Closing Time

"Closing Time" by Semisonic is a special canon song as it is never played at dances. Instead, it is a tradition for every Evening Quad Time (EQT) meaning the time on the quad after evening classes are over but before lights out. A lot of ravers are present at this time, with speakers playing rave and canon music often there as well. In past years, admin would allow their speakers to be used, but recently it has been student-brought bluetooth speakers.

EQT usually has a strict end time of 9:45pm. The version of "Closing Time" on Spotify is 4 minutes and 34 seconds, meaning that to make this deadline, the song must be started by 9:40 at the latest. Alyssa K of Carlisle 24.2 would set an alarm for 9:39, allowing her 30 seconds to change the song from her previously playing-on-shuffle quad time playlist.

When Closing Time plays, everyone at quad time gets into one big circle, either hugging, holding hands, or holding glowsticks/poi (depending on the comfort level and covid situation). During the song, people sway, and at the more upbeat parts of the song, there is sometimes jumping. During the long instrumental section, a monologue taken from the PDA Rules Afterdance Chant can be performed, requiring two willing participants.

At the end of Closing Time, EQT is basically over. At Lancaster, people would sprint back to their dorms.

The final Closing Time occurs on the last EQT, which is the one before the final dance. There is significantly more crying, and the lyrics skyrocket in meaning and relevance. CTY will soon be over and you don't have to go home but you can't stay here.

Lyrics

Closing time, open all the doors
And let you out into the world
Closing time, turn all of the lights on
Over every boy and every girl
Closing time, one last call for alcohol
So, finish your whiskey or beer
Closing time, you don't have to go home
But you can't stay here
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home
Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from
Closing time, this room won't be open
Till your brothers or your sisters come
So, gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning's end, yeah
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home
Closing time, time for you to go out
To the places you will be from
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
I know who I want to take me home
Take me home
Closing time, every new beginning
Comes from some other beginning's end