Powderfinger – “These Days” Lyrics Meaning

“These Days” reflects the inexorable passage of time and the often unexpected course our lives take. The song delves into feelings of disillusionment and the recognition that life can slip through our fingers, leaving us with realities far removed from our initial dreams and plans. It’s about accepting that we cannot always control the direction our lives take, despite our best efforts. The songwriter, likely drawing from personal experiences, uses the metaphor of time as a “slowly creeping hand” to underscore the inevitability of change and the importance of acceptance. This song isn’t just a lament but also a subtle reminder to embrace the unpredictability of life.

Ever felt like life’s slipping away and your grand plans are just, well, not coming to fruition? “These Days” by Powderfinger might just be the song that gets you. Stick around to see how this track might be more relatable to your life than you thought.


“These Days” Lyrics Meaning

“These Days” begins with an almost ominous tone, setting the stage for an introspective journey through time’s relentless march. The “slowly creeping hand of time and its command” metaphorically represents how time moves steadily, impacting our lives profoundly. It’s unavoidable, dictating the rhythm of our existence without our consent.

The lyrics “This life well it’s slipping right through my hands / These days turned out nothing like I had planned” reveal a deep sense of personal disillusionment. This isn’t just about the universal experience of aging or the passage of time; it’s a reflection on personal ambitions and dreams that haven’t materialized. The repetition of these lines throughout the song emphasizes a continuous struggle with accepting life’s unpredictability.

The “shadow in my face” and “puts pressure in my day” lines speak to the constant presence of time’s effects and the stress and anxiety that come with recognizing our own limitations and the fleeting nature of life. The imagery of life slipping through the hands suggests a feeling of loss or wasted opportunity, highlighting the song’s theme of existential regret and the desire for control in a inherently uncontrollable world.

Control, or the lack thereof, is a central theme. The song reflects on the human desire to steer the course of our lives, juxtaposed with the harsh reality that many aspects of our existence are beyond our control. “Control well it’s slipping right through my hands” not only echoes the earlier sentiment of life slipping away but also acknowledges the struggle to come to terms with this lack of control.

The repeated line “Soon enough it comes” serves as a haunting reminder that time waits for no one. It’s both a signal of inevitability and a call to action: to live in the moment, accept the things we cannot change, and find peace within life’s chaos.

In essence, “These Days” captures the essence of human vulnerability in the face of time’s unyielding progression. It’s a powerful message of acceptance, resilience, and the bittersweet beauty of living.

The Story Behind “These Days”

The creation of “These Days” is as evocative as the song itself. Born out of a period of personal struggle, the songwriter taps into a universal sentiment of existential uncertainty. This wasn’t just about crafting a tune; it was about conveying a profound message rooted in personal experience.

The phrase “These days turned out nothing like I had planned” suggests a moment of realization for the songwriter—a confrontation with the gap between aspiration and reality. This acknowledgment of life’s unpredictability and the challenge of embracing the unplanned paths we find ourselves on is what gives the song its relatable and deeply human quality.

The songwriter’s state of mind during this period was likely reflective, possibly tinged with regret or disillusionment. Yet, there’s also a sense of acceptance and maturity in recognizing that life’s beauty often lies in its unpredictability. The song doesn’t just dwell on the melancholy of unmet expectations; it also invites listeners to find solace in the fact that everyone shares this journey of navigating life’s unexpected twists and turns.