Lovely Day by Bill Withers (updated) – 9 covers + original

The 1977 song “Lovely Day” is an all-time favorite of ours. We previously wrote a blog post featuring seven cover versions, and we’ve since discovered two more worth listening to. They should be included in our list and hence a revised, updated post. The text and YouTube embeds from the original blog post follow the two new covers.

Stacey Kent did an acoustic version of the song that is sweet and delicate.

This recent cover by Intended Immigration sounds like it was originally written for a Japanese mobile videogame.

Chris heard “Lovely Day” the first time while living in the UK where it reached number 7 on the British singles chart. The song by American soul and R&B singer Bill Withers, written by Withers and Skip Scarborough, was released on December 21, 1977. First, enjoy the original. Interestingly, Bill Withers holds an exceptionally long note at the end of the song – around 18 seconds on the word “day”, without digital editing.

In 2014, a bossa nova version with original Bill Withers vocals was released in the Studio Rio album – The Brazil Connection. The song’s positive and uplifting vibe was inspired by Withers’ routine of taking early morning walks.

Demi Lovato performed this song for the 2021 inauguration of US President Joe Biden and VP Kamela Harris. It is such a joyful music video. “Lovely Day” has often been used in charitable campaigns and uplifting messages, as its cheerful lyrics make it a perfect fit for promoting positivity and hope. Enjoy.

Pomplamoose performed this piece with backup singers and strings, adding a modern touch to the song.

Maroon 5 performed a version live with only guitar, piano and minimal percussion. Despite its popularity now, “Lovely Day” was not an immediate hit in the U.S. when it was released in 1977. It peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Sunshine by Twista sampled liberally from the original song.

And then there is an indie-rock version, without the catchy bass.

Last but not least, this song was performed for a concert on International Jazz Day 2022. A great video of all the performers doing their thing, and don’t miss the harmonica passage in the middle.

Spotify is another way to enjoy the music, but it does not have all the live versions. Although a subscription is required to listen to the full length of each tune, you can play a sample without a subscription. This playlist includes the 2 new covers.