These Days
Jackson Browne David Lindley Lyrics


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Well I've been out walking
I don't do that much talking 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
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 losing so long

I'll keep on moving
Things are bound to be improving these days
These days,
These days I 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 song "These Days" by Jackson Browne and David Lindley is a melancholic piece about regret and lost opportunities. The singer speaks of his present state of being, which is one of quiet contemplation, where he spends a lot of time thinking about the things he should have done for a loved one but failed to do so. The chorus "These Days" is the constant reminder of what's gone and the weight of missed opportunities.


The singer speaks about having a lover but finds it difficult to risk being in love again. He's afraid of living life to the fullest and failing yet again. He speaks of his life in song, and this can be interpreted in two ways - first, that he is a songwriter, and second, that he sees his life as a song: a story with a beginning, middle, and an end. By the end of the song, the singer talks about finding hope, and he believes that things are bound to be improving even though he's been losing for so long. The final line, "Don't confront me with my failures; I had not forgotten them," shows that the singer is aware of his shortcomings, and he carries them with him always.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I've been out walking
I've been physically moving around, exploring the outdoors


I don't do that much talking these days
I'm not socializing or communicating as much lately


These days,
Recently, currently


These days I seem to think a lot
I'm doing a lot of introspection and contemplating


About the things that I forgot to do
I'm regretting not completing certain actions in the past


For you
For someone else, for the benefit of another person


And all the times I had the chance to
I'm reflecting on missed opportunities


And I had a lover
I used to have a romantic partner


It's so hard to risk another these days
Currently, it's difficult for me to take a chance on another relationship


These days,
Recently, currently


Now if I seem to be afraid
If I appear to be scared


To live the life I have made in song
To live out the lifestyle I've portrayed in my music


Well it's just that I've been losing so long
I've been experiencing defeat and disappointment for a prolonged period of time


I'll keep on moving
I'll continue moving forward, proceeding with my life


Things are bound to be improving these days
My current circumstances will likely get better


These days,
Recently, currently


These days I sit on corner stones
I spend my time sitting on street corners


And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend
I'm aimlessly passing time, keeping track of the minutes and seconds as they drag on


Don't confront me with my failures
Please don't remind me of the areas where I fell short


I had not forgotten them
I'm aware of my past mistakes and regrets




Lyrics © Jackson Browne/Swallow Turn Music/Night Kitchen Music/Open Window Music
Written by: BILLY KELLY, CARL SIRACUSE, CHRIS HANLON, FRAN BROZENA, JERRY HLUDZIK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Ken Newton

We lost A VERY TALENTED musician when we lost David. Broke my heart when I got the news. He and Jackson were kindred spirits.

Robert Clymer

RIP David! You were a gift in the musical world and will be sadly missed.

Max Power

Wow. You recreated David Lindley’s tone from the solo. Well done and beautifully played.

MrSwimfinz123

Beautiful! LOVE IT! RIP David Lindley.

Screwball McAdams

Well played! This solo and David’s full set of licks on These Days are arguably the best lap steel moments in rock history.

robert hamlin

I feel the same

Scott Tracy

I agree. The lap steel musicianship may be unmatched. This is called taking a song to it's absolute zenith.

Screwball McAdams

R.I.P. David Lindley 😢

1 More Replies...

David Thompson

Man that was pure sweetness to my ears. The tone was perfect. This song is etched into my Soul.
Well done sir.

Dave Dennis

OMG you got the tone nailed must be that National pick up in there. You really captured the feel and the soul of that

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