https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAw-nY8hL6c
“These Days” is one of Jackson Browne’s most timeless and widely covered songs, famous for its mature themes of regret and reflection, especially considering the age at which he wrote it.
Here is a breakdown of the song:
📅 Song & Album Details
| Category | Detail |
| Song | “These Days” |
| Jackson Browne’s Album | For Everyman (1973) |
| Jackson Browne’s Version | Based on the slower, bluesy arrangement by Gregg Allman that was released earlier in 1973. |
| The Writer’s Age | Browne wrote the song when he was remarkably young—just 16 years old in 1964. |
| Key Instrument | Features David Lindley’s signature weeping slide guitar. |
🕰️ The History: Written Young, Recorded by Others First
In a unique turn for a songwriter, Browne’s version was not the first to be released:
- Nico’s Version (1967): The German singer and Andy Warhol muse Nico recorded the first version for her album Chelsea Girl, an arrangement that was lush, baroque, and somber. Browne, who was briefly her accompanist, played the original guitar part on this recording.
- Gregg Allman’s Version (1973): Gregg Allman recorded a much slower, bluesier, and more soulful version for his solo album Laid Back. Browne liked this arrangement so much that he essentially adopted it for his own album, even adding a thank-you to Allman in his liner notes.
🤔 The Meaning: Regret and Self-Awareness
The song is a meditative and melancholic reflection on loss, missed opportunities, and the passage of time. The lyrics capture a profound sense of self-awareness and resignation that is astonishing for a teenager:
- The Theme: It centers on the regret over past relationships and failures, and the difficulty of moving forward due to emotional scarring.
- Key Lines: The most often quoted lines perfectly summarize the theme of inescapable regret:
“Don’t confront me with my failures, I had not forgotten them.”
The song’s deep emotional honesty has made it a favorite for many artists to cover, ranging from Glen Campbell and Cher to St. Vincent and Drake. It also gained renewed visibility when the Nico version was prominently featured in the 2001 Wes Anderson film, The Royal Tenenbaums.
Would you be interested in learning about Jackson Browne’s signature live album, Running on Empty?