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.
End Up Alone
Nine Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cartwheels to eternity.
'Round and 'round my head she goes,
In the good dreams though she wears no clothes
Took our picture by the sea,
The ocean waits to carry me.
Carry me back home again,
Saw her running barefoot but the ground there never touched her feet!
Watched her in the shadows while the tide came in and claimed our beach!
We could've made it in the dunes we had it all within our reach!
But I've got a lot of life to learn and you've got a lot of life to teach!
Why do we all end up alone?
Why do we always have to find our way back home?
Why do we all end up alone?
We gather no moss just like a rolling
What I say is what I mean,
No definition in between.
Couldn't make it in the movie scene,
You couldn't stay on on you couldn't stay clean
What you wear is who you are,
The odds are in and you'll go far.
A penny for your thoughts you'll see,
A nickel buys you what you need
Saw you on the big show saw you swinging from the big trapeze!
Standing on my tip toes while you brushed the dirt from off your knees!
Should have come as no surprise no one else here did have your drive!
You've got a big white stretch parked right outside but nobody there to share your ride!
Why do we all end up alone?
Why do we always have to find our way back home?
Why do we all end up alone?
Why do we all end up dead drunk or stoned?
What I know is what I hear,
The ringing in my ears is clear.
A monkey's got it made you see,
Swinging from the vine of a coconut tree
Why do we all end up alone?
Why do we always have to find our way back home?
Why do we all end up alone?
We gather no moss just like a rolling stone!
Why do we all end up alone?
Why do we always have to find our way back home?
Why do we all end up alone?
Why do we all wake up dead drunk or stoned!
Dead drunk or stoned!
Just like a rolling stone!
The lyrics of Nine Days' song, "End Up Alone," offer a bittersweet contemplation of life and its inherent struggles. The singer of the song is haunted by the memory of a woman, who appears in his dreams and accompanies him on his adventures. The first verse describes the woman's presence in his dreams, as she spins cartwheels in his mind, wearing nothing but the rays of the sun. The second verse recalls a moment the two shared, when they took a picture by the sea. The ocean becomes a metaphor for the passage of time, carrying the singer back to where the woman sleeps.
The chorus poses a series of rhetorical questions about the nature of existence. Why do we all end up alone? Why must we always find our way back home? The singer seems to be grappling with the transience of life and the inevitability of loss. The subsequent verses explore different themes, from the difficulty of staying true to oneself in the entertainment industry to the simple pleasures of a monkey swinging from a vine. The final chorus repeats the previous questions, adding a third: Why do we all end up dead drunk or stoned?
Overall, the lyrics of "End Up Alone" are a poignant meditation on life and the ephemeral nature of happiness. The singer's wistful memories of the woman and his philosophical musings on existence are sure to resonate with anyone who has ever contemplated the fleetingness of time and the inevitability of change.
Line by Line Meaning
What I see is what's to be,
I believe that what I observe is my destiny and future.
Cartwheels to eternity.
We, as humans, cannot stop the perpetual flow of time and must simply go along with it.
'Round and 'round my head she goes,
I cannot stop thinking about this person that I have strong feelings for.
In the good dreams though she wears no clothes
In my dreams, the person that I have strong feelings for is naked, symbolising the vulnerability and intimacy I desire with them.
Took our picture by the sea,
We captured a moment in time and immortalised it through a photograph.
The ocean waits to carry me.
The vastness of the ocean reminds me of my own insignificance in the grand scheme of things.
Carry me back home again,
I long to return to a place that feels like home and where I am accepted for who I am.
To where she sleeps I lay my head
I find comfort and solace in the company of the person I adore.
Saw her running barefoot but the ground there never touched her feet!
I witnessed someone overcoming obstacles with ease and grace, despite the challenges they faced.
Watched her in the shadows while the tide came in and claimed our beach!
I witnessed destruction and loss in the face of nature's power and became acutely aware of how fleeting life can be.
We could've made it in the dunes we had it all within our reach!
We had so much potential and opportunity available to us, but failed to take advantage of it.
But I've got a lot of life to learn and you've got a lot of life to teach!
There is always more to learn and gain from life, and we can benefit from the experiences and wisdom of others.
Why do we all end up alone?
Despite our best efforts and connections with others, we often find ourselves isolated and alone in our struggles.
Why do we always have to find our way back home?
We have an inherent desire to return to a place that feels safe and familiar, where we can find comfort and a sense of belonging.
We gather no moss just like a rolling
We are constantly moving and evolving, not allowing ourselves to become stagnant or stuck in one place for too long.
What I say is what I mean,
I speak honestly and do not beat around the bush.
No definition in between.
There is no need for explanation or interpretation, as my words are clear and straightforward.
Couldn't make it in the movie scene,
I struggled to fit in and conform to the expectations and standards of mainstream society.
You couldn't stay on you couldn't stay clean
You were unable to remain committed to a certain path or lifestyle and struggled with addiction or a lack of self-discipline.
What you wear is who you are,
Our outward appearance often reflects our inner selves and serves as a way to express our identity and personality.
The odds are in and you'll go far.
You have a high likelihood of success and achieving your goals, as luck and destiny are in your favour.
A penny for your thoughts you'll see,
I am genuinely interested in your opinions and perspectives, and would appreciate your input.
A nickel buys you what you need.
You do not need much to get by in life, and can find satisfaction in simple pleasures and necessities.
Saw you on the big show saw you swinging from the big trapeze!
I witnessed your grand accomplishments and successes, and was in awe of your talent and skill.
Standing on my tip toes while you brushed the dirt from off your knees!
I was in a position of vulnerability and looked up to you for guidance and support, while you remained strong and capable.
Should have come as no surprise no one else here did have your drive!
Your unwavering motivation and determination set you apart from others around you, and made your accomplishments all the more impressive.
You've got a big white stretch parked right outside but nobody there to share your ride!
You may have achieved great success and gained material possessions, but true happiness and fulfilment come from the connections we make with others.
What I know is what I hear,
I base my knowledge and beliefs on what I have directly heard and experienced.
The ringing in my ears is clear.
My intuition and instincts are strong and unwavering, and I trust them implicitly.
A monkey's got it made you see,
Animals have a simpler and more carefree existence than humans, and do not face the same societal pressures and limitations.
Swinging from the vine of a coconut tree.
The idea of escaping the pressures of society and living a simple life in nature is appealing and desirable.
Dead drunk or stoned!
We often turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope with the struggles and hardships of life.
Just like a rolling stone!
We are constantly moving and changing, and can never truly settle or find a sense of permanence.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN DENNIS DESVEAUX, JOHN CHARLES HAMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M3mphix
Nine Days are fantastic music. Right up there with Third Eye Blind
Andrew Petersen
Reminds me of Good Memories! Has a Positive Rhythmic Tone to This Album.
Joshua Horton
I remember sitting in my room with my girlfriend at the time. This song came on and she was bouncing to the music. haha.
The Q-Tip
This is my childhood. Reminds me of when I was like...8. Good times
Tony Gillians
End Up Alone is smokin'!
WENtheCOOLEST
I've prolly contributed to +100 on the views. :D
Z Ack
“Lost” her in the shadows... not watched..