Lost in Yesterday
{{Short description|2020 single by Tame Impala}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Lost in Yesterday
| cover = Tame Impala - Lost in Yesterday.png
| alt = A picture of several doors connecting to each other in a house filled with sand. The project name and song title are located in the top left and right corners, respectively.
| type = single
| artist = Tame Impala
| album = The Slow Rush
| released = 8 January 2020
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{duration|m=4|s=9}}
| label = Modular
| writer = Kevin Parker
| producer = Kevin Parker
| prev_title = Posthumous Forgiveness
| prev_year = 2019
| next_title = Breathe Deeper
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|utCjuKDXQsE|"Lost in Yesterday"}}}}
}}
"Lost in Yesterday" is a song by Tame Impala, the musical project of the Australian multi-instrumentalist Kevin Parker. It was released through Modular Recordings on 8 January 2020, as the fourth single from the project's fourth studio album, The Slow Rush (2020). Parker wrote and produced it, and also performed all the instruments and vocals. With disco, dub, and funk elements, it predominantly contains a groovy bassline. Lyrically, the song deals with nostalgia and the passage of time, centering on Parker's complicated relationship with these topics.
The duo Terri Timely, composed of Ian Kibbey and Corey Creasey, directed the music video for "Lost in Yesterday", which was released on 30 January 2020. It has a single shot style and depicts Parker as a band's lead vocalist in a 1970s retro wedding. Tame Impala performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and included it in the set list of the Slow Rush Tour between 2020 and 2021.
The song was ranked fifth on the Australian Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020 poll, and was nominated for Song of the Year and Most Performed Alternate Work at the APRA Music Awards of 2021. Commercially, "Lost in Yesterday" reached middle-low positions on the main national charts of Australia, Ireland, Lithuania, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. It received certifications in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Release and promotion
Tame Impala, Kevin Parker's musical project, first teased a then-upcoming song in the first days of 2020.{{cite web |last1=Reilly |first1=Nick |title=Listen to Tame Impala's new song 'Lost In Yesterday' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/tame-impala-tease-new-single-lost-in-yesterday-2592105 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417113207/https://www.nme.com/news/tame-impala-tease-new-single-lost-in-yesterday-2592105 |url-status=live}} "Lost in Yesterday" was released through Modular Recordings on 8 January 2020, as the fourth single from the project's fourth studio album, The Slow Rush (2020).{{cite web |last1=Deville |first1=Chris |title=Tame Impala – "Lost In Yesterday" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2069101/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday/music/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=8 January 2020 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215193957/https://www.stereogum.com/2069101/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday/music/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Hussey |first1=Allison |title=Listen to Tame Impala's New Song "Lost in Yesterday" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-tame-impalas-new-song-lost-in-yesterday/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=8 January 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121172630/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-tame-impalas-new-song-lost-in-yesterday/ |url-status=live}} It served as a follow-up to the singles "Borderline", "It Might Be Time", and "Posthumous Forgiveness", all released in 2019. On 2 March 2020, Tame Impala debuted "Lost In Yesterday" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, alongside a performance of other album track, "Breathe Deeper".{{cite web |last1=Minsker |first1=Evan |title=Watch Tame Impala Perform "Lost in Yesterday" and "Breathe Deeper" on Kimmel |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-tame-impala-perform-lost-in-yesterday-and-breathe-deeper-on-kimmel/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=3 March 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121140554/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-tame-impala-perform-lost-in-yesterday-and-breathe-deeper-on-kimmel/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Sam |title=Watch Tame Impala debut 'Breathe Deeper' and 'Lost In Yesterday' on 'Kimmel' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/tame-impala-breathe-deeper-lost-in-yesterday-jimmy-kimmel-live-2619679 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=3 March 2020 |archive-date=7 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207101646/https://www.nme.com/news/music/tame-impala-breathe-deeper-lost-in-yesterday-jimmy-kimmel-live-2619679 |url-status=live}} The track was added to the set list of the project's fourth concert tour, the Slow Rush Tour,{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=Sam |title=Watch Tame Impala cover Lady Gaga on the opening night of 'The Slow Rush' tour |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/tame-impala-cover-lady-gaga-opening-night-of-the-slow-rush-tour-san-diego-video-setlist-2623028 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=10 March 2020 |archive-date=29 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329155516/https://www.nme.com/news/music/tame-impala-cover-lady-gaga-opening-night-of-the-slow-rush-tour-san-diego-video-setlist-2623028 |url-status=live}} which was then delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in the following year.