Clock Strikes Ten (Live) by Cheap Trick (2024)

Clock Strikes Ten (Live)

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Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illino… Read Full Bio ↴Cheap Trick is an American power pop/rock n roll band from Rockford, Illinois that's played for over four decades, and in 2016 was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Having gained popularity in the late-70s centered within the Midwest and within Japan, the band members are Rick Nielsen (guitarist and main songwriter), Bun E. Carlos (born Brad Carlson) (drums), Robin Zander (vocals and guitars), and Tom Petersson (bass guitar). Though they have had only flirtations with mainstream national success such as the multi-platinum smash At Budokan, Cheap Trick has held a substantial following through regular touring and a hard-edged yet blissful pop sound that combines the tunefulness of The Beatles with the speed and energy of punk rock, with many musicians and music journalists being fans.

One of the best known American power pop bands, the group's biggest hits over the years include "I Want You to Want Me", "Surrender", "Dream Police", "Don't Be Cruel" (a cover of Elvis Presley's hit), and "The Flame". Their most recent release, The Latest, has gained critical acclaim. They also wrote and performed the theme song for "The Colbert Report" as well as "That 70s Show", both tunes being fan favorites.

Nielsen and Petersson originally formed the group as Fuse in 1967, with Carlos joining the group several years later; however, when Zander joined as vocalist in 1972, the group was renamed Cheap Trick. Zander is considered one of the best hard rock vocalists of his era. For their part, Tom Petersson has been known for playing custom made 8, 12, and even a 18 string custom bass made by Modulus for Tom in 1981 and Rick Nielsen also has a penchant for unusual instruments. He owns and plays a five-necked solidbody electric guitar (it can be seen in the video for the song "She's Tight" among others).

Studio Albums
(1977) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(1977) In Color
(1978) Heaven Tonight
(1979) Dream Police
(1980) All Shook Up
(1980) Found All The Parts
(1982) One on One
(1983) Next Position Please
(1985) Standing on the Edge
(1986) The Doctor
(1988) Lap of Luxury
(1990) Busted
(1994) Woke Up With A Monster
(1997) Cheap Trick [a.k.a Cheap Trick (1997)]
(2003) Special One
(2006) Rockford
(2009) The Latest
(2016) Bang, Zoom, Crazy...Hello
(2017) We're All Alright!
(2021) In Another World

[Live Albums]
(1978) At Budokan
(1978) Budokan II
(1998) At Budokan: the Complete Concert
(1999) Music for Hangovers
(2001) Silver

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴Line by Line Meaning ↴

Clock strike ten its a Saturday night
Got money in my pocket and it feels all right
Not stayin' home gonna stay out light
Gotta hear some rockin' music it feels just great
Clock strikes twelve on a Saturday night
All the creeps are sleepin' all the cools in sight
All the kings and queens they're out tonight

Imagine what were doin' tonight
You really got me goin' tonight
Imagine what were doin' tonight
I'm crazy for some action tonight
Clock strikes two out all night

All my moneys spent but that's all right
Not goin' home gonna stay out late
Get ready for some action tonight want some action tonight

Imagine what were doin' tonight
You really got me goin' tonight
Imagine what were doin' tonight
I'm crazy for some action tonight

Clock strikes four I want some more
Everybody's layin' on the floor
Not goin' home gonna stay out late
Gotta hear that rockin' music it feels alright

Imagine what were doin' tonight
You really got me goin' tonight
Imagine what were doin' tonight
I'm crazy for some action tonight

Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down

Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down
Gonna get down
Gonna get on down

Gonna get down
Gonna get on down

Overall Meaning

Clock Strikes Ten by Cheap Trick is an upbeat rock song that celebrates the excitement and freedom that comes with a Saturday night out. The song begins with references to a clock striking ten and the singer having money in their pocket, which implies that they're ready to have a good time. The lyrics express a desire to hear some "rockin' music" and stay out late. As the night wears on, the singer becomes more and more energized and obsessed with the idea of finding "action."

The second verse reveals that it's now midnight, and the "creeps" are nowhere to be seen. Instead, the "kings and queens" are out, adding to the feeling of excitement and possibility that saturates the song. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "Imagine what we're doing tonight," underscores the idea that anything is possible on a Saturday night out. The song's energy reaches its peak at 4:00 a.m., when the singer declares that they want more and that everyone is "layin' on the floor." The song ends with the singer promising to "get down" as the night continues.

Overall, Clock Strikes Ten is a song about the euphoric feeling that comes with a night out on the town. The lyrics celebrate the idea of letting loose, being wild, and having fun without worrying about the consequences. It's a fitting anthem for anyone who loves to party and who cherishes the memories that are made on wild Saturday nights.

Line by Line Meaning

Clock strike ten its a Saturday night
It's Saturday night and the clock has struck ten

Got money in my pocket and it feels all right
I have some money in my pocket and I'm feeling good about it

Not stayin' home gonna stay out light
I'm not staying home tonight, I'm going to stay out late

Gotta hear some rockin' music it feels just great
I really want to hear some awesome music, it feels amazing

Clock strikes twelve on a Saturday night
It's now midnight on Saturday night

All the creeps are sleepin' all the cools in sight
All the uncool people are asleep and only the cool ones are out

All the kings and queens they're out tonight
All the popular people are out tonight

Imagine what were doin' tonight
Think about what activities we're going to do tonight

You really got me goin' tonight
You're really exciting me tonight

I'm crazy for some action tonight
I'm really excited to do something fun tonight

Clock strikes two out all night
It's now 2 AM and I'm still out

All my moneys spent but that's all right
I've spent all my money but I'm okay with it

Not goin' home gonna stay out late
I'm determined to stay out late and not go home yet

Get ready for some action tonight want some action tonight
I'm getting ready for a night of excitement

Clock strikes four I want some more
It's now 4 AM and I want to keep going