In a surprising turn of events, THE THE’s post-punk and new wave classic “This Is The Day” has been resurrected for the blockbuster Marvel Universe, appearing in the highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, released today worldwide. The inclusion of this timeless song in the film’s soundtrack prompted a trip down memory lane for Matt Johnson, the band’s enigmatic frontman.
For years, the music video for “This Is The Day” remained absent from THE THE’s official YouTube channel, a decision that fans could only speculate as to the reason for the omission of the band’s most famous song. Now, in light of its newfound Marvel cinematic fame, Johnson has opened up about his long-standing disapproval of the video and the reasons behind his initial decision to keep it hidden from the public eye.
According to Johnson, the disappointment stemmed from the final product not matching the vision he and director Tony Dow had discussed. He explains that at the age of 21, he was unaware of the differences between film and video and felt let down by the quality of the video. This experience prompted him to work exclusively with film for future music videos, leading to his collaboration with director Tim Pope on “Out Of The Blue (into the fire),” which he regards as one of his all-time favorites.
However, time has a way of changing perspectives, and Johnson’s feelings towards the video for “This Is The Day” have softened over the years. He now sees the humor in the clip, particularly his haircut and self-conscious demeanor. Moreover, the video holds a special place in his heart as it features his immediate family, many of whom have since passed away.
Watch the video below:
While the video may not have been Johnson’s favorite, there’s no denying the cultural impact of “This Is The Day.” The song has become a staple in the world of film and television, finding its way into everything from art-house cinema to Hollywood blockbusters. Its inclusion in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 only serves to solidify its status as a quintessential track in the annals of music history.
Read Matt Johnson’s full post on Instagram below:
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