This Is the Day (The The song)

"This Is the Day" is a song written by Matt Johnson and originally released as a single by his band The The on 2 September 1983.[1] It reached number 71 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] A version of the song was included on the band's debut album Soul Mining, released in October 1983.

"This Is the Day"
Single by The The
from the album Soul Mining
Released	2 September 1983
Studio	Advision and SARM Studios, London
Genre	New wave, synthpop
Length	4:59 (album version) 3:42 (single edit)
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	Matt Johnson
Producer(s)	Paul Hardiman and Matt Johnson
The The singles chronology
"Perfect" (1983) "This Is the Day" (1983) "Heartland" (1986)

A re-recorded version of the song, re-titled "That Was the Day", was released as the lead track on the Dis-Infected EP in 1993. The EP reached number 17 in the singles chart.[2]

Track listing

7" single

1. "This Is the Day" – 3:42
2. "Mental Healing Process" – 3:44

12" single

1. "This Is the Day" (Extended Version) – 5:22
2. "I've Been Waitin' for Tomorrow (All of My Life)" (Special Mix) – 7:36

Artwork

Artwork by Andy Johnson. The font designed by Fiona Skinner was also used on the "This is the Day" single artwork. An alternative layout for the ‘the The’ logo was used on this single with the lowercase ‘the’ larger and set at an angle.

Video

Fiona Skinner directed the promo video for the re-release of 1983 single. The video is a collage of images & memories illustrating Matt Johnson's childhood and Fiona & Matt's relationship. The single was re-released around the time they split. Skinner created the ‘farewell’ promo for the song.

Appearances in other media

• The song was featured after the opening scene in the 1986 film Static
• The song was featured at the end of the 1995 film Empire Records.
• The song features in the final episode of the Channel 4 comedy-drama Fresh Meat.
• The song features in the opening scene of the 2018 film I Feel Pretty.
• The song was also featured in a sing-along scene in the 2018 film Every Day.
• The song plays during the end of the first episode of season 2 of the HBO show Looking.
• The song plays in the background in the ABC show The Good Doctor, season 2 episode 3 "Hubert".
• The song plays in the background in the Netflix show Sex Education, season 1 episode 3.
• The song plays during the end of the first episode of season 3 of the Fox show 9-1-1.
• The song plays in during a scene in the 2019 film Swallow
• The song is featured in the 2020 film Love and Monsters
• The song appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto V , on the radio station Kult FM 99.1

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[3]	71

That Was the Day

Chart (1993)	Peak position
UK Singles (OCC)[3]	17

Manic Street Preachers version

"This Is the Day"
Single by Manic Street Preachers
from the album National Treasures – The Complete Singles
Released	18 September 2011
Studio	Faster Recording Studios, Cardiff
Genre	Alternative rock electronic rock
Length	3:37
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	Matt Johnson
Producer(s)	Loz Williams & Manic Street Preachers
Manic Street Preachers singles chronology
"Postcards from a Young Man" (2010) "This Is the Day" (2011) "Show Me the Wonder" (2013)

In September 2011, "This Is the Day" was covered by Manic Street Preachers as a single to promote their National Treasures – The Complete Singles compilation album. The CD single was only available as a limited edition with the CD/DVD version of National Treasures on the HMV website.[4]

Track listing

Digital download

1. "This Is the Day" – 3:37
2. "We Were Never Told" – 3:20

HMV exclusive CD

1. "This Is the Day" – 3:37
2. "Rock 'n' Roll Genius" – 2:40

References

1. "Record News". NME. 27 August 1983. p. 39.
2. "THE THE – full Official Chart History – Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2015.
3. "The The: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
4. "Pre-order 'National Treasures' for exclusive extras". Retrieved 2 January 2012.