Format 7", 12" Length 3:40 Writer(s) Howard Jones | Genre New wave Label WEA | |
Released 29 June 1985 UK
8 July 1985 US | ||
The third single from Howard Jones' 1985 album Dream Into Action, "Life in One Day" was another uptempo number, which lyrically warned against wishing one's life away. It reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart, and number 19 on the United States Billboard Hot 100.
Contents
The 12" version featured a pair of remixes of the lead track which were more obviously different in structure from the original than was the norm on Jones' previous releases. Part One was a vocal mix, and Part Two a largely instrumental dub mix.
The UK B side, "Boom Bap Respite", a piano instrumental, was not included in the US release. Instead the song was coupled with "Learning How to Love", a song previously available the UK on the single "Look Mama".
Track listing
- "Life in One Day" - 3:40
- "Boom Bap Respite" - 2:48
- "Life in One Day" - 3:40
- "Boom Bap Respite" - 2:48
- "Always Asking Questions (Live at the Manchester Apollo)"
- "New Song (Live at the Manchester Apollo)"
7" (US Single)
- "Life in One Day"
- "Learning How To Love"
Released as a twinpack in a gatefold sleeve.
- "Life in One Day (Part One)" - 6:48
- "Life in One Day (Part Two)" - 7:10
- "Boom Bap Respite" - 2:48
Other versions
Jones, along with Afrodiziak who contributed backing vocals on the original, performed "Life in One Day" in an a cappella style live at the Shaftsbury Theatre in London as part of a series of music/alternative comedy shows held in April 1986 by the charity Comic Relief. A recording of this performance was issued later on the album Utterly Utterly Live.
Played by Jones on grand piano accompanied only by a percussionist, the song appeared on the 1996 album Live Acoustic America.
An entirely re-recorded version featuring Jones' touring band at the time was included on the limited edition 2000 studio album Pefawm.
Another live rendition appeared on the 2007 album, Live in Birkenhead, this time performed on piano and guitar.
Video
A promotional video to accompany the song was produced by Godley & Creme. It featured Jones in a variety of roles, sometimes so heavily disguised as to be barely recognizable. It parodied a variety of television adverts and programmes in a series of vignettes, interrupted by visual effects simulating poor television reception and other similar faults.