Glass began the project scoring lyrics by Byrne and then thought to collaborate with additional songwriters.

The question I asked myself was: 'If I, a person from the world of concert music and opera, wrote a song, what would it sound like?

'"[3] On the project, Glass said: The recording features performances by Bernard Fowler, the Kronos Quartet, Janice Pendarvis, Douglas Perry, The Roches, Linda Ronstadt, and the Philip Glass Ensemble, directed by Michael Riesman.

The song "Lightning" was performed by the Philip Glass Ensemble on Saturday Night Live, March 22, 1986.

"[5] Freddy Stidean for AllMusic, wrote that "Songs From Liquid Days became Philip Glass' most popular and successful recording," and concluded that "Songs From Liquid Days may be their [the minimalist composers'] single greatest achievement.