“Killin’ Time” by Clint Black: A Country Classic of Heartache and Regret
Some songs define a moment in time, a sound, and an artist’s entire career—and “Killin’ Time” is one of those songs. Released in July 1989, this second single and title track from Clint Black’s debut album not only cemented his place as one of country music’s brightest new stars but also became an instant classic, one that still echoes through country bars, radio stations, and the hearts of fans who know all too well the pain of trying to drink away a broken heart.
Written by Clint Black and Hayden Nicholas, “Killin’ Time” was a song born out of raw emotion, and it resonated deeply with country audiences. It reached No. 1 on both the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and the Canadian RPM Country Tracks chart, making Black the first country artist in decades to see his first two singles go straight to the top. The song was so impactful that Billboard ranked it the No. 2 country song of 1989, just behind Black’s own debut single, “A Better Man.”
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of self-destruction, as the narrator numbs his pain with alcohol, unable to escape the memories of a lost love. But unlike many traditional country drinking songs, “Killin’ Time” carries a deeper, almost philosophical weight—he’s not just passing the time; he’s actively wasting his life away. There’s a dark, almost haunting quality to the line “This killin’ time is killin’ me,” making it one of the most memorable and poignant refrains in country music history.
Musically, the song is a masterclass in neo-traditional country. It blends classic honky-tonk influences with a smooth, radio-friendly polish, featuring twangy guitar work, a steady rhythm, and Black’s signature vocal delivery—strong, sincere, and effortlessly cool. This wasn’t the overly slick, pop-country sound that was beginning to take hold in the late ‘80s; instead, “Killin’ Time” represented a return to traditional storytelling and authentic country instrumentation, helping to spearhead the early-‘90s neotraditional movement that saw artists like Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, and Travis Tritt rise to prominence.
The success of “Killin’ Time” and Black’s debut album of the same name was staggering. It launched him into superstardom, earning him the CMA Horizon Award in 1989, and set the stage for a career that would see more than 20 No. 1 hits and a lasting legacy in country music.
More than three decades later, “Killin’ Time” remains one of the greatest country songs of its era—a song that captures the bittersweet reality of heartbreak, regret, and the slow, self-inflicted destruction of trying to drink the past away. Whether it’s blasting through a dusty old jukebox or playing softly on a long drive down an empty highway, it’s a song that still hits hard, lingers long, and reminds us all that some wounds never truly heal.