Time

Album: The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about how time can slip by, but many people do not realize it until it is too late. Roger Waters got the idea when he realized he was no longer preparing for anything in life, but was right in the middle of it. He had just turned 28.

    When the band came up with the concept for the album, the idea was to explore the pressures of life throughout the songs. This song takes on the topic of mortality.
  • The song starts with layers of clock noises that were put together by Pink Floyd's engineer, Alan Parsons. Each clock was recorded separately at an antiques store, and the band blended them together. Parsons wanted to use the clocks to demonstrate a new quadraphonic sound system, but they ended up using it to open the song instead.

    "That was my idea to bring in these recordings of antique clocks, all recorded one at a time, on a portable tape machine, and then we transferred them all onto a multi-track tape, made them all tick and chime in sync," Parsons told Uncut magazine. "Pink Floyd liked that."
  • This was the only song on Dark Side of the Moon on which all four members received a writing credit.
  • The Dark Side of the Moon album has sold about 40 million copies and holds an unassailable record for most weeks on the Billboard 200 albums chart with 889 (last time we checked). It entered the chart in March 1973 when the album was issued, dropped out in 1974, but then returned from time to time, including an 11-year run from 1977-1988 when it didn't leave. Various reissues and publicity campaigns goose it back onto the chart every so often. For example, in 2014, the Google Play store sold the entire album for 99 cents, pushing it up to #13.
  • On their 1973 tour, Pink Floyd played this just after a 4-foot model plane was released from the back of the venue, crashing into the stage and exploding. Floyd always used lots of visual effects at their shows, and had the money to make them very elaborate on this tour.
  • The band played this live long before it was released. They played the whole album in February 1972 at the Rainbow Theater in London, over a year before it came out.
  • This contains a reprise back to the rhythm of "Breathe," which appears two songs earlier on Dark Side of the Moon. "On The Run," an instrumental, is in between. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Matt - Russell Springs, KY
  • At the time of recording only a few tom-tom drums were available for the intro. To get the right mix and sound, the band had to tune each drum after hitting it, record it, and then blend and mix into a finalized percussion track. This was a time intensive process.
  • In 1998, Dark Side of the Moon was certified 15x Platinum, meaning it had sold more than 15,000,000 copies. In 2003, the album was re-released on vinyl and has sold steadily in that format. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 133

  • Cris Ravil from C--tama HillThe bass line in the whole song until the Breathe Reprise is so funky, even in the Rick singing parts, and then turn so basic or flat or root (in the reprise), like they were made by different people.
  • Roy Batty from Colorado Springs, CoThis song will bring you to years, making you think of all the time wasted on things that were not to be. Thats life!!! “Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time
    Plans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled lines
    Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way
    The time is gone, the song is over, thought I'd something more to say”. My favorite lyrics from the song, of course I always change the “English way to the American way!!!” Greatest song ever!!!
  • Gary K from New Rochelle NyThe first time I heard this song as a little kid, I was mesmerized. It was used for the soundtrack of a short film, made by some kids. It aired on PBS in the 1970's. It might have been WGBH's Zoom! kid's show. There were 2 teams of kids running around. Some of them had a hand held laser weapon, shooting at the others. Very bad SFX (they scratched the Super 8mm film to simulate laser beams). I can't remember much more than that. Most of the short was accompanied by 'Time', the musical intro. Anyone here remember this at all?
  • Liz Ann from Hinsdale Illinois UsaDoes anyone know which background vocalist sang the very fine Whoa oh oh oh”notes after the line “half a pageof scribbled lines” in Time?
  • Tina from NyI hear slash from GNR on this album.
  • Chrispal77 from GreeceProbably the most realistic (or may i say pragmatic, in Greek language), sarcastic and tragic lyric of all times:
    "one day closer to death"
    You don't know when you are gonna die. But for sure every day, you know that is one day less.. one day closer.
  • Bob Malone from Franklin, VaI broke down in tears the first time I actually listened to the lyrics of this song in 1978. I realized just how quickly the previous ten years had gotten behind me, they passed in a flash. I still get very emotional when I hear it because I'm now shorter of breath (I have COPD) and 39 years closer to death.
  • Kawa from Tokyo, JapanHi Music lovers,

    Time to wake up ! A lot of sounds from the clocks on this tune are familiar to you ? I think almost everybody knows sounds of these clocks come from. It came from the theme of the Very famous American TV dram in 60s and early 70s. It was on the everywhere in the world and also think That the leader of the band, Rodger Waters, liked and watched this TV drama every week and used it on this song 'Money'. But he was afraid that somebody must notice that where this idea came from so he must have gotten behind them by using a lot of clocks ringing !
    There is more,

    To be continued,
  • Darren from Auckland, New ZealandDave (aka god) Gilmour at his blistering best, what a song, what an album, totally faultless!
  • Kathleen from Clinton, MdThis is my favorite song on this album - one of the best albums of all time. Every single song on this album is amazing. Not too many albums nowadays have that level of quality.
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjYes, as many have said, amazing song and album. And David Gilmour is definately in my top 5 favorite guitarists of all time. He evokes feelings and emotions for me, which means a lot more than superfast shredding. In fact, I read in a guitar magazine interview that Dave Mustaine himself said he was a fan of Gilmour's playing, and they're like polar opposites in terms of playing styles.
  • Glenn from San Jose, CaMy favorite part of "Time" is during the guitar solo when the background vocals come in. It's unique.
  • John from San Mateo, Ca"Far away across the field, the tolling of the iron bell draws the faithful to their knees in a softly spoken magic spell" harks back to pre-Reformation Europe, when all the people were called to communal prayer by church bells rung at certain times. In my own childhood in upstate New York, the bells rang at 8:00 AM, noon and 6:00 PM and older people would still pause to pray at those times. In my Mother's rural farm community, they rang at 6:00 AM, noon and 6:00 PM and many more people would stop and pray.
  • Deethewriter from Saint Petersburg, Russia Federation'Time' is commonly considered a 'double a-side' along with 'Us and Them'. The famous intro of clocks chiming and alarms ringing in unison was recorded by Alan Parsons as a test of quadraphonic mixing. During the chorus of 'Time', the drums play sixty beats per minute, which is, of course, the same as the beat of a clock ticking. [Q's Quintessential Albums]
  • L from Niagara Falls, OnOne of my favourites. Everything about it is fantastic. Lots to say in a simple, understandable song. The last line..."Thought I'd something more to say..." sums it up...what more needs to said?
  • Guy from Wellington, New ZealandSitting in my mate's house in 1973 or '74, it's late at night and we've turned the lights off and opened the windows. There is a gentle breeze blowing the curtains and we can see the stars in the sky... the music plays... tick, tick, tick, ring, ding, bang, bong..."Ticking away the moments that make a dull day..." I've never taken drugs and after listening to Dark Side of the Moon I feel like I've missed nothing. Pink Floyd are geniuses and their music on this album is absolutely transcendent -- as near enough to a religious and/or supremely satisfying moment that one could wish for.
  • Rick from Navarre, FlThis is the only albulm I have ever enjoyed all the way through. I love greatest hits albulms, but they don't always have all great songs you will enjoy listening to. Also, the way it blends from one sone to another is just fantastic. I enjoy it along with my kids, and we aren't high on anything to have a good time with it. By the way, when my children were small, I would wake them up for school by playing the first part of time very loud on the stereo. They loved all the clocks chiming at the same time!
  • Rebel from Victorville, Cathis song basically explains time is tricky and it tends to slip past us if we don't cherish it.
  • Wayne from Salem, VaPink Floyd finally hit the big time with "Dark Side Of The Moon". I was 13 and in the 7th grade when the album was first released. My older brother bought it. You got 2 posters. One of the band,with an individual picture of each member plus one of the group,and all live concert shots. And another poster of the 3 pyramids of Giza. Two cool stickers with pyramids,palm trees and the bands name on them. And of course the masterpiece of an album. A great song. I love the beginning and Dave Gilmours excellent guitar work. My favorite lines are----And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.No one told you when to run.You missed the starting gun.
  • Oldpink from New Castle, InEvery year is getting shorter/Never seem to find the time/Plans that seem to come to naught/Or half a page of scribbled lines
    Boy, isn't that true?
    Dave delivers a wonderful extended solo for this one.
  • R.h. from Pauls Valley, OkI don't mind saying it now because it was a long time ago. I first heard this album on mescaline. I had, of course, heard "Money" on the radio, but I had never heard the whole album. It knocked my socks off! And it still remains today as my favorite album of all time!
  • Sam from Richland, WaSome of my friends say "Yeah, well in today's music, there aren't "superbands" [like Pink Floyd] because the time for superbands no longer exists," as if 'superbands' were nothing more than a piece of discontinued history. Bullcrap. The reason there aren't superbands is because most of today's music doesn't have the depth or musical ingenuity that Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin or U2, etc. had in their day. Find me some artist today that has the musical AND lyrical depth of Pink Floyd, and maybe I'll give contemporary music a chance.
    Oh, Pink Floyd, why did you break up?!
  • Kev from Louisville, KyWhen I first heard this song (and album) in 1973 at a "pink" age of only 11, I could relate even then the feeling of pointlessness of my life. I was a young artist (writer, guitar, voice, art), and I related to staying home in my room and developing myself and my arts. "Staying home to watch the rain" seems trivial, but I did this and got comfort from it, for instance. To me, this album both soothed and confirmed my fears of a suburban kid who knows grown-up work was gonna be a complete drag, but most of us do not have the luck/will/opportunity to be our own person. Not to mention, feeling the pressure of making decisions of what you will be when your playing childhood is over, and you have to work in this crazy, over-stimulated world. I think most of us feel these things growing up.
  • Scott from Boston, MaThe best Floyd song and one of the best songs ever.
  • Kiyoto from Vancouver, Canadathis is my favourite pink floyd song. they are one of ym favourite bands, i really love them because there songs actually ahd meaning, not like a lot of the stuff around today.. but yes this solo is one of david gilmour's best. he is definately up there with hendrix jimmy page etc...
  • Ken from Portland, OrThe remarkable thing about "Time" is people remember where they were the first time they heard it. I was in a record store and had never heard of Pink Floyd.
  • Alina from Karlstad, Swedenlove floyd and i love "time". the solo is just breathtaking, the lyrics meaningful.
  • Bella from PretoriaLaurie!'Rockdom' is such a nice word!Really!This song helps me cope!I love music for that! Pink Floyd is my favorite band!Their brains must be bigger than other people's!They know just how to CAPTURE you!Did you know that two parts (can't ramember which two)of musicians' brains are bigger than...non-musicians,beacuase of concentrating on many things simultaneously? That's absolutely wicked!
  • John from Raleigh, NcAt 4:37 on the 1999 new release (don't know exact time for other versions), David missplays a note about 1/4 of a step too sharp and has to replay it. I don't think this was intentional.
  • Soutiman from Mumbai, IndiaWonderful lyrics, great music, superb guitar solo - puts one in a 'mood'.
  • Harrpoe from Huntington Beach, CaThe centerpiece to the greatest concept album ever produced. Musically inspriring, Gilmour's guitar sound and solo are perfect. Powerful, moving and without equal, yet simple. No hammer-ons or 32nd notes, just pure emotion and deliberate intonation that effortlessly flow with the chord changes. Symphonic in his approach as his solo becomes an extension of Water's longing and regretful lyric as the boy becomes a man who realizes that our time is limited.

  • Jim from South Kingstown, RiArguably my favorite song. Thematically, it reminds me of Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain," although they are very different musically.

    Pink Floyd is nothing short of Epic. They have totally changed music.
  • Cgoober from Olympia, Nhomgahhh. this song is PERFECTION in music. pink floyd are thee best ever.
  • Scott from Portland, OrNotice that this song slows down during a couple of verses? Originally the whole song was performed at the one medium-slow speed, with Gilmour and Wright singing in harmony and Wright singing the "Every year is getting shorter" verse alone. These changes turned a sad ballady song (which sounded a lot like "Breathe") into the (mostly) frantic rocker we know today. Another Floyd song that has this alternating tempo and Wright singing harmony is..."Apples and Oranges"! Coincidence I'm sure!
  • Caleb from Camp Point, IlThis song is sheer genius. Everything flows perfectly and the lyrics are so true and amazing. Nobody writes songs like this, anymore.
  • Andreas from Melbourne, Australiai love the guitar solo in this.
  • Rachel from Fort Smith, ArI think this song has a very similar meaning to the song Truckin' by the Grateful Dead. If you go to Truckin's songfacts page, you'll see what I mean.
  • Daniel from Perth, AustraliaThere is only one word to describe this song. Excellent. I LOVE the lyrics and the way they are expressed, I've never heard a better song in my life. Thankyou David Gilmour...
  • Laurie from Smalltown, IlFigures there would be a BAZILLION comments on this, one of the best known songs by Floyd. Oaky, well, here's my two cents worth: It's true, Dave and Rick shared vocal duties on this one. And I believe that David Gilmour has one of THE most beautiful and soothing, and at the same time, powerful, voices in all of rockdom. But if you really listen, you'll hear that Rick Wright has quite the amazing voice himself. Wright has not done much in the way of vocals in his Floyd career, aside from backup vocals and a couple of spoken lines. But he also lent his voice to "Wearing the Inside Out" on TDB. Like Gilmour's voice, Rick's also does very well at conveying emotion, and making the listener really *feel* the lyrics. Both Gilmour and Wright's voices compliment the instrumental work of Floyd, as well as each other's vocals. And now....the time is gone, my thought is over, thought i'd something more to say. I probably will have more another time, i never seem to be at a loss for words.
  • Melquiades from CaliI like the solo but I LOVE the end of the song because of that weird shift (its Breathe, only better)
  • Andrew from Indianapolis, Inthe lyrics are so depressing when you really listen to them, the older i get i feel more and more like the lyrics in the song and i'm in my 20's!. I can clearly remember the 90's and that makes me feel old.
  • Kim from Trondheim, Norwayan amazing song. and i agree with most of the things that have been said here, it's also good to see that so many people realize how music today isn't music, not in the same way that this song is anyway. also, this song includes one of the best guitar solos ever.
  • Chris from Vancouver, CanadaThis song is an example of perfection in music.
  • Anna from Louisville, KyBryan, I agree, today's music just isn't as good. But Tommy was by The Who
  • Bryan from New York, NyI'm also 14 and love Pink Floyd. The albums are great to listen to together (especially dark side, the wall, and tommy). There is not enough of that today in music.
  • Isuf Bytyçi from Prizren, Ali love the rithem of this song and it seems to me that time has lots of problems in our life...
  • Conway from Caro, EgyptDavid Gilmour sings lead on the verses(ticking away... show you the way) & (and you run and yuo run.... closer to death) and Rick Wright sings lead on the bridges(tired of lying.... startng gun) & (every year.... thought i'd something more to say)
  • Annabelle from Eugene, OrOne thing that is very confusing to me. I just watched the video "Classic Albums: The Making Of Pink Floyd: The Dark Side Of The Moon" the other day, and there seems to be a part that was never fully explained. When all the clocks go off, I can't really tell which one is which. And on top of that, one thing I wished they had done in "The Making Of The Dark Side Of The Moon" video, is to play the layers of clocks, one at a time, so you'd be able to hear what each one sounds like. What kinds of clocks are there in the intro? Also, to Marcus in Wooster, OH, do you mean the sound that's made after the clocks and chimes are fading away? The sort of "Tic Toc Tic Toc Tic Toc"? Is that the sound made by Roger Waters' bass?
  • Jeff from New Milford, CtI think God willing if we are still here people a thousand years from now will hear this and their jaws will drop just like mine did
  • Dustin from Canby, OrYou have not experienced the full effect of the album "Dark Side Of The Moon" until you have came to Portland, Oregon and went to OMSI and experiened the lazer light show that is coriographed perfectly with the album. It is out of this world. Recomendation.... Being under the influence!
  • Angie from The Sky, United Statesthat is unusual. i wish people would stop downloading music and splitting up albums. i hate that. the songs are put where they are and before and after other songs for a reason...and they should stay there because its how the band intended fot it to be.
