Like space, time is infinite regardless of direction. Like other concepts difficult to define, it is the subject of many songs. In this post, we look at songs with a time theme.
Cyndi Lauper — “Time After Time”
You can’t think about the 80s without thinking about Cyndi Lauper. After all she had it all: the crazy fashion and the crazier hair, catchy lyrics and fun music. She made pop music cool, and today we still sing her songs “Time After Time” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” (and I suspect girls sing this one more than boys). They both belong to Lauper’s highly popular debut album She’s So Unusual. This pop rock album was released in 1983 — bringing Lauper immense chart success, as well as six Grammy nominations. “Time After Time” was a number one hit, written by Rob Hyman, Lauper; Dub Notes, Rella Music. One of this song’s covers belongs to Matchbox 20, as singer Rob Thomas sings the track live.
The music video shows Cyndi Lauper with blond hair, in a red dress, and barefoot- standing alone on the road and singing the song. It is a fan favorite when it comes to romantic songs.
Sample Lyrics:
Sometimes you picture me
I’m walking too far ahead
You’re calling to me, I can’t hear
What you said
Then you say go slow
I fall behind
The second hand unwindsIf you’re lost you can look and you will find me
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you I’ll be waiting
Time after time
Matchbox 20 — “These Hard Times”
“These Hard Times” is featured on the 4th Matchbox 20 album Exile on Mainstream, released in 2007. It’s not one of the most popular songs of the band, however it has two top 40 positions: U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (number 12) and U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40 (number 7) modern rock group Matchbox 20. Matchbox 20 members, led by Rob Thomas, have been rocking since 1995. They have released 4 studio albums and the 5th is on the way. They are best known for their songs “If You’re Gone”, “Disease”, “Unwell”, and “3 AM”. “These Hard Times” was written by Matchbox 20 members Rob Thomas, Paul Douchette, Kyle Cook and Brian Yale.
Sample Lyrics:
Everyone keeps talking,
They’ll promise you everything, they don’t mean anything.
We may lose our focus,
There’s just too many words, we’re never meant to learn.And we don’t feel so alive.
Say goodbye, these days are gone,
And we can’t, keep holding on,
When all we need, is some relief,
Through these hard times.
Dokken — “Sign of the Times”
“Sign of the Times” is a song by the American hard rock band Dokken, that is primarily known with their song (and album) “Breaking the Chains”. “Sign of the Times” is featured as a bonus track on the Japanese release of their album Erase the Slate, the band’s 7th album (from 1999). Dokken was founded in 1978 by singer Don Dokken. After giving a break in 1989, the band got back together in 1993 and they have been performing together since. This is a slower, softer Dokken song, recommended for any rock’ n ‘roll fan.
Sample Lyrics:
Life is a mystery
Leaves me no consolation
Life fades like distant waves
Return again
No need to hide
Soon you’ll be born again
A new chance to live
And walk that road to the end
It must be the sign of the times how I feel
Now I surrender the day
It must be the sign of the times how I feel
And I hope that you feel the same
Love is a mystery
That gives up no secrets
The Cult – “Wake Up Time For Freedom”
British rock band The Cult has been rocking us since the 80’s. They have been associated with many (rock) sub-genres such as post-punk, gothic rock, hard rock and alternative rock. Wake Up Time for Freedom is featured on the album Sonic Temple, the band’s fourth album, made in 1989. Written by Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, Sonic Temple also features the famous song “Fire Woman”, which reached number 2 on the modern rock charts. Album reached number 10 at the Billboard top 200 list.
Sample Lyrics:
There’s someone knocking on my door
A tall dark figure I’ve never seen before
His badge shone brightly like a star in the sky
Drag me out to the waiting carWake up time for freedom, baby
Wake up time to fly
Wake up time for freedom, baby
The Cult – “Dreamtime”
Unsurprisingly written by the band’s permanent members and songwriters Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, “Dreamtime” takes us to the year 1984, when the band released their debut album Dreamtime. The album managed to hit the UK charts at number 21, while it produced an Indie number one hit “Spiritwalker”. According to Wikipedia, inspiration for “Dreamtime” came from the Australian aborigines.
Sample Lyrics:
I will have my dreamtime
My dreamtime, my dreamtime
The only thing untouched that’s mine
I will have my dreamtimeDreamtime, dreamtime
Dreamtime, dreamtime
Dreamtime, dreamtime
Oh the dream, dreamtimeI will wear my hair long
My hair long, my hair long
An extension of my heart
I will wear my hair long
Madrugada — “Running out of time”
One of the best known Norwegian rock bands, Madrugada was formed in 1995. The band released 7 albums before breaking up in 2008. Their last album, the best of compilation was released 2 years after the band broke up. Their last concert took place in Oslo. “Running Out of Time” is from their 4th album The Deep End (released in 2005). On an interesting note, the band never released an album in Norwegian. The song isn’t a very happy-go-lucky song, but then again, happy-go-lucky doesn’t come often from Norway.
Sample Lyrics:
In this old ritual of compassion
Well, you just fail and fall behind
Now you’re running
Seems to be running
You’re running out of timeYou know it ain’t love
No, you know it ain’t love
Unless it’s eating you alive
When you’re in your bed at night
Motley Crue — “Time for Change”
“Time for Change” first appeared on the fifth Motley Crue album Dr. Feelgood, released in 1989. The album was a number one hit. Time for change was written by the band’s bassist Nikki Sixx and Donna McDaniel. It is also one of the two slower songs on the album, the other one being “Without You”. Without You was written for drummer Tommy Lee’s ex- wife, actress Heather Locklear. Locklear was married to Lee for 7 years (1986-1993). In 1994, she married another famous rock musician, Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. She and Sambora divorced in 2007.
Sample Lyrics:
I heard some kids telling me
How they’ve lost all the faith, in the way
They’ve been talking world peace
And the wars in the streets
The lines on their faces so deep, yeah
A revolution, or reach out
And touch the day
We’re overdue, child
Change
Now it’s time for change
Nothing stays the same
Now it’s time for change
Time – Pink Floyd?!? I thought that one was obvious