The The — This Is The Day
Album: Soul MiningAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 2843
Length: 4:50
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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Well... you didn't wake up this morning,
'cause you didn't go to bed.
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red!
The calendar on your wall -- IS TICKING -- the days off.
You've been reading some old letters.
You smile and think how much you've changed.
All the money in the world couldn't buy back those days.
You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change.
THIS IS THE DAY -- When things fall into place.
You could've done anything, if you'd wanted.
And all your friends and family think that you're lucky.
But the side of you they'll never see
Is when you're left alone with the memories
That hold your life together like -- GLUE
You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change.
THIS IS THE DAY -- When things fall into place.
THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change.
(repeat to fade)
'cause you didn't go to bed.
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red!
The calendar on your wall -- IS TICKING -- the days off.
You've been reading some old letters.
You smile and think how much you've changed.
All the money in the world couldn't buy back those days.
You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change.
THIS IS THE DAY -- When things fall into place.
You could've done anything, if you'd wanted.
And all your friends and family think that you're lucky.
But the side of you they'll never see
Is when you're left alone with the memories
That hold your life together like -- GLUE
You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change.
THIS IS THE DAY -- When things fall into place.
THIS IS THE DAY -- Your life will surely change.
(repeat to fade)
Comments (251)add comment
Going to see these guys at the Opera House in 3 weeks, cant wait! Never saw them back in the day and this is probably the greatest song of all time!
FRIDAY NIGHT is THE DAY, here in Chicago! Psyched.
chyk5 wrote:
Indeed - very much looking forward to it! He's touring now too; his show in Chicago is 10/25/24 (tickets locked).
I just received an email notice of their new album out September 6th. First album in 25 years!
Indeed - very much looking forward to it! He's touring now too; his show in Chicago is 10/25/24 (tickets locked).
For those of you that are The The fans (or consider yourself THE The The fan), there's a new single out today! Matt Johnson is releasing the first new The The album of original material since 1999. Crazy times we're living in, right?
I just received an email notice of their new album out September 6th. First album in 25 years!
Both this album and Infected are top notch, as good as pop gets.
my fav optimistic pep talk song
Going to see these guys in Sydney (Nov24) at the Opera House...for the first time! Loved this track in 1983,1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988.. you get the idea. Cant wait! One of the greatest songs ever written for me.
The best band name ever. Signs that they gave up looking for a name. LOL
They got their idea for the album cover from Bevis and Butthead.
One of my absolute favorites...
Great album. Check out the track "Uncertain Smile" and I swear it will knock your socks off.
jelgator wrote:
Your experiences remind me of 2 milestone changes in my life. In 1981 I was happily fired from a job that I was unhappy with. I immediately sprung into action starting a new company then went on to start another.
In 2004 I left the love of my life because I was bored being with her. I soon found the fun and excitement that I'd been craving.
I heard this song on the day when I told my corporate boss I was quitting to start my own business. I wanted fire again. He said I would never have that fire again.
He was so wrong. And it was the day I also told my wife about this song. At the time, she supported me. Not for long. Now she is my ex. She didn't understand.
You never know which days will life will surely change you. No advice here, except enjoy each one. I guess.
P.S. the ex would never care about expressing feelings so strongly connected with music like this. Don't think she cared much for emotion, anyways.
Your experiences remind me of 2 milestone changes in my life. In 1981 I was happily fired from a job that I was unhappy with. I immediately sprung into action starting a new company then went on to start another.
In 2004 I left the love of my life because I was bored being with her. I soon found the fun and excitement that I'd been craving.
This is a ... twenty. Listen to it and your day will be fine.
lily34 wrote:
Yep, several: See this list at Wikipedia
was this one in a movie? i can't recall...
Yep, several: See this list at Wikipedia
Notably playing now in Guardians of the Galaxy 3 (full soundtrack is listed here)
was this one in a movie? i can't recall...
hmulhall wrote:
RP are sleeping on the job!
