A Temporal Playlist

Introduction

Something brought time to my mind, and I started thinking of songs that refer to the word "TIME" in their titles. When someone asks me what the time is, I annoy them by saying:

"It is the temporal difference between two separate events"

I don't know if I made that up or borrowed it from someone else.

Time is something we cannot avoid, but we should just make the best use of the time we have. If you give your time to someone, it is the most precious thing you can give them, because you can never take it back. Time gives us memories, and they can make our lives even more worthwhile.

I have written many pieces about time. Rather than choosing a single story, I thought I would share a link to most of them:

The first two that jumped into my head were "Time" by David Bowie and Pink Floyd, two very different songs. I will use them to close this playlist.

But now let us start taking our time to listen.

Culture Club - "Time (Clock of the Heart)" from "Kissing To Be Clever"

This was originally a single but was added to the enhanced versions of the album. While it is not a favourite of mine, Culture Club and Boy George did produce some excellent music.

I remember someone at work saying, "The lead singer of that band Culture Club, she's really ugly". I didn't bother correcting him.

The Alan Parsons Project - "Time" from "Turn of a Friendly Card"

Alan Parsons was the sound engineer on albums including the Beatles' Abbey Road and Let It Be, and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon.

He started his project band to make concept albums. I always found the music insipid, but there is no doubt about his technical talent, and he has sold a hell of a lot of albums, so it looks like I am in the minority with my opinion. While this title fits this playlist, you know what I think about it, but you might really love it.

Hans Zimmer - "Time" from the Christopher Nolan film "Inception"

I love Hans Zimmer's minimalist orchestral work, and this is no exception. He is responsible for my favourite orchestral film intro, for "True Romance", which he "borrowed" from Carl Orff's "Gassenhauer", which was used for the film "Badlands".

David Bowie - "Time" from "Aladdin Sane"

I love Mike Garson's Brechtian piano work on this album, and the intro to this song makes me think of thirties German music as well. This record is almost frightening and definitely disturbing, and that album cover is an iconic image (and I hate using the word 'iconic').

Pink Floyd - "Time" from "Dark Side Of The Moon"

This was engineered by Alan Parsons (second song in on this playlist) and was part of a stunning album. This song was a full band composition, and to many is THE song about Time. I will share some of the lyrics which do nail the concept.

You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today

And then one day you find ten years have got behind you

No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun

*

And you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinking

Racing around to come up behind you again

The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older

Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

*

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time

Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines

Conclusion

Thank you for reading and listening, and I hope you found something that you like in here.