Broken Clocks

"Broken Clocks" is a song by the American singer/songwriter, SZA. The song was released as the first promotional single on June 2, 2017 from SZA's 2017 debut studio album, Ctrl. The song was then sent to urban contemporary radio as the album's fourth single (and third radio single). "Broken Clocks" was written by SZA and producer Cody "ThankGod4Cody" Fayne,[1] as well as samples "West", which was written by Thomas Paxton-Beesley, Adam Feeney, and Daniel Caesar and performed by River Tiber. SZA performed the song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

"Broken Clocks"
Single by SZA
from the album Ctrl
ReleasedJanuary 9, 2018 (2018-01-09)
Recorded2017
GenreAlternative R&B
Length3:51
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)ThankGod4Cody
SZA singles chronology
"All the Stars"
(2018)		 "Broken Clocks"
(2018)		 "Garden (Say It Like Dat)"
(2018)

Background

The song was released a week ahead of the album's release, as a promotional single on mainstream music platforms.[2] "Broken Clocks" is a follow-up to the songs "Drew Barrymore" and "Love Galore", both of which are released from SZA's album, Ctrl.[3]

Music video

The music video for "Broken Clocks" was co-directed by SZA and Dave Free, and was released on March 30, 2018.[4] The video features SZA at a summer camp in the wilderness. As the song comes to a close, the camera cuts to SZA as a stripper, lying unconscious on the bathroom floor of a strip club, following an altercation with another woman.[5]

Critical reception

Jon Pareles of The New York Times felt, "'Broken Clocks' enfolds SZA amid blurry keyboard tones and a watery sample of men's voices as she ponders memories of an old romance that still haunts her."[6] Joshua Espinoza of Complex magazine regarded the song as "a mid-tempo cut about optimism and perseverance".[7] Lauren Ziegler of Consequence of Sound opined, "'Broken Clocks' is slinky and laid back, with confidence and suggestiveness/passion [8] dripping from each note. Though more energetic and pointed than the minimalistic 'Love Galore', it still retains a kind of sleek raspiness so unique to the Top Dawg Entertainment artist's sound."[9] Desire Thompson of Vibe magazine argued that SZA has "proven herself to be a talented storyteller between harmonious melodies" and "finds a creative way to highlight the plight of a topsy-tuvy love" with the release of this song.[10] Adelle Platon of Billboard magazine described the song as "nostalgic",[11] while Navjosh of HipHop-N-More described the song as a "soothing mid tempo ballad which is sure to get numerous plays once you start listening".[12] Darby McNally of Paste magazine said, "'Broken Clocks' is a cool, smooth tune with a hint of modernity, a combination that is beginning to be SZA's calling card."[13] Tom Breihan of Stereogum wrote that the song is "a bit of a departure from the hazy sounds of SZA's past work" and has "gasping synths and trap hi-hat skitters, and puts her breathy, expressive vocals in a more commercial light."[14]

Charts
Chart (2017–18) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 82
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[16] 39
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[17] 16
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[18] 36

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[19] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States June 2, 2017[lower-alpha 1] Digital download
[2]
January 9, 2018 Urban contemporary radio [20]

Notes
  1. Release as a promotional single.
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gollark: ... £5 or so a month?
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gollark: This is wrong. Apiobeeoforms have compound eyes and/or high resolution camera systems.
gollark: = E_γ

References
  1. SZA – Broken Clocks, retrieved 2020-05-27
  2. "Broken Clocks" was released as a single on multiple mainstream music platforms, including Spotify, Amazon and Tidal.
  3. David Renshaw (June 2, 2017). "Listen To SZA's New Song "Broken Clocks"". The Fader. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  4. Kim, Michelle (March 30, 2018). "Watch SZA's New "Broken Clocks" Video". Pitchfork. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  5. Spanos, Brittany (March 30, 2018). "Watch SZA's Summer Camp-Set 'Broken Clocks' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  6. Jon Pareles (June 7, 2017). "SZA's Songs Face Desire in All Its Complications". New York Times. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  7. Joshua Espinoza (June 2, 2017). "Listen to SZA's Latest Single, "Broken Clocks"". Complex. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  8. sensuality-suggestiveness/passion;-harmanpreet-kaur=29-03-2018
  9. Lauren Ziegler (June 2, 2017). "SZA shares new track "Broken Clocks" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  10. Desire Thompson (June 2, 2017). "SZA Reigns Supreme Over A Toxic Love On "Broken Clocks"". Vibe. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  11. Adelle Platon (June 2, 2017). "SZA Shares New 'CTRL' Cut 'Broken Clocks'". Billboard. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  12. Navjosh (June 2, 2017). "Listen to SZA's New Song 'Broken Clocks'". HipHop-N-More. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  13. Darby McNally (June 2, 2017). "Listen to SZA's New Track "Broken Clocks" from Forthcoming Album CTRL". Paste. Retrieved June 2, 2017.
  14. Tom Breihan (June 23, 2017). "SZA – "Broken Clocks"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
  15. "SZA Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  16. "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  17. "SZA Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  18. "SZA Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  19. "American single certifications – SZA – Broken Clocks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 6, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH. 
  20. "Urban/UAC Future Releases". Archived from the original on January 4, 2018.
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