These Days
Sleepy Vikings Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
times are getting tough these days, these days
sleeping late in empty houses
inside while the summer rain passes
steal the keys and lock the door
drive their parent's cars off bridges
line up like waves til they hit the ground
don't swim and drown
times are getting tough these days, these days
times are getting tough these days, these days
sleeping late in empty houses
inside while the summer rain passes
steal the keys and lock the door
drive their parent's cars off bridges
all the kids all have summer ambitions
line up like waves til they hit the ground
don't swim and drown
Ohhhhhhh
And it goes
I can't wait for it, wait for it
And it goes
I can't wait for it,
Wait for it.
times are getting tough these days, these days
The lyrics to Sleepy Vikings's song These Days present a bleak outlook on the present times. The opening lines serve as a refrain that sets the tone and extends the theme throughout the song. The repetition of the phrase "times are getting tough these days" highlights the present concerns and problems that people face. The song talks about teenagers, their aspirations, and the dangers that they face in the unfulfilled quest for their dreams.
The lines "sleeping late in empty houses/inside while the summer rain passes/steal the keys and lock the door" suggest teenage rebellion and the desire for independence. The stagnant attitude of the youth is encapsulated in the line "all the kids all have summer ambitions/line up like waves til they hit the ground/don't swim and drown". The metaphor of waves assigns the teenagers' desire for self-discovery an ominous undertone, which implies that not everyone comes out on the other side of adolescence unscathed.
The chorus of the song, "I can't wait for it, wait for it" captures the restlessness of the youth, while the lingering "times are getting tough these days, these days" in the background reinforces the present problems people face.
Line by Line Meaning
Times are getting tough these days, these days
The current times are becoming more challenging and difficult.
sleeping late in empty houses
The act of sleeping in a vacant home or apartment for leisure, merriment or even as a result of personal troubles.
inside while the summer rain passes
Staying indoors as the summer rains continues.
steal the keys and lock the door
Taking the keys to someone's car or home without permission, and securely locking the entrance.
drive their parent's cars off bridges
Deliberately crashing or jumping off a bridge with cars belonging to their parents.
all the kids all have summer ambitions
All young people have set out to accomplish something in summer.
line up like waves til they hit the ground
The youths come together in a row like waves that crash when it reaches the shore.
don't swim and drown
A warning to stay away from dangerous activities such as excessive drinking or drug use, which could lead to drowning.
Ohhhhhhh
A vocalization of exclamation, emotion, or excitement.
And it goes
And it repeats itself, or happens again.
I can't wait for it, wait for it
An eagerness to experience something that is coming or expected.
times are getting tough these days, these days
Reaffirming the notion that the current days are becoming more difficult.
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeremiebuen4146
An ode to times we find ourselves walking in place. Thank you SV, these rythms you shared have helped tremendously!