"Broken Clocks" is a song by the American singer

SZA Solána Imani Rowe (born November 8, 1989), known professionally as SZA ( ), is an American singer and songwriter. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, she began making music in the early 2010s, releasing two extended plays before signing with the hip ...

. The song was originally released as the first promotional

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

on June 2, 2017, from her debut studio album, ''

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''. It was later sent to

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radio as the album's fourth single on January 9, 2018. "Broken Clocks" was written by SZA and producer ThankGod4Cody. It samples "West", which was written by

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Frank Dukes Adam King Feeney (born September 12, 1983), better known as Ging and by his former stage name Frank Dukes, is a Canadian musician, record producer, and songwriter. A prolific producer, he has worked with artists including Camila Cabello ("Havan ...

, and

Daniel Caesar Ashton Dumar Norwill Simmonds (born April 5, 1995), known professionally as Daniel Caesar, is a Canadian singer and songwriter. After independently building a following through the release of two critically acclaimed EPs, ''Praise Break'' (2014 ...

and performed by the former. SZA performed the song at the

60th Annual Grammy Awards The 60th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on January 28, 2018. The CBS network broadcast the show live from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The show was moved to January to avoid coinciding with the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongc ...

Background

The song was released a week ahead of the album's release, as a promotional single on mainstream music platforms."Broken Clocks" was released as a single on multiple mainstream music platforms, including

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and Tidal. * * * "Broken Clocks" is a follow-up to the songs "Drew Barrymore" and " Love Galore", both of which were released from SZA's album, Ctrl.

Music video

The

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing devi ...

for "Broken Clocks" was co-directed by SZA and

Dave Free David Friley (born November 13, 1986), known professionally as Dave Free, is an American filmmaker, record executive, and former record producer. He is best known for his creative partnership with rapper Kendrick Lamar, with whom he founded the ...

, and was released on March 30, 2018. The video features SZA at a

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in the wilderness. As the song comes to a close, the camera cuts to SZA as a

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, lying unconscious on the bathroom floor of a

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, following an altercation with another woman.

Critical reception

Jon Pareles of ''

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'' 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." Joshua Espinoza of ''

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'' magazine regarded the song as "a mid-tempo cut about optimism and perseverance". Lauren Ziegler of ''

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'' opined, "'Broken Clocks' is slinky and laid back, with confidence and suggestiveness/passion 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." Desire Thompson of ''

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'' 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. Adelle Platon of ''

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'' magazine described the song as "nostalgic", 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". Darby McNally of ''

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'' 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." Tom Breihan of ''

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'' 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."

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

Notes

References

{{authority control 2018 singles 2017 songs SZA songs Songs written by SZA Songs written by Frank Dukes