Synopsis

Matt Johnson wanders through a bleak, wintry seaside setting, appearing on and around a pier as he performs "This Is the Day." The promo combines direct-to-camera performance with loosely staged shots of Johnson skulking through the landscape, creating an awkward, introspective mood that contrasts with the song's hopeful refrain. Personal photographs and appearances by members of Johnson's family add a documentary-like quality, turning the video into an imperfect but revealing snapshot of the singer's life in 1983.

Factoids & Trivia

• The video was shot in February, with Paul "Wix" Wickens recalling that the pier location was freezing during filming. He believed it may have been Brighton, although the exact location has not been firmly established.

• Matt Johnson was only 21 when the video was made and later said he was deeply unhappy with the result. He felt the finished promo did not resemble the concept he had been promised.

• Johnson objected particularly to the video's videotape look, having expected something more cinematic. The experience led him to insist that subsequent music videos be shot on film.

• The promo was withdrawn from circulation for many years at Johnson's request. It was officially restored and released in 4K in May 2023, after the song appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

• Johnson later softened his opinion of the video, noting that he could now appreciate its awkward humor, including his hairstyle and self-conscious movements.

• Several members of Johnson's immediate family appear in the video. Their presence acquired additional emotional significance after the deaths of Johnson's mother, father, and two brothers.

• The song initially reached only No. 71 on the UK singles chart in 1983, but it gradually became The The's most widely used and recognized song.