Nine Days is a power pop/rock band that was popular in the early 00s. Forme… Read Full Bio ↴Nine Days is a power pop/rock band that was popular in the early 00s. Formed in New York by musicians John Hampson and Brian Desveaux in 1994, they released three albums independently during the 90s before their mainstream debut album, 'The Madding Crowd', was released in 2000. Their greatest popularity came from a handful of songs from said album (which took its title from the 1874 romantic drama novel 'Far From the Madding Crowd') such as the tracks "Absolutely (Story of a Girl)" and "If I Am".

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.

This Music
Nine Days Lyrics

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Well as I drive from rehearsal I drive down past familiar places
These songs and old aquantance you can scrape their faces from the pages
Oh I when I first, when I first met you, you came as a crisp clean face on a sleeve
I've grown to some religion and I fall down to my knees
And I don't know if I could make it by without you
No I don't know if I'll make it by
Maybe it's all I got, all I got, all I got
Maybe it's what I've got, what I've got, what I've got

Maybe it's what I want, what I want, what I want
Oh I will never lose heart, oh yeah
Well it's hard here on Long Island to be an artist and speak your mind
Everybody pays too much attention to all shit that's going on, going on
Tonight we'll be together
A little heart and soul no thieves unfolded
No cover scene bullshit for tonight I'm yours and tonight your mine won't you share my mind
Maybe it's all I got, all I got, all I got
Maybe it's what I've got, what I've got, what I've got
Maybe it's what I wamt, it's what I want, what I want
And I will never lose heart
I will never lose heart
Tonight we'll be together
A little heart and soul no thieves unfolded
No cover scene bullshit for tonight I'm yours and tonight your mine won't you share my mind
Maybe it's all I got, all I got, all I got
Maybe it's what I've got, what I've got, what I've got
Maybe it's what I wamt, what I want, what I want
Oh this music, this music
Maybe it's all I got, all I got, all I got
Maybe it's what I've got, what I've got, what I've got
Maybe it's what I wamt, what I want, what I want
Oh I will never lose heart

I will never lose heart
This music

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nine Days's song "This Music" reveal the artist's passionate love for music and how it has helped him navigate the ups and downs of life. As he drives past familiar places, he reflects on how the people and the songs he used to know have changed. But his love for music has remained constant. It is what brings him to his knees and gives him hope. The music is all he's got and what he wants, and he will never lose heart because of it.

In the second half of the song, the artist laments how hard it is to be an artist and speak his mind on Long Island, where everyone seems to be paying attention to all the negative things happening around them. However, with music, he can escape all of that for a little while. He revels in the fact that he can share his mind with someone else through his music and that they can be together for a night without any pretense or bullshit. This music is all he's got, and he's grateful for it.

Overall, the song "This Music" is an ode to the healing and sustaining power of music in one's life. It is a reminder that no matter how tough things get, music is always there to remind us of what matters and give us hope.

Line by Line Meaning

Well as I drive from rehearsal I drive down past familiar places
As I leave rehearsal, I pass by locations that are familiar to me.

These songs and old acquaintances you can scrape their faces from the pages
The songs and old friends from the past are distant memories that have lost their impact over time.

Oh I when I first, when I first met you, you came as a crisp clean face on a sleeve
When I first met you, you were a new and fresh presence in my life.

I've grown to some religion and I fall down to my knees
I have found something that gives me faith and makes me feel humble.

And I don't know if I could make it by without you
I'm not sure if I could survive without you by my side.

No I don't know if I'll make it by
I'm uncertain whether or not I will be able to succeed.

Maybe it's all I got, all I got, all I got
Perhaps this music is the only thing that remains constant and reliable in my life.

Maybe it's what I've got, what I've got, what I've got
Perhaps this music is all that I truly have.

Maybe it's what I want, what I want, what I want
Perhaps this music is what I truly desire and long for.

Oh I will never lose heart, oh yeah
I will always remain steadfast and strong, despite the challenges that I face.

Well it's hard here on Long Island to be an artist and speak your mind
Being an artist and expressing oneself is difficult in Long Island.

Everybody pays too much attention to all the shit that's going on, going on
People are too preoccupied and focused on insignificant matters.

Tonight we'll be together
We will spend the night together.

A little heart and soul no thieves unfolded
We will share love and passion without any obstacles or distractions.

No cover scene bullshit for tonight I'm yours and tonight your mine won't you share my mind
We won't be subject to any superficial or artificial environments - tonight, we share a deep connection and understanding with each other.

Oh this music, this music
This music is powerful and meaningful to me.

I will never lose heart
I will always remain unyielding and determined, despite the odds.

Contributed by Blake L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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