Song Meaning

Gemma Hayes' "These Days" isn't a banger; it's a sigh given sonic form. The song meaning circles the quiet desperation of existing under the weight of past regrets and missed opportunities. Hayes isn't wallowing, exactly, but more like observing the landscape of her own stagnation with a weary kind of acceptance. The opening lines, "I've been out walking / I don't do too much talking," immediately establish a sense of withdrawal, a retreat into oneself that speaks volumes. It's the sound of someone processing, but not necessarily progressing. The repetition of "These days, these days" acts as a mantra, a constant reminder of the present moment's inertia. The gentle instrumentation reinforces this feeling, creating a soundscape that's both comforting and subtly melancholic. The lyrics hint at a past filled with both love and loss, a combination that's left Hayes hesitant to fully engage with the present. "I had a lover / It's so hard to risk another" is a raw admission of vulnerability, suggesting that previous emotional wounds haven't fully healed. There's a palpable fear of repeating past mistakes, a fear that paralyzes and prevents her from fully embracing new experiences. This fear extends beyond romantic relationships, seeping into her creative life as well: "Now if I seem to be afraid / To live the life that I have made in song / It's just that I've been losing so long." This isn't just about writer's block; it's about a deeper crisis of confidence, a feeling that her artistic endeavors have somehow fallen short. However, amidst the resignation, there's a glimmer of hope, a quiet determination to keep moving forward. "I'll keep on moving / Things are bound to be improving these days" is perhaps more of an affirmation than a conviction, but it's there nonetheless. It's the sound of someone clinging to the possibility of a brighter future, even when the present feels overwhelmingly bleak. The closing lines, "These days I sit on corner stones / And count the time in quarter tones to ten / Please don't confront me with my failures / I had not forgotten them," underscore the introspective nature of the song. Hayes is acutely aware of her shortcomings, but she's not looking for judgment or pity. She's simply acknowledging the reality of her situation and finding a way to navigate it, one quarter tone at a time. "These Days" is a portrait of quiet resilience, a reminder that even in the face of disappointment, there's still value in simply enduring.