DAY BY DAY
Doug & The Slugs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Bad new don't ruin my appetite
Don't let the papers tell me if it's wrong or right
I just do what I do and I do it
Day by day by day by day by day

Live a life and I take it slow
Made mistakes but oh that's the way it goes
I just know what I know it

Day by day by day by day by day

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
Day by day I'm lasting longer
Day by day you help me make my way

I speak up when I feel it's right
I jump up when I know that I got to fight
Until then I just take it
Day by day by day by day by day

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
Day by day I'm lasting longer
Day by day you help me make my way

With you don't worry 'bout it
With you don't worry 'bout it
With you don't worry 'bout it
Day by day by day by day by day

Sometimes they deny it and I
I feel strangely blue?
Sometimes they deny it and I
Like the evil I get from you

Day by day you show me a better way
Day by day you help me to find a place
Day by day you help me make it
Day by day by day by day by day

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
Day by day I'm lasting longer
Day by day you help me make it
Day by day by day by day by day

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
Day by day I'm lasting longer
Day by day you help me make it
Day by day by day by day by day

Day by day I'm feeling stronger

Day by day I'm lasting longer
Day by day you help me make my way

Overall Meaning

The song "Day by Day" by Doug & The Slugs is all about taking life one day at a time and not letting bad news ruin your spirit. The singer expresses that he chooses to not let the papers tell him what is wrong or right and instead he lives life at a slower pace making mistakes but learning from them. He takes things "day by day" and relies on his own intuition to speak up when necessary and to fight when needed. Throughout the song, he acknowledges the fact that he is feeling stronger and lasting longer day by day and credits it to the support and encouragement he receives from those around him. He sings, "day by day you help me make my way" repeatedly throughout the chorus indicating that he is grateful for the support.

The overall theme of the song is one of hope and perseverance, with the singer encouraging the listener to focus on the present moment and not to let bad news get in the way of their appetite for life. The song provides a comforting message to those who may be struggling and offers a reminder that life is best lived day by day.

Line by Line Meaning

Bad new don't ruin my appetite
I don't want bad news to affect my enjoyment of food

Don't let the papers tell me if it's wrong or right
I want to make my own decisions without being influenced by the media

I just do what I do and I do it
I follow my own path without worrying about what others think

Day by day by day by day by day
I take things one day at a time

Live a life and I take it slow
I try not to rush through life and take things at a relaxed pace

Made mistakes but oh that's the way it goes
I accept that mistakes are a part of life

I just know what I know it
I trust my own instincts

Day by day by day by day by day
I focus on each day as it comes

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
I am gradually becoming more confident

Day by day I'm lasting longer
I am becoming more resilient over time

Day by day you help me make my way
I rely on someone else for support in my journey

I speak up when I feel it's right
I am not afraid to voice my opinions when necessary

I jump up when I know that I got to fight
I am ready to take action when it is required

Until then I just take it
I am patient and wait for the right moment

With you don't worry 'bout it
I am reassured when I am with a certain person

Sometimes they deny it and I I feel strangely blue?
I feel down when others deny things that I know to be true

Like the evil I get from you
I sometimes feel negativity from a specific person

Day by day you show me a better way
Someone is guiding me towards an improved path

Day by day you help me to find a place
Someone is helping me to feel a sense of belonging

Day by day you help me make it
I am reliant upon someone else for my success

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
I am becoming more confident with each passing day

Day by day I'm lasting longer
I am becoming more resilient with each passing day

Day by day you help me make it
I am dependent on someone else for support

Day by day by day by day by day
I continue to take things one day at a time

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
I am steadily gaining strength

Day by day I'm lasting longer
I am becoming more durable with each passing day

Day by day you help me make it
Someone is helping me to achieve my goals

Day by day by day by day by day
I am still focusing on one day at a time

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
My strength grows incrementally

Day by day I'm lasting longer
I am becoming more enduring every day

Day by day you help me make my way
Someone is assisting me in my journey

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@Catjoe12

1y↑53

It just kills me that these guys never hit any bigger than they did. Doug Bennett had an amazing voice and a wonderful sense of both the comedic and the dramatic in his songwriting and his video imaging. There was absolutely nothing missing. I just don't get it.

