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, yeah

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

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

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

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Lyrics submitted by Nuklear

Closing Time Lyrics as written by Dan Wilson

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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Closing Time song meanings

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166 Comments

+12
General Comment
it means its closing time so get the hell out

it means its closing time so get the hell out

Reason:

Kpizzleon December 12, 2001 Link
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@Kpizzle

HAHA

karltonon October 13, 2009
+11
General Comment
I think this song is about trying to stay young forever but ultimately haveing to realize that you are an adult and you cant spend your whole life as an iresponsible kid

I think this song is about trying to stay young forever but ultimately haveing to realize that you are an adult and you cant spend your whole life as an iresponsible kid

Reason:

spydermunkie101on September 25, 2002 Link
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@spydermunkie101

amen

bjorton May 13, 2012
+6
General Comment
In Semisonic drummer Jacob Slichter's recent memoir So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star, he explains that Dan Wilson wrote the song in expectation of becoming a father -- that the song is about being ejected from the womb as though from a bouncer at a bar. So there you have it. It works as being about the bar closing and as a birth metaphor. Although the song was used by many high schools as a prom/graduation theme (as Slichter details in the book), it is not about graduation. Incidentally, Slichter's book is a fascinating look at the music industry, in all its glory and corruption, and how it dealt Semisonic some poor hands. I strongly recommend the book.

In Semisonic drummer Jacob Slichter's recent memoir <i>So You Wanna Be a Rock & Roll Star,</i> he explains that Dan Wilson wrote the song in expectation of becoming a father -- that the song is about being ejected from the womb as though from a bouncer at a bar. So there you have it. It works as being about the bar closing <b>and</b> as a birth metaphor. Although the song was used by many high schools as a prom/graduation theme (as Slichter details in the book), it is not about graduation. Incidentally, Slichter's book is a fascinating look at the music industry, in all its glory and corruption, and how it dealt Semisonic some poor hands. I strongly recommend the book.

Reason:

Eamonon December 12, 2004 Link
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@Eamon

Yeah!! Here is a link from Dan Wilson's College Reunion explaining it. Enjoy!
youtube.com/…

ehason March 23, 2014
+5
General Comment
The line "Every new begining comes from some other beginings end" sums up exactly what this song is about. It's a simple song about life. When one chapter ends another one springs up. You have to take advantage of the little chances.

The line "Every new begining comes from some other beginings end" sums up exactly what this song is about. It's a simple song about life. When one chapter ends another one springs up. You have to take advantage of the little chances.

Reason:

MarkiePon May 04, 2010 Link
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@MarkieP
+4
General Comment
I think it's about graduating from Highschool, or College. Something like that. "Gather up your jackets, move it to the exits - I hope you have found a friend." It's like your finally leaving, and leaving your friends and stuff. And the last call for alcohol thing is like you can't be a kid anymore; partying and stuff with booze.

I think it's about graduating from Highschool, or College. Something like that. "Gather up your jackets, move it to the exits - I hope you have found a friend." It's like your finally leaving, and leaving your friends and stuff. And the last call for alcohol thing is like you can't be a kid anymore; partying and stuff with booze.

Reason:

Dark_The_7thon August 29, 2002 Link
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@Dark_The_7th
+3
General Comment
To song is just about getting out of a bar...."Closing time - one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer." that line is the call when you can't buy anymore booze in a bar, you gotta finish what you got and get out! "So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits - I hope you have found a friend." - well this line pretty much tells the whole story itsself....bitch!

To song is just about getting out of a bar...."Closing time - one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer." that line is the call when you can't buy anymore booze in a bar, you gotta finish what you got and get out! "So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits - I hope you have found a friend." - well this line pretty much tells the whole story itsself....bitch!

Reason:

keve007on June 04, 2002 Link
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@keve007

Finally someone who actually got it right. It's obviously about alcohol at a bar, but people don't understand because they think too hard about it lol.

gurton December 30, 2011
+3
Song Meaning
This song uses a bar as a metaphor for the end of something that you don't want to end. This can be anything, high school, college, a stage in your live, even a relationship to some extent. But it says that without something ending, nothing can start and its time to move on to bigger and better things. Drunks like being in a bar and they don't want closing time to come, but it will eventually and they have to use that as an opportunity to move onto bigger and better things.

This song uses a bar as a metaphor for the end of something that you don't want to end. This can be anything, high school, college, a stage in your live, even a relationship to some extent. But it says that without something ending, nothing can start and its time to move on to bigger and better things. Drunks like being in a bar and they don't want closing time to come, but it will eventually and they have to use that as an opportunity to move onto bigger and better things.

Reason:

stevenlourieon March 30, 2009 Link
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@stevenlourie
+3
General Comment
I think the song should mean whatever you want it to. Not getting too philosophical here, but I am sure writers didn't intend a 100% pure meaning for the song. Expand the mind, imagine. Personally I believe that this song represents growing up, leaving high school, etc. Feeling nostalgic for the past, but at the same time awaiting the adventure that is bound to come in your life ahead.

I think the song should mean whatever you want it to. Not getting too philosophical here, but I am sure writers didn't intend a 100% pure meaning for the song. Expand the mind, imagine. Personally I believe that this song represents growing up, leaving high school, etc. Feeling nostalgic for the past, but at the same time awaiting the adventure that is bound to come in your life ahead.

Reason:

nzbf01on April 18, 2009 Link
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@nzbf01
+2
General Comment
I think maybe (Jeannie said) it is a metaphor for graduation! Well it is a really great song anyways! :)

I think maybe (Jeannie said) it is a metaphor for graduation! Well it is a really great song anyways! :)

Reason:

Dprincess1220on July 25, 2002 Link
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@Dprincess1220
+1
General Comment
ha... and you spelled "retarded" wrong.

ha... and you spelled "retarded" wrong.

Reason:

RiversnLeaveson May 25, 2002 Link
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@RiversnLeaves