Initially I thought this fine, driving '80s roots rock classic might not qualify for this honor, but then I noticed it actually peaked only as high as No. 18 on Billboard's pop charts in 1985. That, in fact, was the highest singles chart position the Hooters would hold, the equally strong but perhaps slightly better-known "And We Danced" included. Although the group fared far better on the niche mainstream rock charts (which is understandable given its two-parts-rock, one-part-pop sound), I find it hard to believe that a tune as thoroughly solid as "Day By Day" could scarcely break the Top 20 during such a mixed period for musical quality as 1985.
I remember thinking that the Hooters never received much respect as a genuine, fresh musical outfit, seemingly lumped instead into the same category as the myriad of far more slight one-hit wonders rampant during that time. That's an oversight that still puzzles me, as the group's creative leaders Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman have always been highly respected songwriters and session men, having contributed consistently to the work of other artists for many years. Aside from the foundational melodica sound that fueled many of the band's songs, the tasteful, lively use of mandolin in particular on this tune really creates absorbing sonic layers. Anyway, maybe people have never been able to get past the unintended connotations of the name, but this unique American original of a band helped keep the hope for straight-ahead rock music alive and well during the MTV-happy mid-'80s.
Album Cover Image Courtesy of Columbia
Comments
Hey Steve: You are spot on again! I discovered the Hooters about the same time as I dicovered The Kings – which is about a year and a half ago — more than two decades after thier inition releases. It is absolutely mystifying why groups like the Hooters or The Kings went so unrecognized – and others, with half the talent, beat or sound became much more popular. Thanks for bringing the weekly Forgotted Gem of the Week to us — it is greatly appreciated. Kent, Portland Oregon.
Hello Steve: Hope you are in the best of health and spirits. Thank you so much for bringing back some wonderful memories from the mid-80s. I was absolutely hooked to the sound of The Hooters which, in fact, was a nickname for the melodica. And I am sure as you are a music connoisseur you don’t need to be reminded that it is a type of keyboard harmonica which is German in origin and made by Hohner.
Although “Day by Day” was good, however my biggest favourite from “Nervous Night” was
“All You Zombies” (even though it was a reissue from their previous album or rather their debut)followed by “And We Danced”. I could never have enough of these.
But Steve what surprises me most is how such talented bands just wane away from public view. And the irony is when they are overlooked in the US they are greeted with open arms and the highest accolades in Europe and elsewhere. Exactly the same thing happened to Tina Turner around the same period.
Another thing: Many extremely talented British, Irish, German, Canadian, Australian and NZ bands are absolutely ignored in the US, for example Paul Weller’s The Jam, and again his The Style Council, and Germany’s Kraftwerk and Boney M who found fame and fortune all over the world with the sole exception of the US. I can’t understand why! Maybe you would like to shed some light on this.
Steve do you know that both Abba and Boney M were two of the most popular bands in Pakistan and India during the late 70s and early 80s and almost everybody who loved music was hooked on to them.
One last thing: Because you mentioned The Hooters in your blog I went to YouTube and watched the video clips for “Day by Day”, “All You Zombies” and “And We Danced” for the first time (with several replays) and thoroughly loved them. Thanks once again for the sweet memories and the enchanting melodies. Ciao and take care. Mohsin
Somehow I forgot to mention this in my post: The Hooters were one of the few bands who could mix Rock&Roll, ska and folk music with as much finesse in their song-writing skills.
When are you going to mention Taco’s “Putting on the Ritz” in your Forgotten Gems? I just loved listening to the single on the Dallas radio stations in 1983. I hope you do remember it as you were only 11 at the time while I was 29. Lol
Mohsin mentioned “All you zombies” — that’s a song which seems to have done better (and is still remembered) here in Australia than in the US. A great song.
And you know, it never dawned on me until I read this post what the band’s name referred to!