# Songs That Change Time Signatures **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867 "2011-07-05T01:35:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/21 "2011-07-05T16:02:34Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > _Unsquare Dance_ is completely in 7/4. Most of Brubeck’s works are in \*\*odd \*\*signatures, not **changing** ones. Yes, but the other ones listed are changing time signatures–it was only “Unsquare Dance” that didn’t fit the OP’s bill. ---
**Author:** ![Rain\_Soaked](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19adc/32.png) [@Rain\_Soaked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rain_Soaked)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/22 "2011-07-05T16:42:14Z")
“Classical Gas” by Mason Williams has several time changes in it. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/23 "2011-07-05T16:44:12Z")
I should expound: “Blue Rondo a la Turk” goes from the 9/8 riff into a swinging 4/4 in the solos. “Three to Get Ready” is a hodge podge of 3/4 and 4/4. It starts with 12 bars of 3/4, then goes into alternating two bars of 3/4 with two bars of 4/4 for the solos, and then eventually settles back into 3/4 for the last 12+ bars, where the melodic tag from the intro returns. “Kathy’s Waltz” goes from a straight 4/4 (or cut time, 2/2) in the intro, to a 3/4 in the improvisations (and it’s a weird 3/4, with the bass and instruments following along in three, but the drums playing through in 2s or 4s instead of following along in 3s with the other instruments.) “Everybody’s Jumpin” floats around, interspersing normal sections in swing time, punctuated by odd time signatures. So, on _Time Out_ most of the songs actually do change time signature. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/24 "2011-07-05T16:45:59Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I was wondering that, too. I don’t remember it changing time signature anywhere. (“Tempo” is not equivalent to time signature. Tempo can change without a time signature change and time sigs can change without the tempo changing. In fact, most of the songs here fall in the latter category–tempo remains the same, but the time signatures shift.) Laziness strikes again. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/25 "2011-07-05T16:52:48Z")
I once asked my band playing college roommate about this: he said [Glycerine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z66yp3cMwkw). I am not musical in anyway so I have no way of verifying it. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/26 "2011-07-05T16:57:27Z")
> [@Rain\_Soaked](#): > > “Classical Gas” by Mason Williams has several time changes in it. Augh! I’ve had that floating in the deep background of my head since I posted the OP, but couldn’t get it to come forward far enough into the light to actually figure out exactly what song it was. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/27 "2011-07-06T00:34:58Z")
> [@Biffer\_Spice](#): > > i wonder if that was deliberate, or if ringo just didn’t notice… 😉 Extremely unlikely. (Assuming you were serious.) . ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/28 "2011-07-06T05:18:46Z")
[“I Say A Little Prayer For You”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STKkWj2WpWM) has three different time signatures. It’s mostly 4/4, but there’s a 2/4 measure inserted into each verse (just before the lyric, “I say a little prayer for you.”), and a 3/4 measure in the chorus (“…I will love you.” Well, “…will love you” is the actual 3/4 part, and it’s a bit syncopated. but you get the idea.) I’ve always loved that song for precisely this reason; there’s funky time signature changes, yet it flows beautifully. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/29 "2011-07-06T15:19:56Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > Another Beatles example: All You Need Is Love. The verse alternates between 3/4 and 4/4, while the chorus is 4/4 all the way through. The arrangement I have tosses a 2/4 in there as well. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/30 "2011-07-06T15:26:54Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > The arrangement I have tosses a 2/4 in there as well. “Good Morning, Good Morning” is another Lennon song with time sig changes throughout. . ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/31 "2011-07-06T15:30:29Z")
