13 Songs Where Time Is Clearly a Factor | Playlist

In the case of the 13 handpicked songs on this playlist, time is a central element to their makeup – and no, we’re not talking about blush!

They say music is timeless…well some music.  In the case of the 13 handpicked songs on this playlist, time is a central element to their makeup – and no, we’re not talking about blush! Basically, some unit of time is used within the song’s title and content.  There is an abundance of songs that utilize time so this list only cracks the surface.  Here goes nothing – 13 Songs Where Time Is Clearly a Factor!

1. Mary J. Blige, “Whole Damn Year”

Album: The London Sessions, 2014

“See, winter took most of my heart / and spring punched me right in the stomach / summer came lookin’ for blood / and by autumn I was left with nothin’.”

After a horrid relationship, the recuperation process for Mary J. Blige took a long time.  To have Blige tell it or rather sing it, “It’s been a bad five years.” What a shame that MJB had to spend that amount of time to heal.  Also, what a shame that The London Sessions was highly underrated, sigh.

2. Jazmine Sullivan, “10 Seconds”

Album: Love Me Back, 2010

Another time-oriented song, another R&B diva. On “10 Seconds,” Jazmine Sullivan is definitely pissed off at this dude.  At one point, she asserts:

“I’m throwing and breaking shit / cussing and looking for something to hit you with / you got 10 seconds to go.”

What does JS do? She proceeds to count to 10 of course? The man who did her wrong should definitely heed her warning: “Just don’t let me get to 10.” Nothing more dangerous than a woman scorned!

3. Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland, “4 Minutes”

Album: Hard Candy, 2008

“I’m outta time, and all I got is four minutes.”  Okay Madge, okay.  What more is the star-studded “4 Minutes” than one big, silly (if infectious)  pop joint?  Basically, it is all about living for the moment because you never know when life is going to end.  The song, in effect, has taken it upon itself to be considered the savior of all mankind…or something like that. Whatever!

4.Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney, “Four Five Seconds”

2015

How did “FourFiveSeconds” manage to miss Rihanna’s Anti album? Of all the pre-release singles that DIDN’T make Anti, “FourFiveSeconds” was clearly the crème de la crème.  The point of the song besides being another star-studded collaboration? Don’t make Rihanna or Kanye West angry (“see all of my kindness / is taken for weakness”).  As her and ‘Ye make it clear on the chorus:

“Now I’m four-five seconds from wildin’ / and we got three more days ‘til Friday / I’m just tryna make it back home by Monday / I swear I wish somebody would tell me.”

West even makes a reference to jail (“If I go to jail tonight / promise you’ll pay my bail.”)

5. Van Hunt, “Seconds of Pleasure”

Album: Van Hunt, 2004

Yes, the title of song should make “Seconds of Pleasure” merely lustful and sexual.  While it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that Van Hunt wants listeners to take away that idea as well, this song is more about life’s joys as opposed to the joys of the bedroom.

“Ooh, girl it’s what you say between a phrase / it’s written in your face / it’s rain against a windowpane the sound it makes / it’s dreamin’ the day away.”

Sigh, a meaningful R&B song still exists!

6. Iron Maiden, “2 Minutes to Midnight”

Album: Powerslave, 1984

Let’s cut to the chase.  Iron Maiden is awesome – who in their right mind will deny that, metal-head or not? The chorus is epic, but definitely unsettling.

“Two minutes to midnight / the hands that threaten doom / two minutes to midnight / to kill the unborn in the womb.”

Kill the unborn in the womb? Is this about hot button issue abortion? No – it’s about the “end of the world.”

There are also references to war (“We oil the jaws of the war machine and feed it with our babies”), and the neglect of society (“As the madmen play on words and make us all dance to their song / to the tune of starving millions to make a better kind of gun.” Yep, “2 Minutes to Midnight” is politically and socially charged. Rock on!