@johngulick5629

47w↑6

But it's still getting plenty of play on the radio, must be something going right. GO DOUG and the slugs

@antonmoric1469

37w

Doug and the Slugs and Screaming Trees both. Really outstanding bands that were top notch but somehow didn't quite reach the top, as they deserved to.

@AngloSaxon-yx8tk

32w

I'm with you there, in fact this is one of my favorite songs from them and another one I also like is called "Partly from Pressure" from "The Wrap" album 1981, it hit the airwaves in early January 1982 but hardly lasted a week or two on the charts then you never heard it on the radio again I don't know how such a nice song could be just a flash in the pan, that I could never figure out....Oh Well, I guess it's too bad that I'm not as smart as I thought I was in the first place. lol

@punkrockgigs

32w

Can only wonder if they had used a different name for the band, it been a different story for them.

@mopground

31w↑1

theres a recently released documentary called "doug and the slugs and me" free if youre canadian. But basically the 2 arguments are rca got too involved and changing the style of the band. But ultimately they didnt sell enough records in the usa and rca dropped them. But the band owed them 400k so they had to spend a year touring just to pay the debt

1 More Replies...

@arcticman1522

22w↑7

My eldest brother loved this song. He was a very strong man who fought until the very end. God rest his soul.

@INF1NI73

I fucking bet he was.

@quincee3376

7w↑4

RIP Doug. Thank you so much. Ironically this song makes me feel alive. I have bipolar disorder and this song always helps me. Thank you sincerely!!! Thanks to the entire band. God bless

@Angie-qk7mg

30w↑10

I love these guys. RIP Doug. Gone but not forgotten.

@enzoiammatteo8537

4w↑3

I was in the hospital in 1984 and I was really down. This song helped me get better and it was better than medicine. The tune made me feel stronger. I n 2003 I met one of the members of Doug and the slugs. He was a director at SOCAN and I gave a presentation. He was video call. I never got a chance to thank him and the band for helping me make it “day by day” F’n eh tune! ❤

@briankroeker3546

Sorry bro

@50tigres79

13w↑5

I discovered this song on the radio today. I 've been to Canada since 1997. I like that 80s tune.

@MiddleMalcolm

1y↑24

Simply a Canadian classic. This is an undiscovered channel of gold. 👍🙂

@ARCSTREAMS

48w↑1

did not know this thx ,im canadian and heard this song today coming home from a good fishing trip and here i am searching it and trying to touch back with my youth lol

@MrDaneBrammage

29w↑4

I went to look at an apartment in Toronto in the early 90's, and the landlord's big selling point was "the bass player from Doug and the Slugs lives here!"

@devonburdeyney8555

This songs chrous helps me get out of bed when the demons in my head are a little too loud. Music truly does save life's

@juanisaac5172

33w↑2

Discovered the Slugs last month thanks to my Canadian friend. Am now officially a Slugster. My niece thought it was Men at Work.

@wildKrafter

32w↑4

Such an uplifting song with lyrics that would strengthen the spirit of anyone who wants to singalong. ♥️🇨🇦

@phylliscoffman384

14w↑2

living through the abuse of my grandson left me broken and this helped me back thanks

@jeffreybarkin3177

46w↑8

Uplifting Song by a very Talented Songwriter and Band Leader, Doug Bennett...

Sadly, we LOST HIM years ago, but WHAT a LEGACY Of TUNEAGE!

DOUG & THE SLUGS were Simply MAGICAL PERFORMERS and Loved to tour their native Canada, Coast to Coast with their High Energy Songs.

R.I.P. Doug, you are GREATLY MISSED and rest knowing your Music inspires us on!

@mrmaster8884

28w↑1

Amen

@southpolaroid5

1y↑8

R.I.P.
Doug Bennett

@sometea4741

I was 15 when this song came out and it helped get up and going for school and up formy job on the weekend. Thanks for the inspiration D&Ss!

@robertforesman1547

ALOT of memories associated with this song

@KenBentkowski

48w↑6

saw them in Victoria, BC at Harpo's night club late 70's ... great showmen!

@mattgray4488

7w↑1

This is really a song about life, take it day by day. Also hope ther are more better days for you all.

