My Gen X Playlist: Closing Time – Semisonic

I remember once being upset with a colleague early in my career. We were working on a major project with a new client and all of a sudden she was MIA for days. I was concerned and called to see if she was alright. She said she wasn’t sick, but she just couldn’t get out of bed. With the pressure mounting, I wasn’t sympathetic and quite upset. I remember having a few curt words with her. This was about 25 years ago. This experience has often made me think of a few things.

First, being young and healthy at the time, I had no idea what people went through when struggling daily with health issues. Sure, I’ve sprained ankles playing basketball or had the occasional flu, but these were episodic and eventually healed. I didn’t understand what it was like dealing with a chronic health issue. Everyday can be a challenge.

Second, I didn’t know much about mental health issues at the time. It turns out, my friend was bi-polar. Unbeknownst to me, everyday was a struggle for her. She was strong, bright and very successful. That’s what I knew her to be. Just because we can’t see the injury, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

And finally, I’m learning to stop and pause before placing blame or judgement. We have no idea what is going on behind the scenes of the other person. They may be dealing with a family crisis, financial struggles or health issues. We are not privy to their circumstances and only see the moment. Sometimes people need a pass, a mulligan. Extending a little grace can go a long way and more often than not, it doesn’t cost a thing. I don’t always catch myself, but I certainly try.

This got me thinking about songs that we think we know what they’re about, but we don’t know behind the scenes. Semisonic released Closing Time in 1998. I always thought it was about last call at the bar. I couldn’t have been further off base.

This song has a very literal meaning – being asked to leave a bar – but it goes much deeper than that. Semisonic lead singer Dan Wilson wrote the song when his wife was pregnant with their first child, which turned out to be a daughter named Coco. Halfway through writing the song, he realized it had a double meaning. “It’s all about being born and coming into the world, seeing the bright lights, cutting the cord, opening up into something deeper and more universal,” Wilson told Mojo.

Shortly before recording was scheduled to begin, Wilson’s wife experienced complications with her pregnancy, and Coco was born three months premature, weighing just 11 ounces. Wilson’s bandmates offered to postpone the sessions, but he asked to move forward with them, since there was very little he could do in the hospital. This song took on a new meaning with the line, “I know who I want to take me home,” as Wilson was looking forward to the day he could bring Coco home.

That day finally came nearly a year after Coco was born; she left the hospital in February 1998 on the same day “Closing Time” was released as a single. According to Wilson, the ambulance driver who transported them home asked if he was the same Dan Wilson from the band. That’s when the full gravity of the song hit him, and he realized how much Coco influenced it.

– songfacts

Just when I thought I knew what this song was about. Even in music, there is always something hidden behind the scenes.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

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 'til 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

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

[2x]
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