Time After Time: A Licensed Music Analysis

by: PepSinger
 written:  May 2007
 

One of the most important parts of Smallville is the music. Now, Smallville takes great care in picking out musical selections that pertain to the characters and their relationships with each other. Clark and Chloe’s songs have always implied there is more to them than what meets the eye.

Season One

In the Pilot, Stereoblis’s “Eight Half Letters” plays during the opening scene at Smallville High when Pete and Chloe discuss her feelings about Clark as Clark walks forward. The line, “I wrote you Eight half-letters” foreshadows the love letter that Chloe eventually reads to Clark in Fever. Then the chorus, “Cause everywhere you go / Is everywhere I go” means that no matter where either one of them goes, the other will follow. Also, the lines, “It takes me awhile / To figure out / What I'll do / Without you” mean that they really don’t know how to go on with their own individual lives because they’ve become so connected in their relationship. ( full lyrics )

In Metamorphosis,  we have Cake’s “Love You Madly”. Take the lines: “I don’t wanna wonder whether / We’re gonna stay together / ’Till We Die” and  “I want to love you madly” for example. They imply that Clark and Chloe will be together and don’t want to wonder. It also implies there’s love involved in their relationship.  Then, the song later says, “I don’t want to think back to the one thing that I know I should have done.” Since the song is about loving someone, those lyrics imply that neither Clark nor Chloe want to regret not taking a chance with each other, and they must take that chance; it's rather fitting for a scene talking about how they could never outgrow one another. ( full lyrics )

In Zero, Kid Rock’s “Lonely Road of Faith” plays when Chloe debates over whether or not to delete Clark’s adoption file. The line from the first verse, “I've realized one thing, how much I love you” finally acknowledges Chloe’s feelings when it comes to Clark. Then, these lines from the chorus, “And if you just hold on, I wont let ya fall / We can make it through the storms and the winds of change” mean that Chloe has faith in their relationship and won’t let it fail. She thinks they could make it through the changing and rough times. The bridge, “I am not afraid / Cause I know I'm not alone” once again imply that Chloe is not alone, and she has Clark by her side. ( full lyrics )

In Drone, Jimmy Eat World’s “The Middle" plays during the hallway campaign scene between Clark and Chloe at Smallville High.  The chorus, “It just takes some time / little girl you're in the middle of the ride / everything (everything) will be just fine / everything (everything) will be alright (alright).” This is referring to Chloe’s journey throughout the show, and she’ll be successful in the end even though it might take her some time. ( full lyrics )

Also in Drone, Evan Olson’s “Not What I Wanted” plays during the Clark and Chloe scene at the election party. The lines, “You can’t deny the truth wore thin / When we both know what could have been / I know someday I’m gonna have my way” imply that even though they aren’t romantically involved yet, they both know they have a real chance at a romantic relationship, and someday they will have that chance. ( full lyrics )

In Crush, we have Eva Cassidy’s cover of Cyndi Lauper's “Time After Time" playing during the funeral sequence. The song is about always being there for someone amidst difficult times . The chorus of the song is extremely tied to Chloe and Clark. “If you're lost / You can look / And you will find me / Time after time / If you fall / I will catch you / I'll be waiting / Time after time”. This definitely says that no matter what Clark and Chloe will always be there for one another, and they’ll always wait for each other. ( full lyrics )

Also in Crush, Micah Green’s “You and I” plays during the last Talon scene when Clark asks Chloe to the journalism convention. The second verse, “We were wrong that we can’t fight / And I was strong ‘till tomorrow night / But come on dove won’t you stay the night / You and I” reflects on the conflict they were having, but Clark asks Chloe to come along with him so that they can be together.

In Obscura, we have John Mayer’s “No Such Thing” during the scene when Clark asks her to the Spring Formal. The song is about how even though people may discourage you, keep on pushing for what you want. Take the lines, “They love to tell you ‘stay inside the lines’ / But something’s better on the other side.” Now, this could be seen as everyone telling Clark to stick to what he knows -- the status quo (meaning Lana). However, something -- meaning Chloe -- is definitely better because Clark and Chloe are finally giving themselves the chance of romance. Then, “I just found out there’s no such thing as the real world / Just a lie you’ve got to rise above”. This can be seen as Clark finding out what he once thought he wanted isn’t it at all, and he’s finally risen above it all and chosen someone new -- Chloe. ( full lyrics )

In Tempest, we have Sherri Youngward’s “Where This Love Goes.”  The song’s about following love no matter where it takes you. In the scene this song plays in, Clark and Chloe are discussing Chloe possibly moving to Metropolis. The lines, “Where this love goes / I will follow / I will follow” and “I want to grow old having followed where this love goes” are extremely poignant to the situation at hand, and even if Chloe’s moving to Metropolis, they both will follow their love of each other.

