Noughties Popstar Unrecognisable 19 Years After Huge Hit

Daniel Powter, the talented singer-songwriter known for his catchy tunes, looks quite different after 19 years since the release of his major hit.

He is the creative force behind the iconic song "Bad Day," which first emerged in 2002. In the early days, he faced challenges in securing a record label to release it, but this oversight later became a significant mistake for the industry.

Eventually, in 2005, Warner Bros. Records released the song, and it quickly skyrocketed to the top of the charts, reaching the top five in over ten countries around the globe.

"Bad Day" has an impressive list of accomplishments, becoming the most played song on European radio and the first track to sell over two million digital copies in the United States. Its music video, which beautifully portrayed two people living repetitive lives until they met in the rain, became the eighth most-watched music video of its time.

This beloved single has been featured in various contexts, from a Coca-Cola commercial in France during the holiday season to being part of performances on shows like American Idol.

Now, after nearly two decades, Daniel looks quite different from the young artist we once knew. He sports a more defined jawline and cheekbones, and his previously dark stubble has greyed slightly. Even though he appears more mature, he still looks great!

Reflecting on the creation of "Bad Day," the 53-year-old artist shared with Songwriter Universe, "I had this melody stuck in my head that just wouldn’t go away. I kept singing it repeatedly until I developed the chord progression. When I sang the words 'Bad Day' in the chorus, they perfectly fit. We recorded it, but I couldn’t have imagined it becoming such a hit. I was just focused on making music."

However, the journey to success was not without its struggles. The record label mistakenly included "Bad Day" as a B-side on a follow-up single, which created challenges in its chart performance. As the pressures of fame mounted, Daniel found himself battling loneliness on tour, ultimately turning to alcohol and drugs to cope.

He described his situation as becoming a "slave" to substances and managing his life around them. Recognizing the need for change, he sought help in rehab and has since been vocal about the challenges he faced during his recovery.

"Getting sober is a big step, but it's difficult," Daniel explained. "You end up developing relationships with people based on being impaired, and those aren’t the best influences to have when you decide to get sober. It’s a tough process because you need to change yourself and your relationships to remove the negative influences from your life. It requires time, but now I’m able to focus on my music and find happiness again," he added.

As a father-of-three, Daniel now appears to be thriving. He frequently shares glimpses of his musical journey and travels on Instagram. Additionally, in April, he made a surprise appearance on Canada’s Got Talent, showcasing his famous song and delighting the judges, including Howie Mandel and Lilly Singh.

music, artist, sobriety, change