Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

"Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?" is a song written and sung by Robert Lamm while in the rock band Chicago and recorded for their debut album The Chicago Transit Authority (1969). The song was not released as a single until two records from their second album ("Make Me Smile" and "25 or 6 to 4") had become hits. It became the band's third straight Top 10 record, peaking at #7 in the U.S.[1] The original uncut album version opens with a brief "free form" piano solo performed by Lamm. A spoken verse by Lamm is mixed into the sung final verse of the album version. The single version does not include the "free form" intro or the spoken verse, and was originally mixed in mono. A stereo re-edit (beginning from the point where the "free form" intro leaves off) was issued on the group's Only The Beginning greatest hits CD set. A shorter edit (without the opening fanfare or piano break, starting at the trumpet solo) was included on the original vinyl version of Chicago's Greatest Hits, but was not included on the CD version. This short edit was included on the CD version of the compilation album If You Leave Me Now. An even shorter version (starting mid-way through the trumpet solo) was issued as a promotional single, which finally appeared on 2007's The Best of Chicago: 40th Anniversary Edition. A live version on the Chicago at Carnegie Hall box set presents an expanded version of the "free form" intro, which itself is given its own track. The Promo Edit is the edit played on Certain Classic Hits stations and 70's radio shows Radio Station KKMJ would play the Promo Edit version on its Super Songs of the 70's weekend. Classic Hits KXBT would play the Promo Edit, and the True Oldies Channel would play the 3:20 single version.

[Piano Solo] [Intro] [Verse 1] As I was walking down the street one day A man came up to me and asked me What the time was that was on my watch Yeah... and I said [Chorus] (I don't) Does anybody really know what time it is? (Care) Does anybody really care? (about time) If so, I can't imagine why (Oh no, no) We've all got time enough to cry [Verse 2] And I was walking down the street one day A pretty lady looked at me And said her diamond watch had stopped cold dead And I said [Chorus] (I don't) Does anybody really know what time it is? (Care) Does anybody really care? (about time) If so, I can't imagine why (Oh no, no) We've all got time enough to cry [Verse 3] And I was walking down the street one day Being pushed and shoved by people Trying to Beat the clock, oh, no I just don't know, I don't know, I don't know-oh And I said... yes, I said (Background:) People runnin' everywhere Don't know where to go Don't know where I am Can't see past the next step Don't have time to think past the last one Have no time to look around Just run around, run around think why [Chorus] (I don't) Does anybody really know what time it is? (Care) Does anybody really care? (about time) If so I can't imagine why (Oh no, no) We've all got time enough to die [Outro] Everybody's working (I don't care) I don't care (About time) About time (Oh no, no) I don't care