Ephemeral Freedom in the Time-Keeping Game | The Working Hour | Tears For Fears

The Working Hour is a song by British band Tears for Fears from their 1985 album Songs from the Big Chair. The song's lyrics are often interpreted as a commentary on the monotony of working-class life, with lead vocalist Curt Smith singing about the drudgery and routine of daily work.

The song's themes revolve around the struggle to find meaning in one's job, with lines like "I'm just a working hour away from being free" suggesting that the narrator is counting down the minutes until their shift ends, eager to escape the confines of their workspace. The lyrics also touch on feelings of alienation and disconnection, as the singer describes the sense of isolation that comes with spending long hours in an office or factory.

The melancholic tone of the song is characterized by a haunting piano riff and Curt Smith's distinctive vocals, which add to the overall atmosphere of longing and dissatisfaction. The music video for the song features footage of people going about their daily routines, interspersed with images of desolation and decay, further emphasizing the song's themes of monotony and disconnection.

The Working Hour is often seen as a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of industrialized society, where individuals are reduced to mere cogs in a machine, losing touch with their own desires and aspirations. The song can be interpreted as a call to arms, urging listeners to break free from the monotony of daily life and seek out something more fulfilling.

In many ways, The Working Hour serves as a precursor to the themes of disaffection and social commentary that would become hallmarks of Tears for Fears' later work, including songs like "Sowing the Seeds of Love" and " Elemental". The song's relevance and resonance have endured over the years, making it a fan favorite and a staple of 80s new wave playlists.