"Clockwork" is an unreleased song by Melanie Martinez. It was recorded during the sessions for her fourth extended play (EP), After School EP, however, it was later scrapped.
The full song was leaked on June 9, 2024.
Theme[]
Clockwork is about time passing as a stressful and tasking thing. Knowing that if you stop for a moment you will be hurt and trying to continue and preserver like you weren't. It also talks about how time will not wait for you. The chorus brings up wasting the limited opportunities you have in life. Also, the song seems to address the topic of time and how it influences people's lives, especially in relation to work, stress and the pressures of modern life. Overall, it seems to convey a message about struggling against time pressure and the incessant demands of modern life. She addresses the stress and exhaustion resulting from a rigid routine and the feeling of lack of control over one's destiny. The song reflects on the relentless nature of time and how it affects people's lives, causing worry and emotional damage. Ultimately, the song suggests the need to recognize and deal with these pressures to find a better balance in life.
Lyrics[]
[Verse]
Oh no!
Making time up so there's control
9 to 5 to keep the cycle going
Stress is blowing up my dome
It's not my preference, though
So loud!
The sun is rising so we crawl
Out my body,
Burn the candles out,
All the ends
No wax left to melt, we're a mess
[Pre-chorus]
Time, it haunts me like a stalker
In the bushes, waiting for the moments I am still
To make me rush, go make me ill!
Pressing forward like a remote
All the damage done to my soul
Worrying about the past, amidst, and future doubts
[Chorus]
Clockwork, time ain't ticking no more
Waste your chances, one more
Waitin' round the corner
Reality's choosy, time's never losing
All of the pending dimensions you're cruising, ah
[Verse]
Oh no!
Making time up so there's control
9 to 5 to keep the cycle going
Stress is blowing up my dome
It's not my preference, though
So loud!
The sun is rising so we crawl
Out my body,
Burn the candles out,
All the ends
No wax left to melt, we're a mess
[Pre-chorus]
Time, it haunts me like a stalker
In the bushes, waiting for the moments I am still
To make me rush, go make me ill!
Pressing forward like a remote
All the damage done to my soul
Worrying about the past, amidst, and future doubts
[Chorus]
Clockwork, time ain't ticking no more
Waste your chances, one more
Waitin' round the corner
Reality's choosy, time's never losing
All of the pending dimensions you're cruising, ah
Official versions[]
| Version | Associated project | Leak date | Producer(s) | Creation date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final | After School EP | June 9, 2024 | Blake Slatkin | March 2020 | 3:21 |
Trivia[]
- The song was never finished, only written up to the first chorus.
- It was recorded along with multiple other sessions in March 2020, including songs like "Maze", "Function", "Under The Desk", "Chrysalis", "Spin The Bottle" and "Paper Cut".
- Before it leaked, this song was known as "oH nO!"[1], a fake title given by leakers.
- A stalker is also mentioned in the lyrics of "Death".
[]
v • e  | |
|---|---|
| Featured tracks | Notebook • Test Me • Brain & Heart • Numbers • Glued • Field Trip • The Bakery |
| Scrapped tracks | Absorb • Clockwork • Copy Cat (ft. Tierra Whack) • Erase Her • Fire Drill • Function • History • Lost & Found • Paper Cut • Spin The Bottle • Trophy • Under The Desk |
| Related tracks | Chrysalis • Maze • The Tunnel |
| Characters | Abuelita • Bunnies |
| Producers | Blake Slatkin • Melanie Martinez (exec.) • Michael Keenan |
| Extra | K-12 • CAN'T WAIT TILL I'M OUT OF K-12 • All Hallow's Eve • Merchandise |
