms and backgrounded by a tick-tock sound created by Roger Waters picking two muted strings on his bass. David Gilmour sings lead on the verses, while Richard Wright sings lead on the bridges with female singers and Gilmour providing backup vocals. The song's lyrics deal with Roger Waters' realization that life was not about preparing yourself for what happens next, but about grabbing control of your own destiny.

He [Alan Parsons] had just recently before we did that album gone out with a whole set of equipment and had recorded all these clocks in a clock shop. And we were doing the song Time, and he said "Listen, I just did all these things, I did all these clocks," and so we wheeled out his tape and listened to it and said "Great! Stick it on!" And that, actually, is Alan Parsons' idea.

— David Gilmour

The drums used on the Time track are roto-toms. I think we did some experiments with some other drums called boo-bans, which are very small, tuned drums, but the roto-toms actually gave the best effect.

— Nick Mason

According to an interview by Phil Taylor in 1994, David Gilmour had been using a Lexicon PCM-70 to store the circular delay sounds heard in "Time", which could duplicate the kind of echo he used to get from his old Binson echo unit.

The verse chords cycle through F♯ minor, A major, E major, and F♯ minor again. During this section, Gilmour's guitar and Wright's keyboards are panned to the extreme right and left of the stereo spectrum, respectively. Gilmour sings lead during this section.

The bridge section, with Wright singing lead, has a notably "thicker" texture, with the female backing vocalists singing multi-tracked "oohs" and "aahs" throughout, and Gilmour singing harmony with Wright in the second half. The chords of this section are D major seventh to A major ninth, which is repeated. The second half progresses from D major seventh to C♯ minor, then B minor to E major.

The first bridge leads to a guitar solo by Gilmour, which plays over the verse and bridge progressions. The solo is followed by another verse sung by Gilmour. When the bridge is repeated, it does not conclude on E major as before. Instead, the B minor leads to an F major chord, while Waters's bass stays on B, resulting in an unusual dissonance as a transition to the key of E minor for "Breathe (Reprise)".

Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1972 to 1975, and after the departure of Waters, from 1987 to 1994. Waters began performing the song in his solo concerts, singing the verses himself, beginning in 1999 with In the Flesh and again with The Dark Side of the Moon Live from 2006 to 2008 (occasionally featuring guest appearances from Nick Mason) and the Us + Them Tour from 2017 to 2018. Gilmour has performed the song live on every one of his solo tours since Pink Floyd's Pulse tour, with the late Richard Wright sharing vocals until his death.

Reception

In a contemporary review for The Dark Side of the Moon, Loyd Grossman of Rolling Stone gave "Time" a positive review, describing the track as "a fine country-tinged rocker with a powerful guitar solo by David Gilmour". Billboard and Louder Sound ranked the song number nine and number five, respectively, on their lists of the 50 greatest Pink Floyd songs.

Film

During live performances, the band back-projected a specially-commissioned, animated film by Ian Emes. The film was subsequently included as an extra on the Pulse DVD.

Personnel

with:

Live versions

In popular culture

Television, films and video games

"Time" was used several times in the seventh episode of The Crowded Room, an Apple TV+ series.

"Time" was used in the opening of the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals.

"Time" was used in the final trailer of the DC Extended Universe film The Flash.

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Italy (FIMI)
sales since 2009 		Gold 25,000
United Kingdom (BPI)
sales since 2009 		Silver 200,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Roger Waters version

"Time"
Single by Roger Waters
from the album The Dark Side of the Moon Redux
Released24 August 2023
Genre
Length7:19
Songwriter(s)
  • Waters
  • Gilmour
  • Wright
  • Mason
Producer(s)
Roger Waters singles chronology
"Money"
(2023) 		"Time"
(2023) 		"Speak to Me" / "Breathe"
(2023)
Music video
"Time" on YouTube

"Time" is a single by English musician and Pink Floyd cofounder Roger Waters, which serves as the second single to his album The Dark Side of the Moon Redux, a full re-recording of The Dark Side of the Moon.

Around early 2023, Waters announced that in celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon, he would be releasing a full-length re-recording of the record not featuring the rest of Pink Floyd that would try and re-address the political and emotional statements made on that record. The record's name, cover, and lead single, "Money" was released on 21 July 2023. "Time" would be released 2 months later alongside a lyric video on 24 August 2023.

