Friday On My Mind by The Easybeats

Album: Friday On My Mind (1966)

Charted: 6 16

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Songfacts®:

This song was co-written by Easybeats guitarists George Young and Harry Vanda, who were the primary songwriters in the group (Young is the older brother of Malcolm and Angus Young from AC/DC). Vanda described the song as reminiscent of the days where the band members lived in hostels in Sydney as "new Australians." They would hang out for the end of the week because that's when the fun began.
Previously, the band's main songwriting team had been George Young and lead singer Stevie Wright. Vanda and Young produced The Easybeats' later albums and after the group broke up in 1969, formed their own group, Flash And The Pan, which had a few successes during the late '70s and early '80s. They also continued writing and producing hits for other artists like AC/DC and John Paul Young. >>
Suggestion credit:
Melanie - Adelaide, Australia, for above 2
This song has quite a buildup. After the opening cymbal crash, its just a staccato guitar for the next 20 seconds underscoring Stevie Wright's vocal where he runs through the days of the week, explaining why Monday-Thursday don't excite him. The bass finally comes in as he gets closer to the weekend. Finally, 30 seconds into the song, we hit Friday and the drums come in to play.

This energy carries into the chorus, where we hear about the plans for the weekend. But then it's back to Monday, and we do the "five-day drag once more." This time, however, the tempo is faster and he's even more optimistic, knowing that his time will come. The second chorus is even more energetic and repeats to close out the song. All of this is packed into 2:47, making it one of the more distinctive and energetic hits of the era.
The Easybeats were already huge in their native Australia when they recorded this song, but this was their first hit outside of that country. After scoring several Aussie hits in 1965, they got an international distribution deal in 1966. In the UK, "Come And See Her" was their first single, and in the US, "Make You Feel Alright (Women)" was chosen. Their second single in each territory was "Friday On My Mind," which was their breakthrough (the song was also a monster in Australia, where it was #1 for eight weeks).

The group was not able to capitalize, falling victim to drug abuse, management struggles, and internal strife. It was six month before their next single, "Who'll Be The One," appeared, and listeners were underwhelmed.
They never had another US hit and in the UK managed just one more: "Hello, How are You," which made #20 in 1968.
The group recorded this song in London with producer Shel Talmy, who had previously worked with The Who and The Kinks. "They approached me via their then-manager," Talmy told Songfacts. "I liked what I'd heard, but I didn't like the songs. So, I said to them, 'Guys, go home and write a bunch of songs, come back once a week, and play me what you got.' This went on for about seven weeks. I kept rejecting stuff until after the seventh week I heard 'Friday on My Mind,' and I said, 'That's the one we're doing.'"
David Bowie did a popular cover on his 1973 album Pin Ups, and Peter Frampton recorded a version for his 1981 album Breaking All the Rules. The only artist to take it back to the charts is Gary Moore, who reached #26 UK with his 1987 rendition.
"Friday on My Mind" has been on the minds of Australians since 1967, earning the #1 position on APRA's list of Ten Best Australian Songs.
This was also released as a single by Australian singer Peter Doyle in 1976. He produced an incredibly punchy version, but it was never a hit. >>
Suggestion credit:
Gwyneth - Wales

