Days Like These

Zoo Freaks, the Zoo Crew is spinning a classic for you today with Days Like These by Asia from their 1990 album Then & Now. This upbeat track, unlike much of Asia’s prog-rock catalog, was penned by Steve Jones, formerly of The Unforgiven, and features Toto’s Steve Lukather laying down some slick guitar riffs. It climbed to #2 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, a testament to its radio-friendly vibe. AllMusic’s Tom Demalon praised it, saying it “nearly matches the band’s strong debut material,” giving it a nod for capturing the energy of their early hits like Heat of the Moment. Fun fact: this song was one of four new tracks on Then & Now, a compilation meant to bridge Asia’s ‘80s glory days with their ‘90s comeback, and it got serious airplay during their 1990 tour, including epic shows in the former Soviet Union where they played to 20,000 fans over two nights.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s production. Produced and engineered by Frank Wolf, Days Like These has a polished, optimistic sound that stood out against the darker, more complex tracks from Asia’s earlier work. In a 2006 interview, guitarist Steve Howe called this era “the real Asia,” emphasizing how the band’s reunion tour that year leaned heavily on fan-favorites like this one to reconnect with audiences. The song’s infectious energy made it a staple in their live sets, especially during their 1990 performances with Pat Thrall on guitar, where they even dusted off King Crimson and U.K. classics to spice things up. Zoo Freaks, if you caught Asia live back then, you know this track brought the house down!

Now, let’s rewind to how Asia got started. Formed in 1981, Asia was a supergroup born from the ashes of progressive rock giants. John Wetton, fresh from King Crimson and U.K., teamed up with Yes guitarist Steve Howe, who was looking for a new project after Yes’s 1980 breakup. They were joined by Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s powerhouse drummer Carl Palmer and Geoff Downes, the keyboardist from The Buggles and briefly Yes. The quartet came together under the guidance of Geffen Records’ A&R man John Kalodner, who saw potential in blending their prog-rock roots with a more accessible, radio-friendly sound. Their self-titled debut album in 1982 was a monster hit, topping the Billboard charts for nine weeks and spawning Heat of the Moment, a song that defined the early MTV era. Asia’s formation was a bold move to fuse virtuosity with pop sensibility, and it paid off big time.

For all you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, check out Asia’s official website for tour updates and news. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X to stay in the loop on their latest projects. Fans are also super active online—join the Asia Fan Club for exclusive content and community vibes. There’s also a great Facebook group where fans share memories, rare photos, and updates about the band. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks, and let Days Like These carry you through!