Also in Tempest,  Remy Zero’s “Perfect Memory” plays during the Clark and Chloe dance at Spring Formal. We find out that it is one of Chloe's favorite songs, and that Clark requested it for her.  Remember how they always seemed to know / we had the forest in our eyes / but the earth was in our clothes / and they thought we'd fall / not at all” describes how everyone else always thought they would share each other’s future, and even though there were doubts, they still pulled through. Also, look at these lines from the bridge, “…my heart just jaded / in that moment the earth made no sound / but you were there / you helped me lift my pain into the air.”   I think this can definitely been interpreted as how they both tend to protect their hearts because they don’t want to get hurt, but when Clark or Chloe are feeling low, they are always there to pick each other up and get the other one through it. ( full lyrics )

Season Two

In Vortex, Stretch Princess’s “Time and Time Again” plays while Chloe looks at her Spring Formal pictures. The song talks about contemplating loving someone even though it becomes difficult given the circumstances, but the person is forever “wrapped around their finger”. Let’s look at the hook, “And time and time again / I lose everything/it’s funny how it never changes / I’m wrapped around your finger.” This is definitely referring to Chloe continuing to love Clark even though they’ve decided to remain just friends, but Chloe continues to still love Clark. ( full lyrics )

In Heat, New Found Glory’s “My Friends Over You” plays during the Clark and Chloe hug. The chorus, “You were everything I wanted / But I just can't finish what I've started / There’s no room left here on my back / It was damaged long ago / Though you swear that you are true / I still pick my friends over you” express Chloe’s feelings regarding Clark at the moment. She’s always wanted Clark, but she’s scared of getting hurt. Therefore, even though Clark said he wanted to pursue the romantic side of their relationship, Chloe would rather play it safe and be his friend. This song sets up their relationship throughout season two.  ( full lyrics )

In Rush, Sheila Nicholls’s “Bread and Water” plays during the make out scene. Look at the chorus: “It's bread and water without you / Bread and water / It's bread and water without you”. Chloe leads a very exciting life with her career and connection to Clark, so this means that life is very bland without either one of those in it. ( full lyrics )

Also in Rush, AM Radio’s “I Just Wanna Be Loved” plays during the Clark and Chloe Torch scene after Chloe gets infected. The chorus of the song is, “I just want to be loved / I just want to be loved by you”. This is clearly echoing the desires shown in this episode, and it also continues the theme of love being involved in Clark and Chloe’s relationship. ( full lyrics )

In Fever, in the Talon scene where Clark thanks Chloe for visiting him while sick they play Steadman's "Wave Goodbye."  The episode is perhaps most remembered for the letter Chloe reads to him while sick which he doesn't remember.  The letter cites that Chloe is waiting for him to fly back go her; later when Clark approaches Chloe at the party not remembering her confession at all, the band plays on: "Now this bird has flown / Like I've always known it would / Maybe someday soon / You'll be flying too." ( full lyrics )

In Witness, Ben Lee’s “No Room to Bleed” plays during the Torch scene when Clark and Chloe are arguing as he packs his things. The lines, “And all the time I kept it inside / You leave me no room to bleed / Close to the chest and near to the ground” describe how Chloe and Clark keep their feelings about each other to themselves, and never tell each other how they feel. They think it’s for the best if they keep their feelings hidden from each other. ( full lyrics )

In Calling, Elza’s “Everything to Me” plays during the opening Talon scene where Chloe realizes something is up between Clark and Lana. This part from the chorus, “I just wanna love you for everything you are / You’re everything to me” express how Chloe feels about Clark. Chloe loves Clark for who he is, and he means everything to her. These lines from the bridge, “I don’t wanna throw it all away / You see, I’ve got faith in love” show that Chloe doesn’t want to give up their relationship, and she still has faith it could come become romantic again.

Season Three

In Phoenix, the Stereophonics’ “Maybe Tomorrow” plays during the Clark and Chloe Torch scene after he returns home. To put this in context, Clark is thinking about leaving again and this verse, “I look around at a beautiful life / Been the upperside of down / Been the inside of out / But we breathe / We breathe” definitely gives us Clark’s perspective on things. He wants to leave, but looks at the his life, that Chloe is a part of, and even though he’s been through a lot and hasn’t been feeling too great, he wants to stay. So for this song to say “beautiful life” during a scene involving Chloe is a pretty significant statement about her role in Clark’s life, and why he chose to stay home.  ( full lyrics )

