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.
Muddy Water
Nine Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Playing my songs
Playing the role of a juggler
Hard and long
My pieces of this puzzle my life
I can't fit together
I seem shattered, and darkened down weather
Lost forever
No guest of my reflection been drawn
See no one, no one, no one
So don't stir up this dirt in this puddle and settle at the bottom
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
I try and pace my steps in an ordinary fashion through the doorway
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
I rolled over on nickels
Rolled and got out
I just kept on walking
Not knowing who I was
Where was I scarred and bleeding
Through blurred vision I saw freshened lines
Across the horizon
I was out of my skull, I was torn, I was tired
See no one
No guest of my reflection been drawn
See no one, no one, no one
So don't stir up this dirt in this puddle and settle at the bottom
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
I try and pace my steps in an ordinary fashion through the doorway
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
So just down another shot it's just one more ache in the morning
Take another hit it's just one more cell you'll be killing'
Have another beer it's just a few more words you'll be yelling'
Go have your self a ball
And take two of these and call me in the morning
So don't stir up this dirt in this puddle and settle at the bottom
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
I try and pace my steps in an ordinary fashion through the doorway
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
Water, water
The lyrics to Nine Day's song "Muddy Water" touch on the struggles of life and feeling lost, with the singer spending most of their time playing music and feeling like they can't piece together their own life. The line "See no one, no guest of my reflection been drawn" suggests a sense of isolation and not being able to connect with others or even themselves. The mention of "muddy water" is used as a metaphor for getting stuck in something difficult and unpleasant, in this case, the struggles of life. The repetition of "Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water" emphasizes the regret and frustration of getting stuck in these struggles.
The second verse describes the singer's confusion and disorientation, feeling like they don't know who they are or where they're going. The line "I was out of my skull, I was torn, I was tired" further emphasizes this feeling of being lost and overwhelmed. The later part of the song suggests self-medicating or using substances to cope with the difficulties of life, but ultimately acknowledges that it's just a temporary fix.
Line by Line Meaning
I spend most of my life with this guitar
Guitar is my soulmate, my partner in life
Playing my songs
Going through life, delivering my feelings and emotions through songs
Playing the role of a juggler
Juggling between my personal and professional life
Hard and long
It is not an easy feat, it takes determination and perseverance
My pieces of this puzzle my life
My experiences, the ups and downs, they are pieces of the puzzle that make up my life
I can't fit together
Sometimes it just doesn't make sense, it doesn't fit together neatly
I seem shattered, and darkened down weather
I feel broken, like I've been through a storm and there's no sunshine in sight
Lost forever
I feel like I'm lost, aimlessly wandering
See no one
I'm alone, no one understands me
No guest of my reflection been drawn
I don't even recognize myself
So don't stir up this dirt in this puddle and settle at the bottom
Let sleeping dogs lie, sometimes it's better to leave things as they are
Unfortunately I done stepped my foot in muddy water
I've made a mistake, now I have to deal with the consequences
I try and pace my steps in an ordinary fashion through the doorway
I'm trying to get through life, one step at a time, in a normal way
I rolled over on nickels
I was broke, barely scraping by
Rolled and got out
I pick myself up and kept moving forward
I just kept on walking
I never stopped, I didn't give up
Not knowing who I was
I was lost, I didn't know my identity
Where was I scarred and bleeding
I was hurt, physically and emotionally
Through blurred vision I saw freshened lines
Even though my vision was blurry, I saw hope in the horizon
Across the horizon
There's a future, there's something to look forward to
I was out of my skull, I was torn, I was tired
I was exhausted, mentally and physically, I had nothing left in me
So just down another shot it's just one more ache in the morning
I'm trying to numb the pain, even though I know it won't make it go away
Take another hit it's just one more cell you'll be killing'
I'm self-destructive, I'm harming myself instead of trying to heal
Have another beer it's just a few more words you'll be yelling'
I'm pushing people away, I'm angry and lashing out
Go have your self a ball
Have fun, enjoy life
And take two of these and call me in the morning
In the end, I know I need help, and I'm willing to reach out
Water, water
A repetition of the word 'water', emphasizing the theme of getting stuck in a muddy situation and trying to move on
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Eustace Haney
I've heard Ruby Jane in person several times, and her fiddle makes the sweetest, most beautiful sound---perfect tone, perfect key, perfect everything----the music just flows like a beautiful stream.
SpeedyNeutrino43
that guy loves to hear himself talk.
Jim Rhyan
I'm late to the part on this video but the only comment I can think to make is to quote Marty Stuart: :She could melt a rock".