Last Day Under the Sun

Last updated
"Last Day Under the Sun"
Single by Volbeat
from the album Rewind, Replay, Rebound
Released13 June 2019
Length4:47
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Volbeat singles chronology
"Leviathan"
(2019)		"Last Day Under the Sun"
(2019)		"Cheapside Sloggers"
(2019)
Music video
"Last Day Under the Sun" on YouTube

"Last Day Under the Sun" is a song by Danish rock band Volbeat. It was released as a single and is the opening track on their seventh album Rewind, Replay, Rebound . It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in August 2019.

Contents

Background and inspiration

The song was inspired by a book about American singer Johnny Cash. [1] Volbeat frontman Michael Poulsen said he was influenced after reading about Cash's struggles with substance abuse. [2] [3] He cited an incident in which Cash entered a cave intending to die but survived [4] and later viewed the experience as a second chance. [5] [6] Poulsen said he wrote the song as one about hope and forgiveness and about coming "out on the other side". [7] In an interview with Consequence , Poulsen said the song addresses themes of self-forgiveness and renewal, describing it as being about "forgiving yourself and forgiving the people around you" and finding a way out of a "black hole" in life. He also stated that the track presents "new flavors" musically for the band. [8]

Release and promotion

The single was released on June 13, 2019, together with its official music video, as part of the promotion for Rewind, Replay, Rebound. It came after earlier promotional tracks that had already been issued during the album's release cycle. [1]

Composition

Billboard described the song as a "big, fun banger" and noted that its opening riff is reminiscent of The Rolling Stones. [7] According to Metal Injection , it features riffs in a 1970s hard rock style, marking a stylistic departure from Volbeat's usual blend of country and Metallica-influenced metal. [9] Upset Magazine described the song as featuring jangly alternative-rock riffs and a festival-ready chorus performed by Poulsen. The publication also noted the return of long-time collaborator and backing vocalist Mia Maja. [10] It is described by Already Heard as taking inspiration from themes of second chances and perseverance. The track is characterized as an anthemic song with a catchy chorus, supported by a gospel choir. [11] According to Distorted Sound Magazine, the song opens the album with an upbeat 1980s‑influenced mood and features "prominent bass lines", a polished guitar solo, and melodic chorus vocals. [12] Rock 'N' Load wrote that the song opens the album with a rhythmic guitar riff that runs throughout the track. The review also noted the presence of guitar solos and a subtle drum beat. [13] In its review of the album, Blabbermouth described it as opening the album with guitar riffs influenced by the pop‑metal side of AC/DC and a sound packed with the catchy, radio‑friendly style of '80s rock. [14] In its review, AllMusic noted that the song includes backing vocals from Mia Maja and the Harlem Gospel Choir. The track features a fist-pumping chorus and guitar parts with prominent hooks reminiscent of early Boston. [15]

Reception

Chad Bowar of Consequence highlighted the song's memorable hooks and intriguing lyrics. [16] The Guardian said the song opens the album as a stadium singalong and was inspired by a story from Johnny Cash's autobiography. [17]

Music video

The official music video depicts characters going through difficult experiences and eventually moving toward a bright light or portal. [2] It was directed by Jakob Printzlau, [18] who had previously worked with Volbeat on the videos for "The Devil's Bleeding Crown", "Lonesome Rider", "16 Dollars", [19] and "Cape of Our Heroes [sic]". [20] Behind-the-scenes footage of the video's production was also released. [21]

Track listing

Last Day Under the Sun - by Volbeat single [22]
No.TitleLength
1."Last Day Under The Sun"4:47

Chart performance

It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart on August 10, 2019, their seventh song to do so. [23]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Apple Music. [24]

Volbeat

Additional credits

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [31] Gold40,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria) [32] Gold15,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF) [33] Gold4,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. 1 2 Kaufman, Spencer (June 13, 2019). "Volbeat unveil video for new song "Last Day Under the Sun": Stream". Consequence . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Chapstick, Kelsey (June 13, 2019). "Hear Volbeat's Anthemic New Song "Last Day Under the Sun" Inspired by Johnny Cash". Revolver . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Volbeat To Release 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound' Album In August". Blabbermouth . May 15, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  4. ↑ Munro, Scott (June 13, 2019). "Watch Volbeat's video for new single Last Day Under The Sun". Classic Rock . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  5. ↑ Bienstock, Richard (June 13, 2019). "Volbeat Share New Song and Video, "Last Day Under the Sun"". Guitar World . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  6. ↑ Anderson, Harriet (June 13, 2019). "Volbeat release music video for 'Last Day Under The Sun'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  7. 1 2 Olivier, Bobby (August 1, 2019). "Volbeat Frontman Michael Poulsen Talks New Album, New Daughter and How a Sea Monster Can Save the World". Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  8. ↑ Erickson, Anne (August 2, 2019). "Volbeat's Michael Poulsen on New Album, Fatherhood, Knotfest Roadshow, and More". Consequence . Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  9. ↑ Kennelty, Greg (June 13, 2019). "Volbeat Drops Very Classic Rock-Sounding New Song "Last Day Under The Sun"". Metal Injection . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  10. ↑ Press, Jack (July 31, 2019). "Volbeat's 'Rewind, Replay, Rebound' is one big rockabilly dance-off". Upset Magazine. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  11. ↑ Manktelow, Evelyn (August 1, 2019). "Review: Volbeat – Rewind, Replay, Rebound". Already Heard. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  12. ↑ McHugh, Dan (August 1, 2019). "Album Review: Rewind, Replay, Rebound – Volbeat". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  13. ↑ Flashartmark (August 1, 2019). "Volbeat – Rewind Replay Rebound – Album Review". Rock 'N' Load. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  14. ↑ Roche, Jason. "Rewind, Replay, Rebound Review". Blabbermouth . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  15. ↑ Jurek, Thom. "Rewind, Replay, Rebound Review". AllMusic . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  16. ↑ Bowar, Chad (August 1, 2019). "Album Review: Volbeat Keep Bringing the Hooks on Rewind, Replay, Rebound". Consequence . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  17. ↑ Horner, Al (August 2, 2019). "Volbeat: Rewind, Replay, Rebound review – chugging metal-meets-rockabilly". The Guardian . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Watch Volbeat's Video For New Song 'Last Day Under The Sun'". Blabbermouth . June 13, 2019. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  19. ↑ Michels, Alexandra (June 13, 2019). "Volbeat - 'Last Day Under The Sun'-Video ist online". RockHard (in German). Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  20. ↑ Childers, Chad (June 13, 2019). "Volbeat Shine Light on 'Last Day Under the Sun' Video". Loudwire . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Volbeat: Making Of 'Last Day Under The Sun' Video". Blabbermouth . June 17, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  22. ↑ "Last Day Under The Sun - Single by Volbeat - Spotify". Spotify . Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  23. 1 2 Rutherford, Kevin (August 9, 2019). "Volbeat's 'Last Day Under the Sun' Shines Atop Mainstream Rock Songs Chart". Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Last Day Under the Sun – Volbeat". Apple Music.
  25. ↑ "Volbeat Chart History: Austria Digital Song Sales". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Volbeat Chart History: Canada Rock". Billboard Canada . Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Volbeat Chart History: Denmark Digital Song Sales". Billboard . Archived from the original on August 16, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Volbeat Chart History: Sweden Heatseeker". Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Volbeat Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2019" . Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Volbeat – Last Day Under the Sun". Music Canada . Retrieved January 23, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Austrian single certifications – Volbeat – Last Day Under the Sun" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved February 4, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Grammotex – Artikeldata Artist: Volbeat Titel: Last Day Under the Sun" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
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