These Days

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to the mellow vibes of These Days by Jackson Browne from his 1973 album For Everyman! This song, a timeless gem, was written by Browne when he was just 16 years old, capturing a world-weary sense of loss and regret that belies his youth. Browne himself reflected on its origins during a 2005 live performance captured on Solo Acoustic, Vol. 1, noting that he wrote it “although not precisely in this form” as a teenager. The song’s first recording wasn’t by Browne but by German singer and Velvet Underground collaborator Nico for her 1967 album Chelsea Girl, where Browne played electric guitar at the insistence of Andy Warhol, who wanted a “modern” sound. Browne later shared in a live introduction that he was surprised to hear his own guitar work in The Royal Tenenbaums, where Nico’s version underscores a pivotal scene with Gwyneth Paltrow stepping off a bus—a moment director Wes Anderson said was foundational to the film’s vision.

The version of These Days we’re spinning today from For Everyman owes a debt to Gregg Allman, who recorded his own take for his 1973 solo album Laid Back. Browne credited Allman in the album’s liner notes, adopting elements of his arrangement, including a shift from Nico’s fast fingerpicking to a slower, flatpicked Southern California folk-rock style. Featuring David Lindley’s haunting slide guitar, Jim Keltner’s drums, and David Paich’s piano, Browne’s recording is described by Philadelphia City Paper as “unique, and piercingly sad.” Both Browne’s and Allman’s versions, released days apart in October 1973, became progressive rock radio staples, though Browne stopped performing the song live by the 1980s, feeling it didn’t suit larger arena venues. Its enduring appeal is evident in covers by artists like Cher, St. Vincent, and Drake, and its recent resurgence on TikTok, where it soundtracks various trends.

Jackson Browne’s journey to becoming a defining voice of the 1970s singer-songwriter movement began in Heidelberg, Germany, where he was born on October 9, 1948, to an American serviceman. Moving to Los Angeles at age three, Browne grew up immersed in Southern California’s music scene. By his teens, he was performing folk songs at local venues like The Troubadour. In 1966, at just 17, he briefly joined the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, contributing songs like These Days. His songwriting talent caught attention, leading to a publishing deal with Nina Music. In the late 1960s, Browne moved to New York City, where he backed Nico and Tim Buckley and demoed songs, including an early version of These Days titled I’ve Been Out Walking. Returning to Los Angeles, he signed with Asylum Records and released his self-titled debut in 1972, featuring the Top 10 hit Doctor My Eyes. His collaboration with David Lindley and work with The Section defined his early sound, cementing his place in the Laurel Canyon scene.

Stay connected with Jackson Browne through his official website, where you can find tour dates and news about his latest projects, like his 2021 album Downhill From Everywhere. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses, and check out his posts on X for thoughts on music and activism. Zoo Freaks can also join fan communities like the Jackson Browne Fan Page on Facebook to share their love for his music. For more fan-driven content, visit sites like Jackson Browne Fan, which celebrates his decades-long career. Keep spinning those records, Zoo Crew, and let These Days carry you away!