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About

Genius Annotation

This is the only track on the album that credits all 4 members of the band. It’s 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 at the age of 29.

The idea in “Time” is a similar exhortation to “Breathe.” To be here now, this is it. Make the most of it.

Roger Waters

Doris Troy, Lesley Duncan, Liza Strike, and Barry St John sang on backing vocals, which were processed through an early pitch-changing device called a Frequency Translator.

Ian Emes commissioned this animated film that was projected during live performances of the song.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

Song Translation
Genius Answer
What did Pink Floyd say about "Time"?
Genius Answer

Almost every member on Pink Floyd has spoken up about the production or lyrical content of “Time” except for keyboardist Richard Wright and Dark Side of the Moon engineer Alan Parsons.

The idea in “Time” is a similar exhortation to “Breathe.” To be here now, this is it. Make the most of it.

Roger Waters, taken from Utopia interview

He [Alan Parsons] had just recently before we did that album gone out with a whole set of equipment and had recorded all these clocks in a clock shop. And we were doing the song Time, and he said “Listen, I just did all these things, I did all these clocks,” and so we wheeled out his tape and listened to it and said “Great! Stick it on!” And that, actually, is Alan Parsons' idea.

David Gilmour, taken from 1984 interview with Charlie Kendall

The drums used on the “Time” track are roto-toms. I think we did some experiments with some other drums called boo-bans, which are very small, tuned drums, but the roto-toms actually gave the best effect.

Nick Mason, taken from 1984 interview with Charlie Kendall

The last lines any religious connotation?
Genius Answer

They definitely hint at the notion of a transcending gathering of any kind. The “bell” and “faithful” evoke christian churches while the “magic spells” seem to reside in more pagan beliefs.

Credits
Produced By
Sound Engineer
Bass Guitar
Electric Guitar
Stickers Art
Sleeve Art
Photography
Sleeve Design
Assistant Engineer
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer]
Farfisa Organ
Rototoms
Mastered by
Mix Supervisor
Recorded At
EMI Recording Studios, St. John's Wood, City of Westminster, Greater London, England
Release Date
March 1, 1973
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