Comments: 25

Nateguy from Miami, FloridaI am a professional guitarist and i think the GUITAR SOUND of the lead guitar is the best sounding guitar I have ever heard recorded. Period. I would describe it as: electric, steel, twangy, metallic, buzzy, missing middle frequencies, 15" speaker sound, cranked up but somehow sounding soft. it almost sounds like a neon sign sounds when you stand close to it. It has a peculiar buzz/hum sound. I once played my Fender Jaguar through a Fender Dual Showman and got pretty close to that sound. MY QUESTION IS: What guitar and amp is used on the record? By the way, I know most people won't agree with me about that guitar/amp sounding better than any other ever, but it's just my opinion. In a way, it's the opposite of a metal sound or a country sound or a hard rock sound.Thanks.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm {10-23-2017}
George Young, guitarist with the Easybeats and co-writer of their hit, “Friday On My Mind” (#16 in 1967), died Sunday (October 22nd, 2017) at the age of 70...
George was the brother of Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC and produced the group’s early albums such as “Let There Be Rock” and “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”...
George also wrote the John Paul Young tune, “Love Is In The Air” (#7 in 1977)...
May he R.I.P.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyHere's some obscure historical trivia:
On February 15th 1764, Pierre Laclède and his stepson Auguste Chouteau founded the city of St. Louis, Missouri; the city was named after King Louis IX of France...
Two hundred and five years later on November 9th, 1969 the Easybeats' "St. Louis" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #100; and that was its only week on the chart...
The Australian quintet had one other Top 100 record, but that one did make the Top 20; "Friday On My Mind" peaked at #16 {for 2 weeks} on May 14th, 1967...
In their native Australia, "St. Louis" reached #21, while "Friday On My Mind" peaked at #1* {for 2 weeks} on December 24th, 1966...
* On the day "Friday On My Mind" reached #1, their next release, "Sorry", was at #11 on Australian Kent Music Report chart.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
Steven 'Little Stevie' Wright, lead singer of the Easybeats of "Friday On My Mind" (#16-1967 US) fame, died December 27th, 2015 in a hospital in New South Wales, Australia, the Leeds, England native was 68...
Stevie and his family migrated to Australia when he was nine and in mid-1964 he helped form the Easybeats in Sydney. Besides "Friday On My Mind" (co-written by Stevie), the group had five other top five records in Australia. When they disbanded in 1969, Stevie fronted two self-named bands and achieved another Australian #1 single with "Evie" in 1974. He also appeared in the Australian stage production of "Jesus Christ Superstar"...
His authorized biography, "Hard Road: The Life and Times of Stevie Wright," was published in 2004 and documented his struggles with drugs, including heroin...
The Easybeats were inducted into the Australian Recording Industry Association Hall of Fame in 2005. "Friday On My Mind" was voted "Best Australian Song Of All Time" by the Australian Performing Rights Association in 2001...
May he R.I.P.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 12th 1967, "Friday On My Mind" by the Easybeats entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #100; and nine weeks later on May 14th, 1967 it peaked at #16 {for 2 weeks} and spent 14 weeks on the To 100...
The 'boys from down under' had one other record make the Top 100, "St. Louis", and it also entered the chart at #100, that was also its peak position, for it stayed on the Top 100 for just 1 week.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyThe Easybeats had one other record that made Billboard's Top 100; it was titled "St. Louis", it peaked at No. 100 and stayed in the Top 100 for one week!!!
John from Melbourne, AustraliaMany people forget that Little Stevie co-wrote all of The Easybeats songs before Friday on My Mind with George young. Stevie wright is perhaps one of the great front men.
James from Leyland, United KingdomVanda & Young are second only to Lennon & McCartney when it comes to composing great songs.The EASYBEATS are a truly great band and remind me so much of a great uk 60`s band called the SHADES OF BLUE.
The EASYBEATS are without doubt my favourite "Aussie" band
James Wilson, Leyland,England
James from Leyland, United KingdomHarry Vanda & George Young wrote many great songs which were recorded by other top artists such as "EVIE" Recorded by Suzi Quatro and "LOVE IS IN THE AIR" by John Paul Young to name but two.Vanda & Young are the best songwriting duo other than Lennon/McCartney of THE BEATLES.

James Wilson, Leyland, England
James from Leyland, United KingdomHarry Vanda and George Young recorded under various disguises since the easy`s split up and a compilation album was planned by Albert Productions to bring all those guises together and was to be called "Those Masked Marvels" though wether or not the album ever came to fruition i know not. Perhaps someone out there does ?
Rabitt from Sugar Land, TxThe song was a smash hit the first time I ever heard it and it still is today! AWESOME! Thanks guys!
Logan from Port Huron, Miwow every friday in my psychology class we listen to this song! it truely is a great way to look forward to the weekend, and it doesn't help it's such an amazing song
Mary from Phoenix, AzThis song is played every Friday morning by my favorite radio station 100.7 KSLX in Phoenix, AZ.

I love it!!!!
Nady from Adelaide, AustraliaRyan, they were Australian citizens, therefore, an Australian band, do you know what a "true Aussie band" is???? obviously not. You have The Beatles, let us have The Easybeats.
Dave from Southampton, United KingdomActually, The Easybeats had a second hit in the UK with Hello How Are You in 1968 - #20
Nunzio from Darwin, AustraliaRickie Lee Jones covered this. It's the Easybeats only U.S Top 40 hit. They had a lot of hits in Oz in the 1960's.
Sassy from Houston, TxThis is a great song that should get played more often on the Oldies Staions here in the U S.
Lester from New York City, NyGary Moore covers this on 'Wild Frontier', a GREAT, GREAT, GREAT rock guitar CD.
Mark from Mchenry, IlI love this song. It is pure 60's pop. But I have always thought the lead guitar should have been tuned a little better before they started rolling the tape.
Don from Newmarket, CanadaThis song also ably covered by David Bowie on Pinups.
Ryan from Wells, EnglandAlthough formed in Sydney, Australia they were never a true Aussie band. The Easybeats were made up from 2 Englishmen, 1 Scotsman and 2 Dutchmen
John from Sydney, AustraliaGreat song but the b side of the single has Made My Bed: Gonna Lie In It which is absolutely incredible. The American pressing comes in a nice picture sleeve unlike the Aussie press with plain paper.
Katie from AustraliaOh I love the Easybeats!!!! They rock!! They are just as good as all the brilliant British beat bands! Get Easyfever!!
Mark from Sydney, AustraliaA masterful composition of classic 60's pop. Authors Vanda & Young headed up Alberts Productions from 1974 which became a virtual Australian hit factory through the rest of the 70's.

They also produced early AC/DC albums and are credited for developing their unique sound during the Bon Scott era.
Dave from Pomeroy, OhA great song to get ready for the weekend!!

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