Broken Clocks

## Broken ClocksSong by SZA

"**Broken Clocks**" is the ninth track and fourth single from SZA's debut album, *Ctrl*. It was released through Top Dawg and RCA on June 9, 2017.

The song was written by SZA and producer Cody "ThankGod4Cody" Fayne. It samples "West", which was written by Thomas Paxton-Beesley, Adam Feeney, and Daniel Caesar and performed by River Tiber. SZA performed the song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

## Background

The song was released a week ahead of the album's release, as a promotional single on mainstream music platforms. "Broken Clocks" is a follow-up to the songs "Drew Barrymore" and "Love Galore", both of which were released from SZA's album, Ctrl.

SZA reminisces about the imbalance between her love and working life, with the epiphany that her romance interfering with her schedule only acted out as foreshadow of her eventually being independent.

## Music video

The music video for "Broken Clocks" was co-directed by SZA and Dave Free, and was released on March 30, 2018. The video features SZA at a summer camp in the wilderness. As the song comes to a close, the camera cuts to SZA as a stripper, lying unconscious on the bathroom floor of a strip club, following an altercation with another woman.

## Critical reception

Jon Pareles of *The New York Times* felt, "'Broken Clocks' enfolds SZA amid blurry keyboard tones and a watery sample of men's voices as she ponders memories of an old romance that still haunts her." Joshua Espinoza of *Complex* magazine regarded the song as "a mid-tempo cut about optimism and perseverance". Lauren Ziegler of *Consequence of Sound* opined, "'Broken Clocks' is slinky and laid back, with confidence and suggestiveness/passion  dripping from each note. Though more energetic and pointed than the minimalistic 'Love Galore', it still retains a kind of sleek raspiness so unique to the Top Dawg Entertainment artist's sound." Desire Thompson of *Vibe* magazine argued that SZA has "proven herself to be a talented storyteller between harmonious melodies" and "finds a creative way to highlight the plight of a topsy-tuvy love" with the release of this song. Adelle Platon of *Billboard* magazine described the song as "nostalgic", while Navjosh of HipHop-N-More described the song as a "soothing mid tempo ballad which is sure to get numerous plays once you start listening". Darby McNally of *Paste* magazine said, "'Broken Clocks' is a cool, smooth tune with a hint of modernity, a combination that is beginning to be SZA's calling card." Tom Breihan of *Stereogum* wrote that the song is "a bit of a departure from the hazy sounds of SZA's past work" and has "gasping synths and trap hi-hat skitters, and puts her breathy, expressive vocals in a more commercial light."

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

Run fast from my day job

Runnin' fast from the way it was

Jump quick to a pay check

Runnin' back to the strip club

I'm never goin' back, never goin' back

No, you can't make me

Never goin' back, never goin' back (Nah)

They'll never take me

I've paid enough of petty dues

I've heard enough of shitty news

I've had a thing for dirty shoes since I was 10

Love dirty men alike

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Ooh

Better day than yesterday (Keep cuttin' up)

Ooh oh

I just take it day by day

Ooh oh oh

Never hearing what they say (Uh)

Ooh ooh (Mm)

I just do it my way

**[Chorus]**

All I got is these broken clocks

I ain't got no time

Just burnin' daylight

Still love, and it's still love, and it's still love

It's still love, still love (Still love), still love

It's still love, it's still love

Nothin' but love for you (Nothin' but-)

Nothin' but love (Nothin' but-)

Nothin' but love

**[Post-Chorus]**

All that I've got, pieces and pages

Talkin' a lot, sorry I'm faded

(Turnin' up real good tonight)

Think I forgot

(Think I forgot the other night)

You love me, you love me, you love me

**[Verse 2]**

Got a shift at 10 AM (Yeah)

Gotta dip at 10 PM (Nah)

Gotta get that cash

Won't get past a lunch break

I ain't had a smoke break

In about two days, don't break (Ugh)

Been about three years since I dated you

Why you still talkin' 'bout me like we together?

I moved on for the better, you moved on to whoever

I was down for whatever, and then some

You gon' make me late to work again

**[Pre-Chorus]**

Ooh

Better day than yesterday

Ooh

I just take it day by day

Ooh oh oh

Never hearing what they say

Ooh, ooh

I just do it my way (Keep doin' it)

**[Chorus]**

All I got is these broken clocks

I ain't got no time

Just burnin' daylight

Still love, and it's still love, and it's still love

It's still love, still love, still love (Still love)

It's still love, and it's still love (Still love)

Nothin' but love for you

Nothin' but love (Nothin' but)

Nothin' but love

**[Bridge]**

I don't eat, can't sleep past 9 AM (Uhh)

Heartbeat make me feel young again (Like a, feel like a…)

Can't beat 'em, just join the party (Let me join the party)

I don't wanna, don't need nobody (Ooh)

**[Post-Chorus]**

All that I've got, pieces and pages

Talking a lot, sorry I'm faded

Think I've forgot, you love me

You love me, you love me

**[Outro]**

You love me

You love me

You love me