These Days

My CD collection (yes, that quaint ridiculously chunky media) seems to have dated quite badly.  The only CDs I've wanted to listen to are Radiohead's OK Computer and The Bends, Teenage Fanclub's Bandwagonesque (unexpectedly classic), the Reality Bites soundtrack and the Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack.

Nico's rendition of 'These Days' (lyrics by Jackson Browne) particularly resonates with my current reflective state.

And is there a more poignant cinematic moment than when Gwyneth Paltrow's Margot emerges from the bus, looking slightly gawky in a full length fur coat, into the view of Luke Wilson's Richie who is waiting for her?  All falls silent.  Margot's blonde bob, pinned back, stirs in the wind.  Then, the gorgeous guitar opening of 'These Days' opens and Nico sings.  And Margot begins to walk towards Richie, slowly and bathed in a golden light, because time has slowed for Richie, as the woman he loves nears him.



I've been out walking
I don't do too much talking
These days, these days.
These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do
And all the times I had the chance to.

I've stopped my rambling,
I don't do too much gambling
These days, these days.
These days I seem to think about
How all the changes came about my ways
And I wonder if I'll see another highway.

I had a lover,
I don't think I'll risk another
These days, these days.
And 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.
La la la la la, la la.

I've stopped my dreaming,
I won't do too much scheming
These days, these days.
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.