On its surface, "Closing Time" tells a story of what happens typically at 1:45 am. as the bar/club is 15 minutes past its "Last Call." Reality sets in, the lights come on, and we have no choice but to make quick plans for our next moves.
Very few classified one-hit wonders linger on within popular culture, but “Closing Time” has lasted because it is played at 1:45 am at bars/clubs all over. Plus, it was canonized as a plot point in an episode of The Office. (More on that in a minute.)
Ultimately, though, there is a nostalgic connection for us to the song as the melody, riffs, and lyrics deliver a poignant, musical interpretation of emotions.
Semisonic had a number of great songs besides "Closing Time"
Because the band didn’t make big waves on the charts with other songs, it may occur to some to lump the song and band together as one-hit wonders, like Tommy Tutone's “867-5309/Jenny," A-Ha's “Take On Me” (which has two billion YouTube views), or a “C’mon Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
But, there’s always more to the story of a labeled one-hit wonder. Challenge yourself to listen to any of those previously mentioned bands and you are guaranteed to find hidden rock gems.
By the time “Closing Time” made the airwaves, Semisonic had formed an identity and had become a seasoned band of musicians. They wrote a solid, introspective brand of lively songs.
Their album, Feeling Strangely Fine, is a monolithic piece of work. “Closing Time” is the lead song on a stunningly impressive variety of pop/rock selections. There are no duds. The flow of the album makes time pass easily.
Semisonic formed with three guys in Minneapolis in 1995 and then released three albums from 1996 to 2001. They went on hiatus soon after their third album and reunited twenty years later to release their fourth album in 2023.
10 - "This Will Be My Year"
There’s a little dusting off the grunge here. From 1998’s Feeling Strangely Fine album, the song deftly sums up the band in a nutshell of coordinated guitar work with the band’s signature voice, lead singer and chief songwriter, Dan Wilson. A fascinating wordsmithing starts the song as it is a distinctive element to all of Semisonic’s songs…”Thursday's crush is a Friday night rush and a Monday morning cry…It's the tail that you keep chasing, and it gets away every time…New Year's Eve, and it's hard to believe another Zodiac's gone around.”
9 - "Chemistry"
Semisonic could very easily be stereotyped as a garage band that knows how to make formulaic, upbeat ditties. From their third studio album, All About Chemistry, released in 2001, this was their only charting song. Interestingly, the group proves a lot with their ability to harmonize and maintain an attractive tune and story.
8 - "Gone To The Movies"
Strings were used on four songs from Feeling Strangely Fine, "Secret Smile," "Closing Time," "DND," and this one. This is a melodic, beautiful arrangement. Semisonic perfected leisurely-styled songs on the album, and the strings provide a mastery for variety and soothingness.
7 - "If I Run"
The band’s first album, The Great Divide, from 1996, showed rote band potential and raw music writing energies. This is a precursor for all the harmonies coming soon on Feeling Strangely Fine. It’s a delightful song that displays their novice yet harnessed powers for making pop/rock.
6 - "Singing In My Sleep"
This song was the second single released from the album, Feeling Strangely Fine. It’s an ode to Sony cassette mixtapes with references to Blondie’s "Heart Of Glass," Shakespeare, and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight." Drummer Jacob Slichter plays the keyboard part with his right hand as he drums on with his left on this one.
5 - "DND"
Also from Feeling Strangely Fine, this is a subtle rager. Dan Wilson, lead singer, uses his baritone voice to slide us through a psychedelic background of keyboards and guitars. Soon, the melody picks up for a smooth journey. And then later, we are dropped back to an open spell of sounds, as if we just put up a sign saying “Do Not Disturb.”
4 - "Secret Smile"
This is the third hit Semisonic had on Feeling Strangely Fine. Like a lot of their songs, the melody just kind of sneaks up on you, and in one listen you realize it’s a winner. The song just has a way of lingering with you long after hearing it.
3 - "Never You Mind"
This is a jazzy tune. It’s going in a different direction with the piano from bassist/keyboardist/backup vocalist John Munson dominating it gently. Then, soon after, it takes a twist toward Beatlesque-like "Strawberry Fields Forever." These guys were experimenting and perfecting their band sound for sure while recording Feeling Strangely Fine.
2 - "California"
This one belongs on the top 10 best California-titled songs. The chorus is California, and it’s perfectly sung by Wilson. Feeling Strangely Fine was a masterpiece. It was proof of Semisonic hitting all targets. It was a magical, authentic experience. It displays their strength as a band that can orchestrate its movements from keyboards to guitars to voice.
1 - "Closing Time"
It reached the year-end U.S. Modern Rock Tracks for 1998 at number 3. It was a U.S. number 1 Alternative Rock song, and it charted all over the world. It was a unique rock song. There will never be another one like it.