You know that feeling when you wake up and the air just feels... lighter? That’s basically the soul of Van Morrison’s 1995 hit. Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, you probably heard this track in the background of a movie or a grocery store and thought it was just a nice, breezy tune about things going right. But there is a massive amount of weight behind those words. It isn’t just about a sunny afternoon.
The lyrics Days Like This Van Morrison penned actually became a literal peace anthem.
We’re talking about a song that helped a country breathe again. When the peace process in Northern Ireland was at its most fragile in the mid-90s, the Northern Ireland Office didn't pick a political speech to run in their ads. They picked this. It became the soundtrack for a ceasefire. Imagine that. A song inspired by a 1961 Shirelles track ("Mama Said") ended up being performed for 80,000 people when Bill Clinton visited Belfast in 1995.
Van the Man has a reputation for being, well, let's say "particular." He's a legendary grump. Yet, in this song, he captures a sense of hard-earned peace that feels incredibly vulnerable.
Why the Mama Said reference matters
The refrain "Well my mama told me there'll be days like this" is a direct nod to the Shirelles. But while the original 60s track was about a girl dealing with a breakup, Van flips the script.
His version is about the absence of trouble. It’s about those rare moments when "the chancers" (Belfast slang for scammers or opportunists) don't cross your path. He’s talking about a day where "everything falls into place like the flick of a switch."
Have you ever had a day where you didn't have to explain yourself to anyone? That’s what he’s hitting on.
The Brian Kennedy connection
If you watch the music video or listen to the studio recording from the Days Like This album, you’ll hear a high, pure voice backing Van up. That’s Brian Kennedy. A lot of people actually confuse him with Bono because of the Irish lilt and the soulfulness, but it’s all Kennedy.
Kennedy’s presence is vital. He brings a light, youthful contrast to Van’s gravelly, lived-in delivery. It makes the song feel like a conversation between generations.
What’s actually happening in the lyrics?
Let's look at the specific imagery. It starts with the rain.
"When it's not always raining there'll be days like this."
Living in Ireland, rain is the default. So, "not always raining" isn't just a weather report; it’s a metaphor for a life that isn't constantly under a cloud of stress or conflict.
Then he gets into the social stuff.
- The Judas Kiss: A reference to betrayal.
- The Chancers: People looking to take advantage.
- The Freeloaders: Those just out to get their kicks at your expense.
He’s describing a world where you are finally safe from the "tricks" of other people. It’s about clarity. It's about that moment when you realize you don't need an answer because the question itself has disappeared.
A political anthem by accident
Van Morrison didn't set out to write a political manifesto. In a 1995 interview, he basically said he couldn't find another title for the album that felt right. He described the song as being about "you win some, you lose some."
Pretty simple, right?
But the public saw it differently. In Northern Ireland, where "the Troubles" had defined life for decades, the idea of a day where "no one’s in a hurry" and "no one is complaining" wasn't just a vibe—it was a dream.
When the song was used in the ceasefire advertisements, it transformed. It wasn't just Van’s song anymore. It belonged to everyone who was tired of the fighting.
The Hollywood effect
Of course, you might just know the lyrics Days Like This Van Morrison wrote because of Jack Nicholson. The song famously appears in the 1997 film As Good As It Gets.
It’s the perfect placement. It plays when a neurotic, high-strung character finally starts to find a bit of balance. It has also popped up in:
- Modern Love (Season 2)
- Money Heist (La Casa de Papel)
- Belfast (The 2021 Kenneth Branagh film)
It’s the universal "everything is okay for five minutes" song.
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The technical side of the soul
Musically, the song is a masterclass in restraint. It was recorded at Wool Hall Studios in Somerset, a place known for having a "cozy" atmosphere. You can hear that warmth.
There aren't any flashy guitar solos. There's no over-the-top vocal gymnastics. It’s just a solid rhythm section, some tasteful horns (featuring Leo Green and Pee Wee Ellis), and Van’s harmonica.
It’s soul music, but it’s "Celtic Soul." It's less about the shouting and more about the breathing.
How to use this song today
Honestly, the world is loud right now. Everyone is trying to sell you something or change your mind.
The real lesson in the lyrics is about protecting your peace. When Van sings about it being "nobody's business the way that you wanna live," he's giving us permission to tune out the noise.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, do what the song suggests:
- Stop looking for answers for a second.
- Recognize when the "parts of the puzzle" actually fit.
- Acknowledge the "mama told me" moments of grace.
The song reminds us that peace isn't the absence of rain—it's the day the rain finally stops, even if just for a few hours.
Putting it into practice
If you want to really experience the track, listen to the 1995 studio version first, then go find the live recording from Belfast with Brian Kennedy. The energy is different when you know the history. You can feel the relief in the crowd. It's not just a concert; it’s a collective exhale.
Next steps for you:
Go create a "Days Like This" playlist. Put this track at the very top, followed by some Bill Withers ("Lovely Day") and maybe some Otis Redding. Use it as your reset button when the "chancers" of the world start getting to you. You'll find that the more you look for these moments, the more they tend to show up.