Alpha, their second album, also had a couple of hits ("Don't Cry" and "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes") but its follow-up, Astra, was a flop. The group disbanded in 1985, only to reunite in 1990 without John Wetton; John Payne took his place. After churning out a couple of new songs for a greatest-hits collection, the band hit the road, including two sold-out dates in front of 20,000 fans in Moscow. Thereafter, they toured sporadically and released Aqua (1992), Aria (1994), Arena (1996), Aura (2001), and Silent Nation (2004). The band's lineup reverted to its original form featuring Wetton, Palmer, Howe, and Downes for Phoenix (2008) and Omega (2010). In 2012, the original Asia lineup returned with the studio album XXX, featuring the single "Face on the Bridge." The following year, Howe announced his amicable departure from the group to pursue other projects, and in 2014 Asia released the album Gravitas, featuring new guitarist Sam Coulson. In January 2017, a month and a half before the scheduled beginning of an extensive U.S. tour by the band, John Wetton died from colon cancer at the age of 67.
Biography by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
There is another band with the same name:
2) Asia was an excellent hard rock band with a drive for epic, pomp-filled rock tunes. The band was from Rapid City, South Dakota and should not be confused with the famous U.K. one, which sadly outshone them and ended up rendering the U.S. group highly obscure despite the U.S. one's critical support. Going for a loose instrumental energy similar to Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, their eventual line-up was made up of Michael English (vocals, bass, percussion), Larry Galbraith (vocals, guitars, mandolin), Mike Coates (guitars, mandolin, mellotron, piano, harpsichord, vocals), and Doug Johnson (percussion). They released two albums: 'Asia' (1979) and 'Armed to the Teeth' (1980).
Days Like These
Asia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The sky was crying
It just tore apart
And down came the rain
And I was soaking
Yeah I was freezing but,
I was feeling
Come a fireball
I held it in my hand
You see before you
A man who's known greatness
I had a vision
A revelation
I took a look inside of me
And I am a sensation
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
It's either easy
Or it's impossible
But if you ain't got it
You ain't never gonna get it
Once you find it
You gotta grab it you gotta,
Reach down your own throat
And yank it to the surface
That may be brutal
May be gory
But whatever else it is
It's my story
And I believe it
Yeah, I can see it
I sing it out, shout it out
Gimme death or glory
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Days like these
Days like these
Do you know I think
I'll move a mountain or two
Days like these
Days like these
Anything you want, you know
I'll get it for you
Whoa
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
The sun was shining
I was crying
I saw a thousand people
Singing in the rain
And I was thinking
About the Indians
And how they say, true wisdom
Only comes from pain
Come a rumbling
Humbling feeling
Like things will never
Ever be the same
But what doesn't kill ya
Only makes you stronger
And today I'm strong enough
And anyway, I love the rain
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Oh on a day like these
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Ah, change the world
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Days like these I feel
Like I can change the world
Feel I can change the world
The song "Days Like These" by Asia portrays the idea that even during the toughest days, one can still find hope and inspiration. The lyrics describe the contrast between the sun shining and the rain pouring down, yet the singer still feels no pain. The chorus sings, "Days like these I feel like I can change the world", emphasizing the power of determination and a positive mindset. The song also touches upon the theme of personal transformation, with the singer having a vision and revelation which brings about a humbling feeling.
The bridge of the song consists of the lines, "It's either easy or it's impossible, but if you ain't got it, you ain't never gonna get it." This line emphasizes the idea that achieving one's goals can be difficult, but the determination and the will to succeed are essential qualities that one must possess. The song also urges listeners to embrace their own story, as the singer proclaims, "whatever else it is, it's my story."
