Summer
Clocks Lyrics


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Gonna write another album
Take a trip to Japan
Gonna draft a memorandum
Pretend that I’m a businessman
Decide that I’m not ready
Spend the summer on my back under a ceiling fan
Oh look, it’s another
Song about how
My generation’s always tired
But still, it stings
Shake hands, answer questions
Until you get hired
And still they wonder why
I’d rather sing
Staring at an empty session again
I thought that I was Jimmy
But maybe I’m Ben
Gonna write another album
Take a trip to Japan
Gonna draft a memorandum
Pretend that I’m a businessman
Decide that I’m not ready
Spend the summer on my back under a ceiling fan
The ice cracks and hisses
In a glass on my bedside table
I promise I’ll be better
As soon as I’m able
But I love the way
The light dances through my blinds




The way it makes me feel that everything’s all right
And my memory rewinds

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Summer" by Clocks delve into the introspective journey of an artist grappling with their creative process, personal identity, and societal expectations. The lyrics convey the artist's contemplation of their next creative project by stating their intent to write a new album. However, this creative inclination is intertwined with a desire to escape reality temporarily by embarking on a trip to Japan and engaging in formalities like drafting a memorandum to mimic a businessman's routine. This juxtaposition of artistic pursuits with mundane tasks reflects the artist's internal conflict between embracing their creativity and conforming to societal norms.


The artist expresses a sense of ambivalence and self-doubt as they question their readiness to create, symbolized by their decision to spend the summer indoors under a ceiling fan. This imagery alludes to a feeling of stagnation or being stuck in a cycle of indecision. Furthermore, the lyrics touch upon the artist's observation of their generation's prevailing fatigue, acknowledging the societal pressures to constantly strive for success and productivity. Despite this acknowledgment, the artist laments the persistence of these expectations and the toll it takes on their well-being, emphasizing a longing for authenticity and self-expression through music.


The lyrics also depict the artist's struggle to navigate professional settings, where they engage in formalities like shaking hands and answering questions to secure employment. This portrayal highlights the artist's reluctance to conform to traditional roles and their preference for artistic expression through music. The artist finds solace in singing, using it as a form of escapism and a means to convey their emotions and thoughts authentically. The contrast between the artist's internal struggles and external pressures underscores the theme of societal expectations versus personal fulfillment.


Towards the end of the lyrics, the artist reflects on their identity by comparing themselves to Jimmy and Ben, hinting at a search for purpose and self-discovery. The repetition of writing another album and taking a trip to Japan signifies a cycle of creative exploration and escapism, suggesting a perpetual quest for meaning and inspiration. The artist's acknowledgment of their shortcomings, paired with a hopeful promise of improvement, showcases a desire for growth and self-betterment. The vivid imagery of light dancing through blinds and the soothing sound of crackling ice hint at moments of tranquility and clarity amid chaos, ultimately culminating in a sense of nostalgia and reflection as the artist rewinds their memories.


Line by Line Meaning

Gonna write another album
Planning to create more music


Take a trip to Japan
Consider traveling to Japan


Gonna draft a memorandum
Thinking about writing a formal document


Pretend that I’m a businessman
Acting like a professional


Decide that I’m not ready
Realizing I'm not prepared


Spend the summer on my back under a ceiling fan
Choosing to relax indoors during the summer


Oh look, it’s another
Oh, another typical


Song about how
Track discussing the concept of


My generation’s always tired
My age group is consistently fatigued


But still, it stings
Yet, it still hurts


Shake hands, answer questions
Engage in social interactions and respond to inquiries


Until you get hired
Until you secure a job


And still they wonder why
Yet they question why


I’d rather sing
I prefer to express myself through singing


Staring at an empty session again
Gazing at an unused recording space once more


I thought that I was Jimmy
I believed I was like Jimmy


But maybe I’m Ben
But perhaps I'm actually Ben


The ice cracks and hisses
The ice makes cracking and hissing sounds


In a glass on my bedside table
In a glass placed next to my bed


I promise I’ll be better
I vow to improve


As soon as I’m able
Once I have the capability


But I love the way
However, I enjoy how


The light dances through my blinds
The way sunlight moves through my window shades


The way it makes me feel that everything’s all right
How it gives me a sense that everything is okay


And my memory rewinds
And my mind goes back in time




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Chase Miller

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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