They still have not up-dated the release of this record to 1983. A great song & album just the same.
They still have not up-dated the release of this record to 1983. A great song & album just the same.
Posted 11 years ago
BTW - I saw he has 2 brand new tracks out, worth a listen.
So upbeat and cool, it feels like skateboarding near the sea.
MJdub wrote:
Would it be easier if they called themselves "An a"?
This band was definitely named before search engine optimization was a thing.
Would it be easier if they called themselves "An a"?
My life keeps changing, day by day, and it always seems to be edging toward more endurance and less joy....not sure if I need to be reminded of that....
Always see dancing on the roof when I hear this song. Thanks Empire Records for that perfect visual for this timeless classic. 
This gets better every time I hear it. There must be an ageing related factor. What a cool tune!! Captures the wondering of all that might have, could have, should have happened. Thanks for playing it :)
Such an EPIC and classic album. A must own IMHO, and also Mind Bomb, which could not be more relevant TODAY (sadly).
Oh, hell yeah! Calls to mind those early '80's! Reminds me of and makes me want to hear The Jam That's Entertainment...
LPCity wrote:
It's now 39 years old.
This song is 30 years old! And 30 years ago I was 30...
And the lyrics are just as relevant, maybe more so, than they were back then.
It's just too easy to look back and think that things were easier or simpler way back when.
It's now 39 years old.
This song always made my day, and it will continue as long as I live.
Good tune. I never heard of them before. Thanx RP!
A fantastic album/CD from start to finish. Not a weak song on it.
Pronounced "Thuh Thee" apparently.
j'adore "Le Le" :)
LPCity wrote:
38 years old and I was 19.
This song is 30 years old! And 30 years ago I was 30...
And the lyrics are just as relevant, maybe more so, than they were back then.
It's just too easy to look back and think that things were easier or simpler way back when.
38 years old and I was 19.
Once again, the appreciation of the song is much improved by the comments! LLRP!
When they were in 'Orchestral Manoeuvres' mode
ScottishWillie wrote:
It went Soul Mining with an Uncertain Smile
PS What happened to the Jools Holland piano solo?
It went Soul Mining with an Uncertain Smile
ScottishWillie wrote:
Any song is improved with the absence of his predictable plinky plonk.
PS What happened to the Jools Holland piano solo?
Any song is improved with the absence of his predictable plinky plonk.
jelgator wrote:
Love this.
I heard this song on the day when I told my corporate boss I was quitting to start my own business. I wanted fire again. He said I would never have that fire again.
He was so wrong. And it was the day I also told my wife about this song. At the time, she supported me. Not for long. Now she is my ex. She didn't understand.
You never know which days will life will surely change you. No advice here, except enjoy each one. I guess.
P.S. the ex would never care about expressing feelings so strongly connected with music like this. Don't think she cared much for emotion, anyways.
He was so wrong. And it was the day I also told my wife about this song. At the time, she supported me. Not for long. Now she is my ex. She didn't understand.
You never know which days will life will surely change you. No advice here, except enjoy each one. I guess.
P.S. the ex would never care about expressing feelings so strongly connected with music like this. Don't think she cared much for emotion, anyways.
Love this.
Matt Johnson just recently underwent emergency throat surgery due to a throat infection that threatened his life. Check out his instagram feed for more info: @officialthe_the
I heard this song on the day when I told my corporate boss I was quitting to start my own business. I wanted fire again. He said I would never have that fire again.
He was so wrong. And it was the day I also told my wife about this song. At the time, she supported me. Not for long. Now she is my ex. She didn't understand.
You never know which days will life will surely change you. No advice here, except enjoy each one. I guess.
P.S. the ex would never care about expressing feelings so strongly connected with music like this. Don't think she cared much for emotion, anyways.
He was so wrong. And it was the day I also told my wife about this song. At the time, she supported me. Not for long. Now she is my ex. She didn't understand.
You never know which days will life will surely change you. No advice here, except enjoy each one. I guess.
P.S. the ex would never care about expressing feelings so strongly connected with music like this. Don't think she cared much for emotion, anyways.
ScottishWillie wrote:
That's in Heartland. The other The The song.
I make the same mistake. All the time.
All hail Jools Holland!
EDIT: oops, Jools' solo is in "Uncertain smile", the other other The The song...
PS What happened to the Jools Holland piano solo?
That's in Heartland. The other The The song.
I make the same mistake. All the time.
All hail Jools Holland!
EDIT: oops, Jools' solo is in "Uncertain smile", the other other The The song...
Never thought I'd be saying this about accordion, but here it's simply divine.
Why are "IS TICKING" and "THIS IS THE DAY" capitalized that way in the lyrics?
really liking this vibe today ..Moody with lightness to it
hell yeah, needed this today.
bittersweet isnt it?
you can always change it yeah?
you can always change it yeah?
Made this winter Monday morning just float along.
8 for the song, 10 for the lyrics, and 9 for the flow of the last hour.
`You could've done anything, if you'd wanted.´ 
It's pronounced "thuh thee" apparently.
Just good old '80's stuff!
I kind of grow up with The The albums payed at home, this song surely reminds me of my mom singing while doing some home errands sometimes in mid 80'....
"Do you sing like Olive Oil on purpose?
You guys must be into the Eurythmics."
You guys must be into the Eurythmics."
wgsu_1978 wrote:
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions were contemporaries of The The. Both recorded and released their main body of music in the early 80's.
Sounds a lot like Lloyd Cole's solo work from the early 90s (which I know came later). But Cole sounds more real to me, while this has a manufactured quality to it that I'm having trouble getting around. Still giving it a 6 but thinking it could have been an 8 with a little more feeling to it.
Lloyd Cole and the Commotions were contemporaries of The The. Both recorded and released their main body of music in the early 80's.
Just after this album came out, I lost my job (again), and on the way, home saw a poster offering jobs in an American Summer Camp. The payment for a summer's work was a visa and accommodation.
I was just about the oldest councillor in camp, and I loved it.
This song reminds me of a trip with four other, really loaded friends to Boulder, Colorado, in the biggest car I'd ever seen (an Oldsmobile, I think). This album was on a cassette, and we played it to death on the journey. And that lady's and gentleman is about the clearest thing I can remember about that trip.
But I'm pretty sure I had a blindingly good time!?!
I was just about the oldest councillor in camp, and I loved it.
This song reminds me of a trip with four other, really loaded friends to Boulder, Colorado, in the biggest car I'd ever seen (an Oldsmobile, I think). This album was on a cassette, and we played it to death on the journey. And that lady's and gentleman is about the clearest thing I can remember about that trip.
But I'm pretty sure I had a blindingly good time!?!
Aw. The The. I used to listen to this a lot as my lovely old girlfriend was a fan. But she was a mental alcoholic too. Those were the days.
This one stays with you..
Pretty sure this song came out in '83, not '87.
Wow, this one hits kinda heavy today
One of the finest songs of the 80s.
This song is 30 years old! And 30 years ago I was 30...
And the lyrics are just as relevant, maybe more so, than they were back then.
It's just too easy to look back and think that things were easier or simpler way back when.
And the lyrics are just as relevant, maybe more so, than they were back then.
It's just too easy to look back and think that things were easier or simpler way back when.
Soul Mining I played more than any other 80's album
It was the 80's right ! lol
It was the 80's right ! lol
Awesome
As a friend said, The The's promoter should have been fired for how little recognition Matt has gotten.
I sense a theme in the last few songs today...
...and never has this song been more relevant.
Love that accordion!
wgsu_1978 wrote:
Sounds a lot like Lloyd Cole's solo work from the early 90s (which I know came later). But Cole sounds more real to me, while this has a manufactured quality to it that I'm having trouble getting around. Still giving it a 6 but thinking it could have been an 8 with a little more feeling to it.