Similar to lead single "Money", Waters strips back much of the psychedelic instrumentation and heavily slows it down from the original, putting a greater emphasis on Waters' crooning vocals, atmospheric production, and in general a more mellow sound.

Personnel

  • Roger Waters – vocals
  • Gus Seyffert – bass, guitar, percussion, keys, synth, backing vocals
  • Joey Waronker – drums, percussion
  • Jonathan Wilson – guitars, synth, organ
  • Johnny Shepherd – organ, piano
  • Via Mardot – theremin
  • Azniv Korkejian – vocals
  • Gabe Noel – string arrangements, strings, sarangi
  • Jon Carin – keyboards, lap steel, synth, organ

References

  1. ^ Guesdon, Jean-Michel (2017-10-24). Pink Floyd : all the songs : the story behind every track. Margotin, Philippe,, Elliott, Richard George,, Smith, Jackie (Translator) (First English-language ed.). New York. p. 306. ISBN 9780316439244. OCLC 972386567.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. Murphy, Sean (22 May 2011). "The 25 Best Progressive Rock Songs of All Time". PopMatters. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
  3. ^ "PINK FLOYD'S DARK SIDE OF THE MOON 4". Utopia.knoware.nl. Archived from the original on 7 December 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
  4. Schaffner, Nicholas (2005). "The Amazing Pudding". Saucerful of Secrets: The Pink Floyd Odyssey (New ed.). London: Helter Skelter. p. 157. ISBN 1-905139-09-8.
  5. "Pink Floyd, Time, 2023 Master, Single".
  6. ^ Kendall, Charlie (1984). "Shades of Pink - The Definitive Pink Floyd Profile". The Source Radio Show. Archived from the original on 2012-09-27. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
  7. Tolinski, Brad (September 1994). "Welcome to the Machines". Guitar World. Archived from the original on 2012-06-17. Retrieved 2011-07-29.
  8. ^ Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973 Pink Floyd Music Publishers Ltd., London, England, ISBN 0-7119-1028-6 )
  9. Grossman, Loyd (24 May 1973). "Dark Side of the Moon". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  10. Unterberger, Andrew (August 4, 2017). "The 50 Greatest Pink Floyd Songs: Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  11. "The 50 greatest Pink Floyd songs ever". Louder Sound. September 20, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  12. ^ Mabbett, Andy (2010). Pink Floyd - The Music and the Mystery. London: Omnibus. ISBN 978-1-84938-370-7.
  13. Jackson, Lorne (2010-08-06). "The wild ideas of Birmingham film-maker Ian Emes". Birmingham Post. Retrieved 7 August 2010.
  14. ^ "Wrightish | Watersish.com".
  15. Burt, Kayti (2021-11-04). "Eternals Soundtrack List: Every Song From the Movie". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  16. "What Song Plays During The Final Trailer For The Flash?". Looper. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-06-10.
  17. "Italian single certifications – Pink Floyd – Time" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 26 November 2020. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Time" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  18. "British single certifications – Pink Floyd – Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  19. "Roger Waters / The Dark Side of the Moon Redux – SuperDeluxeEdition". 2023-07-21. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  20. Rapp, Allison (2023-08-24). "Listen to Roger Waters' New Version of Pink Floyd's 'Time'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  21. "Roger Waters Unveils New Version of Pink Floyd's "Time"". 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  22. Skinner, Tom (2023-08-24). "Roger Waters shares reworked version of Pink Floyd's 'Time'". NME. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  23. "Roger Waters: Hear His New Version of Pink Floyd's 'Time'". WDHA FM. 2023-08-24. Retrieved 2023-08-27.

External links

The Dark Side of the Moon
Immersion & Experience Editions · 50th Anniversary Edition
Songs
Side one
Side two
Tours
Tribute albums
Related articles
Pink Floyd
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Extended plays
Box sets
Soundtracks
Singles
Films
Concerts
Narratives
Documentaries
Tours
Lists
Related media
and tributes
Related topics
Roger Waters
Studio albums
Soundtracks
Live albums
Operas
Compilations
Singles
Other songs
Films
Tours
Related articles
Categories: