“Broken Clocks” by SZA is a reflective and introspective track from her critically acclaimed debut album, Ctrl. Released in 2017, the song delves into the complexities of balancing work, personal growth, and relationships.
It is a powerful statement of self-affirmation and resilience, capturing SZA’s journey towards finding balance and meaning in her life while staying true to her emotions and experiences.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Broken Clocks” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
Run fast from my day job
Runnin’ fast from the way it was
Jump quick to a paycheck
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 ten
Love dirty men alike
In the first verse, SZA describes a sense of urgency and escape from her day job and the past. She mentions running back to a strip club, indicating a return to familiar yet challenging environments. The repetition of “never goin’ back” emphasizes her determination to move forward and not be trapped by her past experiences.
The lines about paying “petty dues” and hearing “shitty news” suggest frustration with mundane struggles and negative influences. Her reference to “dirty shoes” and “dirty men” hints at a history of rough or unconventional choices and relationships.
[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh
Better day than yesterday (Keep cuttin’ up)
Ooh
I just take it day by day
Ooh, oh
Never hearing what they say (Uh)
Ooh-ooh (Mm)
I just do it my way
The pre-chorus reflects a focus on personal growth and resilience. SZA emphasizes taking life one day at a time and doing things her way, regardless of external opinions. This section highlights her commitment to self-determination and finding better days.
[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
In the chorus, SZA uses “broken clocks” as a metaphor for a lack of time or direction. Despite this, she expresses that love persists, suggesting that love is a constant amidst the chaos of life.
The repetition of “still love” conveys enduring affection and connection, even when time feels fragmented.
[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 you love me (Think I forgot the other night)
You love me, you love me
The post-chorus reveals introspection and vulnerability. SZA acknowledges feeling “faded” and distracted, possibly due to emotional or substance-related escapism.
She questions whether she has forgotten the love she receives, indicating a struggle to balance personal issues with maintaining relationships.
[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
The second verse delves into the pressures of work and past relationships. SZA describes a hectic schedule with little time for breaks, symbolizing the relentless demands of life.
She addresses an ex-partner who still talks about her, despite having moved on. This reflects her growth and desire to leave the past behind, while also highlighting the lingering impact of former relationships.
[Bridge]
I don’t eat, can’t sleep past 9 AM
Heartbeat make me feel young again (Make me feel like a—)
Can’t beat ’em, just join the party (Let me join the party)
I don’t wanna, don’t need nobody
In the bridge, SZA expresses feelings of isolation and a longing for youth. The inability to sleep past a certain time and the desire to join a party suggest a conflict between wanting to feel young and free while also feeling disconnected.
The line “I don’t wanna, don’t need nobody” underscores a sense of independence and self-reliance.
[Outro]
You love me
You love me
You love me
The outro repeats the phrase “You love me,” reinforcing the theme of enduring love. It suggests that despite the chaos and personal struggles depicted throughout the song, love remains a grounding and affirming force in her life.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Broken Clocks”
“Broken Clocks” is a reflection on the complexities of navigating life’s demands while holding onto love and personal growth. The inspiration behind this song stems from SZA’s personal experiences and struggles with making ends meet, balancing work, and navigating the pressures of life and relationships.
SZA has spoken about her experiences with various jobs after graduating, which were often unfulfilling and unstable. She mentioned getting fired from every job she ever had before finding her path in music. This background of constantly hustling to make money and the instability of her early career heavily influenced the themes of “Broken Clocks.”
The term “broken clocks” symbolizes the feeling of time being out of sync or fragmented. SZA uses this metaphor to express her struggles with the relentless demands of life, particularly the grind of her professional and personal routines. The lyrics “All I got is these broken clocks / I ain’t got no time” highlight how time feels insufficient and chaotic, emphasizing the pressures of balancing work and personal life.
The song reflects on the non-stop, grind mentality necessary for success, particularly in the music industry. SZA describes the exhausting cycle of working long hours and the constant hustle, which leaves her feeling like she’s just “burnin’ daylight” with nothing substantial to show for it except “broken clocks”—a metaphor for wasted or mismanaged time.
Despite the chaos and the feeling of time being broken, SZA maintains a sense of love and resilience. The repetition of “still love” throughout the song suggests that love—whether self-love or love for others—persists despite the fragmented nature of time and the challenges she faces.
The title also alludes to the idea that even though time may feel broken or out of sync, there are moments of clarity and correctness, akin to the saying, “Even a broken clock is right twice a day.” This could imply that despite past mistakes or struggles, there are moments of right decisions and growth, particularly in her personal relationships and career choices.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.