10 Standout Rock Songs With The Word “Day” In The Title

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Of course, there are millions of songs with the word “day” in the title, so many had to be left out. One of the biggest challenges we faced was deciding which Beatles songs to include, given the abundance of options. We think we came up with a clever way to address that issue. But most importantly, we’d love to hear from you. What are your favorite songs with the word “day” in the title? Whether they’re well-known classics or hidden gems, it’s all about what resonates with you, and we’re eager to hear your thoughts.

# 10 – The Day The Earth Stood Still – Willie Nile

Willie Nile’s “The Day The Earth Stood Still” captures the haunting and surreal experience of living in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The song, the title track from Nile’s 2021 album, evokes the stillness and eerie beauty of a city usually bustling with life. Inspired by the deserted streets of Greenwich Village, a neighborhood where Nile has lived for nearly fifty years, the track reflects on the profound silence that descended on New York, transforming it into a ghost town. Nile recalls how the empty streets, usually so chaotic, became a surreal landscape of history and memory, filled with the echoes of the poets, artists, and musicians who had once roamed the city.

Read More: Top 10 Willie Nile Songs

# 9 – Day After Tomorrow – Tom Waits

Tom Waits’ Day After Tomorrow, featured on his 2004 album Real Gone, stands out as one of the most poignant and politically charged songs in his catalog. While much of Waits’ work delves into dark, abstract themes, this track is a direct and moving protest against the Iraq War, though its message transcends specific conflicts. Written as a letter from a soldier to his family, the song captures the emotional toll of war through deeply personal reflections. The narrator longs to return to his home in Illinois, expressing fatigue and disillusionment with the senseless violence around him. Waits uses simple yet devastating lyrics to convey the futility of the conflict, offering a quiet but powerful plea for peace.

# 8 – Redemption Day – Sheryl Crow and Johnny Cash

Originally released on Sheryl Crow’s 1996 self-titled album, Redemption Day found new life in 2019 as a haunting collaboration with Johnny Cash, featured on her album Threads. The song, with its heavy themes of political and moral accountability, reflects Crow’s growing concerns with global injustices and the ravages of war. When Cash recorded the song for his posthumous album American VI: Ain’t No Grave in 2010, his powerful interpretation elevated its message, and Crow later revisited the track, blending her original vocals with Cash’s haunting delivery. This collaboration brings a deeper resonance, making Redemption Day one of the most stirring protest songs in Crow’s career. The track gained even more weight with its poignant music video, which blends imagery of war, destruction, and hope, showcasing the timeless relevance of the song’s themes.

Read More: Top 10 Johnny Cash Songs

**# 7 – Dimming of the Day – Bonnie Raitt**

Bonnie Raitt’s rendition of Dimming of the Day on her 1994 album Longing in Their Hearts brings a deeply emotional interpretation to a song originally written by Richard Thompson for his 1975 album Pour Down Like Silver with Linda Thompson. The song, a gentle yet intense ballad, centers around themes of longing, vulnerability, and the need for solace during life’s most difficult moments. Raitt’s soulful voice beautifully captures the sentiment of the lyrics, transforming the song into a profound expression of the universal human experience of seeking comfort and love when everything else seems to be falling apart. This theme fits seamlessly into the overall introspective and reflective nature of Raitt’s Longing in Their Hearts, an album that also produced major hits like “Love Sneakin’ Up on You.”

Read More: 10 Essential Bonnie Raitt Songs

# 6 – Four Days Gone – Buffalo Springfield

Four Days Gone, written by Stephen Stills, is one of the standout tracks from Buffalo Springfield’s final album, Last Time Around, released in July 1968. The album came together after the band had essentially disbanded, with members already moving on to other projects. The song reflects the complex political and social climate of the late 1960s, drawing inspiration from the anti-Vietnam War sentiment and themes of personal escape and survival. Stills’ lyrical storytelling in Four Days Gone captures the emotional weight of a man on the run, trying to find refuge and avoid being swept up in the chaos of government oppression, a theme that was prevalent in many protest songs of the era.

Read More: Top 10 Buffalo Springfield Songs

# 5 – Blue Monday Blue Day – Foreigner

Blue Monday Blue Day is a track from Foreigner’s 1978 album Double Vision, which solidified the band’s place in rock history with its blend of arena-ready anthems and emotional ballads. Written by Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, Blue Monday Blue Day showcases Foreigner’s talent for merging hard rock energy with emotionally charged lyrics, creating a track that speaks to the pain and melancholy of lost love and isolation. As the title suggests, the song’s tone is steeped in sadness, capturing the dreariness that often accompanies both literal and emotional “blue” days.

