Abandoned Pools is the performing name for singer-songwriter and musician T… Read Full Bio ↴Abandoned Pools is the performing name for singer-songwriter and musician Tommy Walter, as well as the name of the band in which he plays. He began playing music at a young age, first with the bass guitar and then the French horn. He attended University of Southern California, followed by the Pacific University. Teaching classical music theory, Walter began working with various Los Angeles-area musicians.

Walter soon began working with a singer-songwriter who went by E and drummer Butch Norton as The Eels. After a promising debut, Walter left the band due to differences with E. He formed a short-lived band, Tely, who released a CD that was distributed on the internet. He was also in the touring band for the Ken Andrews solo project ON, though in the end the band saw little touring. Later he went on to form Abandoned Pools and recorded a solo album, Humanistic, in 2001. Humanistic actually features a couple of songs that were once performed by Tely, like "Start Over."

In 2002 they performed the theme song for the short-lived MTV animated series Clone High. Many of their songs can be heard in the background during the show.

Walter teamed up with drummer Bryan Head and guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme in 2004 to record "Armed to the Teeth," the follow up to Humanistic. In June of 2005, they released an EP, consisting of a few songs from the new album along with b-sides and demos, called The Reverb EP. This was followed by the full album in September 2005.

In January of 2006, Walter wrote in his blog that Universal Records had stopped promoting the album. However, he has included several song snippets on his MySpace and has said he is writing songs for a new album.

In March of 2010, Walter announced via Twitter that he would enter the studio to work on a third Abandoned Pools album after five years of hiatus.

In mid-May 2011, via the Abandoned Pools' MySpace page, two new songs, "Marigold" and "In Silence" from the upcoming album, "Sublime Currency" were made available for streaming and download, or iTunes, as well as a full length demo of the first album, "Humanistic." The third studio album was expected to be released in late 2011, but is now due out sometime in 2012. On Friday, January 27, 2012, the Abandoned Pools' Facebook page posted: "Announcement coming on Monday." (January 30th)

Only So Many Days
Abandoned Pools Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Friends they come and go
And then you know which ones are
But I am on your side
Out on the frontline trenches

Days go by and nothing changes
High and low we're mending fences
Days go by and nothing changes

High and low we're mending fences
(Friends they come and go
And then you know which ones are
But I am on your side
Out on the frontline trenches)

We survived
We did our best
Out in the forest
Without a compass
How we get along
Days they come and go

Days, they come in waves
An endless haze of memory
It's fast and then it's slow
An afterglow in movies

Days go by and nothing changes
High and low we're mending fences
Days go by and nothing changes
High and low we're mending fences
(Days, they come in waves
An endless haze of memory
It's fast and then it's slow
An afterglow in movies)

We survived
We did our best
Out in the forest
Without a compass
How we get along
Days they come and go

Days go by and nothing changes
High and low we're mending fences
Days go by and nothing changes
High and low we're mending fences
(Friends they come and go
And then you know which ones are
But I am on your side
Out on the frontline trenches)

We survived
We did our best
Out in the forest
Without a compass
How we get along
Days they come and go

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Abandoned Pools's "Only So Many Days" convey themes of friendship, resilience, and the passage of time. The opening verses reflect on the transient nature of relationships, noting that friends may come and go but true allies reveal themselves through tough times. The singer emphasizes their loyalty and solidarity, positioning themselves as a steadfast companion in the trials and tribulations of life, symbolized by the imagery of the frontline trenches.

The repetition of the lines "Days go by and nothing changes / High and low we're mending fences" underscores the cyclical nature of life's challenges and the ongoing effort required to mend and maintain relationships. The reference to mending fences suggests a process of reconciliation and repair, indicating a willingness to overcome obstacles and bridge divides. This is a recurring theme throughout the song, highlighting the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

The mention of surviving and doing one's best in the forest without a compass metaphorically alludes to navigating through life's uncertainties and challenges with limited guidance. It conveys a sense of resilience and determination in forging ahead despite not knowing the exact path. The acknowledgment of the ebb and flow of days, coming and going like waves, further emphasizes the ever-changing nature of existence and the enduring power of memory.

The final verses reiterate the idea of enduring through time, highlighting the consistency of certain relationships amidst the fluidity of life. The singer's commitment to standing by their loved ones through thick and thin is a poignant reminder of the enduring nature of true bonds. The song captures the essence of human connection, resilience, and the continuity of changing days as a reminder of the impermanence and preciousness of life.

Line by Line Meaning

Friends they come and go
People enter and exit our lives

And then you know which ones are
And we realize who truly matters

But I am on your side
I am here to support you

Out on the frontline trenches
During difficult times

Days go by and nothing changes
Time passes without significant transformation

High and low we're mending fences
We work through challenges together

We survived
We made it through

We did our best
We gave it our all

Out in the forest
Navigating unfamiliar territory

Without a compass
Facing uncertainty

How we get along
Finding ways to persevere