With the greatest respect I’ll think you’ll find Mat Johnston was as “Real” as it gets. He music, love it or loath it, has huge credibility and much as I adore Llyod Cole he’s a lightweight in comparison to Mat.
what a track. So good - easy 10. 'Infected' (the next album) was the first album on CD that I ever bought.
best song ever !!!
wgsu_1978 wrote:
You may or may not have a point with just this song, but believe me, Matt Johnson was very big on "feeling", and was a very, very angry and politicised young man. The The was a cry of rage against Thatcherism and neo-liberalism and the destruction it wrought on 80s Britain.
Sounds a lot like Lloyd Cole's solo work from the early 90s (which I know came later). But Cole sounds more real to me, while this has a manufactured quality to it that I'm having trouble getting around. Still giving it a 6 but thinking it could have been an 8 with a little more feeling to it.
You may or may not have a point with just this song, but believe me, Matt Johnson was very big on "feeling", and was a very, very angry and politicised young man. The The was a cry of rage against Thatcherism and neo-liberalism and the destruction it wrought on 80s Britain.
Sounds a lot like Lloyd Cole's solo work from the early 90s (which I know came later). But Cole sounds more real to me, while this has a manufactured quality to it that I'm having trouble getting around. Still giving it a 6 but thinking it could have been an 8 with a little more feeling to it.
Proclivities wrote:
It's more likely that they really dislike this song. Besides, this would be a good follow-up to "Afternoon Delight" - similar vibe in both tunes.
It's more likely that they really dislike this song. Besides, this would be a good follow-up to "Afternoon Delight" - similar vibe in both tunes.
You either have a very unique sense of humor, or that is the most absurd post I've ever read in this forum.
First time. A wonderful, almost perfect little ditty.
This band was definitely named before search engine optimization was a thing.
Great tune. Great band.
Proclivities wrote:
It's more likely that they really dislike this song. Besides, this would be a good follow-up to "Afternoon Delight" - similar vibe in both tunes.
We're listening to The The what have you been listening too?
It's more likely that they really dislike this song. Besides, this would be a good follow-up to "Afternoon Delight" - similar vibe in both tunes.
chyk5 wrote:
It's more likely that they really dislike this song. Besides, this would be a good follow-up to "Afternoon Delight" - similar vibe in both tunes.
15 people rated this a 1?! Maybe they were listening to the Starland Vocal Band and felt this a rude interruption.
It's more likely that they really dislike this song. Besides, this would be a good follow-up to "Afternoon Delight" - similar vibe in both tunes.
........love it ........ and that mellow vocal tone is fabulous ........Sad and happy all at the same time - is that melancholy? Wistful? I dunno.
Brings back the memories! Used to listen to this all the time during my college days back in the early 80s.
This song makes me so happy! Still love it after all these years. Memories....
chyk5 wrote:
A fantastic song, but it does have a tendency to plant the odd Lucas quotation from Empire Records in my head....
A great tune. I heard it on RP and downloaded it to my Ipod immediately.
This is such a great song. It brings back memories of a few years back, during which I couldn't listen to the song, and yet now it brings a smile to my face as an "ex" song- one which brings back bitter-sweet memories of a time now past.
The time for regretting is gone, and I'm glad that this still hits the mark, possibly just in the way the genius that is Matt Johnson meant it to.
Bang on.
The time for regretting is gone, and I'm glad that this still hits the mark, possibly just in the way the genius that is Matt Johnson meant it to.
Bang on.
blast from the past indeed 
Outstanding tune and outstanding album. A must for any RP listener IMHO.
I listen to The The almost everyday, makes me soooo happy, and feel like I'm alive!
chyk5 wrote:
"1"s are always an interesting visceral reaction. I'll admit to a few, but this is not one of them.
15 people rated this a 1?! Maybe they were listening to the Starland Vocal Band and felt this a rude interruption.
"1"s are always an interesting visceral reaction. I'll admit to a few, but this is not one of them.
