Music and Lyrics: Closing Time – Semisonic

I’m part of the MTV generation, the generation who watched an MTV that showed music videos instead of reality shows. Circa 1998, I believe, was when this song came out, and of course I learned about it from MTV. Truth be told this is the only Semisonic song I know. At first I thought it was just about leaving in general. It was only recently that I learned that the song was really about being born – or actually the end of pregnancy. For me, it is the use of the Seneca quote that really characterizes the song: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

Closing time
Open all the doors and let you out into the world
Closing time
Turn all of the lights on over every boy and every girl

Closing time
One last call for alcohol so finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time
You don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from
Closing time
This room won’t be open till your brothers or your sisters come

So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end, yeah

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home

Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end