Only Time Will Tell (song)

Last updated
"Only Time Will Tell"
Asia Only Time Will Tell 7 Single.JPG
Single by Asia
from the album Asia
B-side
  • "Time Again" (International)
  • "Ride Easy" (UK)
ReleasedJuly 1982 (US)
August 1982 (UK) [1]
Recorded1981
Genre Progressive rock
Length
  • 4:48 (album version)
  • 4:05 (7" single edit)
Label Geffen
Songwriter(s) Geoff Downes
John Wetton
Producer(s) Mike Stone
Asia singles chronology
"Heat of the Moment"
(1982)
"Only Time Will Tell"
(1982)
"Sole Survivor"
(1982)

"Only Time Will Tell" is the second single released by the rock band Asia from their successful first album, Asia (1982).

Contents

The song was the band's third top 10 success on the US Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, also reaching number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It peaked at #54 in the UK.

Background

Singer John Wetton said, "It’s fairly self explanatory. It’s my lyrics again; a very personal one about the end of a relationship, and it’s my verse, Geoff’s chorus (“Heat of the Moment” is the other way around). I had been stockpiling songs during the leadup to Asia, and a lot of my lyrics were about personal experience–Joni Mitchell is one of my all-time heroes, and she is undisputed queen of the confessional." [2]

The song's music video received frequent airplay from MTV. In the video, a female gymnast performs flips and somersaults over rows of television sets. [3] Band members are pictured singing and playing their instruments on the TV screens. In fact, the band members are never seen in the video other than as characters on television. Godley & Creme (Kevin Godley and Lol Creme) directed the video. [4]

Reception

Cash Box said that "it’s a multi-layered progressive rock production with a simple, easily flowing melody at its core, thus providing a little something for both the rock and pop fan." [5] Billboard praised the "thundering drums, widescreen keyboard" and the "affectingly direct vocal." [6]

Track listing

US 7" Single
No.TitleLength
1."Only Time Will Tell"4:05
2."Time Again"4:45
UK 7" single
No.TitleLength
1."Only Time Will Tell" 
2."Ride Easy" 

Charts

The song was used in the television series Cold Case third-season episode "The River", the series Family Guy eighth-season episode, "The Splendid Source", some of the foreign versions of the 1982 Japanese anime Future War 198X , and in the 2015 video game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain .[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<i>Asia</i> (Asia album) 1982 studio album by Asia

Asia is the debut studio album by English rock supergroup Asia, released in 1982. According to both Billboard and Cashbox, it was the #1 album in the United States for the year 1982. It contains their biggest hit "Heat of the Moment", which reached #4 in the US on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Every Breath You Take</span> 1983 single by the Police

"Every Breath You Take" is a song by the English rock band the Police from their album Synchronicity (1983). Written by Sting, the single was the biggest US and Canadian hit of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks, and the Canadian RPM chart for four weeks. Their fifth UK No. 1, it topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. The song also reached the top 10 in numerous other countries. In May 2019, it was recognised by BMI as being the most played song in radio history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Godley & Creme</span> English rock duo

Godley & Creme were an English rock duo formally established in Manchester in 1977 by Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. The pair began releasing music as a duo after their departure from the rock band 10cc. In 1979, they directed their first music video for their single "An Englishman in New York". After this, they became involved in the production of videos for artists such as Ultravox, the Police, Yes, Duran Duran, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Huey Lewis and the News and Wang Chung, as well as directing the groundbreaking video for their 1985 single "Cry". The duo split at the end of the 1980s. Both have since been involved in music videos, TV commercials, and sporadic music projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When We Was Fab</span> 1988 single by George Harrison

"When We Was Fab" is a song by English musician George Harrison, which he released on his 1987 album Cloud Nine. It was also issued as the second single from the album, in January 1988. The lyrics serve as a nostalgic reflection by Harrison on the days of Beatlemania during the 1960s, when the Beatles were first referred to as "the Fab Four". Harrison co-wrote the song with Jeff Lynne, who also co-produced the track. The recording references the psychedelic sound that the Beatles had helped popularise in 1967, through its use of sitar, cello, and backwards-relayed effects. Harrison's former Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr is among the other musicians on the track. The single was accompanied by an innovative music video, directed by the partnership of Kevin Godley and Lol Creme. One of Harrison's most popular songs, "When We Was Fab" has appeared on the compilations Best of Dark Horse 1976–1989 (1989) and Let It Roll (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scar Tissue</span> 1999 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Scar Tissue" is the first single from American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers' seventh studio album, Californication (1999). Released on May 25, 1999, the song spent a then-record 16 consecutive weeks atop the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart as well as 10 weeks atop the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and it reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also successful in Iceland, New Zealand, and Canada, reaching numbers one, three, and four, respectively. In the United Kingdom, it charted at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heat of the Moment (Asia song)</span> 1982 single by Asia

"Heat of the Moment" is the first single released by English progressive rock supergroup Asia from their 1982 eponymous debut album. It was written by singer and bass guitarist John Wetton and keyboardist Geoff Downes. It was named by Lee Zimmerman of Paste as Asia's signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Even Better Than the Real Thing</span> 1992 single by U2

"Even Better Than the Real Thing" is a song by Irish rock band U2, and is the second track on their seventh album, Achtung Baby (1991). It was released as the album's fourth single on 8 June 1992, and it reached number three in Ireland and Canada while becoming a top-ten hit in Austria, New Zealand, and Sweden. A remixed version of the song released the same year peaked at number eight in the United Kingdom and number 10 in Ireland. In 1997, readers of Mojo named the song the 71st-best track of the 1990s.

