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.
Bitter
Nine Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're indefinite you're incompetent inconsiderate.
You're so childish,
I will push you out of what is real out of my head.
You can stick and drown at your residence of dissapointments,
Are of yours to come.
So embrace them oh my shallow one today,
These bitter days shall remain.
I don't ask for your forgiveness I don't care much for your actress.
That's just you though shallow and selfish.
So I go now oh my hollow one today.
If I could change anything then I would change everything.
These bitter days shall remain.
So carry your blues behind your eyes,
Don't flatter yourself I will survive.
So carry your blues your own denial.
Your feathers are gone you'll never fly.
If I could change anything,
Then I would wipe the years away.
If I could change anything,
Then I would wipe the years away.
If I could change anything,
Then I would change everything.
These bitter days shall remain.
Since you're gone I'm much better than you.
So carry your blues behind your eyes,
Don't flatter yourself I will survive.
So carry your blues your own denial.
Your feathers are gone you'll never fly.
She'll never fly.
The lyrics to Nine Days' song "Bitter" portray someone who is addressing a failed relationship with someone who is shallow and selfish. The singer is telling the person that they are not worthy of forgiveness, and that they will push them out of their own reality because they are so childish and incompetent. The song is characterized by a feeling of bitterness and resentment, as the lyrics suggest that the relationship was never genuine or fulfilling.
Despite the bitterness, the singer states that they are capable of moving on and surviving without the other person. They tell the person to carry their own blues and their own denial, as they will never be able to fly without the singer's help. The repeated line "If I could change anything, then I would change everything" suggests that the singer recognizes the failure of the relationship was due to both parties, not just one.
Overall, the lyrics to Nine Days' "Bitter" are a raw and powerful expression of the pain and frustration that can come from a relationship that was ultimately unfulfilling and hurtful.
Line by Line Meaning
In my heartsent my confession my condolence,
From my heart, I express my honesty, my remorse for what has happened.
You're indefinite you're incompetent inconsiderate.
You lack direction, you are incapable and unaware of others' feelings.
You're so childish,
You behave immaturely.
I will push you out of what is real out of my head.
I will forget about you and what you represent.
You can stick and drown at your residence of dissapointments,
You can stay in the place where you constantly let yourself and others down.
Are of yours to come.
More disappointments are coming your way.
So embrace them oh my shallow one today,
Accept your faults, you are superficial.
If I could change anything then I would change everything.
If I had the power to alter the past, I would change it all.
These bitter days shall remain.
The unpleasantness will persist.
I don't ask for your forgiveness I don't care much for your actress.
I don't need your pardon and I am not interested in your insincere act.
That's just you though shallow and selfish.
That's your personality, you are self-centered and lacking depth.
So I go now oh my hollow one today.
I am leaving you, the person who lacks substance, today.
So carry your blues behind your eyes,
You can keep feeling sad but not show it outwardly.
Don't flatter yourself I will survive.
Don't think you have defeated me, I will continue to live on.
So carry your blues your own denial.
Keep your sadness and refuse to acknowledge it.
Your feathers are gone you'll never fly.
You have lost your ability to soar.
If I could change anything,
I wish I could do something about the situation.
Then I would wipe the years away.
Make it so that the bad times never existed.
Since you're gone I'm much better than you.
Now that you're not in my life, I am doing better than you.
She'll never fly.
You will never be able to escape your problems.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN DENNIS DESVEAUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind