"Day Is Gone" is a song by English rock band Cardiacs from their third studio album, Heaven Born and Ever Bright (1992). It was released as a twelve-inch single preceding the album on 28 October 1991 alongside a free 7-inch titled "Appealing to Venus" (b/w "Tree Tops High") by side project the Sea Nymphs from their eponymous debut studio album (1992). Both tracks were written by Tim Smith who solely produced the former, while the Sea Nymphs produced the latter. Musically, "Day Is Gone" has been described as a power pop song with a 5 4time signature and prominent guitars.
A low-budget music video for "Day Is Gone" was released on MTV, featuring various shots of the band in a forest. After being reissued by the Organ magazine's record label, Org Records, "Appealing to Venus" was made BBC Radio 1's daytime Single of the Week and led to the Sea Nymphs recording a Peel Session
"Day Is Gone" was composed and written by Tim Smith,[4] utilising a 5 4time signature.[3] It was recorded at Boundary Row Studios in London and Studio 811 in Cowfold, Sussex.[5][a] The song was also produced and mixed by Smith, with regular collaborator David Murder as the sound engineer.[3] Its guitars have been described as having a power pop element with spacious production.[3]
Release and promotion
"Day Is Gone" was released as a single preceding Heaven Born and Ever Bright on 28 October 1991.[7][6] The EP includes the B-sides "No Bright Side", "Ideal" and "Joining the Plankton", a concert favourite.[8] Future Cardiacs guitarist Kavus Torabi mentions in his book Medical Grade Music that he got his nose pierced the same week as the EP's release.[9] The single's cover features a moth and a daisy montage, which was also used on a T-shirt.[10] A low-budget music video for the song was released on MTV.[8][11] During the video, various shots of the band in a forest are shown.[11]
"Appealing to Venus"
The song "Appealing to Venus" by Cardiacs side project the Sea Nymphs was released for free as a 7-inch single with copies of the "Day Is Gone" twelve-inch, backed with the B-side "Tree Tops High".[12] The song was written by Smith and produced by the Sea Nymphs, comprising Tim, Sarah and Drake.[13] Org Records, the record label of the magazine Organ, reissued "Appealing to Venus" on 1 June 1998 as a CD-only EP.[14][15] The label had previously released the Cardiacs single "Bellyeye" and featured both bands on various compilations and gigs.[14] As there was a dislike of Cardiacs in the mainstream music business, Org neglected to mention that the release was a reissue and that the Sea Nymphs members were in another band. They sent a pre-release tape to DJs including John Peel, who said he loved the single and asked if they could do a radio session. Mark Radcliffe and Mark Riley made "Appealing to Venus" their daytime Single of the Week on BBC Radio 1, which Organ says was "probably the most exposure since the days of 'Is This the Life?'."[14]
The Sea Nymphs snuck around the BBC Maida Vale studio attempting to not be recognised, and recorded the Peel Session with string machines and other equipment. John Peel, who wasn't there, called up the following day to say that he was pleased and mentioned that he knew who the band members were weeks later.[14] Because of the single's radio play, labels called wanting to sign the band and Org asked for more tracks to release, but Smith had moved on and had begun work on Cardiacs' Guns (1999).[14]
Critical reception
Dom Lawson of Classic Rock called the single "irresistibly melodic", including "Day Is Gone" in the playlistCardiacs: The Essential Playlist.[7] Marco Sgrignoli of Ondarock [it] commented that might contain "the most 'straight' 5 4 in history".[3] According to Organ, the reissue of "Appealing to Venus" received positive words in the press from the same people who never had a good printed word for Cardiacs.[14]
^ ab"Day Is Gone" (vinyl liner notes). Cardiacs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1991. ALPH 015T – via Totally Vinyl Records.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^ abcThe Sea Nymphs (liner notes). The Sea Nymphs. Alphabet Business Concern. 1995. ALPH CD021.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)