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Abby |title=Tame Impala Announce Rescheduled 2021 North American Tour Dates |url=https://consequence.net/2021/06/tame-impala-rescheduled-2021-tour-dates/ |website=Consequence |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=26 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126090351/https://consequence.net/2021/06/tame-impala-rescheduled-2021-tour-dates/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Young |first1=David James |title=Watch Tame Impala play their first full-band live show in 18 months in Chicago |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-tame-impala-play-their-first-full-band-live-show-in-18-months-in-chicago-3041275 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=9 September 2021 |archive-date=7 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107043227/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-tame-impala-play-their-first-full-band-live-show-in-18-months-in-chicago-3041275 |url-status=live}}
Composition
File:Tame Impala Surly Brewing in Minneapolis 2019 (48419382936).jpg was in charge of the song's writing, recording, and production.]]
Parker wrote, recorded, and produced The Slow Rush, including "Lost in Yesterday".{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Christopher |title=Tame Impala Are a Wedding Band in the Video for "Lost In Yesterday" |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/tame_impala_are_a_wedding_band_in_the_video_for_lost_in_yesterday/ |website=Under the Radar |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608171451/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/tame_impala_are_a_wedding_band_in_the_video_for_lost_in_yesterday/ |url-status=live}} Musically, it has elements of disco,{{cite web |last1=Zemler |first1=Emily |title=Hear Tame Impala Reflect on Time on New Single 'Lost in Yesterday' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-single-934939/ |website=Rolling Stone |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=8 January 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602195928/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-single-934939/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} funk,{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3151742/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-song/ |title=Tame Impala Try to Save You from Sinking into the Past on 'Lost in Yesterday'|website=MTV News |first=Trey |last=Alston |date=8 January 2020 |access-date=15 February 2020 |archive-date=15 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215185815/http://www.mtv.com/news/3151742/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-song/ |url-status=dead}} and dub effects.{{cite web |last1=Mapes |first1=Jill |title=Tame Impala: The Slow Rush Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tame-impala-the-slow-rush/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209163915/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/tame-impala-the-slow-rush/ |url-status=live}} The song contains a "groovy" bassline, compared by Stereogum{{'s}} Chris Deville to Tame Impala's 2015 single "The Less I Know the Better". Pitchfork{{'s}} Jill Mapes perceived similarities between the vocals of Parker and Daft Punk.
The lyrical content of the song sees Parker reflecting on past memories and how they change with time: "Now even though that was a time I hated from day one / Eventually terrible memories turn into great ones". It also deals with nostalgia and Parker's complicated relationship with it.{{cite web |last1=Newstead |first1=Al |title=First Spin: Tame Impala wrestle with nostalgia on 'Lost In Yesterday' |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/news/tame-impala-new-single-lost-in-yesterday/11851002 |website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=7 January 2020}} Parker recalls the days when he was making music with friends in Perth ("When we were living in squalor, wasn't it heaven? / Back when we used to get on it four out of seven").{{cite web |last1=Stubbs |first1=Dan |title=The Big Read – Tame Impala: "This band is the fantasy of music. It's The Lord Of The Rings" |url=https://www.nme.com/big-reads/the-big-read-tame-impala-interview-the-slow-rush-2609588 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424164406/https://www.nme.com/big-reads/the-big-read-tame-impala-interview-the-slow-rush-2609588 |url-status=live}} On a press release, Tame Impala described the song as "an examination of time's distorting effect on memories".{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Christopher |title=12 Best Songs of the Week: Destroyer, Jenny Lewis, Wild Nothing, Field Music, and More |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/12_best_songs_of_the_week_destroyer_jenny_lewis_wild_nothing_field_music_an/ |website=Under the Radar |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714181547/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/12_best_songs_of_the_week_destroyer_jenny_lewis_wild_nothing_field_music_an/ |url-status=live}} The song shares its concept with several other tracks on the album, which Parker described as an "idea of time passing, of seeing your life flash before your eyes, being able to see clearly your life from this point onwards".