In summary, "Days Like These" is a song about overcoming adversity and maintaining a positive outlook, even during the darkest of days.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun was shining
The day had started with the sun out
The sky was crying
It started raining unexpectedly
It just tore apart
The weather took an unforeseeable turn
And down came the rain
It started raining heavily
And I was soaking
The rain had wet the singer's clothes
Yeah I was freezing but,
Despite the cold weather, the singer maintained their will
I was feeling
The singer was feeling strong emotions
No kind of pain
Despite the difficulty around, the singer was not feeling any physical suffering
Come a fireball
A symbol of strength and courage
I held it in my hand
The singer had a strong hold on their willpower
You see before you
The singer is displaying their strength and determination
A man who's known greatness
The singer has accomplished great feats
I had a vision
The singer had an epiphany
A revelation
A sudden realization
I took a look inside of me
The singer reflected within themselves
And I am a sensation
The singer felt a strong impulse or emotion within themselves
Days like these I feel
Certain days make the singer feel a certain way
Like I can change the world
The singer feels capable of making a difference in the world
It's either easy
Things are either uncomplicated
Or it's impossible
Or extremely difficult
But if you ain't got it
If you lack something
You ain't never gonna get it
You'll never find it
Once you find it
When you discover that thing you're looking for
You gotta grab it you gotta,
You have to take hold of that thing
Reach down your own throat
You have to dig deep within yourself
And yank it to the surface
You have to pull it out and make it a prominent part of your life
That may be brutal
It may be difficult
May be gory
It may be intense and uncomfortable
But whatever else it is
Regardless of what other aspects come with it
It's my story
It's the singer's personal journey and experience
And I believe it
The singer has faith in themselves
Yeah, I can see it
The singer has a clear vision of their goals and aspirations
I sing it out, shout it out
The singer speaks their truth loudly and with confidence
Gimme death or glory
The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to succeed
Do you know I think
The singer is pondering
I'll move a mountain or two
The singer feels that they are capable of accomplishing anything
Anything you want, you know
The singer is willing to help out anyone in any way they can
I'll get it for you
The singer is confident in their ability to aid others in their goals
I saw a thousand people
The singer sees a large group of people
Singing in the rain
They were all enjoying themselves despite the weather
And I was thinking
The singer was contemplating
About the Indians
The singer is pondering the ideas of Indian Culture
And how they say, true wisdom
A quote related to true understanding one's consciousness
Only comes from pain
True understanding can only be achieved by overcoming difficulties
Come a rumbling
A sign of powerful coming events
Humbling feeling
A powerful but humbling emotion has arisen
Like things will never
It seems like things will never
Ever be the same
Return to a previous state
But what doesn't kill ya
Overcoming adversity makes you stronger
Only makes you stronger
Adversity makes you stronger
And today I'm strong enough
The singer has reached a point where they can handle the difficulties they face
And anyway, I love the rain
The singer is saying they love the difficulties they face
Ah, change the world
The singer aims to change the world
Feel I can change the world
The singer is confident that they can make a positive difference in the world
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Steve Leslie Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@armandocardona4478
Ah yes 1990, I remember it well, back when music was good and the world made sense...
@budbrigman
Still the best voice ever. Wetton will be missed.
@alexrogue7557
couldnt agree much more \m/
@icyou4344
It's been just a bit over a year. I still haven't gotten over the loss.
@chslaw
@marc smith This song came out in 1990. Auto-Tune wasn't invented until 1997.
@SHS854EVER
Thumbs up if you are still watching this in 2020 John Wetton is so missed
@RG-hf4et
Watching on 6-12-2021 - John's birthday. :(
@irinanavrapescu2009
John Wetton was and will always be ASIA to me . Any other lead singer singing for ASIA would be BLAND and LIFELESS. John Wetton was THE HEART AND SOUL OF ASIA .
So sorry he passed away.
@dmainfla
At 24, I used to wake up to this song on our local Tampa station. Loved it, loved all the "new" songs at that time. Motivated me. 30 years later, I miss this..... sorry. Sincerely, the aging guy. :)
@Music-tk5oq
Was it 98 Rock or 95 WYNF? I used 2 live in Tampa & listened 2 all their stations