Time Control
Citizen Fish Lyrics

I don't know who invented the clock
The song starts by reflecting on the person who invented the clock.

but it began a process that will never Stop
The clock began a never-ending process.

at the age of six or seven or so
At a young age, around six or seven years old,

it was a decoration that went tick tock
children see the clock as an object or decoration that makes tick-tock sounds.

Then by ten they invented the watch
As they got older, watches were invented by the age of ten.

portable guidance till the hands fell off
They used watches as portable devices for guidance or as a time-telling device, but it could break at some point.

And a few years later it was luminous hands
After a few years, luminous hands were used to make it easier to read the watch in the dark.

then digital figures to help you Understand
Soon after, digital figures have been introduced to make it easier to read the time through the watch or clock.

conditioned by punctuality
People have been conditioned to be punctual as a consequence of the development of time-telling devices.

knew when to be there - but not where to Be
However, people can be aware of when they need to be somewhere but not exactly where they need to be at that given time.

we thought we could control the time
People thought that they could control time by being punctual or by always knowing what time it is.

by always knowing what it was
People thought they could control time by always knowing what time it is.

now every Action has a certain speed
This line reflects on how every action or activity has its speed that people need to keep up with.

as we let time control us
People have let time control them rather than the other way around.

every technological step/
As new technology is introduced,

Is faster than the one before
each step is faster than the previous one.

watching the neighbours and the fashion shows/
People tend to observe their neighbors’ actions or fashion trends,

To see if we need to know more/
to feel the need to learn or know more.

desparate to be one step ahead/
People tend to be desperate to be ahead of the others.

loving to be Followed but still needing to be led/
People love when they are being followed but still need to follow instructions from someone else.

so keep up the pace and keep in line/
People need to keep up with the fast pace and adhere to the rules to keep in line with society.

You're either in the race or you're left behind/
If you don't keep up with the pace, you'll be left behind by society.

you may feel part of society/
Although you may feel part of society,

But the truth is more sublime/
there's more to society than meets the eye.

I said "stop! take a look around you"/
The song concludes with the lyric “Stop! Take a look around you''-- an encouragement to appreciate the details of life.

but you Never had the time
The person addressed in the song can hardly find the time to slow down and appreciate things and activities around them.