<i>Alpha</i> (Asia album) 1983 studio album by Asia

Alpha is the second studio album by British rock supergroup Asia, released on 12 August 1983 by Geffen Records. It was recorded at Le Studio in Morin-Heights, Quebec, and Manta Sound in Toronto from February to May 1983. Alpha adopted a notably more polished sound with radio-friendly elements and less emphasis on progressive rock sections. Like its multi-platinum predecessor, the album was produced by Mike Stone. It was also the last album to feature the band's original line-up for twenty-five years until Phoenix, which was released in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Friends (Red Hot Chili Peppers song)</span> 1995 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"My Friends" is a song by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and the fourth track on their sixth studio album, One Hot Minute (1995). It is a melodic ballad and was released as the second single from the album. It is the only song from One Hot Minute to be included on their Greatest Hits compilation, though the music video for "Aeroplane" appears on the DVD. It became the band's third number-one single on the US Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it remained for four consecutive weeks, and their first number one on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, making it the band's first single to top both charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soul to Squeeze</span> 1993 single by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"Soul to Squeeze" is a song by the American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers that was originally recorded during the production of their fifth studio album, Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991). Although it was not featured on the record and was used as a B-side on the singles "Give It Away" and "Under the Bridge", "Soul to Squeeze" was later released as a single in 1993 by Warner Bros. Records. The song was included in the Coneheads film soundtrack. "Soul to Squeeze" was eventually re-released for the 2003 Greatest Hits album. It can also be found on the band's Live Rare Remix Box and The Plasma Shaft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Not in Love</span> 1975 song by British band 10cc

"I'm Not in Love" is a song by British group 10cc, written by band members Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman. It is known for its innovative and distinctive backing track, composed mostly of the band's multitracked vocals. Released in the UK in May 1975 as the second single from the band's third album, The Original Soundtrack, it became the second of the group's three number-one singles in the UK between 1973 and 1978, topping the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. "I'm Not in Love" became the band's breakthrough hit outside the United Kingdom, topping the charts in Canada and Ireland as well as peaking within the top 10 of the charts in several other countries, including Australia, West Germany, New Zealand, Norway and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cry (Godley & Creme song)</span> 1985 single by Godley & Creme

"Cry" is a song released by the English music duo Godley & Creme on 11 March 1985. It was included on the duo's album The History Mix Volume 1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Synchronicity II</span> 1983 single by the Police

"Synchronicity II" is a song by the Police, and the third single from their album Synchronicity. Written by lead singer and bassist Sting, it was released as a single in the UK and the US by A&M Records, reached No. 17 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1983. It features the non-album track "Once Upon a Daydream" on the B-side. The song was described by People Weekly as "aggressive" and "steely."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosanna (song)</span> 1982 single by Toto

"Rosanna" is a song written by David Paich and performed by the American rock band Toto, the opening track and the first single from their 1982 album Toto IV. This song won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year at the 1983 ceremony. "Rosanna" was also nominated for the Song of the Year award. It is regarded for the half-time shuffle which drummer Jeff Porcaro developed for the song, and for its production, which is generally seen as being one of the best mastered songs of all time. The groove has become an important staple of drum repertoire and is commonly known as the "Rosanna shuffle".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Love Somebody Set Them Free</span> 1985 single by Sting

"If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" is the first single by English musician Sting from his solo debut album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles (1985). It is also the opening track of the album, and is featured on Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994 as well as The Very Best of Sting & The Police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sole Survivor (Asia song)</span> 1982 single by Asia

"Sole Survivor" is a song by progressive rock band Asia. Written by Geoffrey Downes and John Wetton, it is the third track and third single from the band's 1982 eponymous debut. It was Asia's second single for the U.S Mainstream Rock Charts that reached the Top Ten. The single also peaked at #75 in Germany and #91 in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Cry (Asia song)</span> 1983 single by Asia

"Don't Cry" is the first hit single from progressive rock band Asia's second album Alpha. "Don't Cry" reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 9 in Cash Box magazine. It was the band's second top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and returned them to number 1 on Billboard's Top Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Things We Do for Love (song)</span> British pop song released in 1976

"The Things We Do for Love" is a song by British band 10cc, released as a single in 1976. It later featured on the album Deceptive Bends released in 1977 and was the group's first release after the departure of band members Kevin Godley and Lol Creme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Days Like These (Asia song)</span> 1990 single by Asia

"Days Like These" is a song by British rock band Asia, issued as a 7" single on 17 August 1990 in Europe by Geffen Records. It had previously appeared on their compilation album Then & Now, released three days before, while its B-side, "Voice of America", was derived from the third studio album, Astra (1985). In the United States, two promotion only CD singles were also available. This unusually optimistic and upbeat Asia song was a major hit on rock radio, reaching #2 on the Billboard "Mainstream Rock" chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Go (Asia song)</span> 1985 single by Asia

"Go" is a song by British rock band Asia, released as the lead-off single from their third studio album Astra. A 7-inch single with "After the War" as the B-side was issued in the United States and the United Kingdom in November 1985 by Geffen Records. Additionally, remix and instrumental versions made by keyboard player Geoff Downes were issued as a 12-inch single in the United Kingdom.

References

  1. "Great Rock Discography". p. 26.
  2. "Interview with John Wetton of the rock band Asia". Kickin' it Old School. May 1, 2011. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
  3. YouTube.com "Only Time Will Tell by Asia" Retrieved Sept. 26, 2024.
  4. SongFacts.com "Asia - Only Time Will Tell" Retrieved Sept. 26, 2024.
  5. "Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. July 24, 1982. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-07-07.
  6. "Top Single Picks". Billboard. July 24, 1982. p. 63. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
  7. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6518." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  8. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  9. "Asia Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  10. "Asia Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  11. "Offiziellecharts.de – Asia – Only Time Will Tell" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  12. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6167." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  13. Whitburn, Joel (1999). Pop Annual. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. ISBN   0-89820-142-X.