Late Night Music Academy Awards Edition Part 159....."Monday, Tuesday, Happy Days!"

I honestly saw a clip of "Happy Days" a few days ago and thought of this one.

In order to receive votes in this category, the SONG TITLE had to have the word "days" or "day" in it. Also receiving votes in this category were. "These Days" by Jackson Browne, "Have A Nice Day" by Bon Jovi, and "These Are The Days" by Van Morrison.

"Bad Day"- Daniel Powter. Canadian Daniel Powter was having a great day when his signature and break out song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 thus making him one of the only artists to ever have a #1 hit while never having any other singles ever even make the top 100. The single from his 2005 self-titled album was also named the #1 song of the year by Billboard Magazine. While still having a solid following in Canada, Powter hasn't been back on the US Charts again, as this song is his only single to chart in the United States than it did in Canada. This hit single also spawned a fantastic cover by Alvin and the Chipmunks that was featured in their 2007 feature film. Yes, I smell a bonus video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH476CxJxfg

"What A Day"- Nonpoint. This breakout single for Fort Lauderdale alt band Non Point made a small racket on the charts in 2000 from their album Statement when it peaked at #24 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. Much of the success of the single and the album, which peaked at #166 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart was the bands much praised appearance in Ozzfest that year as well as their well received sets opening for bands Mudvayne and Fuel. Besides his cool hair, Elias Soriano showed his charisma and passion for carrying the front of a band in this simple, yet good statement video. I think this video was a good way to get started as a band without going over the top. No pun intended, as I think the title of their major label debut was exactly that- a statement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSajjsER8iQ

"Die Another Day"- Madonna. This bond theme to the 2002 James Bond film of the same name put Madonna back on the map for the moment when this song peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, somewhere she wouldn't be for another 3 years after this. This was never my favorite Madonna effort, but you have to be impressed despite that. The video took some serious performing talent to make look even halfway believable and even at her age at this point, she never lost her dancing ability. Madonna is one artist I really would have liked to have seen act more, because I think this video proves that her acting skills are vastly underrated.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y4TznEKm7I

"These Days"- Alien Ant Farm. This video has to be one of the funniest moments in music, and easily the funniest at an awards show. This video was 100% authentic and has to be one of the most genius moves by any band. This song from the soundtrack of Madden 2004 and from AAF's 2003 album Truant, peaked at #29 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks much due to the success of this video, but AAF never matched the success of their debut album ANThology, which always bothered me because I've always felt they were a very overlooked band. That's the risk you take when you released your first single as a cover of Michael Jackson I guess.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNM2tV3PA_8

"These Days"- Rascal Flatts. Talk about a song bringing back some memories! This 2002 song from Rascal Flatt's mega album Melt became their first ever Billboard Country Charts #1 hit and peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100 giving the band huge mainstream exposure to go along with their already strong country following. This single set the tone in making Melt one of the most successful country albums of all time. The craziets thing about this song is that Gary LeVox himself said that this song was written after Melt had wrapped because the band had the money for some extra studio time. They loved the song so much they changed the track listing last second and made this the lead single. Great decision.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MTSBcvI9DI

"Shadow Days"- John Mayer. This lead single from John Mayer's latest album Born and Raised peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and really shows a change in Mayer's style to an almost Americana style in an album that he claims was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, as well as Neil Young solo records. Despite this "change" in his style, this record brings out the Mayer that is soulful, bluesy, and rock and roll all in one. I love the scenery of this video, but I really love John Mayer's hat!  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daGcpvxPbCo

"These Are The Days"- O Town. Lou Pearlman's O-Town gained national attention from their forming on the original "Making The Band" that followed the band's formation and early days on ABC. The popularity of the show led to the band becoming a smash when their first self-titled debut album went triple platinum and spawned two Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits. This lead single from the band's second album O2 was hoped to match the success of their debut album, but only peaked at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite a European tour and unreal heavy promotion on MTV. Unfortunately for O-Town, the boy band gimmick was becoming played out, and they soon disbanded in 2003. Almost like a New Kids On The Block coming along too early, O-Town was a talented group that came along too late.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InEiGxSkad8

"These Are Days"- Natalie Merchant. Natalie Merchant took the world by storm when her first two solo albums Tigerlily and Ophelia went platinum (the first doing it 5 times!) after her much maligned exit from 10,000 Maniacs, a band she had fronted for 12 years. There is no doubt she was always meant to be a solo artist. This video from her 1999 DVD/Live Album MTV Storytellers features one of her most underappreciated solo songs. Also, someone please tell me that they also confuse Natalie Merchant with Jeaneane Garofalo. I hope I'm not the only one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AHxD_BMBfE

