"Perfect Time of Day" is a song by American singer-songwriter Howie Day, taken from his second studio album Stop All the World Now (2003). The track was written by Day and Kevin Griffin, lead singer of Better Than Ezra; it was one of the three tracks the two wrote together that were included on the album. The track was produced by Martin Glover, better known by his stage name Youth. A pop rock and indie rock song about self motivation, it was released on August 18, 2003, via Epic Records to triple-A radio as the lead single from the album.
Day would gain his biggest success on the adult album alternative charts with "Perfect Time of Day", topping the US Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart for one week on December 27, 2003. It also became a minor top-25 hit on the Adult Pop Airplay chart, becoming his first entry on that chart.
Critical reception Laurence J. Freedman of The Michigan Daily said it recalled the sound of U2 writing, "Its sweeping sound punctuated by the pounding of a bass drum under textured guitars." Nate Gibb of the Lewiston Morning Tribune described the track as a "driving ballad".
Music video Chris Mills directed the music video for "Perfect Time of Day". The video features Day recording the song in a studio with a band with cutscenes featuring footage of people doing different things like skateboarding and painting. It was released on October 5, 2003, to MTV2, and was shown on MTV's Buzzworthy and VH-1's "Inside Track" programs.
Personnel Taken from the promotional single liner notes.
Simon Jones – bass Laurie Jenkins – drums Jay Clifford – guitar Les Hall – keyboards, piano Howie Day and Kevin Griffin – music and lyrics Martin "Youth" Glover – producer Howie Day – vocals, guitar
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Perfect Time of Day" Chart (2003–2004) PeakpositionUS Hot AC (Radio & Records)22US Triple-A (Radio & Records)1US Triple-A Indicator (Radio & Records)4
Year-end charts + 2003 year-end chart performance for "Perfect Time of Day" Chart (2003) PeakpositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)95US Triple-A (Billboard)37US Triple-A (Radio & Records)57US Triple-A Indicator (Radio & Records)41 + 2004 year-end chart performance for "Perfect Time of Day" Chart (2004) PeakpositionUS Adult Top 40 (Billboard)74US Triple-A (Billboard)37US Hot AC (Radio & Records)91US Triple-A (Radio & Records)49
Release history +Release dates and formats for "Perfect Time of Day"RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United StatesAugust 18, 2003Adult album alternative radioEpicSeptember 8, 2003
References