A frantic thrash metal whirlwind that redefines a new wave classic.
The Song
"Got The Time" is a high-octane cover by American thrash metal band Anthrax, released in 1990 on their fifth studio album, "Persistence of Time". Originally a new wave track by British musician Joe Jackson from his 1979 debut album "Look Sharp!", Anthrax completely re-imagined the song with their signature speed and aggression. The song's lyrics, depicting a frantic rush against time, found a new, intense urgency through Anthrax's thrash metal lens.
While Joe Jackson reportedly found Anthrax's version "clumsy" and "lumpen" compared to his own live performances, drummer Charlie Benante championed the cover, believing it "totally made that record". It quickly became a fan favorite and a staple in their live sets. The track was produced by Anthrax and Mark Dodson, with Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero handling the mixing.
The Artist
Anthrax is a pioneering American thrash metal band formed in New York City in 1981 by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker. They are widely recognized as one of the "Big Four" of thrash metal, alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth. Known for their blend of heavy riffs, energetic performances, and often incorporating humor and social commentary, Anthrax has released eleven studio albums and sold over 10 million albums worldwide.
The band's lineup for "Persistence of Time" and the "Got The Time" video included Joey Belladonna on vocals, Scott Ian and Dan Spitz on guitars, Frank Bello on bass, and Charlie Benante on drums. They are noted for their impact on the metal scene, including their groundbreaking collaboration with Public Enemy on "Bring the Noise," which helped break down genre barriers.
Chart Performance
"Got The Time" proved to be a significant track for Anthrax in the UK. The single peaked at No. 16 on the Official UK Singles Chart in January 1991, becoming their biggest hit in the UK at that time. It spent a total of four weeks on the chart.
The parent album, "Persistence of Time," also performed well, reaching No. 24 on the Billboard 200 in the US and eventually earning Gold certification for sales of 500,000 copies.
Cultural Impact
Anthrax's cover of "Got The Time" is celebrated as a prime example of a metal band successfully reinterpreting a song from a completely different genre, exposing a new audience to Joe Jackson's songwriting while solidifying their own reputation for musical versatility and aggression. It demonstrated their ability to inject raw energy into an already dynamic composition, making it a fan favorite and a concert staple.
The song achieved an unusual form of "celestial" cultural impact when NASA chose to play "Got The Time" to wake up the Mars Curiosity Rover in 2012, making it one of the first metal songs to be heard on another planet. This moment was met with excitement by the band, with guitarist Scott Ian quipping, "Yes, there will be moshing on Mars!"
Fun Facts
- "Got The Time" was originally not intended for the "Persistence of Time" album; it was initially considered as a B-side before its strong reception led to its inclusion on the main record.
- Drummer Charlie Benante was a huge personal fan of Joe Jackson's original and pushed the band to cover it.
- Despite Joe Jackson's initial lukewarm reaction, the thrash metal version is often praised for its "advanced playing" and rhythmic complexity, even by fellow musicians like Henry Rollins.
- The music video prominently features live performance footage, capturing the raw energy and stage presence of the band members.
- The album "Persistence of Time" was certified Gold by the RIAA in early 1991.
- A remastered version of the official music video premiered in early 2026, showcasing renewed interest in the track.