Song DNA
Misophonia Triggers
A melancholic folk-jazz track reflecting urban isolation and bittersweet city life, featuring Nick Drake's soft vocals over intricate guitar, bass, drums, flute, and strings.
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Moods: introspective, melancholy, reflective
Traditions: english folk, folk
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 4/10 is within the normal pop-mix band. There is variation between verse and chorus, but it's the kind of variation most listeners encounter routinely.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture: smooth.
Predictability is high — the song telegraphs what it will do next. A sensory-sensitive listener can usually guess where it's going without close attention.
Vocal style: soft vocals.
Where this sits in Nick Drake's catalog
We have 26 songs from Nick Drake in the library. Of those, 20 are rated Safe, 6 Moderate, and 0 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 4/10 sits below the artist average of 4.2, making it the #12 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Bryter Layter
We have 7 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.
- Northern Sky — safe DR 4
- Poor Boy — moderate DR 6
- Fly — safe DR 4
- Hazey Jane I — safe DR 3
- Hazey Jane II — moderate DR 6
- One of These Things First — safe DR 5
1970 context
Released in 1970. We have 307 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.1/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 1970s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Safe because its dynamic range stays within our low-variance band, there are no unsignaled changes, and the texture and vocal style are both in the low-fatigue range. Our methodology uses an AND rule for Safe — a song has to clear every dimension to earn the rating.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-14. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "At the Chime of a City Clock"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "At the Chime of a City Clock" by Nick Drake?
"At the Chime of a City Clock" by Nick Drake rates as Low-Intensity. Dynamic range 4/10, no sudden changes, smooth texture. Our Low-Intensity rating means no single dimension triggers the higher-intensity thresholds.
How loud is "At the Chime of a City Clock" — what is its dynamic range?
"At the Chime of a City Clock" has a dynamic range of 4/10. Within normal pop-mix variation. Movement between verse and chorus but nothing dramatic.
Does "At the Chime of a City Clock" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "At the Chime of a City Clock" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "At the Chime of a City Clock" best for?
In our library "At the Chime of a City Clock" is recommended for: anxiety relief, deep listening, relaxation. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "At the Chime of a City Clock" released?
"At the Chime of a City Clock" is from 1970, on the album "Bryter Layter". It appears in our 1970s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "At the Chime of a City Clock"?
We tag "At the Chime of a City Clock" as introspective, melancholy, reflective. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "At the Chime of a City Clock"?
The vocal style is soft vocals.
Should I listen to "At the Chime of a City Clock"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "At the Chime of a City Clock" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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