“Time Flies” begins like a gentle epiphany that arrives when life slows enough for you to consider it. Julie Slim’s song is a poignant meditation on the fleeting nature of the moments that define our lives.
The story behind the song has an emotional weight that comes through in the performance. The idea for “Time Flies” came to Julie in a very intimate moment in 2000. Dropping her two daughters off at elementary school, Slim suddenly felt the passing of time. That realization, however brief but powerful, was the genesis of this song. The melody and lyrics arrived in under 30 minutes, which speaks to how genuine inspiration can strike from nowhere.
The musical arrangement of the song naturally plays into that sense of urgency and openness. The song was recorded live at King Electric Studios, and it works because of the elemental chemistry among the musicians. Shawn Ellison’s emotive piano lines establish the emotional stakes of the piece, while Phil Spencer’s upright bass provides both warmth and a grounding anchor. Joe McCreary’s drums provide a subtle sense of rhythmic propulsion, allowing the performance to breathe.
Joshua Thomson’s alto saxophone and Sari Andoni’s oud lend depth and richness to a sound in which both the traditional and the very personal are filtered. With the energy of a live performance and the heartfelt origin story, Julie Slim captures that life is short and that many experiences we embrace happen to us before we fully recognize them. The song’s gentle sincerity prompts you to pause, breathe, and recognize the time we have.
Connect with Julie Slim on Instagram – @sleemjulie