  • Jack from Oak Ridge, NcThe most inspirational song ever written, and one of pink floyd's best compositions.
  • Michael from Tucson, Azgreat song, my dad told me that when he was younger, he was at a friend's house, and he was talking a break from collage, he was lying down and was listening to this song, and the line "Then one day you come to find ten years have gone behind you" totally gave him a big boost.
  • Ziggy Hendrix from Lindenhurst , IlThis is the first Floyd song I ever heard. My uncle was doing that Wizard of Oz thing and I just remember thinking "OK I need to buy this album."
  • Guy from Wellington, New ZealandYeah, one of the very, very best ever. Remember most of all listening to it with my teenage mates, really late at night, after a few beers, with the lights off in the living room, the windows open and the cool breeze ruffling the curtains as we looked up at the moon. We weren't into drugs and you sure didn't need any listening to Dave letting rip on this stupendous song.
  • Aylin from MontrealDouglas Adams' fictional band Disaster Area was "inspired" by Pink Floyd...he being a personal friend of David Gilmour. I believe DA (the band) did an act where they flew a spaceship into the sun...much like the plane crash during On the Run.
  • Elie from The U.k, Englandand also I looooooove this song with the solo
    strangely enouph the solo reminds me off a young couple fighting in a dark room. dont know why
  • Elie from The U.k, EnglandRoger waters is playing the darkside album in concert in paris the 12th of june
  • Alex from Fort Mill, ScIn my opinion this song has some of the best lyrics of all time. Digitaldreamdoor.com rated these lyrics #2 next to some Bob Dylan song. Whenever I write lyrics for songs with my band I can't help but steal lyrics from Pink Floyd. Roger Waters is definitly one of the best lyrcists of rock. Also this song was the first guitar solo I ever learned to play, and I can play pretty much play anything now, but I still can't perfect this song. Best song from Dark Sie in my opinion.
  • Zach from Farmington Hills, MiThe first time i ever heard this song was about 45 minutes after i let a sugar cube with 3.5 actual doses of lsd. It was my first time trying acid and my first exposure to dark side of the moon. i honestly do not think i could have been more lucky to have experienced both of these things for the first time at once. the whole song at once is perfect but every part makes it the masterpiece it is.. ive actually had flashbacks just listening to it which is probably why its my favorite song of all time
  • Juan from Miami, FlThis song, one of my favorites, is soooooooooo gooood, and it really means a lot to me. When listen to it, i really forget about life for a while. The song is so deep and really makes you think about life and how precious time is. The Guitar is so deep and strong and so slow and relaxing. This song can make me cry; Music is brilliant, Floyd world is perfect. This is music perfection. The lyrics are just great: "And you run and you run to catch up with the sun, but it?s sinking //And racing around to come up behind you again //The sun is the same in the relative way, but you?re older //Shorter of breath and one day closer to death" Its inspiring and creative, and sad and good. DEEP AND STRONG
  • Peter from White Plains, NyThis song is sheer genius. Everything about it is perfect...Intro/Lyrics/Music/Solo. Especially the solo(i NEED to talk about it a bit)...it is spectacularly POWERFUL and EMOTIONAL. It is just as spine-chilling as when i first heard it..and i've heard a gazillion times. It still blows my mind. Gilmour is known for that "airy/spacey" sound..and here the notes feel like they are SOARING through the stratosphere, parting the clouds. I feel like i'm airborne when i hear it. Its the ultimate example of "its not how fast you play,its WHAT you play". The note selection is impeccable. Gilmour can say more with five notes then most guitarists can with a hundred. Bar none...my favorite solo of all-time by any artist.
  • James M from Earth, Greeceyouve never really listened to pink floyd until you've heard this song...SOLO IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!:D
  • Tim from Syracuse, NyTo Phil, Niagra Falls, Canada- If you think this song is long, try Echoes, which tops out at 23:51. Amazing. As for this piece of rock genius, I find that it easily has the best guitar solo performed during the 70's, and is my favorite of all of Gilmour's [or Syd's old solos] solos.
  • Annabelle from Eugene, OrOne thing that is very confusing to me, when all the clocks go off, I can't really tell which one is which. What kinds of clocks are there in the intro?
  • Scott from Canton, Ohumm....yea this song is freaking awesome.
  • Stefanie from Rock Hill, ScActaully Emma I don't know if you already know this but "For Whom The Bell Tolls" isn't only a song. It's a book written by Ernest Hemmingway. The book inspired the song.
  • Robbie from Libertyville,, IlLikely based off of the famous Robert Herrick poem "To the Virgins, To Make Much of Time." Pink Floyd, being English, undoubtedly knew of this song, as it is a standard poem for any British student to learn.