Reception
Christopher Roberts of Under the Radar named "Lost in Yesterday" as one of the best songs of its release week, and Deville opined that it is one of the best The Slow Rush singles. Al Newstead of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said that it is "more accessible" than the project's previous singles and compared it to "Patience" (2019) and Currents{{'}} "The Moment" (2015). In a less positive review, Mapes believed that the song "tries to edge up an aggressively beachy vibe [...] and ends up feeling a little dated". It was nominated for Song of the Year and Most Performed Alternate Work at the APRA Music Awards of 2021.{{cite web |last1=Triscari |first1=Caleb |title=Tash Sultana, Tame Impala, Miiesha nominated for 2021 APRA Music Awards |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/tash-sultana-tame-impala-miiesha-nominated-for-2021-apra-music-awards-2910403 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=29 March 2021 |archive-date=12 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240612154714/https://www.nme.com/news/music/tash-sultana-tame-impala-miiesha-nominated-for-2021-apra-music-awards-2910403 |url-status=live}} The song was voted into fifth place on the Australian Triple J Hottest 100 of 2020, which was broadcast on 23 January 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/20/ |title=Hottest 100 2020 |website=Triple J |date=23 January 2021 |access-date=23 January 2021 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122235006/https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/20/ |url-status=live}}
Commercially, "Lost in Yesterday" appeared on five main national charts. It peaked at number 65 in Australia, 78 in Ireland, 80 in Lithuania, 89 in the United Kingdom, and 129 in Portugal. It additionally reached the Canada Rock chart at number 23, and the Ultratip Bubbling Under charts in the Flanders and Wallonia regions of Belgium at number 4 and 22, respectively. In the United States, the single reached number one on Billboard{{'}}s Adult Alternative Songs chart, becoming Tame Impala's first song to top an airplay chart in the United States.{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/tame-impala |title=Tame Impala Chart History |magazine=Billboard |access-date=14 February 2020 |archive-date=14 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214052123/https://www.billboard.com/music/tame-impala |url-status=live}} It also reached number two on Rock Airplay and five on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, and the year-end rankings of both charts. "Lost in Yesterday" received gold certifications by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and Recorded Music NZ (RMNZ), as well as a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
Music video
The duo Terri Timely, composed of Ian Kibbey and Corey Creasey, directed the four-minute music video for "Lost in Yesterday", which was released on 30 January 2020.{{cite web |last1=Mamo |first1=Heran |title=Tame Impala Is 'Lost in Yesterday' & In Bad '70s Weddings in New Video |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-music-video-8549711/ |website=Billboard |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207203256/https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-music-video-8549711/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Shaffer |first1=Claire |title=Tame Impala Soundtrack Many, Many Weddings in 'Lost in Yesterday' Video |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-video-945739/ |website=Rolling Stone |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=25 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221225095405/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/tame-impala-lost-in-yesterday-video-945739/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |last1=Darville |first1=Jordan |title=Watch Tame Impala's "Lost In Yesterday" video |url=https://www.thefader.com/2020/01/30/watch-tame-impalas-lost-in-yesterday-video |website=The Fader |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=19 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220819234243/https://www.thefader.com/2020/01/30/watch-tame-impalas-lost-in-yesterday-video |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Bacior |first1=Robin |title=Tame Impala share music video for "Lost in Yesterday", plus new tour dates: Watch |url=https://consequence.net/2020/01/tame-impala-music-video-lost-in-yesterday/ |website=Consequence |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=4 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104011224/https://consequence.net/2020/01/tame-impala-music-video-lost-in-yesterday/ |url-status=live}} It stars Parker as the lead vocalist of a band in a retro wedding, singing along