"Today's the Day" is a song by
America
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
on their 1976 album ''
Hideaway''. and written by group member
Dan Peek
Daniel Milton Peek () was an American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as the co-founder of the band America, and later a "pioneer" in contemporary Christian music.
Early life
Peek was born in Panama City, Florida, on November 1, 1 ...
.
Background
According to Dan Peek, "Today's the Day" was the inspiration for the
Rod Stewart
Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...
hit "
Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)
"Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" is a song written by Rod Stewart, and recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama for his 1976 album '' A Night on the Town''. The song, controversial at the time of release, proved to ...
" a US #1 single for eight weeks from November 1976 to January 1977 which also afforded Stewart an international smash hit. Peek would recall that one evening when he and his guest Rod Stewart were playing together in Peek's home recording studio, "I played 'Today's the Day', the song I had been working on. Rod said that he liked it and that it gave him an idea for a song. Of course after his recording of 'Tonight's the Night' came out I laughed when I remembered what he'd said. I'm sure I probably smacked my forehead and said, 'Why didn't I think of that?'"
Reception
''
Cash Box
''Cashbox'', also known as ''Cash Box'', is an American music industry trade magazine, originally published weekly from July 1942 to November 1996. Ten years after its dissolution, it was revived and continues as ''Cashbox Magazine'', an online ...
'' said the song has "a nice melody that builds to a certain tension" and that "the harmonies here seem to melt into one voice."
Chart history
"Today's the Day" was released as the album's lead single in April 1976 and it peaked at #23 on the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, making it the most successful single from the album. The final
Top 40
In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...
hit for America as a trio, "Today's the Day" was also America's third and final #1 on the ''Billboard''
Easy Listening chart
The Adult Contemporary chart is published weekly by ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' magazine and lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary music, adult contemporary radio stations in the United States. The chart is compiled based on ...
which it topped for two weeks. Internationally "Today's the Day" appeared on the charts in Canada (#16),
America, "Today's the Day" Canadian Chart Position
Retrieved March 30, 2015 Australia (#55), and France (#67).
See also
* List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1976 (U.S.)
References
{{America (band)
1976 songs
1976 singles
Songs written by Dan Peek
America (band) songs
Song recordings produced by George Martin
Warner Records singles