    Both works address the youth, targeting them as the perfect audience, as they have the most time ahead of them. Herrick's line "when the youth and blood are warmer," was mirrored hundreds of years later by Pink Floyd's lyric "you are young and life is long."
    Also, the two inspire the youth to take action in their lives and make good use of their time. The dying flower in "To the Virgins" symbolizes what Pink Floyd says directly: "One day you find ten years have got behind you." Both the song and the poem also make use of the metaphor of a race. Pink Floyd writes that the youth is running, missing their starting gun, whereas Herrick says that the sun is racing, ticking time away. Despite this, both writings match up otherwise in discussion of the sun. Both state, essentially, it's impossible to catch the sun, but one should try.
  • Chris from Hamilton, CanadaI like how Pink Floyd put in the bells ringing just leading out of On The Run, sort of showing how time can sneak up on you and surprise you.
  • Stephan from St Georges, CanadaThis song is immortal, the solo is cool to do when you began at guitar. But, to recreate it perfectly, you must be a pro!
  • Bill from Erie, PaWaters' actual quote was: "Up until I was about 28, I'd thought that everything I did was in preparation for my real life, which I'd start at some point in the future. Then, one day I realized that I was already living my real life, that I had been since I was born, and there wasn't any such thing as prep time for it. I'd missed the starting gun."
  • James from New York, NyGreat song that really means alot!
  • Taylor from Tarboro, NcThis song is my favorite song of all time. The guitar solo is extremely moving and makes me shiver when I hear it. It really gets the point across that life is short and not to let time pass you by.
  • Emma from .., Canadato Matt in CA: Today in English we learned about this whole "bell" thing. Many many years back they used to toll this bell when someone was going to getting killed for protesting, religious beliefs, political beliefs, etc. It was also very bad luck to ask "for whom does the bell toll?" because then the answer would be "you". Ever heard "For Whom The Bell Tolls" by Metallica? Read the lyrics and you might understand it better.
  • Emma from .., Canadato Ash in WV: I know a lot of teenagers and kids that listen to Pink Floyd mainly for the whole psychadelic drug thing. They want to portray the image of being a "huge stoner", so they listen to Pink Floyd to help that out. They never really quite understand or pay attention to the actual music and soul of it all. They don't really appreciate it like other people do. It is really sad. I'm only 16 and I've noticed this since I was in grade 7. I've been a fan since then too. I'm not a stoner at all; I do no drugs whatsoever, especially to "enhance" my musical appreciation. I've always appreciated the music and everything that has been put into it. Being sort of a musician myself haha I really know how hard it can be to come up with any piece of music. Then I hear Pink Floyd and I'm blown away. Honestly, they kick ass at everything. They are unbelievably talented. Just thought I'd let you know that not every teenager/kid actually likes Pink Floyd. And of course you get the odd kid who says "Oh I love Pink Floyd, their one of my favourite bands", when really they've heard about 3 songs haha.
  • Jeanette from Irvine, Cayeah this song actually makes sense. waters even said that he was tired of progressive rock that was impossible to understand so he wrote this album (most noteably this song and money) as understandeable songs for the public.
  • Stephen from Steamboat, CoI did this song for an Oral Interpretational Speech for a school project. I tell ya, It really gets to you after a while, and if you read the lyrics, they are the most understandable of Pink Floyd. No drugs, or pigs on a wing or a crazy bike, but just normal, well-written words that can compete with the best of songs. Truely an amazing song, and goes well with Money, which is two tracks later on The Dark Side of the Moon. IT really is Timeless.
  • Jeanette from Irvine, Cai got onto pink floyd from mostly older brother (he gets me onto everything awesome from music to books to food) but also it was partly just that pink floyd takes some effort to get into but once you do its glorious so i still credit myself with some effort getting into it.
  • Michelle from Anaheim, Ca"No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun." Don't wait for people to tell you what to do for your life. Make your own decisions, and do as much as you can to make your life worthwhile. Don't sit around doing nothing, that's missing the whole point of life. We're only on Earth once, make it last.
    My favorite part is at the end, "far away, 'cross the field, tolling of the iron bell. Calls the faithful to their knees, to hear the softly spoken magic spells."
    amazing.
  • Notmyrealemail from Buffalo, Ny"You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way."

