Broken Clocks
by SZA

Album: CTRL (2017)
Charted: 82
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Here, SZA sings about working hard in order to accumulate a sum of money.

    Got a shift at 10 AM
    Gotta dip at 10 PM
    Gotta get that cash
    Won't get past the lunch break


    SZA told Billboard magazine back in 2013 that before getting into music, she got through a variety of jobs. "After I graduated I just started doing random jobs," she said. "I figured I was going to be a scientist and travel the world or something like that. But in the meantime I just needed money. I got fired from every job I ever had, though."
  • The song is based around a vocal sample of River Tiber's 2016 single "West." SZA is in good company with choosing to sample the Toronto singer-songwriter. Back in 2015, River Tiber was plucked out of obscurity when his song "No Talk" was sampled by Drake on his If You're Reading This It's Too Late track "No Tellin'."
  • SZA sang this at the Grammy Awards in 2018. She was nominated for Best New Artist, but lost to Alessia Cara.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And Scandals

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.