I always get a little annoyed when I hear kids use the phrase “back in the day” when referring to the past. I’ve heard it used in so many contexts that apparently all of human history more than, say, 10 years ago — the 1980s, the 1960s, World War II, the 19th century, the Renaissance, and probably even the invention of fire — took place in some vague time called “the day” as if it’s all just one big mass of old stuff (and there’s so much of it!) More accurately, what it really means is “before I was born when movies were in black and white, had terrible special effects, and you couldn’t watch them on your phone”. I mean, OMG WTF? Right?
I know kids are supposed to be annoying, but would it kill them to at least make a stab at the decade, or even the century? Or am I just peeved that my own youth was apparently so long ago it doesn’t even merit the naming of a decade anymore, but just happened “back in the day”? Probably. Little bastards.
This record is from so far back in the day I wasn’t even born when it came out.
Download: Johnny Remember Me – John Leyton (mp3)
cryingallthewaytothechipshop.wordpress.com 
More than that.. there’s a basic lack of fucking respect in not acknowledging and admitting that, yes, important stuff did actually happen before you popped out screaming and crying, a damn sight more important than getting your hands on a parent-funded champagne gold iPhone (FFS) and bleating out your insignificances to an apathetic planet hopped up on fat and sugar and satiated by reality television and fake celebrity trivia.
Grumpy old man? I claim that crown.
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I remember the phrase coming into usage particularly after this Ahmad song back around 94 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyVu_v82vjM – though he does qualify ‘back in the days’ as when he was a kid. Most nasally flow.
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Great tune and kids eh?!
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Isn’t it also used by people in a wistful and reverential way who were there and experienced “that day”? I’m thinking especially by DJs and lovers of straightahead soul, funk, and jazz funk as it was once simply known – especially especially of the 70s variety. I have used it in that context, but I think only after hearing other people use it in that context (oh dear).
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YOU SOUND JUST LIKE KEV EDWARDS!
DONE THE WORLD AND STILL GRUMPY.
brianrae@hotmail.co.uk
DONE THE WORLD OVER AND OVER AND STILL KEEP ON KEEPING (IT GOING) ON. (ON AND ON)
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