1972 One-Hit Wonder Became a Folk Rock Classic, But Singer Was Never Credited
In the summer of 1972, the Godspell song "Dayby Day" became a radio hit. The track from Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak's off-Broadway musical's cast album spent 14 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 13 on July 29, 1972.
In an unusual move, lead vocalist Robin Lamont-who appeared as Robin in the religious-themed musical's off-Broadway runs, the movie adaptation, and the Broadway show- was not credited for her work on the record. Instead, the single released by Bell Records was credited to the "band" Godspell.
"I was just starting to film the movie when ‘Day by Day' made the top 13 in the Billboard Hot 100, and I used to listen to it on the radio when I'd wake up, because it was always on," Lamont, now 75, told Theatermania in an interview. "I think, perhaps, that as a young actress, it wasn't the best thing for me in terms of training. I kind of thought that a lot of stuff would come easily after that, and it didn't."
Robin Lamont explained why she wasn't listed on the song's credits
Speaking with Steve Harris of Starlight Broadcasting, Lamont admitted she felt "lucky" that Schwartz selected her to perform lead on "Day by Day," which became "the most famous song of all" from Godspell. She then addressed the fact that she wasn't credited on the single version of the song.
"While I was filming the movie in New York City, they did release the song directly from the cast album," she shared. "I don't think that had ever been done before. … I don't think they wanted to highlight individuals with single records, and they really, you know, they didn't have any protocols for that, because when it was released, it was brand new."
"I never received a penny of royalties for the vocal," Lamont added.
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The actress and singer shared further details in an interview with Masterworks Broadway, where she admitted she was "a little put off" that the hit record didn't include her name.
"But from what I recall, that was the first time a song had been lifted from a cast album and released as a single, so there really was no precedent," Lamont said. "Steve Schwartz wanted to make it up to me and had Bell Records make me a gold record, which is hanging right near my desk."
Despite the single snub, more than 50 years after making the classic recording, Lamont said she still gets plenty of acknowledgment from fans who still love "Day by Day."
"I am contacted on social media by strangers who want to express how meaningful the show and that particular song has been for them," she told Masterworks. "I'm grateful that the musical has made a unique and powerful difference in people's lives. How many actors get to say that?"
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This story was originally published May 24, 2026 at 7:04 AM.