LogFAQs > #953771775

#250. The The This is the Day (1983)
from the album Soul Mining

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZYgKCbFbWY

Key lyrics: And all your friends and family
Think that youre lucky
But the side of you theyll never see
Is when youre left alone with the memories
That hold your life together like glue

Few moments in music can put me in a positive mood like the glistening intro to This is the Day. Yet buried beneath the candy-coated surface is something darker, in a way only synth-pop can provide. Listen too closely to the lyrics and you can imagine some maudlin indie rocker wanting to do a moody cover version. But contrast is key, and this is a masterclass in mixed emotions. This is an anthem for finally trying to make something of yourself, which first requires admitting earlier failings. But theres no need to sonically fixate on those failings; that is all in the past, and this is the new you! I mean, as long as you can tell yourself that

Theres always something compelling about a band daring to experiment with instrumentation, and This is the Day stands out as a definitive accordion song in popular music. Mixing that together with the synthesizer creates an unexpected serenity, further accentuated by Matt Johnsons calming vocals. This results in a song perfect for either extreme, to bliss out while happy or find understanding and comfort while low. A cynic could say this is a song about denial; will this day really be any different? To me, the instrumentation suggests a stronger message at any time, you can make this the day.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/