@Deemac70

20w↑2

These guys were fantastic ❤wow 👍

@brenthasboro5709

Such a great band form the 80’s. So sad to hear Doug could not find a kidney while waiting. I was lucky to receive one in 2010. Will always be thankful for the dear person whose life ended but helped me continue on. Very blessed.

@user-nw9mz3vu3s

19w↑1

Love this song!! Sometimes not alot needs to be said. 👍❤👍

@MapleBalls

15w↑2

Best Song Ever...

@spencerladucer9169

48w↑7

Canadian bands are so under rated, i'd listen to this before the british invasion so it was called.

@bw510

27w

19 years ago today Doug left us. Thinking of you today Doug...nothing but happy memories...it's "too bad" you couldn't have stayed longer...you are very much missed. B

@diannegreen5235

50w↑7

I remember a great time seeing these guys at the El Macombo in Toronto .they were incredible live.

@brianmunkeskov8749

2y↑5

Perhaps my favourite of the Slugography🙏

@ronstewtsaw

2y↑11

Gosh, but I am enjoying these video releases and Simon's behind-the-scenes commentary. Doug and the Slugs can cheer me up on the darkest day.

@northernlight696

33w↑1

Got to see this fantastic band play this song circa 1986 in Fredericton NB.

@ARCSTREAMS

48w↑5

oh man i had a great day fishing today and on my ride home was listening to songs from the 80's-90's and this one came up and i loved it, strange how i never much paid attention to it before like many other past songs perhaps at the time did not mean much to me or i did not pay attention to the lyrics to find meaning in them as i do today, we had it good back then and funny i'm finding myself more emotional when watching movies too, perhaps it happens with age, im reminded of my highschool teacher who used to apologize for shedding tears when wed watch significant movies in class and shed explain how it gets to her in her age, now i understand and i like it :)

@dimehigh

28w↑1

Yes my friend it’s an age thing, the more time that passes the softer a person gets. I do it myself

@ARCSTREAMS

28w

lol seems to be despite my usual rage at the world though but find myself more emotional when listening to the right song or watching the right movie not that i never had any less compassion but perhaps with more life exp one tends to find it closer to the heart and meaningful or could just be a chemistry change thing lol ahh the mysteries of life @@dimehigh

@ancient1350

12w↑1

Second time since the era the song csme out I took some time out to listen. Pretty good workshop tune.

@ARCSTREAMS

47w↑3

had to come back and listen for another cheerful boost :)

@F417H

LOVE YA

@cammacdonald4217

The show "the trades" brought me here

@jeffkelly636

2y↑3

Love it!

@jamesroads5118

26w

This song needs more comments

@joeyhager1883

41w

Best band ever still awesome music

@grabasandwich

23w↑2

Just watched the doc a few days ago. I was born in 79 but I remember hearing you guys on the radio a lot growing up.

One time 10-15 years ago I was installing cable TV at an old guys house. I commented on his Bose 901s as my Dad had 501s (probably since before I was born) and he decided to cue up some music for me. It was this song! He cranked it up and although I got a chuckle from this old guy playing an awesome tune

@mrmaster8884

28w

much love... canada doug..

@Terrytetreault

24w

An absolute genius.

@maggiekingsford8720

30w

rest in peace Doug Bennett :(

@Paetaor

45w↑1

Pretty cool

@user-wz4kh5ec1s

24w

A song reminds me if a freind who just lost his song and it just made it's way to utube for u and your family love u guys con

@heatraymen6008

17w↑1

0:38

@ARCSTREAMS

47w↑1

ritdong? man they had it close ,bitcoin

@chocolateface8664

They’re almost as good as Chilliwack

@Cirathos

34w

As a person who has been force fed this and other songs by Doug and the Slugs over the radio for over 20+ years, .....please go away. Please go away Rolling Stones, Beatles, Heart, etc. That really bad horrible music by Corey Hart, Bruce Springsteen, Huey Lewis, April Wine, Rush, Dire Straits, Peter Gabriel, Neil Young, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Doors, Jimmy Hendrix, John Cougar Mellon-camp, Aerosmith, Def Leopard, The Eagles, etc., .