Broken Clocks

"Broken Clocks" by SZA is a nuanced exploration of the conflict between professional ambition, personal life, and the lingering echoes of past relationships. The song delves into the relentless grind of modern life, where the protagonist is consumed by her work schedule, leaving little room for anything else. The title itself, "Broken Clocks," serves as a powerful metaphor for this chaotic lifestyle; time feels distorted, dysfunctional, and perpetually slipping away, symbolizing a life out of sync due to overwhelming demands. It reflects a state of 'burning daylight,' where every moment is dedicated to the hustle, leaving no time for personal connections or relaxation.

Lyrically, SZA recounts her journey of leaving a past behind—'runnin' fast from the way it was'—to forge a new, independent path. This isn't just about a former job but about escaping old patterns and mindsets. However, this forward momentum is complicated by the intrusion of a past lover. The lines, "Been about three years since I dated you / Why you still talkin' 'bout me like we together?" highlight the struggle of moving on when others won't let you. Despite her focus on the future, there's a sense of nostalgia and residual affection ('Still love, and it's still love'). This creates a powerful tension between a desire for a simpler past and the reality of her demanding present, capturing the bittersweet feeling of outgrowing a relationship while still holding love for the person.

Ultimately, the song is a statement of resilience and self-affirmation. It’s about prioritizing one's own growth and career, even when it means sacrificing personal relationships. The recurring phrase "I just take it day by day... I just do it my way" is an anthem of self-reliance in the face of life's pressures. SZA crafts a deeply relatable narrative about the difficult choices and contradictions inherent in striving for a better future while being haunted by a romanticized past.

The narrative opens with a sense of urgency and escape, depicting a protagonist running from the mundane reality of a day job and a past that no longer serves her. She is on a relentless hustle, chasing paychecks and making ends meet, even if it means returning to less-than-ideal situations like a strip club. There's a powerful declaration of never going back to her old ways, a firm resolve to move forward despite the hardships. She has paid her dues and is tired of negative news, hinting at a past filled with struggles. There's a raw admission of her attraction to things and people that are perhaps a bit rough around the edges, a preference she's had since childhood.

Despite the daily grind, there's a recurring mantra of optimism and self-reliance: taking each day as it comes and ignoring the naysayers to do things her own way. The central theme crystallizes in the chorus, where she describes her life as governed by 'broken clocks.' This signifies a distorted, non-linear sense of time, where she feels she has none to spare, constantly 'burning daylight' in pursuit of her goals. Yet, amidst this temporal chaos, an undercurrent of love persists—a love for her journey, for a past flame, and for herself. There are moments of vulnerability where she feels fragmented, described as having only 'pieces and pages.' She's talkative but 'faded,' and in this state, she almost forgets she is loved.

The song then details the grueling nature of her schedule, working long shifts from morning to night with no breaks, a testament to her dedication. A significant portion of the narrative addresses a past relationship. It's been three years since they dated, yet the ex-partner still talks about her as if they're together. This irritates her because she has moved on and improved her life, while he has simply moved on to someone else without any personal growth. She reminisces about being 'down for whatever' in that past relationship, acknowledging that this person can still be a distraction, capable of making her late for work. The internal conflict is palpable; while she is focused on her future, the pull of the past remains a tangible presence, threatening her carefully constructed present.

Ultimately, the song is a complex portrait of a young woman navigating the messy intersection of ambition, past love, and self-discovery. It's a story of perseverance, of acknowledging the romanticized pull of what was, while steadfastly focusing on the hustle of the now. The feeling isn't one of bitterness towards the past lover, but rather a bittersweet acceptance; there's 'nothin' but love,' but there's simply no more time for it. The journey is about embracing the chaos, the 'broken clocks,' and finding love and strength within that relentless forward motion.

"Broken Clocks" was written by SZA (Solána Rowe) and producer ThankGod4Cody (Cody Fayne). The song is a key track from SZA's critically acclaimed debut studio album, Ctrl, which was released on June 9, 2017. The track was recorded between 2014 and 2017 at various studios, including The Lake House in Michigan, a location SZA described as a peaceful and creatively fertile environment where other songs like "Love Galore" also came to life. The creation of "Broken Clocks" was part of a competitive yet collaborative process where producers, including Carter Lang and ThankGod4Cody, would challenge each other to create compelling music, from which SZA would then draw inspiration and build upon.

The song was officially released as a promotional single on June 2, 2017, ahead of the album. It was later sent to urban contemporary radio on January 9, 2018, as the album's fourth official single. "Broken Clocks" notably samples the song "West" by River Tiber, written by River Tiber (Thomas Paxton-Beesley), Frank Dukes (Adam Feeney), and Daniel Caesar (Ashton Simmonds). SZA performed the song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards, a significant milestone that showcased the track's prominence. In an interview, SZA mentioned that "Broken Clocks" is one of the songs from Ctrl that she would have on replay to 'turn up' to, highlighting her personal connection to its energy.

"Broken Clocks" employs a relaxed, conversational rhythmic flow that mirrors its lyrical themes of navigating a hectic but steady grind. The song's tempo is mid-tempo and laid-back, allowing SZA's vocal melody to float over the beat. The underlying rhythm is driven by prominent, skittering hi-hats characteristic of trap music, which provides a modern, rhythmic pulse against the smoother, atmospheric synth chords. This creates a compelling contrast between the fluid, almost lazy feel of the melody and the insistent, precise rhythm of the percussion, perhaps mirroring the tension between her inner feelings and external pressures.

