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.
The Joneses
Nine Days Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
keeps you keeping out
as long as you have the will to get along
and what you do for you is never wrong
so don't you worry
don't you worry
and I was never keen enough
but when your pretty face won't be enough
then I won't you want you won't to want to
you're wearing your corduroys and your diamond tooth
but you couldn't relate to the girl with the silver spoon
the lies that you're telling me are always true
it's true
you made a fool of me for believing you
so keeping up with the joneses
keeps me hanging on
as long as I have the will to get along
and what I do for you is always wrong
but don't you worry
don't you worry
cuz I would never give it up
as long as this time's still ticking on the clock
but when your pretty face won't be enough
now won't you want to won't you want to
I love you the most when you are fast asleep
and whatever I do for you I'm still the creep
I realize that I'm not good enough
it's tough for sensitive men in a world that don't give a fuck
so keeping up with the joneses
keeps me hanging on
as long as I have the will to get along
and what you do for you is never wrong
but don't you worry
don't you worry
cuz you would never give it up
as long as the time's still ticking on the clock
but when your pretty face won't be enough
then I won't you want to won't you want to
now even your corduroys are faded through
and when you're walking away
well I think it's a better view
the lies that you tell yourself
are always true
so true
and you keep on talking till your face is blue
keeping up with the joneses
keeps you hanging on
as long as you have the will to get along
and what you do for you is never wrong
so don't you worry
don't you worry
and I would never give it up
as long as this time's still ticking on the clock
but when your pretty face won't be enough
now won't you want you won't you want you don't you want you don't you want to
The song "The Joneses" by Nine Days speaks about the desire to keep up with societal expectations to fit into a certain lifestyle. It delves into the pressure one experiences to conform to what others are doing or how they present themselves. The writer seems to be reminiscing about a past relationship where he felt like he wasn't good enough for his partner's lifestyle, and it caused a lot of tension and insecurities. He compares himself to someone else in the song, possibly the "Joneses" themselves, to make sense of his feelings.
The opening lines, "Keeping up with the joneses keeps you keeping out," refer to the sense of exclusion that one feels when they don't fit into a particular lifestyle. The following lines suggest that it's important to do what makes you happy, and not to worry about what others think. However, the writer seems to struggle with this idea, as shown in the later verse, "as long as I have the will to get along, and what I do for you is always wrong." He seems to be stuck in a cycle of trying to fit in with his partner's expectations but always falling short.
The chorus repeats the idea of "keeping up with the joneses," indicating that this is an ongoing issue for the writer. The final lines of the song suggest that the writer has come to terms with the fact that he will never be enough for his partner, and he is okay with it. The final line, "don't you want you won't you want you don't you want you don't you want to," is an interesting play on words, suggesting that the writer is trying to persuade himself that he doesn't want to fit in with the "Joneses" anymore.
Line by Line Meaning
Keeping up with the joneses keeps you keeping out
Comparing yourself to others keeps you isolated from truly living your own life
As long as you have the will to get along and what you do for you is never wrong
As long as you can maintain a good attitude and follow your own path, you'll be okay
So don't you worry, don't you worry
Don't stress too much about what other people are doing or what they think of you
And I was never keen enough
I wasn't insightful or aware enough to realize what was really going on
As long as this time is still ticking on the clock
As long as time hasn't run out, there's still hope
But when your pretty face won't be enough
When your looks stop being enough to get by, things will change
Then I won't you want you won't to want to
I won't feel the same way about you as I do now
You're wearing your corduroys and your diamond tooth
You're showing off your flashy clothing and accessories
But you couldn't relate to the girl with the silver spoon
You didn't understand the issues that someone from a wealthy background might face
The lies that you're telling me are always true, it's true
You're so convincing when you lie that it's hard not to believe you
You made a fool of me for believing you
I trusted you and now I feel foolish for doing so
Keeping up with the joneses keeps me hanging on
Comparing myself to others keeps me feeling unsatisfied and anxious
And what you do for you is always wrong
You seem to always make selfish choices that hurt others
I would never give it up as long as this time's still ticking on the clock
I won't give up on my dreams or goals as long as there's still time left to try
Now won't you want to won't you want to
You won't feel the same way about me in the future
I love you the most when you are fast asleep
I feel most affection for you when you're vulnerable and not putting on a front
And whatever I do for you I'm still the creep
No matter how hard I try, I feel like a weirdo or outsider in your world
I realize that I'm not good enough
I've come to the conclusion that I can't measure up to your expectations
It's tough for sensitive men in a world that don't give a fuck
It's challenging to be an emotionally vulnerable man in a society that values toughness and stoicism
Now even your corduroys are faded through
Even your fancy clothing is starting to wear out
And when you're walking away well I think it's a better view
When you're not pretending to be someone you're not, I find you more attractive
The lies that you tell yourself are always true, so true
You're so convinced of your own lies that you believe them completely
And you keep on talking till your face is blue
You keep arguing your point relentlessly, even when you know you're wrong
As long as you have the will to get along and what you do for you is never wrong
As long as you stay positive and true to yourself, you'll be okay
Cuz you would never give it up as long as the time's still ticking on the clock
You won't quit or give up on your dreams as long as there's still a chance to succeed
Now won't you want you won't you want you don't you want you don't you want to
You won't feel the same way about me at some point in the future
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN CHARLES HAMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind