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life in a day: information

  • The working title of the album was Children Of The Game, a Jean Cocteau reference.

  • It was changed to Life In A Day after the band wrote the title song whilst selecting and rejecting material in a barn near Edinburgh in January, 1979.

  • Their first choice of producer was John Cale. Arista vetoed this suggestion.

  • Their second choice was John Anthony, who'd produced Van Der Graff Generator and others. Again, this was vetoed.

  • But Arista did allow their third choice, the legendary John Leckie.

  • The album was recorded in the grounds of Farmyard Studios in Amersham, using the Rolling Stones Mobile, an ex-army mobile unit. It was freezing in this huge truck - hence the sly footnote: "Recorded at a very low temperature."

  • After recording the songs, the final mixing was done at Townhouse and Abbey Road studios.

  • Whilst at Abbey Road, Derek Forbes called up everyone he knew, enthusing that he'd played the actual harpsicord used on Sgt. Peppper.

  • The album track listing was finalised in mid March - this reel-to-reel copy master from early in the month reveals a different track ordering.

  • The cover artwork was designed by Carole Moss, a friend of John Leckie. She also photographed the band against the blinds in the Rolling Stones Mobile - this was the basis of all the artwork of the inner sleeve.

  • Journalist, and Zoom press officer, Brian Hogg designed the tambourine labels.

  • Original LPs included an inner sleeve with album credits and artwork. All the text appeared to be Jim's handwriting.

  • Some original copies also included posters.

  • The album was licensed through Arista/Ariola throughout Europe and PVC Records in the USA. PVC decided to change the artwork, making the title easier to read.

  • Life In A Day and Chelsea Girl were selected as singles.

  • The band hated the final result and quickly disowned the album, despite parent label Arista being pleased with its chart placing.

  • Life In A Day was the only album issued by Zoom Records.

  • In 1986, Virgin finally issued the album on CD. This caught out one reviewer, who assumed it was the follow-up to Once Upon A Time. He commended Simple Minds on their brave new direction.


life in a day: quick reference
LP    Life In A Day Zoom ZULP 1
A1. Someone(3:40)
A2. Life In A Day(4:00)
A3. Sad Affair(2:45)
A4. All For You(2:50)
A5. Pleasantly Disturbed(8:00)
B1. No Cure(3:38)
B2. Chelsea Girl(4:33)
B3. Wasteland(3:44)
B4. Destiny(3:36)
B5. Murder Story(6:18)


MC    Life In A Day Zoom ZUTC 1
1-1. Someone(3:40)
1-2. Life In A Day(4:00)
1-3. Sad Affair(2:45)
1-4. All For You(2:50)
1-5. Pleasantly Disturbed(8:00)
2-1. No Cure(3:38)
2-2. Chelsea Girl(4:33)
2-3. Wasteland(3:44)
2-4. Destiny(3:36)
2-5. Murder Story(6:18)


CD    Life In A Day Virgin VMCD 6
1. Someone(3:40)
2. Life In A Day(4:00)
3. Sad Affair(2:45)
4. All For You(2:50)
5. Pleasantly Disturbed(8:00)
6. No Cure(3:38)
7. Chelsea Girl(4:33)
8. Wasteland(3:44)
9. Destiny(3:36)
10. Murder Story(6:18)





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Life In A Day Chelsea Girl