Come Back To The World

Erykah Badu “Time’s A Wastin'”

There are many amazing and beautiful things about this song, but for me “Time’s A Wastin’” has always been about the relaxed keyboard chords at the core of the arrangement and the particular tone of that instrument. I’m not an expert and it’s not specified in the liner notes, but I think it’s a Fender Rhodes? Something like that, at least. It’s a warm, wholesome tone that also suggests something cosmic or spectral beyond the physical realm. Badu is offering wisdom, advice, and encouragement in her lyrics, and the keyboards support that by conveying patience and gentleness even as she calls for immediate and decisive action. The song is basically about coaxing someone out of inertia, and she sings from a place of deep empathy – she’s obviously been in some place before. The implication isn’t that she knows much better and is condescending to this other person, but that she’s got some perspective. In its mellow feel and stately pace the music suggests a panoramic view going back ages, but Badu sings it all like someone firmly grounded in the here and now.

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