Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Album: Chicago Transit Authority (1969)
Charted: 7
Play Video
  • As I was walking down the street one day
    A man came up to me and asked me what the time was that was on my watch, yeah
    And I said

    Does anybody really know what time it is (I don't)
    Does anybody really care (care about time)
    If so I can't imagine why (no, no)
    We've all got time enough to cry

    And I was walking down the street one day
    A pretty lady looked at me and said her diamond watch had stopped cold dead
    And I said

    Does anybody really know what time it is (I don't)
    Does anybody really care (care about time)
    If so I can't imagine why (no, no)
    We've all got time enough to cry

    And I was walking down the street one day (people runnin' everywhere)
    Being pushed and shoved by people (don't know where to go)
    Trying to beat the clock, oh, no I just don't know (don't know where I am)
    I don't know, I don't know, oh (don't have time to think past the last mile)
    (Have no time to look around) And I said, yes I said (run around and think why)

    Does anybody really know what time it is (I don't)
    Does anybody really care (care about time)
    If so I can't imagine why (no, no)
    We've all got time enough to die

    Everybody's working (I don't care)
    I don't care (about time)
    About time (no, no)
    I don't care Writer/s: Robert William Lamm
    Publisher: Audiam, Inc., BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Spirit Music Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 16

  • John from WichitaLove it. I was so young and full of life.
  • Mike from Las Vegas,nvOne of the great songs of Chicago Transit Authority
  • Richard from San Marcos, CaI'm pretty sure the last verse is supposed to read "Everybody's worryin' " not working.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyToday {December 17th, 2015} the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2016 inductees, the newest members will be Chicago, Deep Purple, Steve Miller, Cheap Trick and NWA; and they will be inducted info the HoF on April 8th, 2016 in New York City...
    And exactly forty five years earlier on December 17th, 1970 Chicago's "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" was at #8 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; ten days later on December 27th it would peak at #7 {for 2 weeks}...
    {See the next post below}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 1st 1970, "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is" by Chicago entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #72; and eight weeks later on December 27th, 1970 it peaked at #7 {for 2 weeks} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #5 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart...
    Was track 2 of side 1 on the group's debut album, 'Chicago Transit Authority', although the album only reached #17 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart it stayed on the chart for 171 weeks...
    Three other tracks from the album also made the Top 100 chart; "Questions 67 & 68" {#71, then #24 when re-released in 1971}, "Beginnings" {#7}, and "I'm A Man" {#49}...
    Keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, who composed the song, celebrated his 70th birthday nineteen days ago on October 13th {2014}.
  • Martin from Fresno, CaIt always calms me down whenever I get in a hurry. That song is a reminder not to worry about the time but to focus on relationships.
  • Robert from Houston, TxThe talking at the end of the song is Robert in the background.

    People running everywhere
    Don't know where to go
    Don't know where i am
    Can't see past the next step
    Don't have time to think past the next mile ( guessing on this line)
    Have no time to look around
    Just run around, run around and think why..

    Thanks to chicagotheband.us/forum

  • Rocco from New York City, NyWhat is that talking that goes on toward the end of the song?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyGreat song; their first two LPs are just simple great!!!
  • Jim from Indio, CaThere's a live version where Robert introduces the piece and then says "Terry hates this song."
  • Robert Lamb from Chicago, Virgin Islands (u.s.)Want a real true story. Got on a CTA bus asked if anyone knew what time it was, a guy laughed and asked me if anyone cares, he told me he wrote a song called that, and said it was good, sang some right then and there but i reallycould not hear it.. a woman turned around and asked him to stop singing , he told her someday yoiu will have to pay to hear it. Guess who it was...true story Real nice guy then and now
  • Nicholas Cano from San Antonio, Txmy dad phil cano wrote a song like this in 1969 he sent it to a ad on a comic book for requesting poems and never got a response?
  • Henry from Pawtucket, RiThe title comes from a doorman whom Robert Lamm asked for the time and he said, "Does Anybody Really Know...."
  • Confidential from Confidential, NyI like the interesting intro that doesn't have the melody of the actual song.
  • Michael from Chicago, IlThe word 'alternative' has been used a lot these days in reference to music, but Chicago was alternative way before the modern use of the word -- they did not start out getting airplay in their own hometown, at least not on AM top 40 radio; no, they got discovered by the college crowd, and first got aired on the FM underground stations of the time -- they even impressed Jimi Hendrix! Now people think that they are 'mainstream', or 'corporate'. HA!
  • Mark from Lancaster, OhConsider the times: by 1969 nobody'd heard horns in popular music since Perry Como's Christmas Special. Wind instruments were strictly Lawrence Welk, and here comes Chicago (the 'Transit Authority' was removed from their name when the real CTA, the ones that own the trains in Illinois, complained.) Everyone liked the sound, but somehow it felt like a guilty pleasure; we were committed to guitars, drums, and the occasional ocarina for ethnic effect. But Chicago didn't care, and it was great.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Oliver Leiber

Oliver LeiberSongwriter Interviews

Oliver Leiber talks about writing and producing hits for Paula Abdul, and explains his complicated relationship with his father, the songwriter Jerry Leiber.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.