The Top 10: Songs Not In 4/4 Time

Great pop and rock music in unconventional time signatures

‘Golden Brown’ by The Stranglers, the video. Flips between 6/8 and 7/8 time, according to Ruth Davidson, Scottish Tory leader

I’m not qualified to know the difference between common time and a hole in the ground, so I am relying on my panel of expert witnesses to tell me what these time signatures are. This list was suggested by Richard T Kelly, who nominated the first one.

1. “Something Bad Happened to a Clown”, Warren Zevon. Not my kind of thing, and some dispute about the time signature, but Richard gets originator’s privilege.

2. “Golden Brown”, The Stranglers. “Which Dave Greenfield hates, even though he wrote it”, said Tony Jebson‏. “Scored to flip between 6/8 and 7/8 and played with drum triplets,” said Ruth Davidson‏ (others say it switches from 3/4 to 4/4 for every fourth bar). “Somehow works.” Make her prime minister at once. Also nominated by Todd Coxeter, Luke Schanche and Richard Ward.

3. “Turn It On Again”, Genesis. “Not that anyone would, but try dancing to that,” said Tom Harris. Phil Collins said it was 13/8 though Wikipedia has it as 13/4 with some 9/4. Also nominated by Ian Moss and Paul T Horgan.

4. “River Man”, Nick Drake. “Solid 5/4”, says my music consultant. Nominated by David Paxton.

5. “Money”, Pink Floyd. David Paxton said it is 7/8. Matt‏ said it is 7/4 except for the solo, which is 4/4. David said: “David Gilmour says it’s 7/8. I was just taking his word for it.” Also nominated by Clyde Davies and Todd Knapp.

6. “Black Dog”, Led Zeppelin. “Largely in 4/4 with perhaps some random 5/4 or other things.” Thanks to Stephen Evans.

7. “I Say a Little Prayer”, Burt Bacharach/Dionne Warwick. Variously in 4/4, 10/4 and 11/4, I am told. Nominated by Ian Moss.

8. “Wuthering Heights”, Kate Bush. All sorts of disputes about the time signature of this one. Bits of it in 4/4 (or 8/8 said Gordon Hudson) but also 3/4 and 2/4 in the chorus. From Ian Moss again.

9. “Five Years”, David Bowie. In 3/4. Thanks to Adam Donen.

10. “Mission: Impossible Theme”, Lalo Schifrin, 5/4. Nominated by Malcom Tent‏.

Honourable mentions for Clyde Davies and Graham Ramsey, who nominated “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel, 7/4 time, but we already had Genesis. Someone tried to sneak “Norwegian Wood” onto the list, thinking that I might overlook my ban on the Beatles. No chance.

Next week: Enclaves – pockets of land belonging to one country completely surrounded by another

Coming soon: Best Parentheses in Literature, such as: “My very photogenic mother died in a freak accident (picnic, lightning) when I was three...” Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita

Your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, in the comments please, or to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk