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.
Bob Dylan
Nine Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He paints a little picture but not to be cheesy.
He wants this little girl to believe in him easy,
Bristles to the canvas imagining he feels high.
Inspriation of my heart search for light out of the dark.
All the pictures in my heart lie awake there in my fog.
This oasis in my arms I approach it with disarm.
Bobby's in the basement making his music,
He never won't stop though not to abuse it.
If there's some other way that they only would use it,
He lives another day but they always refuse it.
Lacerations of my heart.
Dropped down in peices in the dark.
Mixed the words up on this page.
Makes the purple turn to beige.
Inspriation of my heart search for light out of the dark.
All the pictures in my heart lie awake there in my fog.
This oasis in my arms I approach it with disarm.
Though it might do me some harm stop to catch me if I fall.
It's just like Bob Dylan says
Stop depression of my own walk the only road I know.
If I am only dreamin' then I am not that far from it.
Sow the strength that grows from seeds worship creativity.
If I am only dreamin' then me an' Bob are not that far today.
So long as I'm young.
Bobby's in the basement making his music.
I search the beaches walk the sand.
I cut my feet on broken glass.
Strap the sandals on my feet.
I'm run down but I still hit the street.
Inspriation of my heart search for light out of the dark.
All the pictures in my heart lie awake there in my fog.
This oasis in my arms I approach it with disarm.
Though it might do me some harm stop to catch me if I fall.
It's just like Bob Dylan says
Stop depression of my own walk the only road I know.
If I am only dreamin' then I am not that far from it.
Sow the strength that grows from seeds worship creativity.
If I am only dreamin' then me an' Bob are not that far today.
So long as I'm young.
Bobby's in the basement making his movie,
He paints a little picture but not to be cheesy.
He wants this little girl to believe in him easy,
Bristles to the canvas imagining he feels high.
High.
Inspiration of my heart.
Desperation of my heart.
The song "Bob Dylan" by Nine Days is a tribute to the legendary artist and songwriter, Bob Dylan. The song begins with Bobby in the basement making his movie and painting his little picture, not to be cheesy. He wants a little girl to believe in him easy, and he imagines feeling high as he paints. The lyrics then shift to talk about the lacerations and desperation of the heart, and how the only way out is to search for light out of the dark.
The singer says that all the pictures of their heart lie awake in the fog, but there is an oasis in their arms that they approach with disarm. They acknowledge that approaching it might do some harm, but they ask someone to stop and catch them if they fall. As the song progresses, the singer talks about Bob Dylan's influence and how he inspires them to stop their own depression and worship creativity. The last line of the song says, "Bobby's in the basement making his music, I search the beaches walk the sand," signifying the singer's desire to follow in Dylan's footsteps and create something meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
Bobby's in the basement making his movie,
He is working diligently, dedicating countless hours to his craft.
He paints a little picture but not to be cheesy.
He is striving for depth and meaning in his work, avoiding tired clichés.
He wants this little girl to believe in him easy,
He aims to produce work that is accessible and easily relatable to his audience.
Bristles to the canvas imagining he feels high.
He is deeply inspired by his work and feels a natural high when creating.
Inspiration of my heart search for light out of the dark.
The artist is driven by the desire to create inspired work that brings light to dark places.
All the pictures in my heart lie awake there in my fog.
The artist has many creative ideas swirling around in their mind, waiting to be brought to life.
This oasis in my arms I approach it with disarm.
The artist is taking a gentle approach to their creative process, nurturing their ideas with care and sensitivity.
Though it might do me some harm stop to catch me if I fall.
The artist recognizes that the creative process can be emotionally taxing, and they seek support from others.
He never won't stop though not to abuse it.
The artist is dedicated to their craft, but not to the point of overworking or jeopardizing their well-being.
If there's some other way that they only would use it,
The artist is willing to explore unconventional methods to achieve their artistic goals.
He lives another day but they always refuse it.
The artist receives frequent rejection and criticism, but remains steadfast in their commitment to their craft.
Lacerations of my heart.
The artist experiences emotional pain and frustration along their creative journey.
Dropped down in pieces in the dark.
The artist feels defeated and broken at times in their creative process.
Mixed the words up on this page.
The artist struggles with writer's block or difficulty expressing themselves at times.
Makes the purple turn to beige.
The artist feels that their creative passion and energy fades or dulls over time.
Stop depression of my own walk the only road I know.
The artist is determined to find success and happiness on their own terms, despite any obstacles.
If I am only dreamin' then I am not that far from it.
The artist is hopeful and optimistic about their future, even if their current circumstances are challenging.
Sow the strength that grows from seeds worship creativity.
The artist values and respects the creative process, seeing it as a powerful means of personal growth and development.
So long as I'm young.
The artist recognizes the importance of pursuing their dreams and creative goals while they are still young and able.
I search the beaches walk the sand.
The artist is constantly seeking inspiration and new ideas to fuel their creativity.
I cut my feet on broken glass.
The creative process can be painful and difficult at times, with many obstacles and setbacks to overcome.
Strap the sandals on my feet.
The artist is willing to endure the pain and difficulties of the creative process in order to achieve their goals.
I'm run down but I still hit the street.
The artist is determined to keep moving forward, even when they feel tired or discouraged.
Desperation of my heart.
The artist feels a deep sense of urgency to create, driven by an intense passion and desire to express themselves.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB DYLAN, BRIAN DENNIS DESVEAUX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
n1KE
Some of the best music in the world literally , hands down , so incredible and underrated !!
Jonathan Maranville
Listened to this CD over and over when I was 18 and the world was wide open. A lot has changed, but life goes on.
Drarok
This album defined a certain period of my life, and (almost?) every song on it is absolute mastercraft.
God hand Mishima
So 90's early-mid 00's love it!
azziechan
<3 Thank you so much for putting this up! I love this song. n__n
n1KE
azziechan ten years ago ;)
rouf29
Wow, a friend just mentioned this band a few hours ago, so I went looking for the songs on the Madding Crowd album. Havent heard them in probably two years, and now theyre recently uploaded like 2 days ago? Awesome.
Kelley Arnold
My favorite song from the LP. Got to see them live at NYS Fair in 2001. They sang this and i think I was only one singing along. ;)
n1KE
Nice 👍
Justin Riray
It's definitely in my top 3 songs off of their album. But damn, I love every single second of this album.