Days Like This (song)

"Days Like This"
Single by Van Morrison
from the album Days Like This
A-side	"Days Like This"
B-side	"I Don't Want to go on Without You"/"That Old Black Magic"
Released	1995
Format	CD
Genre	Celtic, Folk rock
Length	3:13
Label	Mercury Records
Writer(s)	Van Morrison
Producer	Van Morrison
Van Morrison singles chronology
"Have I Told You Lately" (With The Chieftains) (1995) "Days Like This" (1995) "Perfect Fit" (1995)
Days Like This track listing "Songwriter" (7) "Days Like This" (8) "I'll Never Be Free" (9)

"Days Like This" is a popular song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and the title song of his 1995 album. Morrison has often performed this song in concert appearances including his 2006 appearance at the Austin City Limits Festival.

Recording and composition

"Days Like This" was recorded during the 1993-1994 sessions at Wool Hall Studios, Beckington and the Real World in Bath, Somerset.^[1]

Scott Thomas best explains the theme of the song in his review:

"The title song turns a common expression and famous pop song chorus on its head. Usually, the phrase "My momma told me there'd be days like this" is something you say to make yourself feel better at the end of a tough day: the implication is that a good day might be just around the corner. The singer, steeling himself against disappointments and letdowns, does not want to feel too good on the good days: "When all the parts of the puzzle start to seem like they fit / Then I must remember there'll be days like this."

Legacy

It became the official anthem of the peace movement in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office used it along with "Brown Eyed Girl" as theme music for a television advertisement promoting the cease fire. Morrison performed it for an audience of 60-80,000 people when President Bill Clinton visited Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 30, 1995. Clinton, himself a saxophonist, had shown an appreciation for Morrison's music and had wanted to perform but was advised against it by security officers.^[2][3]

In the media

In 1997, "Days Like This" was featured on the soundtrack of the film, As Good as It Gets. In 2007, it was one of the songs used on the soundtrack of the film, Eye See Me. It was played several times in the 2007 film, Because I Said So.

Other releases

• Live at Austin City Limits Festival (2006 Limited Cd)
• Van Morrison at the Movies - Soundtrack Hits
• The Best of Van Morrison Volume 3
• Still on Top - The Greatest Hits (remastered in 2007)

Personnel

• Van Morrison - vocals, alto saxophone
• Ronnie Johnson - electric guitar
• Nicky Scott - bass
• Geoff Dunn - drums
• Teena Lyle - Piano, backing vocals
• Kate St. John - alto saxophone
• Pee Wee Ellis - tenor saxophone
• Leo Green - tenor saxophone
• Matthew Holland - trumpet
• Brian Kennedy - backing vocals
• Horns arranged by Pee Wee Ellis

Notes

1. ^ Heylin, Can You Feel the Silence?, p. 527
2. ^ Hinton, Celtic Crossroads, p. 325
3. ^ Rogan, No Surrender, p. 437

References

• Heylin, Clinton (2003). Can You Feel the Silence? Van Morrison: A New Biography, Chicago Review Press, ISBN 1-55652-542-7
• Hinton, Brian (1997). Celtic Crossroads: The Art of Van Morrison, Sanctuary, ISBN 1-86074169X
• Rogan, Johnny (2006). Van Morrison: No Surrender, London:Vintage Books ISBN 9780099431831