    Reminds me of my life.
  • Cam from WinnipegAmazing solo, second only to Neil Young's Like a Hurricane. Great intro as well, but the solo is what this song is all about. That screaming guitar is fantastic, Stairway to Heaven has nothing on this one.
  • Anthony from Beverly, Njthis is the only song that almost makes me cry
  • Phil from Niagara Falls, CanadaAllen, you brought a tear to my eye
  • Patrick from Conyers, GaMy parents turned me onto this band with the album "The Wall" when I was about 7 or 8...same age I first saw the movie. Hmm....maybe that's what's wrong with me today...
  • Patrick from Conyers, GaWhen played in sync with "Wizard", the clocks chiming at the beginning of the song begin right as we see Mrs. Gulch/Wicked Witch riding on her bicycle towards the farm, to collect Toto.
  • E from Vancouver, CanadaEven after listening to this album so many times, I still can't believe how great it is.
  • Phil from Niagara Falls, Canadaspeaking of time, this song is very long (over 7:00)
  • Matt from Cupertino, Ca'What is the last part of the reprise of Breathe talking about? "Far away across the field The tolling of the iron bell Calls the faithful to their knees To hear the softly spoken magic spells." '

    'I would assume he's talking about a church congregation. '

    Yes, that may be true but i think its about the "Time Waster's" funeral... his friends and family are on their knees praying... and the feild is the cemetary... most cemetary's are full of lush grass.... i'm not sure where the iron bell comes in though.... of all the funeral's i've been too they only have bagpipes... no bells
  • Marius from Bamberg, GermanyGreat song.
    Pink Floyd was a huge gift for music history. No wonder they played such a good gig at Live 8!
  • Ash from Charleston, WvI would assume he's talking about a church congregation.
  • Shane from Sandy, UtWhat is the last part of the reprise of Breathe talking about?
    "Far away across the field
    The tolling of the iron bell
    Calls the faithful to their knees
    To hear the softly spoken magic spells."
  • Luke from Sydney, AustraliaThis song is simply incredible. The lyrics are fantastic and it is one of my favourite songs. When listening to Gilmour's solo, I get goosebumps and a chill down my spine; it makes me shiver. It's an amazing feeling. The combination of the emotion driven guitar during the solo and the female backup singers with that wavering in-and-out sound effect... indescribable.
  • Phil from Niagara Falls, CanadaGreat song. I like the message that tells how one should do something of his or her life.
  • Danny from Tallahassee, FlThis is one of my favorite pink floyd songs and totally awesome it has some of the best music and waters lyrics a great as well as gilmour's solo dark side of the moon is a killer album the only thing i dont like about it is it often over shadows wish you were here which is really awesome the solo in have a cigar is mindblowing just like the one in time but either way pink floyd was an great band
  • Ashley from Moncton, Canadato Ash in WV- My parents do not like Pink Floyd, or any kind of good music. All they like is garbage. I just started liking the music i Like on my own, just to let you know. The solo in Time is very, very good and I like it just as well the one in Comfortably Numb; it's just that Comfortably Numb is supposed to be my all-time favourite song, only I just realised the other day that my all-time favourite song is Wish You Were Here by, not Pink Floyd, but Incubus. Not that I like it more than Wish You Were Here by Floyd, but it's just the song I've been able to listen to without ever tiring.
  • David Corino from Hawley, PaAwsome solo awsome lyrics...
  • Ash from Charleston, WvTo Ashley in Canada: first off, again, kudos to you and those like you who have discovered the wonders of Pink Floyd's music. I have to know, did a parent or family member turn you on to them? After all, it's been over 10 years since the Floyd have put out an album, so it's interesting for me to know how folks your age even know about them. Secondly, I must respectfully disagree. While I certainly hold the beauty of the solo in "Comfortably Numb" in very high regard, I like the one in "Time" better. It's just so powerful. But don't forget about Gilmour's unbelievable guitar work in "Money," another one of his greatest solos ever. Also, if you aren't familiar with the albums "Wish You Were Here" and "Animals," you MUST give them a listen, especially if you loves the guitar chops!!
