The Themes of These Days

Hahhahahah, now I find a way to like Working Man.

I think that it is clearly a suicide attempt. What I've wondered is if he died or survived the attempt. I'm pretty sure he went through with it based on the lyric Jon sometimes uses "I watched Jimmy jump... he closed his eyes". However I'm unsure if the dialogue between him and his mom at the end of the verse is Jimmy speaking from the dead or the hospital or something. Maybe it's Jimmy telling his mom of his intentions before he jumps?

It's a suicide attempt. He sais afterwards "I guess I'd rather die than fade away"

Now I'll never be able to listen to Work For The Working Man again without hearing "They took my ice cream". Luckily I never listen to that song.

I always thought that he survived the suicide attempt, but maybe's just me.

If I had to pick just one album it would have to be These Days I guess. The title track may be the greatest song ever written. Nothing can change that for me.

About the title track: It all comes down to the very basics I guess. I am not a professional musician myself. But it´s obvious that the structure of the song is very simple with a chord progression that´s been widely used since the birth of rock music. A few "yeahs" and "no-no-nos" thrown in in exactly the correct places in the chorus, simple arpeggiation in the verses, harmonica added to the fade-out... It´s all these simple things that collectively make a masterpiece. It´s unbelievable. A masterpiece.

The chord progression in TD is actually super easy. Three sus chords and with a chorus based on C, D, G, and Em. Goes to show that truly wonderful songs doesn't need fancy chords, it's all about the harmony between all the musicians and what each one brings to the table.

I believe he survived because he "just" busted both his legs.

Yeah, but there's one thing Jon doesn't realize nowadays with all his talk about writing optimistic songs: That is the power and optimism the listener can gain from dark, melancholic or even depressing songs like on TD. Part of it is that feeling to know that you're not the only one having the blues.

Yes, that´s the way it goes. In a sense, there´s the promise of a better tomorrow on the variety of songs on These Days. Those songs have never depressed me, quite the opposite.

Which is in line with what both Jon and Richie have said in interviews on many occasions, they were in a really happy and comfortable place when writing for the TD record.