The Appeal of Irregular Time Signatures: A Collection of Songs in 5/4 Time

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

People who listen to music while consciously thinking “What time signature is this?” are most likely those with experience playing instruments.

That said, even without any knowledge of music theory, everyone has probably had at least one or two moments when a song just felt hard to catch the rhythm of.

That song might be using an irregular time signature.

So this time, I’d like to introduce songs in 5/4 time—a meter you don’t often encounter—across various genres, and compare it with commonly used meters in popular music such as 4/4, the waltz’s 3/4, and 6/8 (often called “hachi-roku” in Japanese).

You might even discover that a song you love actually uses 5/4 time!

If you’re interested in the world of odd meters, read on!

The Appeal of Odd Time Signatures: A Collection of Songs in 5/4 Time (11–20)

Gray SagaChouCho

ChouCho – Gray Saga [Official MV]

Gray SagaChouCho

This is an ambitious work—a translucent ballad that sings of a witch-themed, fantastical world, with lyrics and composition by ChouCho.

The arrangement effectively features the sitar and mandolin to evoke an exotic atmosphere, and by skillfully weaving 5/8 time into the intro and B section against a basic 6/8 meter, it creates a strikingly mysterious, unstable sense of floating.

Released as a single in October 2020, it was used as the ending theme for the TV anime The Journey of Elaina.

The unpredictable rhythmic developments born from the shifting time signatures feel truly magical, making it recommended for fans of fantasy works and for those who want to experience the allure of irregular meters.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

closureTaylor Swift

Taylor Swift – closure (Official Lyric Video)

closureTaylor Swift

Standing out even among the tracks on the album evermore, this piece is an industrial-folk number defined by the unstable beauty of its irregular 5/4 meter.

The lyrics, which reject a partner’s request to “end” a past relationship and instead assert the strength to process emotions independently, showcase Taylor’s mature expressive power.

Mechanical percussion contrasts with gentle vocals, while the persistent irregular time signature from start to finish lends a tautness to the entire song.

Released in December 2020 as a collaboration with Aaron Dessner, this experimental masterpiece is recommended for anyone confronting the end of a relationship.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

RememberDisturbed

Disturbed – Remember [Official Music Video]

RememberDisturbed

This masterpiece brilliantly captures the turmoil between past memories and present emotions through complex changing time signatures.

Featured on Disturbed’s 2002 album “Believe,” the song is notable for its verse sections that irregularly shift from 4/4 to 5/4 and 6/4, deftly using rhythm to evoke the fragmentary nature of memory and a subtly unsettled state of mind.

The tension created by David Draiman’s introspective vocals and the shifting meters powerfully conveys the yearning to break free from past trauma.

Although it had no special tie-ins, the track reached No.

6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and stands as a key song that symbolizes the band’s musical maturation.

It’s recommended both for music fans who want to savor the appeal of odd time signatures and for players eager to tackle complex rhythmic patterns.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Morning BellRadiohead

Morning Bell

Morning BellRadiohead

Known as a song that employs the irregular 5/4 time signature, this track is a classic from Radiohead’s album Kid A.

Released in October 2000, its distinctive rhythm and a title that evokes a morning scene leave a strong impression.

Coupled with Thom Yorke’s soaring vocals, it evokes the start of a new day while carrying a certain wistfulness.

The lyrics are said to touch on themes of divorce and separation, and the repeated phrase “Release me” expresses a desire for liberation from something.

It remains a beloved, memorable song for many music fans—one that feels especially fitting for a quiet morning.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

In conclusion

Many of the songs introduced this time are famous ones everyone knows, but I imagine quite a few people listened without realizing they were actually in 5/4 time.

Precisely because they aren’t in the usual 4/4, they create a unique groove and have an impact strong enough to shape the very character of the track.

Why not step into the dazzling world of odd time signatures yourself?