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaThese lyrics and sound and heartfelt realizations combined to form a masterpiece of music on one of the best albums EVER. to Dominique- I am also 14 and understand exactly what you mean by what you said. I feel that if more people tried listening to actual MUSIC, instead of garbage like 50 cent, boasting of how he was shot and now he thinks he's the best rapper ever, they would be enlightened to a world of emotion and feelings they never knew they had. They might not waste their life on useless things after listening to Time. It isn't that I don't like rap (well, actually, it is)but I am a fan of Eminem. He sings about real emotion and how he made mistakes. But no other bands could EVER compare to Pink Floyd, pure geniouses of the music industry. And by the way,Time has the second best guitar solo, next to Comfortably Numb. I'd like to hear from anyone who agrees and wasn't too lazy to read this all.
  • Nelle from Lima, PeruI do think also that this is the best song on Dark Side of the Moon, all of the best albums ever made
  • Dominique from Baton Rouge, LaWonderful lyrics and the solo is great. To ash, im only 14, but so you know, not all kids like rap and what not, many are interested in classic rock, although it does seem like that's dwindling' Wouldn't it be great if we could have the 60s and 70s back along with the music, people, economy and ideas of what the world could be like?
  • James from Sarasota, FlHell yeah! That solo is good; second best of Pink Floyd next to Comfortably Numb(live version).
  • Ash from Charleston, WvOkay. Wesley in Sylmar, CO: I believe William in Ocean Springs is correct. You have to start the album right when the MGM lion roars for the third time. You'll know you got it right if the very first chord of the song "Breathe" strikes right when the opening credits say "Produced by Mervyn LeRoy." Check out my comment on this site under "Great Gig in the Sky" for more info. I HIGHLY recommend you try it because it is really, really cool!!
  • Ash from Charleston, WvComments? I have so many! Brittany in Prescott, AZ: You may be thinking of the Pink Floyd song "One of These Days" off of the 1971 album "Meddle." It sounds a lot like the theme song to the sci-fi show "Dr. Who." I'd say that this was intentional on the part of the Floyd. It's a great song, though. You should check it out.
  • Ash from Charleston, WvIt's heartening to see so many people that love this band, including a 13 year old!!! In this day and age of rap and bubble gum pop dominating everything, I worry that the number of people that even know about the music of Pink Floyd's era is dwindling way too fast.
  • Ash from Charleston, WvNo. This song is mostly sung by David Gilmour, with the mellower parts sung by Richard Wright such as the line that starts "every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the time...." Actually, Waters doesn't do a lead vocal on this album until the very last song, "Brain Damage/Eclipse" which is really unusual and very effective. You go all that time without hearing Waters' distinctive vocal until his first line: "The lunatic is on the grass." It's just another reason why this album is so damn cool!
  • William from Ocean Springs, MsI think you mean Gilmore or Waters...
    I almost positive its Waters
  • Kevin from Ancaster, On, CanadaDoes anyone know who sings this song? I can't decide if its Gilmore or Rogers
  • William from Ocean Springs, MsYou just don't know when to start it to make it corespond. If I remember right you start the album after the third time the lion roars. Believe me when you get it right it is a truly awesome thing.
  • Wesley from Sylmar, Coi've listened to this album more than 100 times. It doesnt really correspond with the movie "THE WIZARD OF THE OZ"
  • Bob from Norristown, PaI know how I like to pass my "Time". .....Listening to Pink Floyd of course..
  • Mallory from Sarasota, Flluv this song!! its beutiful in its own way. its just saying that this guy spent half his life doing nothing...now he knows that and never can be who he shold be. my fav line has to be this "So you run and you run to catch up with the sun but it's sinkingRacing 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." thank u pink floyd.. i am only 13 and thanx to this song i am ready to do want i want to do.
  • Thisby from London, EnglandI saw the 1973 Floyd concert and still remember that plane crashing onto the stage. And if I remember rightly it was the first concert where they used 'quadrophonic sound' - quite an experience. I have all their albums, right back to when Syd Barrett was in the band. Still my favourites after all these years.
  • Kent Lyle from Palo Alto, CaRick Wright sings the bridge, e,g. "You missed the starting gun". This was his last lead vocal for ~20 years.
  • Brittany from Prescott, AzI heard this song as a child on a scary sci-fi television show, and I can't remember what show I heard it on. Could anyone tell me?
  • Gutterslut from Sacramento, United StatesMy personal, favorite song.
  • John from Waterville, Miin the live version of 'Time' the tom-toms sound like crap.
  • Kostya from Berkeley, Ca"Hanging on in quiet desperation" is a partial quote of Henry David Thoreau, a 19th century American transcendentalist who wrote "the mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation." So true, eh?

