Friday on My Mind

Single infobox
Name = Friday on My Mind

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Artist = The Easybeats
Released = 17 November 1966
Format = 7" single
Recorded = IBC Studios, London 1966
Genre = Rock
Length = 2:47
Label = Parlophone
Writers = Harry Vanda, George Young
Producer = Shel Talmy
Chart position =

• #1 (Aust)
• #6 (UK)
• #16 (US)
  Reviews =
  Last single = "Sorry"
  (1966)
  This single = "Friday on My Mind"
  (1966)
  Next single = "Do You Have a Soul"
  (1967) |

  "Friday on My Mind" is a 1966 song by Australian rock group The Easybeats. Written by band members George Young and Harry Vanda, the British Invasion-style number became a worldwide hit, making #1 in Australia, #6 in the UK, #16 in the USA, and charting in several other countries. In 2001, it was voted "Best Australian Song" of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/am/stories/s304245.htm "Easybeats song voted Australia's best"] . ABC Radio (29 May 2001). Retrieved 4 November 2006]

  Music and lyrics

  The minor-key verses of "Friday on My Mind" depict the tedium and drudgery of the work week, taking each day at a time ("Monday morning feels so bad/Coming Tuesday I feel better"). These verses are adorned with a Middle Eastern-sounding guitar figure. The build-up to the chorus features a slowly rising vocal, culminating with a shout of "Cos I'll have Friday on my mind!", and launching into a major-key refrain celebrating the pleasures of the weekend in the city.

  Though the song has long been termed a "working class anthem", [ [http://www.albertmusic.com/history.htm Albert Music: History] . Retrieved 4 November 2006] George Young maintained it had "more to do with their outlook on the world than any class statement". [Debbie Kruger (2005). "Songwriters Speak: Conversations About Creating Music": p.71] According to Harry Vanda, the track's distinctive guitar opening was inspired by a film performance featuring The Swingle Singers: "It went tudutudutudu, which made us all laugh. In the train back from the gig, we were imitating them and suddenly it sounded good. They became the first notes of Friday On My Mind." [ [http://www.radionetherlands.nl/radioprogrammes/dutchhorizons/060614dh "Anonymous émigré became pop star"] . Radio Netherlands (13 June 2006). Retrieved 4 November 2006]

  Release and aftermath

  In addition to its 7" single release in late 1966, the song was issued on a EP in September 1967, with the tracks "Sorry", "Who'll Be the One" and "Made My Bed, Gonna Lie in It". A 2005 rerelease on CD single, along with "Remember Sam", "Pretty Girl" and "Made My Bed, Gonna Lie in It", featured a cover (pictured right) based on an earlier French sleeve.

  "Friday on My Mind" was ranked #10 out of 2006 songs featured in the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown. In the series "20 to 01", "Friday on My Mind" was #1 on the "Greatest Aussie Songs" show.

  In May 2001, Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the Best Australian Songs of all time, as decided by a 100 strong industry panel, with "Friday on My Mind" being selected as the number one song on the list. [cite web |url=http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |title=The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs |publisher=APRA |date=2001-05-28 |accessdate=2008-05-08]

  Cover versions

  The song has been covered many times, notably by David Bowie, who recorded a version on his 1973 RCA covers album "Pin Ups" (for Harry Vanda, it was "the only cover I ever liked"). [Debbie Kruger (2005). Op Cit: p.62] The same year, San Francisco-based Earth Quake covered the song, which was released as the first-ever single on the Beserkley Records label.

  Other acts who have covered the song include Gary Moore, Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson and the punk band London, whose version was recorded by producer Simon Napier-Bell in the same recording studios (IBC Studios in London) where The Easybeats had cut the original. The song was also performed by Romanian band Phoenix on their first EP, "Vremuri" ("Old times") in 1968.

  In 2001 Vanessa Amorosi and Lee Kernaghan recorded a version of the song that was used as the official NRL "Friday Night Football" theme, featuring on Channel Nine's weekly primetime broadcast of the Rugby League every Friday night at 8:30pm.

  The band Noogie covered the tune for the soundtrack of the film "A Walk to Remember" (2002). Moneen sampled the guitar in their song "The Passing of America" in 2006.

  Notes

  References

  * [http://www.albertmusic.com/easybeats/discography/singles.htm Albert Music: The Easybeats]