I love “You Had Time” by Ani DiFranco. It slows time so you can stop, breathe and listen to a heartbreak beat about a fading relationship. First, there’s that tinkering on the piano, tentative as though the player is finding what they mean to say.
The melody is lovely, with the occasional lost or jangled note serving to enhance rather than mar.
All the while, the listener is pulled along by a repetitive melody, as pretty as any written. It’s real simple, like Mozart warming up his fingers before performing variations on a theme.
And the next thing you know, it’s been two minutes and 32 seconds, and Ani hasn’t sung a single word. And then it’s just what the world needs, another silly love song or, rather, a sad breakup song.
Of course, Ani DiFranco is going to serve some good lyrics, keeping things lively by singing like people talk. I like her metaphors: “You are a china shop, and I am a bull. You are really good food and I am full.”
Give this song off the record Out of Range a listen if you have time, specifically five minutes and 46 seconds.
–Sarah Torribio
Listen to more songs of the day HERE
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