Thanks to Bobert for posting lyrics -- presumably before the lyrics button was created. I'll need to hear this a few more times, because I can't tell if it's deeply cynical or irrepressibly optimistic. And, man oh man, does it cut close to the bone.
On a technical view, it's interesting that meter and rhyme kinda don't exist in this.
On a technical view, it's interesting that meter and rhyme kinda don't exist in this.
The What?
I owned this on vinyl when it was new. A very good album.
Brilliant song. Brings back memories of 2005/6 which are now not so difficult to deal with.
Amazing song - brilliant album!
15 people rated this a 1?! Maybe they were listening to the Starland Vocal Band and felt this a rude interruption.
¡Qué buena canción! El Soul Mining lo tengo en cassete... El pianito suena muy, pero muy bien
This is the day!!!!
Full of a cold...flumped over ....no enthusiasm ...BUT now boogieing around my sewing room
zackdog0126 wrote:
I was 17, life was simpler....
Old memories
I was 17, life was simpler....
Old memories
Well... you didn't wake up this morning,
'cause you didn't go to bed.
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red.
The calendar on your wall is ticking the days off. You've been reading some old letters.
You smile and think how much you've changed.
All the money in the world couldn't buy back those days. You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
This is the day your life will surely change.
This is the day when things fall into place. You could've done anything, if you'd wanted.
And all your friends and family think that you're lucky.
But the side of you they'll never see
Is when you're left alone with the memories
That hold your life together like — GLUE You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes,
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
This is the day your life will surely change.
This is the day when things fall into place. This is the day your life will surely change...
(repeat to fade)
'cause you didn't go to bed.
You were watching the whites of your eyes turn red.
The calendar on your wall is ticking the days off. You've been reading some old letters.
You smile and think how much you've changed.
All the money in the world couldn't buy back those days. You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes.
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
This is the day your life will surely change.
This is the day when things fall into place. You could've done anything, if you'd wanted.
And all your friends and family think that you're lucky.
But the side of you they'll never see
Is when you're left alone with the memories
That hold your life together like — GLUE You pull back the curtains, and the sun burns into your eyes,
You watch a plane flying across a clear blue sky.
This is the day your life will surely change.
This is the day when things fall into place. This is the day your life will surely change...
(repeat to fade)
the lyrics were sweet—-funny, i useta listen to them when they were all industrial and postpunk and wouldn't listen to them when they got all poppy ——but like this.
Love this band and this track! Haven't heard it in ages. Great to hear.
Great band but certainly not their best track. However, 9+ for RP including it in the mix.
I always wear an uncertain smile when I listen to this tune...
Love this song. Brings me back.
this music reminds me of old (pre full band) TMBG.
a slowed down version of Rhythm Section Want Ad, perhaps?
you're the reason why.
a slowed down version of Rhythm Section Want Ad, perhaps?
you're the reason why.
This song ALWAYS makes me smile!
Stingray wrote:
There's a lot more than three
100% AGREEMENT!
A MASTERPIECE INDEED
(like three other albums from this VERY underrated band!)
A MASTERPIECE INDEED
(like three other albums from this VERY underrated band!)
There's a lot more than three
I might add to my childbirth playlist.. appropos & a great tune
8->9! Perfect just-out-of-the-shower-getting-dressed music. Woo!
- Oshyan
- Oshyan
You can swim in this song.
RP are sleeping on the job!
They still have not up-dated the release of this record to 1983. A great song & album just the same.
They still have not up-dated the release of this record to 1983. A great song & album just the same.
I gotta dig up my record of this.. Great album.
Oh great.....it's not long enough either. Maybe some day ?
The album art is that of the remastered CD. But more importantly it was released in 1983; not 1987. That was one of my favorite albums to listen to, while I was visting The Land Down Under @ that time. Great album & a great song!
gypsyman wrote:
This is. I owned the vinyl.
This is not the correct album art.
This is. I owned the vinyl.
This is not the correct album art.