The Day You Come
Encyclopedia
"The Day You Come" is a song from Powderfinger
's third studio album Internationalist
. It was released as a single on 10 August 1998.
off Internationalist to be released, and thus gave an impression of what the album was set to contain. Lead singer Bernard Fanning
said this impression was inaccurate, describing the song as being "not very up-tempo" compared to the rest of the album. He said one of the reasons the next single released was "Don't Wanna Be Left Out/Good-Day Ray" was that it was the complete opposite; a much more "thrashy" single than "The Day You Come". Guitarist
Ian Haug
agreed, adding that the band had not intended for "The Day You Come" to be the first single off the album, but was released because the band couldn't decide on any other songs to release.
As well as the band's usual line-up, "The Day You Come" featured backing vocals from Brisbane trio Tiddas
. This was the first time the trio worked with Powderfinger. They would also provide backing vocals on "Passenger
", and on future songs including "Like a Dog" and "Thrilloilogy". "The Day You Come" also featured Nick DiDia
for the first time, who would go on to be a long term producer
for the band.
references, although the band denied attempting to "preach" through their music. Haug said the band was happy to be quoted on politics, but not to have their words preached, telling Benedict Watts "I personally like to separate [the two] a bit [...] If someone asks us what our views are, we'll tell them, but we don't go out to our gigs and preach about things." Fanning agreed, saying "we would never try and preach, we would only ever try and suggest things to people as possibilities.", comparing the band to Midnight Oil
, especially its lead singer-turned politician and activist, Peter Garrett
. Fanning didn't rule out political messages altogether, however, but enforced the need for moderation and for not "preaching".
When the song was released, there was speculation that it alluded to Pauline Hanson
's political climb, however the band has reported that the song is more vague than specifically referring to one person, indicating that the song was not directly describing or attacking Hanson, though not ruling out that she may be one of many described. The song's release did fall within Hanson's party, One Nation's political peak.
for Song of the Year in 1999, was nominated for the APRA Award
also for Song of the Year, though this award was won by "Addicted to Bass
" by Amiel
. The song also placed as #8 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1998
. In May 2001, APRA
, as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "The Day You Come" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs
of all time.
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
's third studio album Internationalist
Internationalist (album)
Internationalist is the third studio album by Australian alternative rock band, Powderfinger. The album was released on 7 September 1998 and was often labelled Powderfinger's most adventurous work, with greater experimentation than in previous works....
. It was released as a single on 10 August 1998.
History
"The Day You Come" was the first singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
off Internationalist to be released, and thus gave an impression of what the album was set to contain. Lead singer Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
said this impression was inaccurate, describing the song as being "not very up-tempo" compared to the rest of the album. He said one of the reasons the next single released was "Don't Wanna Be Left Out/Good-Day Ray" was that it was the complete opposite; a much more "thrashy" single than "The Day You Come". Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Ian Haug
Ian Haug
Ian David Haug is a lead guitarist and backing vocalist in the Australian rock band Powderfinger. Mainstays Haug and bass guitarist John Collins formed the band in Brisbane in 1989. During a hiatus in Powderfinger's career, Haug worked on a side project, The Predators, with Collins and original...
agreed, adding that the band had not intended for "The Day You Come" to be the first single off the album, but was released because the band couldn't decide on any other songs to release.
As well as the band's usual line-up, "The Day You Come" featured backing vocals from Brisbane trio Tiddas
Tiddas
Tiddas are a three piece all-girl folk band from Victoria, Australia.-Biography:Originally the three women, Amy Saunders , Lou Bennett and Sally Dastey combined their vocal talents as backing singers for Aboriginal band Djaambi, led by Saunder's brother Richard Frankland in 1990...
. This was the first time the trio worked with Powderfinger. They would also provide backing vocals on "Passenger
Passenger (Powderfinger song)
"Passenger" is a song from Powderfinger's third studio album Internationalist. It was released as a single on 9 August 1999, and reached #30 on the Australian music chart. The single was nominated for Single of the year in 2000 at the Australian ARIA Music Awards...
", and on future songs including "Like a Dog" and "Thrilloilogy". "The Day You Come" also featured Nick DiDia
Nick DiDia
Nick DiDia is an American record producer mostly known for his work with Australian rock group Powderfinger and American pop-rock group Nine Days...
for the first time, who would go on to be a long term producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
for the band.
Music video
The video for "The Day You Come" features the band along with many others at a formal gathering/party.Political influences
"The Day You Come" was the first Powderfinger song to contain notable politicalPolitics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
references, although the band denied attempting to "preach" through their music. Haug said the band was happy to be quoted on politics, but not to have their words preached, telling Benedict Watts "I personally like to separate [the two] a bit [...] If someone asks us what our views are, we'll tell them, but we don't go out to our gigs and preach about things." Fanning agreed, saying "we would never try and preach, we would only ever try and suggest things to people as possibilities.", comparing the band to Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
, especially its lead singer-turned politician and activist, Peter Garrett
Peter Garrett
Peter Robert Garrett, AM, MP , is an Australian musician, environmentalist, activist and politician.Garrett was lead singer of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil from 1973 until its disbanding in 2002...
. Fanning didn't rule out political messages altogether, however, but enforced the need for moderation and for not "preaching".
When the song was released, there was speculation that it alluded to Pauline Hanson
Pauline Hanson
Pauline Lee Hanson is an Australian politician and former leader of Pauline Hanson's One Nation, a political party with a populist and anti-multiculturalism platform...
's political climb, however the band has reported that the song is more vague than specifically referring to one person, indicating that the song was not directly describing or attacking Hanson, though not ruling out that she may be one of many described. The song's release did fall within Hanson's party, One Nation's political peak.
Awards
"The Day You Come" received the ARIA Music AwardARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
for Song of the Year in 1999, was nominated for the APRA Award
APRA Awards
The APRA Music Awards are several award ceremonies run in Australia and New Zealand by Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually....
also for Song of the Year, though this award was won by "Addicted to Bass
Addicted to Bass
"Addicted to Bass" is a pop single with drum and bass influences by Puretone aka Josh Abrahams featuring Amiel Daemion on vocals. It reached the top 20 of the Australian charts in 1998 and #2 in the UK in 2002.-Australian video:...
" by Amiel
Amiel
Amiel can refer to:*Amiel Daemion, Australian pop singer.*Amiel Flippo, American philosopher, writer, and critic.Amiel as a surname can refer to:*Barbara Amiel, writer and wife of Conrad Black.*Gausbert Amiel, troubadour...
. The song also placed as #8 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 1998
Triple J Hottest 100, 1998
The 1998 Triple J Hottest 100, announced in January, 1999, was the sixth such countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. As in previous years, a CD featuring 36 of the songs was released...
. In May 2001, APRA
Australasian Performing Right Association
The Australasian Performing Right Association is a copyright collective representing New Zealand and Australian composers, lyricists and music publishers. The association's head offices located in Sydney Australia, and it has branch offices in Auckland, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth...
, as part of its 75th Anniversary celebrations, named "The Day You Come" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs
APRA Top 30 Australian songs
APRA's Top 30 Australian songs between 1926 and 2001 was a list created by the Australasian Performing Right Association to celebrate its 75th anniversary...
of all time.
Track listing
- "The Day You Come" – 4:01
- "Polly" – 3:31
- "Ironical" – 1:49
- "John Callahan" – 3:08