7. Fall Out Boy, “7 Minutes in Heaven (Atavan Halen)”

Album: From Under The Cork Tree, 2005

Unlike Van Hunt’s deeper “Seconds of Pleasure,” Fall Out Boy’s “7 Minutes in Heaven (Atavan Halen)” is sexually-charged.  No, Patrick Stump isn’t particularly explicit, but the opening line states his intentions:

“I’m sleeping my way out of this one / with anyone who will lie down / I’ll be stuck fixated on one star / when the world is crashing down.”

In other words, Patty is going to play. He’s “not the desperate type” either…or at least he “keep(s) telling himself” such.

8. Boys Like Girls, “Five Minutes to Midnight”

Album: Boys Like Girls, 2006

Can you guess what Boys Like Girls’ “Five Minutes to Midnight” is about? Well, the band’s name is Boys Like Girls so it won’t shock you that the boys seem to want some “action.” “Turn it up / it’s five minutes to midnight,” sings frontman Martin Johnson, continuing:

“You’re coming home with me tonight / I can’t get enough / shakin’ me up.”

To give the boys credit (or Johnson credit), he wants something more permanent (“Cause I need you more than just for tonight”).

The problem is, isn’t that crazy love at first sight stuff.  Does that even really happen? Can a hook up (or perhaps they keep it classy at a make-out session) really lead into a relationship so suddenly? Seems like a stretch there Boys…

9. Ninja Sex Party, “Three Minutes of Ecstasy”

Album: NSFW, 2011

Oh boy! Are Ninja Sex Party meant to be taken seriously? No, of course not.  As long as that’s the understanding, “Three Minutes of Ecstasy” is perfection…well not quite.

“Three minutes of ecstasy several nights a month / you just tell me baby if that is too much / when my stuff is in your stuff / our souls become entwined / for 180 seconds / my sex has blown your mind.”

Phew! It is what it is!

10. Jordin Sparks, “100 Years”

Album: Right Here Right Now, 2015

Jordin Sparks clearly loves her man – at least that’s the case on “100 Years.”

“Wishing when you’re in the other room / You’re the only one who can break through/ All I think about is pleasing you.”

By pleasing you, it’s clear that Sparks is referencing “the do.” If it’s not clear by the first verse, the sensual nature of the song clearly gives the hint, not to mention the chorus:

“A hundred years is not enough time with you / I fantasize about all that we could do…”

Convince anybody this song isn’t sensual!

11. Alicia Keys, “28 Thousand Days”

2015

28 thousand days seems like a long time.  Calculate it, and it is almost 77 years.  That mere calculation basically provides an explanation about what the song is about.  Not totally unlike “4 Minutes,” Alicia Keys emphasizes treasuring life.  She goes deeper than Madge of course, singing:

“If you had 28 thousand days / who would you love? Where would you go? / What would you celebrate / I’m telling you life’s too short to just throw it away / so have the time of your life…”

12. Marilyn Manson, “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge”

Album: The Pale Emperor, 2015

The word binge never seems to signify something positive – just an observation.  Add to that observation the fact that this is Marilyn Manson, who once proclaimed himself as “god of f-ck,” not to mention The Antichrist Superstar.  Basically, whatever the Marilyn Manson song may be, one is in for quite a ride.

So what exactly is going down on “Third Day of a Seven Day Binge?” Well it’s poetic, but basically, he wants no parts of her.

“I can’t decide if you’re wearning me out or wearing me well / I just feel like I’m condemned to wear someone else’s hell.”

Later, he sings:

“I’ve got bullets, in the Booth/ rather be your victim, than be with you.”

Love him or hate him, Manson is a clever son of a gun.

13. Mary J. Blige, “Seven Days”

Album: Share My World, 1997

We close this list with the same person who started it – Mary J. Blige.  Long before it “took a whole damn year,” Blige had previously outlined the seven days of the week on “Seven Days.”  Interestingly, “On Sunday we made love, now what are we gonna do?” Hmm, sex on Sunday huh? Who are we to judge! Interestingly (or infamously), this song was sung at someone’s funeral.  Ah the beauty of YouTube and viral videos!

Photo Credits: Capitol, J, Warner Bros., Roc Nation, Sanctuary, Island, Columbia, Ninja Sex Party, 19, Sony, RCA, Loma Vista, Geffen