"Beautiful Day"- U2. In 2001 and 2002, U2 pulled a fast one when they won the Grammy for Record Of The Year two years in a row with tracks from their 2001 album All That You Can't Leave Behind. The first one was this song (the second one was the "title track" to the album "Walk On"- my favorite U2 song!). Despite the song only peaking at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100, this song was an international success, and remains the one song that U2 plays at every single live show since it's debut in 2001, including the band's memorable performance at halftime of Super Bowl 36 in New Orleans. U2 seemed to be on a mission to be as uplifting as possible on this album, and their association of being a "Christian band" was very much realized with the lyrical content of this song and this album as a whole. I also have to say that every time I listen to U2, I have to say a small thank you to my man Matt Kilgore- no way I'd ever be as into U2 as I am if it wasn't for him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co6WMzDOh1o

"Hero Of The Day"- Metallica. This very rare major key Metallica song from their 1996 album Load gave us this great power ballad that remains a fixture in every Metallica live set. This song peaked at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and #60 on the Billboard Hot 100. I have to admit I'm not the biggest Metallica fan, but this is a solid track and a very creative video. I have to also admit that most people that talk bad about Metallica may not know this song, as it's lyrical content while different, is one of the most positive message songs of that era. Also, you're insane if you don't think Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield aren't just insanely awesome guitar players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkfO8c8MlKU

"New Day"- Robbie Seay Band. Changing gears just a TAD bit here. This Houston praise band included this track on their 2007 album Give Yourself Away, which included the hit songs "Rise" and "Heaven Come Down", both of which were on regular rotation at Faith Outreach Church in Clarksville. Even if you don't care for this band, this is easily one of the most motivational songs I've ever heard in my life. I've never heard a song be more encouraging about turning the page than this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKTwwGh8gMo

"Independence Day"- Martina McBride. I don't know why I didn't include Martina McBride on my latest guilty pleasure list, oh yeah, yeah I do, because sometimes guilty pleasures are even too ridiculous to admit to. It's unreal how much I love her music and this song, which is famously known as the theme song for the Sean Hannity radio show. This very controversial song and video that deals with domestic violence gained notoriety winning both song and video of the year honors at the Country Music Awards. This single was included on McBride's 1993 album The Way That I Am and peaked at #12 on the Billboard Country Chart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKTwwGh8gMo

"Another Day In Paradise"- Phil Collins. Great live performance here from the lead single from Phil Collins 1989 critically acclaimed solo album ...But Seriously. The much darker and deeper tone of the entire album is shown in this song, which went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Collins most successful solo hit, also taking home the Grammy for Record of the Year. This socially active song deals with homelessness, as most of his song of this album dealt with an issue important to Collins. The song was not only his last #1 hit in the United States, but was also the last #1 hit of the 1980's, as it was the #1 song on the first chart of 1990. I love to think about how Phil Collins was just the drummer of Genesis when Peter Gabriel left the band. What would have happened if that would have not happened?

"These Days"- Foo Fighters. What a phenomenal live performance video of this song from Foo's 2011 album Wasting Light. You know as great as Kurt Cobain was, how much greater would Nirvana had been if Dave Grohl actually had written more than one song for the band's entire tenure? Also, would the Foo Fighters have been as big had it not been for the breakup of Nirvana in 1993? Great things to think about. This single went to #2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks. This video features performances from the Australian and New Zealand portions of their 2011 tour promoting Wasting Light. Dave Grohl just drips with cool and just know how to add the perfect lick to a chorus or bridge to give a song that little difference it needs to stand out. Bonus points for original guitar player Pat Smear appearing this video! Pat Smear also appeared on the final Nirvana album, their famous Unplugged album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDVAQI-4lto

"These Are The Days"- Jamie Cullum. This jazzy piano hit was the breakout single for Jamie Cullum when it went to #12 on the British Singles Chart in 2004 from his album Twentysomething. Jamie Cullum kinda reminds me of a British cross between Billy Joel, Ben Folds, John Mayer, and Stevie Wonder. The guy definitely has several styles overflowing together in this and all of his other tracks. The success of this single helped the album go to #3 in the UK and go triple platinum.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RXVIMjNJCg

"End Of Our Days"- Howie Day. This morbidly beautiful song was included on Howie Day's 2003 album Stop All The World Now, keeping with the mellow and almost bittersweet tone of the entire album. This song was famously included as the closing credit song for the extremely controversial documentary "The Bridge" which featured stories behind the suicides on the Golden Gate Bridge in 2004. I'd really like to see Howie Day make another splash because there's no denying his talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfuR7dYuU4E

BONUS VIDEOS- "Walk On"- U2.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwKEdFoUB0o

"Slow Dancing In A Burning Room"- John Mayer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32GZ3suxRn4

"The Bridge"- original trailer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8muNsj1oUpY

"Bad Day"- Alvin and the Chipmunks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw28YPPdpic

"Happy Days Theme Song". Pratt and McClain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHkynGXUpmY

U2

Robbie Seay Band

Madonna

Natalie Merchant- see what I mean?

Nonpoint