This Is the Day (Ivy song)

The song was recorded in 1997 at three different recording studios in New York City[1] and included on Ivy's second studio album, Apartment Life, released on October 7, 1997 by Atlantic Records.[2] "This Is the Day" was prominently featured in the 1998 movie comedy There's Something About Mary and was included on the film's soundtrack album.[3] Reflecting on its use in the film, Durand said it was unimaginable to see their songs in several scenes and that she "feels so grateful to have something like that in a movie."[4]

Atlantic Records had signed Ivy earlier in 1997,[5] but the band was later dropped and then picked up by 550 Music, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.[6] Following the song's inclusion in the film, 550 Music distributed the song to radio stations across the United States on October 19, 1998.[7] The track was issued as a CD single in the U.S.[6] that included the bonus tracks "Sleeping Late" and "Sweet Mary."[8][9] 550 Music also reissued Apartment Life in the U.S. with new cover art, digitally remastered tracks,[10][11] and four of the songs remixed by Schlesinger and Chase, who opened a new recording studio in New York, Stratosphere, in June 1999.[12] "This Is the Day" would also be included on the compilation albums Pepsi Pop Culture (1998) and Live a Little, Vol. 1 (1999).[13][14]

"This Is the Day" was cowritten by Ivy members Dominique Durand, Adam Schlesinger and Andy Chase, with Schlesinger and Chase serving as producers. In the indie pop song,[3] Durand sings about an ended relationship, stating in the chorus: "She's never com-ing back."[15]

The track features backing vocals by musician James Iha and the addition of horns – a brand new element for Ivy, as they tried to incorporate more instruments into the songs on Apartment Life.[5] The song was mixed by Paul Q. Kolderie and Sean Slade, assisted by Matthew Ellard; and Bob Ludwig finalized the mastering.[1]

"This Is the Day" received praise and favorable feedback from music critics. Frank Tortorici of MTV News wrote that the "bouncy, Blondie-esque" song shows that Ivy is different from Schlesinger's other band Fountains of Wayne, and that the track would help Apartment Life become a successful release.[16]

Noting the use of "60s-ish horns," AllMusic reviewer Jack Rabid called it "la-la-la pop personified."[2] Also referencing the horn section, Kurt B. Reighley from CMJ New Music Monthly joked that the Smiths must have "overlooked" the song and its "punchy melody."[17] Agreeing, Vickie Gilmer and Ira Robbins from Trouser Press compared it to the same group and called the track "jaunty."[18]

Along with "The Best Thing" (1997) and "You Don't Know Anything" (1999), Rabid said the single is one of the "pleasantly produced, precisely structured pop dreams that makes fans sing along" on Apartment Life.[2] An editor at ROCKRGRL felt that given "This Is the Day", Ivy should have "gained more than a moment's attention".[19] Hans Koller and Joyce Grenfell, contributors to The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, considered "This Is the Day" and "Baker" as the two best tracks on Apartment Life.[20] Additionally, a Sputnikmusic member noted in their album review that "if you only have a dollar", the listener should "download th[is] track".[21]

Credits and personnel adapted from Apartment Life.[1]

Management

• Recorded at The Place, New York City; Duotone Studios, New York City; and Compositions, New York City

Personnel