Broken Clocks

"Broken Clocks" is a song by the American singer SZA. The song was originally released as the first promotional single on June 2, 2017, from her debut studio album, Ctrl. It was later sent to urban contemporary radio as the album's fourth single on January 9, 2018. "Broken Clocks" was written by SZA and producer ThankGod4Cody.^[1] It samples "West", which was written by River Tiber, Frank Dukes, and Daniel Caesar and performed by the former. SZA performed the song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

"Broken Clocks"
Single by SZA
from the album Ctrl
Released	January 9, 2018 (2018-01-09)
Genre	Alternative R&B
Length	3:51
Label	Top Dawg RCA
Songwriter(s)	Solána Rowe Thomas Paxton-Beesley Ashton Simmonds Adam Feeney Cody Fayne
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 were 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] The video features cameo appearances from SZA’s TDE label-mates Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q and Isaiah Rashad.

Critical reception

"Broken Clocks" was met with critical acclaim. 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

Weekly charts Chart (2017–2018) 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] 12 US Rhythmic (Billboard)[18] 36

Year-end charts Chart (2017) Position US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[19] 48 Chart (2018) Position US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[20] 17

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[21]	Gold	20,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[22]	2× Platinum	160,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[23]	2× Platinum	60,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[24]	Gold	400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[25]	5× Platinum	5,000,000‡
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label	Ref.
United States	June 2, 2017[lower-alpha 1]	Digital download	Top Dawg RCA	[2]
	January 9, 2018	Urban contemporary radio		[26]

Notes

1. Release as a promotional single.

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.

   • "Spotify Web Player - Broken Clocks - SZA". Spotify. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
   • "Amazon.com: Broken Clocks [Explicit]: SZA: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
   • "Broken Clocks / SZA TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
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. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. 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. Archived from the original on January 20, 2018. 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. "Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2017". Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
20. "Hot R&B Singles: Year-End 2018". Billboard. Billboard.com. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
21. "Brazilian single certifications – SZA – Broken Clocks" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
22. "Canadian single certifications – SZA – Broken Clocks". Music Canada. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
23. "New Zealand single certifications – SZA – Broken Clocks". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
24. "British single certifications – SZA – Broken Clocks". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
25. "American single certifications – SZA – Broken Clocks". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
26. "Urban/UAC Future Releases". Archived from the original on January 4, 2018.