The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday is a five-track EP by American rock band 12 Stones, issued by Wind-up Records on July 20, 2010. Presented as a shorter release rather than a full-length album, the record centers on the single "We Are One" and received modest commercial attention on mainstream and Christian charts.
Background and release
The EP arrived during a transitional period for the band. Initially the group intended to issue a full studio album, but plans changed following discussions with their label; the material instead appeared as a compact EP. Wind-up Records released the collection to market in mid-2010, bridging the gap between 12 Stones' earlier work and their next full-length effort.
Musical content and notable track
The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday presents the band's characteristic guitar-driven rock and melodic hooks, rooted in post-grunge and alternative hard rock traditions. The lead single "We Are One" is the focal point: an anthemic song built around a strong chorus and driving rhythms that made it suitable for wider media exposure.
- Format: Five tracks (EP).
- Label: Wind-up Records.
- Lead single: "We Are One".
- Release date: July 20, 2010.
Reportedly, the decision to issue an EP rather than a full album was directed by the record company, which sometimes favors shorter releases to test market response or maintain visibility between major albums.
Chart performance and reception
Upon release the EP entered the Billboard 200 chart and debuted at approximately #103, while also reaching the top five on the Christian albums chart. Critical response was mixed to moderate: reviewers and listeners noted the familiar 12 Stones sound—melodic yet heavy—but the short format limited the record's scope compared with a full album.
Beyond sales and reviews, the EP achieved broader recognition because "We Are One" was adopted as the entrance theme for the WWE faction known as The Nexus. This tie brought the song to a wider audience through televised professional wrestling programming and promotional use by WWE.
Title note: The phrase "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" is widely known as a motivational motto often associated with special-operations forces; whether the band intended a direct reference is not explicitly documented, but the title conveys a tone of resilience consistent with the music's energetic themes.
In the band's discography the EP sits between the 2007 album Anthem for the Underdog and the later full-length releases that followed. For listeners, it serves as a concise snapshot of 12 Stones' sound at the start of the 2010s and remains notable for its crossover exposure via televised sports entertainment.