“[Some Velvet Morning](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb-SVPJM4L4)” by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/32 "2011-07-07T03:18:40Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > Another Beatles example: All You Need Is Love. The verse alternates between 3/4 and 4/4, while the chorus is 4/4 all the way through… I don’t here any 3/4 as I play it in my head. > [@Biffer\_Spice](#): > > i wonder if that was deliberate, or if ringo just didn’t notice… 😉 I know you’re joking, but you are way, way off the mark on this one. mmm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/33 "2011-07-07T03:24:47Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I don’t here any 3/4 as I play it in my head. It’s there. [Listen Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk) “Love, love, love (pause) Love, love, love” 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3 “(There’s) Nothing you can’t do that can’t be done” 1-2-3-4-1-2-3 Etc…all throughout the verses. Note the difference with a straight 4/4 version: [Echo and the Bunnymen’s version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nflD9TWO0g) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/34 "2011-07-07T12:32:49Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s there. > > [Listen Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk) > > “Love, love, love (pause) Love, love, love” 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3 > > “(There’s) Nothing you can’t do that can’t be done” 1-2-3-4-1-2-3 > > Etc…all throughout the verses. > > Note the difference with a straight 4/4 version: > > [Echo and the Bunnymen’s version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nflD9TWO0g) OK, gotcha. My brain only offered the 4/4 rendition. 🙂 mmm ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/35 "2011-07-07T12:48:13Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > It’s there. > > [Listen Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk) > > “Love, love, love (pause) Love, love, love” 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4, 1-2-3 > > “(There’s) Nothing you can’t do that can’t be done” 1-2-3-4-1-2-3 > > Etc…all throughout the verses. > > Note the difference with a straight 4/4 version: > > [Echo and the Bunnymen’s version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nflD9TWO0g) Dude - and you wondered why I forgot you were a keyboardist and thought you were a drummer! 😉 You really listen to rhythm well… \*\*Soundgarden **does this with songs like** Black Hole Sun \*\*(middle 8 and end are in an odd time) and \*\*Spoonman \*\*(verses in 7/8) ---
**Author:** ![unwashed\_brain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a9adbd/32.png) [@unwashed\_brain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unwashed_brain)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/36 "2011-07-07T15:22:39Z")
The song \*\*Lateraus \*\*by \*\*Tool \*\*changes from 9/8 to 8/8 to 7/8. It also features a staccato opening verse whose syllable count increases in the Fibonacci sequence. Math rock at its finest 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2011, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/37 "2011-07-07T16:05:18Z")
Almost anything by **Mr. Bungle** , a typical example:[Stubb A Dub](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RBSrUtX0bA). ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/38 "2011-07-08T21:55:28Z")
While taking my one and only music theory course in college I decided to try out my newly-acquired skills by entering favorite pieces (one note at a time) into an old Mac composition program. The goal was to match, as closely as possible, the playback to a CD recording of the actual piece. I succeeded with _The Falls_ from the soundtrack to _The Mission_. Easy enough as there’s only four or five notes in the whole piece. Encouraged, I moved on to the _Tanz_ from _Carmina Burana_. The motif seemed simple enough – four steady notes, a triplet, four more steady notes, two triplets back-to-back. Mind you, the score was not available to me. My university didn’t have a real music program (just a few courses available as electives) and thus no music library. So I must’ve struggled for three or four days with that simple sequence and grumpily concluded that the software just couldn’t handle triplets properly. Fast forward a few years when I finally got my hands on a score (I sang with the local symphony chorus). I paged through to the opening of _Tanz_ and discovered that the composer had achieved his effect by changing the time signature at the beginning of each measure (or nearly). Grrrrrrrrrrrr. ---
**Author:** ![Biffer\_Spice\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@Biffer\_Spice\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffer_Spice_1)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/39 "2011-07-12T14:01:14Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I know you’re joking, but you are way, way off the mark on this one. > mmm well no, not really. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867/40 "2011-07-12T14:21:16Z")
“[Supper’s Ready](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up5gbuBtwCc)” by Genesis has numerous time changes, including the wonderful switch to 9/8 time during _“Apocalypse in 9/8 (Co-Starring the Delicious Talents of Gabble Ratchet)”_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-change-time-signatures/587867.md?page=3)