to the song, through various dimensions. The video shows a scene representing the passage of time, following fashion trends. With a single shot and 1970s style,{{cite web |last1=Krol |first1=Charlotte |title=Tame Impala pose as '70s wedding band in dizzying 'Lost in Yesterday' video |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/tame-impala-pose-as-70s-wedding-band-in-dizzying-lost-in-yesterday-video-2603371 |website=NME |access-date=4 January 2025 |date=30 January 2020 |archive-date=28 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240828172602/https://www.nme.com/news/music/tame-impala-pose-as-70s-wedding-band-in-dizzying-lost-in-yesterday-video-2603371 |url-status=live}} the camera moves several times through the event's venue, showing the guests becoming more positive as the video progresses. It depicts the attendees dancing on the dance floor as well as the bride and groom cutting a cake, and her mother smoking a cigarette. At the end of the video, the main characters from previous versions reappear to ruin the event. Jordan Darville for The Fader called the video "impressive" and "detailed". NME{{'s}} Charlotte Krol described it as a "nightmare Groundhog Day", which is mentioned in the song's lyrics ("You've been diggin' it up like Groundhog Day").
Charts
{{col-start}}
{{col-2}}
= Weekly charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite magazine |date=24 February 2020 |title=The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 24 February 2020 |magazine=Australian Recording Industry Association |publisher= |issue=1564}}
| 65 |
| {{single chart|Flanders Tip|4|artist=Tame Impala|song=Lost in Yesterday|rowheader=true|accessdate=16 February 2020|refname="flanders"}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|22|artist=Tame Impala|song=Lost in Yesterday|rowheader=true|accessdate=16 February 2020|refname="wallonia"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardcanadarock|23|artist=Tame Impala|rowheader=true|accessdate=August 4, 2020|refname="canada"}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|78|artist=Tame Impala|rowheader=true|accessdate=16 February 2020|refname="ireland"}} |
| scope="row"| Lithuania (AGATA){{cite web|url=https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-2020w3/|title=2020 3-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100) - Agata|language=lt|publisher=AGATA|access-date=12 December 2023|archive-date=28 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128053751/https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/savaites-klausomiausi-2020w3/|url-status=live}}
| 80 |
| {{single chart|Portugal|129|artist=Tame Impala|song=Lost in Yesterday|rowheader=true|accessdate=5 March 2020|refname="portugal"}} |
| {{single chart|UK|89|date=20200221|rowheader=true|accessdate=22 February 2020|refname="uk"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrocksongs|5|artist=Tame Impala|rowheader=true|accessdate=25 February 2020|refname="rock"}} |
| {{single chart|Billboardrockairplay|2|artist=Tame Impala|rowheader=true|accessdate=June 23, 2020|refname="airplay"}} |
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2020)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-rock-songs|title=Hot Rock & Alternative Songs – Year-End 2020|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=5 December 2020|archive-date=11 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111060621/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/hot-rock-songs|url-status=live}}
| 22 |
| scope="row"| US Rock Airplay (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/rock-airplay-songs |title=Rock Airplay Songs – Year-End 2020 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=December 7, 2020 |archive-date=8 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208185830/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2020/rock-airplay-songs |url-status=live }}
| 9 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Gold|certyear=2020|access-date=15 October 2022|refname="aria"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Tame Impala|title=Lost in Yesterday|award=Gold|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|source=radioscope|access-date=12 January 2025|refname="rmnz"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=Tame Impala|title=Lost in Yesterday|award=Silver|relyear=2020|certyear=2023|id=19419-3868-1|access-date=4 November 2023|refname="bpi"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Tame Impala|title=Lost in Yesterday|award=Gold|relyear=2020|certyear=2022|access-date=16 March 2022|refname="riaa"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Tame Impala}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs about nostalgia
Category:Song recordings produced by Kevin Parker