In Slumber, R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” plays during another Clark and Chloe Torch scene, this one in Clark's dream world. The lyrics “The lengths that I will go to / The distance in your eyes / Oh no I've said too much / I set it up” say to me that Clark and Chloe both try to go the extra mile for each other, but the line “Oh no, I’ve said too much” implies that Clark and Chloe don’t really verbalize their feelings, and try to keep things inside because they are trying to protect themselves from getting hurt.  It's also worth noting that this is R.E.M's most famous song, which was written with the intent to be darker and more obsessive than "Every Breathe You Take." ( full lyrics )

In Delete, Hoobastank’s “The Reason” plays during the Chlark make up scene. It is a perfect song to describe the relationship between Clark and Chloe at that time with their reconciliation finally taking place. “I'm not a perfect person / There's many things I wish I didn't do / But I continue learning / I never meant to do those things to you / And so I have to say before I go / That I just want you to know” talks about how Clark and Chloe both acknowledge that they aren’t perfect, they’ve made mistakes,  and they are both sorry for it. “I've found out a reason for me / To change who I used to be / A reason to start over new / And the reason is you” says they are changing who they are and how they treat each other for a reason, and the reason is each other.  ( full lyrics )

In Truth,  Fastball's "Someday" plays during the opening Clark and Chloe scene when she pushes Clark to interview the teacher. The lines, “Yeah, it’s alright / It’s just a matter of time / Till I find my feet” describes Chloe’s journalistic path throughout the show, and she is trying to and eventually will get there.  ( full lyrics )

Season Four

In Gone, Dara Shindler’s “Far Away” plays during the scene where Clark goes to Chloe’s safe house to find her. The song is about waiting, wanting, and needing for someone to be close to you. This line from the first verse, “Heaven knows I can’t imagine you with another” implies from Clark’s point of view that he can’t imagine Chloe with anyone else. Then, the chorus, “Far away / I’m here waiting for you / take me home / I wanna be alone with you” is definitely commentating on Clark and Chloe’s relationship, and how they are always waiting for each other. Then, the second verse says, “You are my life / Don’t leave me lonely here tonight.” This is once again reaffirming the importance that they both have in each other’s life.

In Devoted, Bebo Norman’s “Our Mystery” plays during the final Clark and Chloe scene where they admit where their feelings for each other stand after the ordeal. In the first verse, we have the lines “Because I need you / And I know I couldn’t leave you if I tried / To walk away.” This is definitely how Clark and Chloe feel about each other. They are both so close, and their lives have become so interconnected that they need each other now. It means that they could never separate from each other and walk away from their relationship. Then, the chorus, “I’m living a long life / And I will not let you go / It’s taken a long, long time to get here / It could be a long, long night / But I will not let you go / Love will be…our mystery” is a basic summary how of far their relationship has come, especially in the past year, and they cannot let each other go. It’s further implying how deep their connection with each other runs.  ( full lyrics )

In Jinx, Social Distortion’s “Reach for the Sky” plays when Clark and Chloe try to stop Mxyzptlk. “Yesterday is history / And tomorrow is a mystery / But baby right now / It's just about you and me / You can run you can hide / Just like Bonnie and Clyde / Reach for the sky / Ain't never gonna die / And I thank the Lord for the love that I have found / And hold you tight cause tomorrow may never come” First, Bonnie and Clyde were partners, just like Clark and Chloe are in their own line of work. Second, this definitely refers to closeness between them and how it’s never going to die. Third, the “hold you tight” line signifies that Clark and Chloe can’t ever let go of each other. ( full lyrics )

In Scare, Mindy Smith’s “Falling” plays during the final Chlark scene where they confess their nightmares to one another.  The chorus, “When I've almost had enough / Something about you draws me back again / When I've almost given up / Something about you pulls me in” describes how even though they have tried to get past the romantic connotations and advances in their relationship, they are always going to be drawn back to them and each other. ( full lyrics )

In Pariah,  Minnie Driver’s  “Deeper Water” plays during the Clark and Chloe graveyard scene. According to Driver, she says that the song is “A thinly veiled analogy to having the courage to fall in love with someone after being really devastated” and “It’s about the sweetness of that moment when you’re ready to dive back into something, and how surprising you find it that you can ever love again.” Now, look at the lyrics, “Take me out, take me out / Far into the deeper water / Show me how, show me how / For I have longed to love deep water / I was washed up on the shore / You take me out in the water once more.” Clark has just lost Alicia, and Chloe, while comforting him, is telling him that she’s there for him if he ever needs to talk. It’s very significant that it’s Chloe saying and appearing in this scene given the meaning of the song. ( full lyrics )

