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"On a Day Like Today" is a power ballad performed and composed by English piano rock and alternative rock band Keane, released as the tenth track on their debut album, Hopes and Fears. It was rarely played during live performances outside the UK during 2004 and 2005 and it has not been played since. A fan-favorite from all the songs released by the band and considered as "one of the best songs ever written" by many, it was omitted from the international releases of the album (excepting the Mexican one, released in late 2007), so that Universal Records could market the UK edition as a "Special Edition". Despite this, the band have made clear the fact that they consider "On a Day Like Today" to be a crucial part of Hopes and Fears, and at one point in 2004 were actively encouraging American fans to illegally download the song during gigs.
A photo gallery contained on Strangers feature the song as the backing track. The gallery contains photos of Keane since 2003. Sheet music for this song is available in the Hal Leonard score book, as well as in the Music Sales Group one.
[edit] Musical structure
The song maintains a four chord progression all over it; however, a crescendo on piano and strings is found through. This is the only song by the band that uses a honky-tonk (on the second verse). The four chords (F major, C major, D minor and Bb major seventh) repeat until the fade. Strings and synthesizer are added through the song as the piano keeps on playing. Intro only includes drumming, a synthesizer and vocals. Lyrics can be fit in a poem-form as follows:
| “ |
On a day like today I looked at you and I saw something in the way you stared into the sky: I saw you were sick and tired of my wrong turns. If you only knew the way I feel... I'd really love to tell you but I could never seem to say the things I needed to. On a day like today no other words would do... I can't find the words to say and I don't know why... |
” |
[edit] Technical information on song
May 10, 2004
December 14, 2007
