Stylistically, the band took influence from both contemporary adult alternative bands as well as earlier power pop and Bob Dylan-like singer-songwriter music. 'The Madding Crowd' generally received positive critical reviews and reached the #67 slot on the Billboard 200, eventually being certified as gold by the RIAA. Yet Nine Days' acclaim ended up being brief. Despite the popularity of "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)", which reached the #1 slot on Billboard's 'Top 40 Mainstream' chart and raced up in other charts, the group's mainstream success quickly faded, and they became saddled with the "one hitwonder" tag because of that single's ubiquitous nature. They're also sometimes labeled as a "two hit wonder" (due to the major airplay of "If I Am" as well).
Their next album, 'So Happily Unsatisfied', was scheduled for a release in 2002. Unfortunately due to complications with their label, Sony Records, this album became delayed and the group was no longer in possession of the rights of the songs. They managed to put it up for online distribution years later after acrimonious conflict. 'Flying the Corporate Jet', released in 2003 by the band by itself, ended up being Nine Days' last full album for some time.
Justly feeling bashed by the music industry, the band went on hiatus through much of the decade. However, In mid-August 2006, Nine Days formally reunited and went back to the studio to record. 'Slow Motion Life (Part One)', a new EP with six songs, was released on January 19, 2007. Part Two was released later that year. Their more recent work has gone in a more Americana type musical direction.
The band has since performed sporadically. Both vocal artists, John Hampson and Brian Desveaux have pursued solo careers and their music is available for purchase from their respective websites. According to the Absolutely (Story of a Girl) Songfacts, Hampson ended up spending a lot of time as a high school English teacher.
Behind an Old Blue Vase
Nine Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wondering where my absent friends are
Been sleeping on a bed of thorns
It's my faith in you that keeps me warm
Behind an old blue face
There's a picture of your face
Sometimes you talk too loud to be ignored
I know I'll wait for a day that won't come
I know for you life's just begun
I read your old letters one by one
So if you wonder what you've done
Take it from me; I know a lot about losing
It's not what it seems; sometimes it's not your own choosing
Nothing's for free, you ache for every moment
Take it from me; I know a lot about losing.
Here behind an old blue vase
Hangs a picture of your face
Every memory has its place
Say for you my saving grace
Take it from me; I know a lot about losing
(Know a lot about losing)
It's not what it seems; sometimes it's not your own choosing
(It's not your own choosing)
Nothing's for free, you ache for every moment
(Ache for every moment)
Take it from me; I know a lot about losing
The song "Behind an Old Blue Vase" by Nine Days is an emotional ballad that talks about coping with loss and heartbreak. The lyrics reflect the feelings of someone who has been left behind by their friends and loved ones and now finds themselves alone, lying on the floor, wondering where everyone else has gone. The singer compares their current state to sleeping on a bed of thorns, but finds solace and warmth in his faith in the person he's addressing in the song. Behind an old blue vase hangs a picture of that person's face, keeping their memory alive.
The second verse shows the singer addressing the person directly, saying that sometimes they talk too loud to be ignored, but the singer will still listen because that's what they're there for. The singer acknowledges that they're waiting for a day that may never come, but they'll keep waiting nevertheless. They've been reading old letters from this person, trying to make sense of what happened and if they've done something wrong. The chorus repeats the line "Take it from me; I know a lot about losing" to emphasize the theme of coping with losses.
Overall, the song is a message of resilience in the face of heartbreak and loss. It acknowledges the pain that comes with losing people who were once close to you, but also provides a message of hope for the future. It suggests that even when everything else is gone, one's faith and memories can provide a source of comfort and strength to keep going.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying here on the floor
I am lying on the floor, and I am processing some thoughts and feelings.
Wondering where my absent friends are
I am thinking about my friends who are not here with me right now and wondering where they could be.
Been sleeping on a bed of thorns
I have been going through a tough time, and my sleep hasn't been peaceful.
It's my faith in you that keeps me warm
I have faith in someone who is dear to me, and that thought gives me comfort.
Behind an old blue face
Behind a vase I own, which is old and blue, there is something important.
There's a picture of your face
That something is a picture of your face.
Sometimes you talk too loud to be ignored
Sometimes you speak your thoughts very loudly and can't be ignored by others.
But I'll listen that's what I'm here for
But I will listen to what you have to say because that's what I'm here for.
I know I'll wait for a day that won't come
I have a feeling that I am waiting for something that will never happen.
I know for you life's just begun
I know that you are just starting your life journey.
I read your old letters one by one
I read your old letters to me, one by one.
So if you wonder what you've done
If you ever question what you did, this is my response.
Take it from me; I know a lot about losing
Believe me; I know a great deal about losing.
It's not what it seems; sometimes it's not your own choosing
It doesn't always appear as it is; sometimes, people didn't choose to lose something.
Nothing's for free, you ache for every moment
Nothing in life is free; you must go through pain and hardship for every moment you cherish.
Here behind an old blue vase
Here, behind the old blue vase, is where I keep something.
Hangs a picture of your face
What I keep there is a picture of your face.
Every memory has its place
I have a special place in my heart for every memory I have of you.
Say for you my saving grace
You should know that you are my saving grace.
Contributed by Owen M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.