In Spirit, Lifehouse’s “Blind” plays when Chloe enters the dance and sees Clark. The song is clearly from Chloe’s point of view. The first verse, “I was young but I wasn't naïve / I watched helpless as he turned around to leave / And still I have the pain I have to carry / A past so deep that even you could not bury if you tried” describes how Chloe’s had to see Clark chase after other girls while still in pain about her own feelings about Clark. The chorus, “When my love for you was blind / But I couldn't make you see it / Couldn't make you see it / That I loved you more than you'll ever know / A part of me died when I let you go” express how Chloe’s loved Clark for so long but can’t make him see it, and it still hurts. The lines, “I would fall asleep / Only in hopes of dreaming / That everything would be like it was before” show how Chloe hopes everything would go back to the way it was at their Spring Formal. ( full lyrics )

In Blank, Switchfoot’s “This Is Your Life” plays during the final Clark and Chloe scene once Clark's memory is recovered. The song is significant because it raises the question, “Are you who you want to be?” Clark decides whether or not this is who he wants to be. Is this what he wants to do? And throughout his entire amnesia, he makes the same choices and decisions except for one thing: He trusts Chloe. He made the choice to confide in Chloe about his secret, so he obviously changed that one particular thing showing that he instinctively trusts her. ( full lyrics )

Season Five

In Hidden, David Gray’s “Disappearing World” plays during the ending Chlark scene where it's revealed about Jor-El's deal with Clark and Chloe is the only one who knows about it. “I'll be sticking right there with it / I'll be by your side / Sailing like a silver bullet…Through the smoke and rising water / Cross the great divide / Baby till it all feels right” implies they will be by each other’s side always and through the tough times. ( full lyrics )

In Thirst, Diamond Nights’ “The Girl’s Attractive” plays during the sorority party scene. The line “I can’t resist her” can definitely be seen as Clark’s line of thinking with regards to Chloe.“A hook ball and chain / Oh the girl got you captive”  indicates Clark is linked to Chloe, and she’s finally got him.  

Season Six

In Rage, Josh Kelley’s “Cain and Able” plays in the Thanksgiving montage featuring Clark and Chloe. This song is very descriptive of Clark and Chloe’s relationship as it stands now, and how it will play out in the future. The first line goes, “I’m sick of chasing after things / I’d rather them chase after me.” I think is definitely from Chloe’s POV because of how she’s been wanting to be with Clark for years now, she’s tired of it, and wants Clark to come and chase her now. Then, “I think she’s waiting for me to believe / I wish that love was all it took” is definitely supposed to be from Clark’s POV. Clark knows that Chloe has always had feelings for him, but it’s been Clark who’s had the problem with the believing in them romantically again. He knows that it’s going to take more than love for Chloe to be with him. She has to know that he really wants her. Also, this again encompasses Chlark’s “waiting” theme. They both are waiting for each other to make a move and stick to it. ( full lyrics )

In Hydro, Jay Condiotti’s “I’ll Wait for You” plays during the Clark and Chloe Talon scene where they have the reveal about the Daily Planet article about him. This part of the first verse, “Nothing but the truth could wake us / Only you and I could save us” definitely says that it’s up to them to save their possible romance by telling each other the truth. Of course, the chorus, “I’ll wait for you / Just like I did before / I’ll wait for you / Right outside your door / I’ll wait for you / Till I can’t wait no more” is reinforcing their ever-so-present theme of waiting. They will always wait for each other because they know that something more is still there waiting to be tapped into again. Finally, in the bridge, it’s states that “feelings still remain”. This says that feelings are there between them that are more than platonic.

In Crimson, Ginger’s “Our Finest Hour” plays at the beginning of the episode during the Valentine’s Day party which Chloe ends up taking Clark to. This line in the chorus, “Tonight, the universe will hold us together” seems to imply that the their relationship is in the stars with use of the word “universe.”  It’s as if their destiny is in greater hands. 

In Freak, Samantha Mollen’s “Closer to You” plays during the final Daily Planet scene where they confront the truth about Chloe's meteor status. The chorus goes: “I’m closer to you baby / I’m closer to you now / I’m talking with my moment / Interpret me somehow.” Now, during this scene, Clark and Chloe are definitely becoming closer in the face of the revelation that Chloe might be a meteor freak. Clark is definitely “talking with his movement” so to speak, by pulling up a chair next to Chloe and putting his arm around her and his hand on her arm. He is both physically and intimately becoming closer to her in that very moment. “You should become one with yourself / Before you try / To be with someone else” this means that Chloe needs to be honest with herself about who she is before she can commit to being with someone else -- meaning Clark -- on a deeper level, while Clark is trying to become closer to her. 

In conclusion, the music used throughout Clark and Chloe scenes seem to imply future love, closeness, trust, and partnership. The character of Lois Lane has always been Clark’s partner and soul mate, and Chloe Sullivan fulfills that role on Smallville.

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