Video hit Van Morrison

Van Morrison - Days Like This

"Days Like This" is a popular song written by Northern Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison and the title song of his 1995 album. Morrison has often performed this song in concert appearances including his 2006 appearance at the Austin City Limits Festival.

"Days Like This" was recorded during the 1993-1994 sessions at Wool Hall Studios, Beckington and the Real World in Bath, Somerset.

Scott Thomas best explains the theme of the song in his review: "The title song turns a common expression and famous pop song chorus on its head. Usually, the phrase "My momma told me there'd be days like this" is something you say to make yourself feel better at the end of a tough day: the implication is that a good day might be just around the corner. The singer, steeling himself against disappointments and letdowns, does not want to feel too good on the good days: 'When all the parts of the puzzle start to seem like they fit / Then I must remember there'll be days like this.'"

Legacy

It became the official anthem of the peace movement in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office used it along with "Brown Eyed Girl" as theme music for a television advertisement promoting the cease fire. Morrison performed it for an audience of 60-80,000 people when President Bill Clinton visited Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 30, 1995. Clinton, himself a saxophonist, had shown an appreciation for Morrison's music and had wanted to perform but was advised against it by security officers.

In the media

In 1997, "Days Like This" was featured on the soundtrack of the film, As Good as It Gets. In 2007, it was one of the songs used on the soundtrack of the film, Eye See Me. It was played several times in the 2007 film, Because I Said So. It has also been used in a Channel 7 Australia ad campaign.

The lyrics:

When it's not always raining there'll be days like this

When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this

When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch

Well my mama told me there'll be days like this

When you don't need to worry there'll be days like this

When no one's in a hurry there'll be days like this

When you don't get betrayed by that old Judas kiss

Oh my mama told me there'll be days like this

When you don't need an answer there'll be days like this

When you don't meet a chancer there'll be days like this

When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit

Then I must remember there'll be days like this

When everyone is up front and they're not playing tricks

When you don't have no freeloaders out to get their kicks

When it's nobody's business the way that you wanna live

I just have to remember there'll be days like this

When no one steps on my dreams there'll be days like this

When people understand what I mean there'll be days like this

When you ring out the changes of how everything is

Well my mama told me there'll be days like this

Oh my mama told me

There'll be days like this

Oh my mama told me

There'll be days like this

Oh my mama told me

There'll be days like this

Oh my mama told me

There'll be days like this