In honor of the world’s finest holiday, when we change the time for no real reason, here are some songs to get you through the next months of early sunsets and late sunrises.
Zephyr
“Daylight Savings” by Mavi
Luckily for my fellow Orpheus contributors, this article isn’t a competition for the most on-theme song recommendation. Luckily for our readers, “Daylight Savings” is both the perfect track for time-change listening and the perfect introduction to one of alternative hip-hop’s most interesting voices. The dreamy haze of Mavi’s beats provides a distinctly modern backdrop for a flow that recalls the effortless, unrelenting delivery of older artists like Nas and MF DOOM. What more could you ask for?
“Time” by Richard Hell and the Voidoids
It’s always the right time to listen to Richard Hell and the Voidoids, but Daylight Savings Time is the perfect time for “Time.” Offering as much lyrical sophistication as unbridled punk energy, the song was once praised as ‘rock poetry at its best’ — by none other than the New York Times.
“(Such A) Trip Thru Time” by Rogér Fakhr
Looking for a folk soundtrack for your fall-weather walks between classes? Nauseated by the sound of Bob Dylan’s voice after watching A Complete Unknown? Lebanese folk-funk icon Rogér Fakhr is here to help. This song is his most obviously time-related, but you won’t regret listening to the rest of Fine Anyway (Habibi Funk 16) if you get the chance.
Hope
“Twilight” by Elliott Smith
Possibly the hardest listen from Smith’s whole discography. The feeling of things ending and beginning, all at once, imperfectly, on top of each other, and damned inconvenient.
“The Summer Ends” by American Football
Maybe a bit literal for the Daylight Saving theme but summer has ended! There is no going back, only forward.
Maddy
“2:45 AM” by Elliot Smith
Stripped down, somber, and somehow nostalgic, 2:45 AM catches you up in itself like a dream might, which makes sense, because that’s kind of what it’s about. Though the lyrics don’t exactly reflect a peaceful dream state, there’s something soothing about it all the same, especially when listened to late into the night while romanticizing one’s life.
“7:30 AM” by Slothrust
Best known for their cover of The Turtles’ mega-hit, Slothrust still has its own glories, and 7:30 AM is a prime example. With on-and-off portions of rapid guitar work and building, direct vocals, the short track delivers a punch – as an early morning wake-up might. Best listened to when raging about something unspecific and existential.
Anna
“5:15” by Chris Isaak
“5:15 is just a train.”
Apparently not, considering the extent to which 5:15 o’clock insights Chris Isaak’s mourning of his lost love. Quite melodramatic, as per usual.
“Once I Was” by Tim Buckley
Once, but no longer. Another lament of love lost to time’s cruelty.
“Time (You and I)” by Khruangbin
An appreciation of both love and change. Not mournful, but optimistic about the joy that can be found through the passage of time. “That’s life.”
Melissa
“12:51” by The Strokes
I know this song is about 12:51am but I feel very strongly that this is a Mid Day Song. This should be listened to at 12:51 in the afternoon and not a minute later – it’s the perfect lunchtime-pick-me-up kind of song.
“Time (Clock of the Heart)” by Culture Club
Boy George dancing in a clock tower. Boy George singing the word “time” in 44 separate instances. Boy George in general. Need I say more?
Neria
“In Time” by Sly & The Family Stone
I was obsessed with this song (and album) in high school. I still haven’t put meaning to the lyrics, but as Sly so eloquently puts it, “In time, (in time) feel a little newer.”
“I Can See the Sun in Late December” by Roberta Flack
Oooooweee nothing like a 12 minute song to get you thinking about time. This whole song is pretty striking…the lyrics, the melody, the bridge. Simply put, Roberta Flack.
Oona
“I’m Still Waiting” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
I think “still” is an important measure of time for me. Often I don’t know where I am in time or where time is but I know a little of what feels familiar.
“Once In A While” by Aretha Franklin
How long is a while?
Kate
“Reelin’ In The Years” by Steely Dan
This song uses a lot of time terminology to describe a past relationship. Unrelated, the guitar is really, really good.
“Running Out Of Time” by Paramore
“Running Out Of Time” is about, unsurprisingly, the narrator constantly running out of time. Furthermore, they worry that they seem like a jerk since they’ll be seen for their actions rather than their intentions.
“Killing Time” by Magdalena Bay
I feel like somebody had to add this song, considering the album’s popularity and the obvious reference to time in the title. The song features a narrator lamenting the passage of time and waiting for a purpose.
Dani
“You got time and I got money” by Smerz
Not really about time… but it has it in the title. Enjoy!
“Incomprehensible” by Big Thief
“”I’m afraid of getting older, ” that’s what I’ve learned to say / Society has given me the words to think that way”
Growing old doesn’t have to be scary! Time isn’t scary! “How can beauty that is livin’ be anything but true?”
“This Time Around” by Jessica Pratt
“This time around has it gone so grey that my faith can’t hold out?”
Time doesn’t always heal, sometimes it just makes the picture sharper. If you ever need a song to cry to at 3am…
“Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” by Simon & Garfunkel
Because nothing good ever happens at 3 am.
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