    can't believe no one mentioned this.
  • Kelly from Burbank, Ca"Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way" is my favorite lyric in this song, though it's hard to choose because they're all so good. Waters is genius. Gilmore is genius. Pink Floyd is genius. Long live Pink Floyd.
  • Brian from Mayfield Heights, Ohis matt's caps lock key stuck? maybe it's "time" he got it fixed. amazingamazingamazing song of an album of the same description
  • Andrew Smith from Hayward, CaPink Folyd is a rare group of amazingly brilliantly bright individuals and it is both amazing and refreshing that Waters could realize the faults that lead most kids to waste their lives. It leads one to wonder if and where other such intelligent kids are and if they will expose their ideas for the world to see.
  • Allen from Leicestershire, EnglandYou guys talking about making big bucks and the Synchronisation with The wizard of oz etc are all missing the point. This song is about life. It's about how small we are in relative terms - i.e. we're only a tiny being compared to nature and the universe.

    The song is beautiful and the guitar solo very powerful but of course it also contains a reprise of 'Breathe' and that song is about how hard we work, simply pasing the time - and then once you're done doing that, there's more work for you to be getting on with.

    So please don't miss the point people, this song is about our lives. About Time and how precious it is. Don't waste your life - don't waste time.
  • Gabe from Utica, NyThis song is awesome! The Darkside Of The Moon is the best album ever! This song has by far the logest and best guitar solo I've ever heard! These gyus are just amazing!!!!!
  • Eddie from Los Angeles, CaIt's amazing that such a young band. Could have written lyrics wise beyond there years. No wonder they make they make the big bucks.
  • Josh from Quakertown, PaNo doubt about it that this song is another hit by Pink Floyd. The guitar solo is so amazing, along with all of their others. Pink Floyd is one of the most genious bands of our time. Dark Side of the Moon stayed number one on the top ten album charts across the US for 10 years straight. Amazing.. But thats Pink Floyd for you, I don't think anyone, let alone another band could ever replace Pink Floyd. They've changed everything about music, EVERYTHING. Pink Floyd is truly in my opinion the best band ever.
  • Edward from Virginia Beach, Vathe best song on dark side of the moon
  • Paulo from New York, NyA song with universal application. Timeless.
  • Jason from Monterrey, MexicoThis song might be refering to Syd Barret who had lost "Time" tripping rather than making music with the rest of the Pink Floyd team
  • Corey from Dark Side Of The Moon, OtherA Timeless Classic. Enough said...
  • Mike from Mountlake Terrace, WaThe quote most befitting this song is by fellow enlishman John Lennon - "Life is was happens while you are busy making plans"
  • Brian from Paoli, InDefinetly one of the best guitar solos EVER. Simply amazing song.
  • Ben from New York, NyThis song is about a guy who lives at home and doesn't do anything with his life. Then, one day, he realizes he is all grown up and has squandered ten years of TIME. A beautiful song, the guitar solo has actually made me weep.
  • Conrad from Los Angeles, CaWhen played nest to the Wizard of Oz in the "Drak Side Of The Rainbow", this song plays as Dorothy realizes to run away from home, and the solo comes in as the camera angles shows her walking over the bridge. Genius!
  • Lee from Durham, Ncdavid solo sends shivers down my spine
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.