Doug and the Slugs was a Canadian alternative pop band based in Vancouver. … Read Full Bio ↴Doug and the Slugs was a Canadian alternative pop band based in Vancouver. The group was formed in 1977 and was most active throughout the 1980s. Doug Bennett was the band's namesake and lead singer. He continued to perform with the group until his death in October 2004.

For the entirety of their recording career (1978-1992), Doug & The Slugs consisted of lead vocalist Doug Bennett, guitarists Rick Baker and John Burton, keyboardist Simon Kendall, bassist Steve Bosley and drummer John "Wally" Watson. Most of the Slugs left the band after 1992 (Kendall stayed until 1994); after this time, Bennett toured with an ever-rotating cast of new musicians, still billing the act as Doug & The Slugs.

Day By Day
Doug and 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 lyrics to Doug and the Slugs's song Day by Day are about taking life one step at a time and not letting external factors affect one's emotions or actions. The singer doesn't want bad news or the media's opinions to influence their day or their appetite. They live their life at a steady pace, acknowledging their mistakes as a part of life. They take things day by day, focusing on what they know and what feels right to them. As the song progresses, the singer expresses gratitude for someone who helps them through life, showing them a better way and helping them make their way day by day.

The song could be interpreted as a message to stay present and in control of your life, despite the chaos and negative influences around you. It encourages a mindset of self-trust, patience, and perseverance. The lyrics also suggest the importance of having a support system or a person who helps make the journey easier.

Line by Line Meaning

Bad new don't ruin my appetite
I won't let negative news affect my mood or stop me from eating

Don't let the papers tell me if it's wrong or right
I don't rely on newspapers to tell me what's right or wrong

I just do what I do and I do it
I do what I believe is right without worrying about others' opinions

Day by day by day by day by day
I take life one day at a time, every day

Live a life and I take it slow
I live life at my own pace, without rushing

Made mistakes but oh that's the way it goes
Everyone makes mistakes, it's a part of life

I just know what I know it
I trust my own knowledge and intuition

Day by day by day by day by day
I take life one day at a time, every day

Day by day I'm feeling stronger
Every day I become emotionally and mentally stronger

Day by day I'm lasting longer
Every day I have more stamina and endurance

Day by day you help me make my way
Every day I'm grateful for the help I receive from others

I speak up when I feel it's right
I express my opinions when I believe they are correct

I jump up when I know that I got to fight
I take action when I know it's necessary, even if it's difficult

Until then I just take it
Until it's time for me to act, I patiently wait and observe

With you don't worry 'bout it
When I'm with you, I don't worry about anything

Sometimes they deny it and I
Sometimes people deny the truth and it makes me feel sad

I feel strangely blue?
I feel inexplicably sad

Sometimes they deny it and I
Sometimes people deny the truth and it makes me feel sad

Like the evil I get from you
Like the negativity I feel from you

Day by day you show me a better way
Every day, you teach me a better way to live

Day by day you help me to find a place
Every day, you help me find where I belong

Day by day you help me make it
Every day, you help me succeed and achieve my goals