Enthralling odd meters: mysterious music with odd time signatures and complex rhythms
Suddenly, but have you heard the musical term “irregular time signatures”? Many of you probably learned concepts like 4/4 in music class, but unlike common meters like 4/4 or 3/4, pieces that use unconventional meters such as 5/4 or 7/4—or even switch between multiple meters within a single song—are collectively referred to as “irregular time signatures.” They might sound a bit niche, but in fact, you can find irregular meters in pop songs, anime themes, and more that you hear every day.
In this article, we’ll introduce songs that use these intriguingly unusual time signatures, spanning a variety of genres.
Be sure to try counting along as you listen!
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Bewitching odd meters: Enigmatic music with odd time signatures and complex rhythms (31–40)
RedKing Crimson
Since the 1960s, many progressive rock bands have made their mark, but King Crimson can be considered one of the genre’s defining figures.
Known for their use of odd time signatures and formidable technique, they particularly shine on the track “Red,” which could be called an ideal entry point to prog.
Aside from the signature theme, the piece is basically in 4/4, and the opening theme can be understood as a 5+5+6+8 grouping, which may make it easier to grasp.
It’s a highly recommended progressive rock track, with a fiercely distorted bass that deserves special attention.
The Lion’s RoarCYNIC
The American progressive metal band CYNIC.
They originally started as a death metal band, but that element has gradually faded, and they have shifted toward progressive metal characterized by soaring, ethereal melodies.
This track, included on their third album, ‘Kindly Bent to Free Us,’ begins in 6/8 without any sense of odd meter, then surprises as it gradually shifts back and forth between 6/8 and 5/8.
Also noteworthy is the performance technique that never compromises the natural flow of the melody.
Seven DaysSting
Here’s a 5/4 time signature song from Sting’s fourth solo album, Ten Summoner’s Tales, released in 1993.
This track, which was also released as a single, features the legendary drummer Vinnie Colaiuta—active across genres from jazz to rock—on drums.
Despite being in 5/4, the song unfolds naturally without feeling awkward.
While the gentle melody and Sting’s vocals are certainly factors, isn’t Vinnie’s outstanding performance also a major reason? Be sure to pay attention to the drumming, which may seem simple at first but subtly shifts its expression with refined technique.
Tattooed Love BoysPretenders
This song is one of the Pretenders’ signature tracks, brilliantly embodying the fusion of late-’70s punk and new wave.
While it tackles a heavy theme drawn from Chrissie Hynde’s personal experiences, it shines as a piece that skillfully combines 7/8 and 4/4, showcasing the allure of mixed meter.
The forward-leaning tension created by the 7/8 in the verses contrasts exquisitely with the sense of stability when it returns to 4/4 in the chorus, giving the whole track a distinctive thrill.
Released to the world in 1979 as the B-side to the single “Kid,” it was included on their 1980 debut album Pretenders, which topped the UK charts.
It’s a must-hear for anyone interested in irregular time signatures or eager to experience an evolved form of punk rock.
Another World of BeastsUematsu Nobuo
The piece that portrays the World of the Espers in Final Fantasy VI, composed by a master of game music, radiates an overwhelming allure through its distinctive sense of weightlessness and mystique created by an irregular 7/4 meter.
Using progressive rock techniques that Nobuo Uematsu excels at, its subdivision of beats—such as 3+2+2 or 4+3—crafts a structure that brilliantly transports the listener to another realm.
First appearing in the 1994 Super Famicom release, it was used as the theme for dungeons and event scenes related to the Espers.
It is a must-listen masterpiece for those who want to experience an otherworldly, fantastical atmosphere or savor the appeal of odd time signatures.