# 4 – Day By Day – Godspell

I just love this song. You watch the video and it brings you back to the 70s if you were there. Day by Day is one of the most memorable songs from the 1971 musical Godspell, composed by Stephen Schwartz. Its simple yet profound lyrics are derived from a 13th-century prayer attributed to Saint Richard of Chichester, emphasizing the desire to see, love, and follow God more closely, day by day. The song’s refrain has resonated with audiences for decades, making it a standout track not only from the musical but also within the broader folk-rock genre. The song was performed by the original off-Broadway cast and, when released as a single in 1972, it became a major success. It spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 13, and became a chart hit in other countries, such as Canada and Australia.

# 3 – Day After Day – Badfinger

“Day After Day” is one of the standout tracks in Badfinger’s catalog and remains one of the band’s most enduring songs. Written by Pete Ham and featured on their 1971 album Straight Up, the song was produced by George Harrison, who also contributed a signature slide guitar part that gives the track its unmistakable melodic depth. Released as a single in the U.S. in November 1971 and later in January 1972 worldwide, it became Badfinger’s biggest commercial success, peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and reaching number 10 in the UK Singles Chart. The song’s success culminated in a Gold certification in 1972, marking the band’s only gold single in the U.S.

Read More: Top 10 Badfinger Songs

# 2 – That’ll be the Day – Linda Ronstadt or Buddy Holly

Hasten Down the Wind by Linda Ronstadt [Music CD]

Linda Ronstadt’s cover of That’ll Be the Day from her 1976 album Hasten Down the Wind stands out how an artist can breathe new life into a rock ‘n’ roll classic. Originally written by Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, and producer Norman Petty, the song was first recorded by Buddy Holly and the Crickets in 1957. Holly’s version quickly became a defining moment in the early days of rock music, topping the Billboard Best Sellers chart and later being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It captured the rebellious energy and defiance of young love, driven by Holly’s distinct voice and the Crickets’ driving rhythms. Ronstadt’s version, released nearly 20 years later, taps into this same energy, but with her own unique style, making it a major hit once again.

# 1 – The Beatles Day Songs

Trying to pick one of these Beatles songs that features the word Day in the title was pretty tricky. So, we decided to list them all. Why not? It’s the Beatles.

A Day in the Life (1967), the closing track on Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, is one of The Beatles’ most acclaimed compositions. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the song merges two distinct parts: Lennon’s reflective, surreal musings on a newspaper story and McCartney’s more upbeat, everyday observations. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios between January and February 1967 and produced by George Martin, the song is famous for its orchestral crescendo and innovative production techniques. It reached number one on various charts and is often lauded as one of the greatest songs in rock history. “A Day in the Life” is a masterpiece of sonic experimentation and lyrical complexity, capturing the spirit of the psychedelic era.

Next, A Hard Day’s Night (1964), the title track of both The Beatles’ third studio album and their first feature film, exemplifies their early period’s vibrant energy. Written by Lennon and McCartney and recorded in April 1964, the song is defined by George Harrison’s unforgettable opening chord. The track is one of The Beatles’ many chart-toppers, hitting number one in both the UK and the US. The song’s upbeat rhythm, coupled with Lennon’s raw vocal delivery, made it an instant classic and a defining moment in the band’s rise to global superstardom.

Day Tripper (1965) was released as a double A-side single with “We Can Work It Out” and became an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK and number five in the US. The song, recorded in October 1965, features a distinctive guitar riff written by Lennon and McCartney and showcases the band’s growing mastery of blues and rock elements. While the lyrics suggest a playful narrative about a girl who’s a “day tripper,” some speculate that it references drug culture, adding to the song’s layers of meaning.

Another early classic, Eight Days a Week (1964), was included on Beatles for Sale and became a chart-topping single in the US. The song was recorded in October 1964 and features the harmonized vocals of Lennon and McCartney, along with George Harrison’s chiming guitar. Its title, inspired by a phrase Ringo Starr used, captures the relentless pace of life in The Beatles’ world at the time. With its infectious melody and bright energy, “Eight Days a Week” quickly became a fan favorite.

Good Day Sunshine (1966), from Revolver, reflects Paul McCartney’s optimistic, sun-soaked songwriting style. Recorded in June 1966 and produced by George Martin, the song’s infectious melody and harmonized vocals create a warm, feel-good atmosphere. McCartney’s upbeat piano drives the track, and its joyful lyrics convey a carefree sentiment that contrasted with some of the more experimental tracks on Revolver.

Things We Said Today (1964) was featured on A Hard Day’s Night and highlights McCartney’s ability to craft introspective, reflective lyrics. The song was recorded in June 1964 and demonstrates the band’s early exploration of deeper emotional themes. The acoustic guitar and subtle harmonies give the song a more melancholic feel compared to the upbeat tracks of their earlier albums.

Finally, Yesterday (1965), from Help!, stands as one of the most famous ballads ever written. Composed entirely by Paul McCartney and recorded on June 14, 1965, it features only McCartney’s vocals and acoustic guitar, accompanied by a string quartet arranged by George Martin. Released as a single in the US, “Yesterday” became one of the most covered songs in history. Its poignant lyrics, reflecting on lost love and regret, struck a chord with listeners worldwide and continue to resonate today.