The Easybeats
I wasn’t able to immediately remember this tune just by reading the band name and song title, but as soon as the video started the memories came flooding back. This 1966 song got a lot of play on radio stations across the world and was their only major hit. The Easybeats were from Australia and consisted of vocalist and front-man Stevie Wright, Harry Vanda on lead guitar, George Young playing rhythm guitar, Dick Diamonde thrumming the bass and Gordon “Snowy” Fleet keeping the beat on drums. In 2001, Friday On My Mind was voted “Best Australian Song” of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association. You can read an excellent article about the band and their role in expanding Australian pop music here.
Familiar Name
We’re talking about Australian rock music and I casually drop the name George Young, which makes you go “Wait a minute, I know that name!” Yes indeed. George Young is in fact the older brother of Malcolm & Angus Young of a small, unknown local band with the strange name AC/DC. You may have heard of them. After The Easybeats broke up in 1969, George Young & Harry Vanda went on to write many more songs for AC/DC and other artists.
Friday On My Mind
I came across a review of the song that hits the nail right on the head, so there’s really no need for me to tax my dwindling brain cells making up my own words. I’ll use his. Unfortunately, this person did not leave his name, not even an alias, so I can’t give credit where credit is due. I will say, though, “Well done!”
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.
Here they are performing live (not lip-synching) on the German TV show Beat! Beat! Beat!, The Easybeats:
Monday mornin’ feels so bad
Ev’rybody seems to nag me
Comin’ Tuesday I feel better
Even my old man looks good
Wed’sday just don’t go
Thursday goes too slow
I’ve got Friday on my mind
Gonna have fun in the city
Be with my girl, she’s so pretty
She looks fine tonight
She is out of sight to me
Tonight I’ll spend my bread, tonight
I’ll lose my head, tonight
I’ve got to get to night
Monday I’ll have Friday on my mind
Do the five day grind once more
I know of nothin’ else that bugs me
More than workin’ for the rich man
Hey! I’ll change that scene one day
Today I might be mad, tomorrow I’ll be glad
‘Cause I’ll have Friday on my mind
Gonna have fun in the city
Be with my girl, she’s so pretty
She looks fine tonight.
She is out of sight to me
Tonight I’ll spend my bread, tonight
I’ll lose my head, tonight
I’ve got to get to night
Monday I’ll have Friday on my mind
Writers: George Young and Harry Vanda
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
