When singer-songwriter Daniel rocked up to Canada’s Got Talent 2024 and told the judges’ panel he was about to sing an original, no one expected him to break out into a #1 pop single! Daniel Powter, 53 years old, made the most of his one-hit-wonder ballad, “Bad Day” released 19 summers before, shocking both the audience and CGT judges as he broke into a well-known song, with an unrecognizable face.
Daniel was plastered across the music channels back in 2005. But having not reached the charts since 2012, it took the judges a hot minute to clock the celeb singing in front of them. In a moment of pure surprise, the realization hits judge Howie Mandel like a ton of bricks as he nearly jumps out of his seat. Daniel’s first chorus had Trish Stratus up and dancing in her Barbie pink jumpsuit, while the whole audience waved their phone flashlights.
The chart-topping singer even adapted his hit’s iconic melodies, stripping away the bittersweet sadness of the original for an oddly upbeat rendition. After finishing his surprise set and thanking the audience, Howie pulled one of his classic puns, “Can I tell you something, Daniel? You had a good day!”
The British Columbia-born singer later opened up to the judges about what had brought him to the TV talent show, telling them wholeheartedly and almost on the verge of tears: “I never got a chance to play in Canada. I’ve traveled the world and toured everywhere, and I just want to say thank you for bringing me home. This is my first time on Canadian TV.”
Then, in a rare moment, Howie told the room, “Without even talking to all the other judges, let’s just vote in unison,”—counting down from three to one, and shouting “Yes” with judges Kardinal Offishall, Trish Stratus, and Lilly Singh.
“Bad Day” was Daniel’s debut single, hitting #1 in the US, #2 in the UK, and #7 in his native Canada. The song and its hosting eponymous debut album earned Powter two Billboard Music Awards and a horde of other wins. But his second album, 2008’s “Under The Radar,” failed to parallel the notability of his debut, while 2012’s “Turn On The Lights” and 2018’s “Giants” hardly breached the Top 100 across international album charts.
“Bad Day” is a vessel of noughties pop nostalgia, however. And The Music Man is confident that Daniel doesn’t need to reclaim his name; the message behind “Bad Day” will stand for generations and, judging by the CGT audience’s reaction, one hit song really is all you need.
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