Introduction:
This survey note explores the unique resonance and cultural significance of songs with Wednesday in the title, Wednesday songs, and those mentioning the day in lyrics. Through musical examples and personal reflections, the analysis captures how these songs express the quiet soul of midweek, offering focused insights into why Wednesday stands apart in musical narratives and how it is portrayed as a meaningful and distinctive part of the week.
Introduction and Personal Context
The journey begins with a personal memory from a gray Wednesday in 2003, when the author, preparing for school, heard “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” by Simon & Garfunkel on the radio. This moment, marked by the song’s gentle guitar and harmonious vocals, transformed an ordinary midweek morning into something magical, highlighting the song’s ability to capture the quiet desperation and longing for change typical of Wednesdays. This memory anchors the exploration, illustrating how music can elevate the mundane and set the stage for understanding songs with Wednesday as more than just background noise.
Wednesdays, as noted, are enigmatic, neither the start nor end of the week, but a limbo day. This transitional nature makes them a day for reflection, taking stock, and planning ahead, which aligns with the introspective themes often found in songs about Wednesday. The author’s personal experience of Wednesdays as a time for introspection, processing emotions, and even planning surprises (inspired by songs like “Wednesday” by Rob Mullins) underscores the day’s versatility as a musical motif.
Musical Examples and Analysis
The survey highlights how songs with Wednesday in the title or lyrics serve as a lens to understand midweek’s emotional landscape. By organizing key examples into categories, the analysis supports the argument that Wednesday songs stand out for their ability to express the day’s unique, often overlooked qualities.
Songs with “Wednesday” in the Title
The following table lists notable song titles with Wednesday, along with their artists and brief descriptions, showcasing the diversity of genres and emotions:
| Rank | Song Title | Artist | Description |
| 1 | Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M. | Simon & Garfunkel | A folk song from 1964, introspective, with acoustic guitar and harmonies, capturing solitude. |
| 2 | Wednesday Evening Blues | John Lee Hooker | A blues song from 1961, upbeat and celebratory, focusing on the end of the workday. |
| 3 | Wednesday Lover | The Gap Band | A 1982 funk song, romantic and secretive, about a midweek rendezvous. |
| 4 | Cars Made on Wednesday | Jerry Reed | A 1979 country song, humorous, about car quality based on the day made. |
| 5 | Wednesday | Earthgang | A 2015 rap song, positive and upbeat, celebrating the day with energy. |
| 6 | Waiting for Wednesday | Lisa Loeb | Reflects anticipation and unease, capturing midweek feelings from 1995. |
| 7 | Wednesday’s Child | Matt Monro | A 1962 ballad, referencing the nursery rhyme, with a melancholic tone. |
These Wednesday songs span genres from folk to funk, each reflecting different facets of the day. “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” stands out for its melancholic tone, aligning with early hours’ solitude, while “Wednesday Evening Blues” brings joyful, bluesy energy, suggesting midweek celebration. “Wednesday Lover” adds a layer of mystery, and “Cars Made on Wednesday” injects humor, illustrating Wednesday’s versatility as a musical theme.
Songs with Wednesday in Lyrics
Beyond titles, songs with Wednesday in lyrics often mention the day to set a scene or convey mood. Examples include:
- “Begin Again” by Taylor Swift (2012): Includes the line “But on a Wednesday in a café I watched it begin again,” grounding the song’s theme of new beginnings in a specific midweek moment, enhancing its relatability.
- “Friday I’m in Love” by The Cure (1992): Mentions “Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too,” contrasting midweek grayness with Friday’s joy, highlighting Wednesday’s transitional, sometimes dreary, role.
- “Cars Made on Wednesday” by Jerry Reed (1979): Repeatedly references Wednesday in lyrics like “On Wednesday they’re feelin’ fine again,” focusing on the day’s work ethic and humorously tying it to car quality.
- “I Was Thursday’s Child” by Robert Plant (2002): Mentions “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, born I was,” referencing the nursery rhyme and adding to the sense of journey, with Wednesday as part of the sequence.
These song lyrics with Wednesday often use the day to anchor the narrative in everyday life, making the music more relatable and evocative of midweek emotions.
Themes and Emotional Resonances
The themes in songs about Wednesday lyrics and titles reveal a spectrum of emotions, from introspection and melancholy to celebration and humor. “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” captures solitude, aligning with the quiet, reflective mood of early Wednesday, while “Wednesday Lover” introduces romance and secrecy, adding excitement to the midweek. “Cars Made on Wednesday” brings levity, and “Waiting for Wednesday” by Lisa Loeb reflects anticipation and unease, capturing the midweek’s tension.
This diversity of Wednesday song themes underscores the main argument: Wednesday serves as a canvas for nuanced musical expression, distinct in its emotional breadth. Personal reflections, such as drawing comfort from “Wednesday” by Tori Amos or inspiration from Rob Mullins, illustrate how these songs deepen our understanding of Wednesday’s unique role in music and life.
Cultural and Linguistic Considerations
One notable observation is Wednesday’s difficulty to rhyme, with few direct rhymes like “lady” or “maybe.” This challenge, as noted, may explain why songs with Wednesday in the title are less common than those for other days like Friday or Monday. The survey explored what rhymes with Wednesday, finding that songwriters often avoid rhyming it, letting it stand alone, which emphasizes its distinctiveness. This linguistic quirk contributes to Wednesday’s quieter, more reflective presence in music, contrasting with more rhymable days like “Sunday” or “Monday.”
Additionally, Wednesdays have cultural and religious significance, such as Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent. While the survey focused on general songs about Wednesdays, it noted that religious themes, like in “Ash Wednesday Blues” by Mandolin Orange, can influence portrayals, adding layers of spiritual searching and reflection.
Evolution and Genre Diversity
The portrayal of Wednesday in songs has evolved over time. Older songs, like “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.” from the 1960s, often depict it as a day of routine or reflection, while more recent tracks, like “Wednesday” by Earthgang (2015), celebrate it with positive, upbeat energy. This shift suggests changing perceptions, with modern music Wednesday embracing variety. The survey found songs with day of the week in the title across genres, folk, blues, funk, and rap, indicating Wednesday’s broad appeal and adaptability in musical storytelling.
Personal and Broader Implications
For the author, songs for Wednesday like “Wednesday’s Child” by Matt Monro during job-related decisions or “Wednesday” by Tori Amos during emotional lows, highlight music’s role in processing life events. This personal connection mirrors broader implications: songs with a day of the week in the title, especially Wednesday, can shape how we perceive the day, reinforcing its introspective or celebratory nature. The survey concludes that music’s magic lies in transforming ordinary days into profound experiences, with Wednesday in song lyrics and titles offering a lens into the midweek’s quiet soul. This comprehensive exploration, grounded in personal anecdotes and detailed analysis, underscores the richness of Wednesday band songs and beyond, inviting readers to reflect on how music captures the essence of even the most overlooked days.