1.) An American alterna… Read Full Bio ↴There are two bands charting as The Rentals:
1.) An American alternative rock band fronted by Matt Sharp, former bass player for Weezer. The Rentals have released four LPs, Return Of The Rentals (1995), Seven More Minutes (1999), Lost in Alphaville (2014), Q36 (2020) and four EPs, The Last Little Life EP (2007), The Story of a Thousand Seasons Past (2009), It's Time to Come Home (2009), and The Future (2009). The 2009 EPs make up the musical end of the Songs About Time project, which also includes daily photos and weekly short films entitled Resilience (2011).
Band members on Return Of included Patrick Wilson (also of Weezer) on drums, Rod Cervera (guitar), Tom Grimley (moog), Petra Haden (violin, vocals), and Cherielynn Westrich (vocals, moog). Petra's triplet sister, Rachel Haden, appears as an additional vocalist. After Sharp left Weezer, Wilson's studio replacement on the drums was Kevin March and Mike Fletcher was the band's most frequent touring drummer. Maya Rudolph, of Saturday Night Live fame, also briefly toured with the band as a keyboardist. They are known for their quirky Moog-driven melodies. The single "Friends of P" off their first album was a modern rock radio hit, peaking at #7 on Billboard's Modern Rock Chart and #92 on the Billboard Hot 100. After touring for Seven More Minutes the band disbanded.
Yet on October 24, 2005, the tenth anniversary of the band's formation, Matt Sharp announced he was bringing back The Rentals after a six year absence. The new lineup includes founding member Rachel Haden on bass/vocals, Sara Radle on vocals/multiple instruments, Ben Pringle (from Nerf Herder and now Yearbook Pictures) on synths/multiple instruments, Lauren Chipman on viola/synth/vocals, and Dan Joeright on drums. Sharp stated on his website that "there are no current plans" for ex-Rental Cherielynn Westrich "to be involved in the future of The Rentals."
Sharp states: The essential elements of The Rentals will be there. Our fascination with vintage synthesizers, violas, violins, female harmonies and all the rest will continue. But, I'm guessing, we'll most likely veer off the path that would lead us into the realm of becoming our own tribute band.
2.) A late '70s Boston area Punk band featuring Jeff Hudson, Jane Hudson, and Pseudo Carol. As a trio, they released the songs "Gertrude Stein", "Low Rent", "New York", "I Got A Crush On You" and "Elephants".
In 1980, Jeff & Jane joined The MANHATTAN PROJECT, followed by the Electro-Punk act simply known as Jeff & Jane Hudson in 1981.
These Days
The Rentals Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These days I may not be so happy
After all, after all that I have gained
I still feel sad when I'm all alone
I may have felt that path? decay?
I may not be so swift after all
All the chances you have given me
I just let you go
Sometimes I can't stand up and be a man
But God why would I lose it now
When I need my strength at hand
You know sometimes I can be real cool
All the words just seem to flow right along
But when that girl approaches me
Well it all goes wrong
These days leave me hopelessly lugubrious
I wish these days were gone
Oh please end
These days I may not be so happy
After all, after all the chances you have given me
I just let you go let you go
The lyrics of "These Days" by The Rentals is a poignant reflection on the lead singer's emotional state. It speaks of the feeling of inadequacy and sadness even after gaining accomplishments and success. He mentions that he may have taken the wrong path, which resulted in him not being able to surface out of his sorrow. The lines ‘Sometimes I can't stand up and be a man, But God why would I lose it now’ shows his vulnerability and how he needs strength at hand to be composed.
The next line of the verse- “All the words just seem to flow right along, But when that girl approaches me, Well, it all goes wrong” suggests that he has some relationship issues that are affecting his mental and emotional state. He acknowledges the chances he has been given and how he let them slip through his fingers. He wishes that these days of agony come to an end so that he can embrace happiness again. The tone of the song is melancholic, but it ends on an optimistic note that happiness will return.
The song is a relatable piece for anyone who has encountered challenges and disappointments in life. The lines are vivid in imagery, and the use of self-reflection and introspection adds depth to the lyrics. This song is an excellent example of Matt Sharp's songwriting and the band's musical prowess, creating a lasting impact on the listener's mind.
Line by Line Meaning
Is this it
Questioning whether or not this is all there is to life
These days I may not be so happy
Expressing feelings of unhappiness in current times
After all, after all that I have gained
Realizing that material possessions do not equate to happiness
I still feel sad when I'm all alone
Admitting loneliness and emotions when by oneself
I may have felt that path? decay?
Wondering if personal growth and progress have stagnated or declined
I may not be so swift after all
Acknowledging one's lack of intelligence or quickness
All the chances you have given me
Acknowledging opportunities presented by someone or something
I just let you go
Admitting to letting go of those chances or opportunities
I guess I've been like this before
Reflecting on past situations where similar emotions were felt
Sometimes I can't stand up and be a man
Confessing to times of weakness or inability to handle situations
But God why would I lose it now
Questioning why difficulties or frustrations are happening now
When I need my strength at hand
Feeling the need for strength and resilience during tough times
You know sometimes I can be real cool
Referencing moments of confidence and charm
All the words just seem to flow right along
Describing a time of smooth or effortless communication
But when that girl approaches me
Describing a specific scenario where communication and confidence breaks down
Well it all goes wrong
Admitting failure in that specific scenario
These days leave me hopelessly lugubrious
Expressing feelings of hopelessness and sorrow in current times
I wish these days were gone
Expressing desire for difficult times to end
Oh please end
Urgently requesting for things to improve or for difficult times to end
These days I may not be so happy
Repeating feelings of unhappiness in current times
After all, after all the chances you have given me
Repeating acknowledgement of missed opportunities or chances
I just let you go let you go
Repeating admission to letting go of those opportunities
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MATTHEW KELLY SHARP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greg Caputo
This song is hitting close to home right about now..
Dylan J
This whole album makes me think of teenage love
dynaboyj L.
After all that I have gained,
I still feel sad,
when I'm all alone
Toyland The World's Best Show
Making a massive comeback 2018. Dang it’s good beans.
Mr. T
Don't give up... dreams need dreaming, and onward and upward.
Be sure to read, THOMAS C. STUHR
THE WORLD'S MOST UNDERGROUND AUTHOR. ☠❤💀
Anthony Daro
Sorry i smashed the passenger side window that nite after webster hall i was too drunk those were the days rip nyc
Swisscheez92
I can relate, holmes
gsuhzxd
These days…
Tony No Llores
I was a teen in the 90s never heard of them. They suck
Kyle Curran
@Tony No Llores Riveting discussion, but you didn't answer my question. Do you just not like the music?