"Day By Day" by The Hooters

Song#:  2569
Date:  12/14/1985
Debut:  85
Peak:  18
Weeks:  18
Genre:  Rock



Pop Bits:  The Philly band's second album Nervous Night was slowly building up an audience. With the second single "And We Danced" nearly making the Pop Top 20 (#21, #3 Rock), people were taking notice. This third single would be another winner for them that would get into the Top 20 while hitting #3 at Rock. It would end up being their biggest hit. The singles would help the album move up to #12 and eventually it would be a double-platinum seller.

ReduxReview:  This jangly rock track was a good follow-up to "And We Danced." It featured another big hook that easily lured in listeners. While I liked this track, I thought "And We Danced" was a much better song. I was actually a bit surprised when it popped into the Top 20. I remember seeing the title of this song when it first charted. I hadn't heard it yet and I was a little confused as I thought, "did this band actually do a remake?" For a half second I thought they might have made a bold choice and done a cover of "Day By Day" from the 1971 Broadway musical Godspell. (In 1972, "Day By Day" was released as a single from the original cast soundtrack. It got to #13 on the Pop chart.) I quickly learned they did not and it was their own original.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  The Hooters got to perform early on during the US portion of the Live Aid concert held in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985. They were slotted in just after Joan Baez opened the concert in the morning. It made sense to have the band there as they were from Philly and they had just broken through nationally with their Nervous Night album. Yet one person was not happy to have them on the bill. Live Aid organizer Bob Geldoff balked at the band getting stage time. He had no idea who they were or why they would even be involved. Pressured by other people including promoter Bill Graham, the band was allowed to perform. Years later in 2004, a DVD of the concert was finally released, yet The Hooters' performance was not included. According to Hooter Eric Bazilian, just a few short weeks after the DVD came out, the band found themselves headlining a concert in Germany. Their opening act? Bob Geldof!

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