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Fragments of Time

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"Fragments of Time"
Song by Daft Punk featuring Todd Edwards
from the album Random Access Memories
Released17 May 2013
Genre
Length4:39
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Thomas Bangalter
  • Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo
  • Todd Edwards
Audio video
"Daft Punk - Fragments of Time (Official Audio) ft. Todd Edwards" on YouTube

"Fragments of Time" is a song by written, produced, and performed by French electronic music duo Daft Punk and American musician Todd Edwards. It is included in the duo's 2013 album Random Access Memories. "Fragments of Time" charted in France and the United States due to digital downloads of the album.

Background

[edit]
Todd Edwards performed vocals on "Fragments of Time"

Edwards had previously collaborated with Daft Punk to create the song "Face to Face" on the 2001 album Discovery. When he visited the sessions of Random Access Memories in California, the duo were seeking a "west coast vibe" for the album. At the studio, Edwards was asked to implement his signature "cut-up" method of music production for a portion of "Fragments of Time", which ultimately served as the chorus section.[3] Edwards initially thought his production section would be used as an eight-bar break rather than the chorus. Daft Punk was especially thankful to Edwards for his cut-up effects, as the duo felt the song had been lacking in electronic elements.[4] Edwards also recalled that the microphone he sang on for his contribution to the album is "more than my car is worth" and had previously been used by Frank Sinatra.[4]

Much like the rest of the album, "Fragments of Time" makes use of session musicians for most of the instrumentation. Paul Jackson, Jr. played rhythm guitar for the song as Chris Caswell and Daft Punk were responsible for the keyboards. Nathan East and James Genus performed on bass while Omar Hakim played drums and Quinn provided percussion. In addition to the lead synthesizer played by Daft Punk, the song includes pedal steel guitar work by Greg Leisz.[5] Daft Punk sought to use the pedal steel in a way that bordered between electronic and acoustic.[6]

Composition

[edit]

"Fragments of Time" is performed in common time and at a tempo of 132 beats per minute. It is in the key of C Major, and the vocal ranges from G3 to A4.[7] Edwards commented that the lyrics were inspired by his desire to capture the moments he experienced during his visit to the duo's studio sessions in California; in particular he desired to stay in the area and to reminisce.[3] More specifically he sings about "the gold and the silver dream", and creating "these random memories".[5] William Goodman of Fuse wrote that "Fragments of Time" is "a total Hall & Oates nod and it's on a road to paradise".[8] Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork compared the song to the "80s country pop" of Sheena Easton.[9]

"The Writing of Fragments of Time"

[edit]
"The Writing of Fragments of Time"
Single by Daft Punk featuring Todd Edwards
from the album Random Access Memories (10th Anniversary Edition)
B-side"Fragments of Time"
Released22 March 2023 (2023-03-22)
Genre
Length8:17
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Thomas Bangalter
  • Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo
  • Todd Edwards
Daft Punk singles chronology
"I Feel It Coming"
(2016) 		"The Writing of Fragments of Time"
(2023) 		"GLBTM (Studio Outtakes)"
(2023)
Todd Edwards singles chronology
"Thinkin' I'm in Love"
(2021) 		"The Writing of Fragments of Time"
(2023) 		"Reckless"
(2023)
Music video
"Daft Punk - The Writing of Fragments of Time (RAM 10th Anniversary) ft. Todd Edwards" on YouTube

On 22 February 2023, exactly two years after Daft Punk announced their breakup as a duo, a 10th anniversary edition of Random Access Memories was announced. The anniversary reissue, releasing on 12 May, includes 35 minutes of previously unreleased demos and studio outtakes.[10] One of the bonus tracks, called "The Writing of Fragments of Time" was released on 22 March as the first single from the reissue.[11] The documentary-styled track contains spoken discussions and sung improvisations between Thomas Bangalter and Todd Edwards, as they work on the lyrics and melody of the song. These outtakes were edited and compiled excerpts from a studio session recorded on 29 February 2012. Bangalter and Edwards did not know that the engineers were recording the session at the time.[12] The single was accompanied by a music video directed by Daft Punk's creative director Cédric Hervet.[13]

In an interview with Zane Lowe of Apple Music 1 following the premiere of the track, Edwards said "You’ll hear me laughing because Thomas [Bangalter] came up with some really damn witty lines in it." He also expressed that he was not shocked by the duo's breakup and expressed hope that younger producers would be more willing to follow Daft Punk's example and take risks in the industry.[14]

Personnel

[edit]
  • Daft Punk – synthesizers, keyboards, production, songwriting
  • Todd Edwards – vocals, co-production, songwriting
  • Paul Jackson Jr – guitar
  • Chris Caswell – keyboards
  • Nathan East – bass
  • James Genus – bass
  • Omar Hakim – drums
  • Quinn – percussion

Chart positions

[edit]
Chart (2013) Peak
position
France (SNEP)[15] 100
Italy (FIMI)[16] 123
UK Streaming (Official Streaming Chart)[17] 30
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[18] 28

References

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  1. ^ Phares, Heather. "Random Access Memories - Daft Punk | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  2. ^ Wilson, Scott (28 May 2013). "Daft Punk - Random Access Memories". The Quietus. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b Lachman, Ed (8 April 2013). "Daft Punk | Random Access Memories | The Collaborators, Episode 2: Todd Edwards". The Creators Project. YouTube. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  4. ^ a b Warren, Emma (May 2013). "Todd Edwards – Red Bull Music Academy". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 18 May 2013. 57:58 – Thomas wanted me to see if I could put some cut-ups in there [...] he gave me like the biggest compliment because he's like [...] you actually helped kinda save the track [...] because it was so contemporary sounding, it didn't have any vibe that was kind of along the electronics line.
  5. ^ a b Random Access Memories (liner notes). Daft Punk. Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. 2013.
  6. ^ Perron, Erwan, and Gancel, Alice (7 April 2013). "Daft Punk, interview-fleuve pour la sortie de Random Access Memories". Telerama (in French). telerama.fr. Retrieved 7 April 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Daft Punk "Fragments of Times" Sheet Music - Download & Print. musicnotes.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  8. ^ Goodman, William (10 May 2013). "First Listen: Daft Punk's Random Access Memories Track by Track". Fuse. fuse.tv. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  9. ^ Schreiber, Ryan (14 January 2013). "Handwritten notes from my first listen to Daft Punk's Random Access Memories". Tumblr. Archived from the original on 6 May 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  10. ^ Bowenbank, Starr (2023-02-22). "Daft Punk to Release 10-Year Anniversary Edition of 'Random Access Memories' With 9 New Tracks". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  11. ^ Wilkes, Emma (2023-03-22). "Daft Punk drop first track from 'Random Access Memories' 10th anniversary edition". NME. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  12. ^ "Life after Daft Punk: Thomas Bangalter on ballet, AI and ditching the helmet". BBC News. 2023-04-03. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  13. ^ "Daft Punk and Todd Edwards Share "The Writing of Fragments of Time"". Pitchfork. 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  14. ^ Katkins, Jamie (2023-03-23). "Daft Punk Share Previously Unreleased Song: Listen". Dig!. Retrieved 2023-03-23.
  15. ^ "Daft Punk feat. Todd Edwards – Fragments Of Time" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  16. ^ "Tutti i successi del 2013" (in Italian). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  17. ^ Lane, Daniel (29 May 2013). Daft Punk dominate this week’s Official Streaming Chart!. officialcharts.com. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  18. ^ "Daft Punk Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
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