these days
David Lindley/Jackson Browne Lyrics

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Well, I've been out walkin'
I don't do that much talkin' these days
These days
These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
For you
And all the times I had the chance to

And I had a lover
But it's so hard to risk another these days
These days
Now if I seem to be afraid
To live the life I have made in song
Well, it's just that I've been losin' for so long

Well, I'll keep on movin', movin' on
Things are bound to be improvin' these days
One of these days
These days I'll sit on corner stones
And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend

Don't confront me with my failures
I had not forgotten them

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to David Lindley/Jackson Browne's song These Days are reflective and contemplative. The opening lines portray the singer as someone who has been spending a lot of time walking and thinking, rather than talking. There is a sense of regret and a focus on missed opportunities as the singer dwells on things they forgot to do for their lover, and all the times they had a chance to do something but didn't. The next few lines reference a lover, but how it's difficult to risk being hurt again in a relationship. The singer then acknowledges their fear of living the life they have made, which may be a reference to their career or personal life. They have been losing for so long that they are afraid to try.

The closing lines are a ray of hope amidst the regret and fear. The singer declares that they will keep moving forward, and things will improve, even if it takes time. They plan to sit down and count the time in quarter tones, which may be a reference to the musician's desire to create music that is precise and harmonic, rather than living life haphazardly. The singer then acknowledges their failures but implores others not to confront them with it, as they have not forgotten them.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I've been out walkin'
I've been spending my time exploring my surroundings on foot.

I don't do that much talkin' these days
I don't engage in conversation as much as I used to.

These days
Recently.

These days I seem to think a lot
Lately, I've been doing a lot of thinking.

About the things that I forgot to do
I'm reflecting on missed opportunities and things I neglected to accomplish.

For you
Specifically for someone I care about.

And all the times I had the chance to
I'm regretting not taking advantage of past opportunities.

And I had a lover
I used to be in a romantic relationship.

But it's so hard to risk another these days
It's difficult for me to consider entering another relationship right now.

Now if I seem to be afraid
If I come across as apprehensive.

To live the life I have made in song
To follow through on the lifestyle I committed to in the music I write.

Well, it's just that I've been losin' for so long
I've faced many disappointments and setbacks for an extended period of time.

Well, I'll keep on movin', movin' on
I'll continue to progress and move forward.

Things are bound to be improvin' these days
I believe things are likely to get better soon.

One of these days
At some point in the future, hopefully soon.

These days I'll sit on corner stones
Nowadays, I'll take time to sit and contemplate in public spaces.

And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend
I'll focus my attention and attempt to stay present, counting time in small increments up to ten.

Don't confront me with my failures
Please don't bring up my past mistakes or shortcomings.

I had not forgotten them
I'm aware of my failures and conscious of ways to improve moving forward.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Jackson Browne

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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