Tick Tock

Joji's 'Tick Tock' is a song that delves into the themes of time, ambition, and the complexities of love. The repetitive nature of the lyrics, with the phrase 'Tick-tock' echoing throughout the song, suggests a preoccupation with the passage of time and its impact on the artist's life and relationships. The comparison of time to a 'brinks truck' and a 'wristwatch' implies that time is both valuable and constantly monitored, a commodity that Joji feels is heavy with expectation and pressure.

The chorus, 'As time keeps slipping away,' paired with the plea not to 'start feeling a way,' indicates a relationship strained by the artist's career and lifestyle. The repetition of 'loving in pain' underscores the idea that love, in this context, is intertwined with suffering, perhaps due to the sacrifices made for success or the distance created by a life in the spotlight. Joji's desire for wealth and recognition ('Gimme, gimme big bucks,' 'Wanna be a big shot') is contrasted with his longing for a genuine connection and support ('I wish you were here with me now,' 'If you still love me, can you see me during liftoff?').

The final lines of the song, 'With my hands in the ocean, I pray,' evoke a sense of surrender and a search for peace amidst the chaos. The ocean can be seen as a metaphor for the vastness of life and time, with Joji reaching into it, acknowledging its power over him. The song captures the artist's internal conflict between pursuing his dreams and maintaining the love that sustains him, all while time relentlessly moves forward.