Praying for Time

George Michael

About Praying for Time

"Praying for Time" is a song written and performed by George Michael, released on Epic Records in the United Kingdom and Columbia Records in the United States in 1990. It spent one week at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Michael's seventh number one in the US and his last solo single to reach the top of the Hot 100. "Praying for Time" also reached number one in Canada for two weeks, becoming Michael's penultimate number-one solo hit there.


Year:
2008
42 
#2

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These are the days of the open hand
They will not be the last
Look around now
These are the days of the beggars and the choosers

This is the year of the hungry man
Whose place is in the past
Hand in hand with ignorance
And legitimate excuses

The rich declare themselves poor
And most of us are not sure
If we have too much
But we'll take our chances
'Cause God's stopped keeping score

I guess somewhere along the way
He must have let us all out to play
Turned his back and all God's children
Crept out the back door

And it's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope
When there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much, much too late
Well, maybe we should all be praying for time

These are the days of the empty hand
Oh, you hold on to what you can
And charity is a coat you wear twice a year

This is the year of the guilty man
Your television takes a stand
And you find that what was over there is over here

So you scream from behind your door
Say, "What's mine is mine and not yours"
I may have too much but I'll take my chances
'Cause God's stopped keeping score

And you cling to the things they sold you
Did you cover your eyes when they told you
That he can't come back
'Cause he has no children to come back for

It's hard to love, there's so much to hate
Hanging on to hope when there is no hope to speak of
And the wounded skies above say it's much too late
So maybe we should all be praying for time

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George Michael

George Michael (born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou; (Greek: Γεώργιος Κυριάκος Παναγιώτου); 25 June 1963 - 25 December 2016) was an English musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Michael rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley. His first solo single, "Careless Whisper", was released when he was still in the duo and sold about six million copies worldwide. more »

13 fans

Written by: GEORGE MICHAEL

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist
"Praying for Time" is a song written and performed by British singer-songwriter George Michael.
Release Date
This hauntingly beautiful ballad was released on August 13, 1990.
Album
"Praying for Time" is the lead single from George Michael's second studio album, "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1".
Chart Performance
It reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, becoming George Michael's last No.1 song on the chart.
Song Meaning
The song is a social commentary that laments societal greed and inequality. It features melancholy and contemplative lyrics questioning the compassion and humanity of society.
Awards
Although the song did not win any awards, the album "Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1" secured the Best British Album at the 1991 BRIT Awards.
Music Video
In keeping with the themes of introspection and isolation on "Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1", George Michael did not appear in the music video of "Praying for Time".
Critical Reception
"Praying for Time" was universally acclaimed by music critics, many of whom praised its introspective lyrics and George Michael's impassioned vocal performance.
Musical Style
The song is notable for its minimalist production values, with George Michael's sombre and soulful vocals being the song's main focus, accompanied only by a simple, yet effectual, melodic line.
Live Performances
George Michael performed "Praying for Time" at his "25 Live" tour, his first tour in 15 years that took place from 2006–2008.

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    Praying for Time

    13.7M
    64,891     2,262

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1990

    Billboard #1


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