Summary
“It’s a goodbye song, but it’s also an inspirational song, It could also mean a new beginning" - Ray Davies
Written by Ray Davies and released by the Kinks in 1968 'Days' had a very different sound to the rest of their repertoire.
Sorrowful but uplifting it's been embraced by listeners across the world who have found solace and hope in its lyrics.
Having been covered by numerous artists (most notably Kirsty MacColl), it speaks to people of all generations and captures moments in their lives.
For Sim Wood it's an anthem to great friendships and discovery whilst for actor Gabriel Vick it's a song that has journeyed with him from a place of fond memories to heartfelt remembrance.
John Slater, who was born the same year that it was released, has his own celebratory take on 'Days' and for Laura and John Mapes it's the song that gave them the words they so needed to express.
With contributions from rock critic and writer, Barry Miles.
Producer: Nicola Humphries
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2020.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | The Traitors is back and so is that mysterious cloaked figure with the familiar fringe. |
| 0:06.7 | Yeah, it's me. |
| 0:07.9 | And when you've watched Claudia in the castle, join me, Ed Gamble, for the official visualised companion podcast. |
| 0:13.7 | And remember, I'll be listening. |
| 0:15.9 | Okay? |
| 0:16.7 | No, seriously, I love it. |
| 0:18.5 | What a faithful. |
| 0:19.7 | We'll unpack betrayals and spill scandalous secrets with celeb guests, traitors' legends, |
| 0:25.0 | and murdered and banished players. |
| 0:27.1 | The traitors uncloked. |
| 0:28.4 | Watch on EyePlayer, listen for more on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:33.1 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:37.4 | I remember the first time I heard days from Kirstie's country. BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:42.1 | I remember the first time I heard days from Kirstie's kite album. |
| 0:46.9 | I was aware of the Ray Davis version before, but that was in an era that I didn't have it. |
| 0:54.6 | So when I heard that first sort of ticking drumbeat into days, it kind of mirrored the way everything was going for me at the moment. |
| 1:01.1 | It was a very odd song the way she's done it because it's a very sorrowful, mournful, |
| 1:04.4 | this is the end of something, but everything's good, everything's going to be fine. |
| 1:09.3 | But the melody is just so light and airy. And I remember the accompanying video to it was just this fantasy woodland creature kind of her basking about in these silks. |
| 1:14.5 | And it was one of those images and sounds that just made such a conflict in my brain that fitted. |
| 1:26.1 | Hello, my name is Simwood. |
| 1:28.8 | Thank you for the days. |
... |
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