SZA's vocal performance doesn't adhere to a rigid rhythmic structure; instead, her phrasing is loose and syncopated, mimicking natural speech patterns. This gives the lyrics an authentic, storytelling quality. The rhyme scheme is generally irregular and leans towards free verse, prioritizing narrative flow over strict poetic structure. However, there are instances of internal rhymes and slant rhymes that add a subtle musicality to the verses, such as in the lines: "I've paid enough of petty dues / I've had enough of shitty news." The chorus finds a more consistent, memorable rhythm, with the repetition of "Still love, and it's still love" creating a hypnotic, chant-like hook that anchors the song both rhythmically and thematically.

Musically, "Broken Clocks" is a blend of alternative R&B and neo-soul, characterized by its hazy, atmospheric production. The song is built around what critics describe as 'blurry keyboard tones' and a 'watery sample' of male voices from River Tiber's song "West". The production, handled by ThankGod4Cody, employs skittering trap-style hi-hats and a punchy kick drum, which creates a modern R&B feel that is both smooth and rhythmic. The overall sound is sleek, laid-back, and fluid, with synth chords that feel both 'watery, yet airy'. The song is in the key of B♭ Minor, and its harmonic and melodic structure is noted as being more complex than typical pop songs.

SZA's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element. It is described as warm, breathy, and expressive, with a 'sleek raspiness' that has become her signature. Her melodic lines are fluid, and she navigates the rhythm with a conversational ease that makes the storytelling feel intimate and authentic. Her harmonies and ad-libs add texture and emotional depth to the track.

Lyrically, SZA utilizes a strong narrative voice, blending confessional storytelling with vivid imagery. She employs repetition effectively, particularly with the line "It's still love," which acts as a mantra reinforcing the song's emotional core amidst the chaos. The contrast between the mundane details of her work life ('Got a shift at 10 a.m.') and her emotional reflections ('Think I forgot, you love me') creates a relatable and dynamic narrative. The conversational and sometimes confrontational tone, especially when addressing her ex, adds a layer of raw honesty to the song.

"Broken Clocks" was a significant track from SZA's debut album Ctrl, which was a massive critical and commercial success upon its release in 2017. The song was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA as of October 2020, underscoring its widespread popularity and enduring appeal. As the fourth single from the album, it helped solidify Ctrl as a landmark record in contemporary R&B, an album that has remained on the Billboard 200 chart continuously since its release.

The song received critical acclaim for its relatable themes of balancing work and personal life, its innovative sound, and SZA's candid songwriting. SZA's performance of "Broken Clocks" at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards further elevated its profile. The music video, co-directed by SZA, also garnered significant attention for its creative, narrative-driven concept, contrasting nostalgic summer camp imagery with the harsh realities of adult life. The song's themes resonated deeply with a generation navigating the pressures of the 'hustle culture,' making it an anthem for young adults striving for success while trying to maintain their sense of self. Its influence is seen in its continued relevance in popular culture and its role in establishing SZA as a defining voice in modern R&B.

The central metaphor in "Broken Clocks" is the title itself, which symbolizes a distorted and subjective experience of time. It represents the feeling of being overwhelmed by a demanding schedule, where time seems to either fly by or stand still, losing its conventional structure. This reflects the protagonist's chaotic life, juggling work and personal matters, leaving her feeling like she has 'no time, just burnin' daylight.' The metaphor suggests that her internal clock is out of sync with the world due to stress and ambition. It can also be interpreted through the saying, "even a broken clock is right twice a day," implying that amidst her often-confusing life choices, her decision to move on from a past relationship was the correct one.

The lyric "I've had a thing for dirty shoes since I was 10, love dirty men alike" serves as a metaphor for an attraction to things that are imperfect, worn-in, or perhaps problematic. It's a candid admission of being drawn to rawness and authenticity, reflecting the lessons learned from past struggles and relationships.

The music video adds another layer of symbolism. It contrasts the nostalgic, carefree innocence of a summer camp called "Camp CTRL" with the harsh reality of SZA working at a strip club. This juxtaposition symbolizes the loss of innocence and the gap between a desired, simpler past and the complicated, often harsh, realities of adult life and work. The summer camp represents a time before responsibilities, a mental escape from the pressures she faces, making the final reveal of her at the club a poignant symbol of her current grind.

The most significant recurring motif in "Broken Clocks" is the line "All I got is these broken clocks / I ain't got no time, just burnin' daylight." This phrase, central to the chorus, encapsulates the song's core theme: a life so consumed by work and ambition that the normal passage of time feels fractured and meaningless. Its repetition hammers home the sense of relentless pressure and the feeling of perpetually running out of time, which defines the protagonist's experience.

Another crucial recurring phrase is "Still love, and it's still love, and it's still love." This chant-like repetition acts as an emotional anchor amidst the chaos described in the song. It suggests that despite the hustle, the exhaustion, and the complicated feelings toward a past relationship, a fundamental sense of love endures—whether it's for the ex, for herself, or for the journey she's on. It provides a hopeful, grounding counterpoint to the stress of her 'broken clocks' reality.

The phrase "Never goin' back" is repeated at the beginning of the song, establishing a strong sense of resolve and forward momentum. It serves as a declaration of independence from a past life and old habits, setting the stage for the narrative of personal and professional growth that follows.