Pop Archives

The Easybeats - Friday On My Mind (1966)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australian band recorded in UKAustralian band recorded in UK Australian band recorded in UK
#6 UK #16 USA #1 Sydney #3 Melbourne #1 Brisbane #2 Adelaide #2 Perth #2 NZ #39 Canada #13 Ireland #13 Denmark #13 Sweden #1 Netherlands #6 France #17 Spain #10 West Germany #16 Belgium

Recorded in London, produced by Chicago-born Shel Talmy (b.1937), major producer and arranger of The Who, The Kinks and many other major artists in the 60s and 70s Britain.

Single on United Artists UK (Oct 1966), Parlophone Australia (Nov 1966), United Artists USA (Dec 1966), Parlophone New Zealand (Mar 1967) and in many other countries. On the charts 1966-67.

The Easybeats were Australia’s greatest pop export of the 60s, famous worldwide for Friday On My Mind. In the rest of the world they were known as one hit wonders, but back in Australia they had already topped the charts with an impressive repertoire of original pop songs, and set off a wave of popularity known locally as Easyfever.

Vanda and Young went on to continued success as producers, songwriters and performers (Flash and the Pan): see Magnus Holmgren’s Vanda-Young discography at his Australian Rock Database [archived page].

Further reading: 1. Easybeats page at Aussie music site Milesago. 2. Richie Unterberger: interview with Shel Talmy.


The Dukes - Friday On My Mind (1966)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Netherlands Netherlands
Later version
#1 Netherlands

Single on Decca, with original English lyrics, by Dutch band from Nijmegen (1962-1970). Co-charted in the Netherlands with the original by The Easybeats.

Further reading: The Dukes at Nederpop: sleeve shot, personnel and singles discography.
Thanks to Joop Jansen.

 


Tages - Friday On My Mind (1967)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Sweden Sweden
Later version

B -side on Platina by popular and prolific British-beat influenced band from Gothenburg, Sweden. YouTube

For more about Tages, see their version of Leaving Here at this site (also recorded by Australia’s Vacant Lot).

Further reading: English Wikipedia’s Tages article seems to be a solid introduction to the band.


The group name is simply Tages. It is incorrect to use The before their name as it is not a plural noun as in, say, The Kinks.

The -s in Tages indicates possession (genitive case). In English it would be Tage’s. This was a common naming convention for Swedish bands, using the name of a band member, in this case guitarist-vocalist Danne Tage Larsson. (See Swedish Wikipedia’s Tages article on this.)


The Shadows - Friday On My Mind (1967)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

Instrumental version on album Jigsaw, aka Shadows’ 67.

Further reading: Review by Dave Thompson at All music Guide: Friday On My Mind, the Easybeats chestnut so beloved of the garage band revival, is positively nasty and so accurately predicts David Bowie's later version that one has no doubt what he was doing during this halcyon year.


I Ribelli - La follia (1967)

(Harry Vanda - George Young - Mogol [Giulio Rapetti] - V. Pallavicini)
Italy Italy
Later version

Italian-language version of Friday On My Mind (La follia – "madness") by guitar and sax rock group of the 1960s ("The Rebels").

Other writer credits for lyricist Giulio Rapetti [Mogol] include the Italian originals of I (Who Have Nothing) (Ben E. King, Normie Rowe), (If Paradise Is) Half As Nice (Amen Corner, Toby Jugg) and Help Yourself (Tom Jones).

Further reading: 1. Official site of I Ribelli 2. Brief Wikipedia entry.


The Petards - Friday On My Mind

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

c.1967

Popular West German psychedelic band formed in 1961 as The Magic Stompers in Steinatal, west-central Germany. By 1964 they had taken on beat music and become The Petards. They broke up in 1972 after releasing five albums and fourteen singles. They also recorded under the aliases of Zonk and Flitter Mouse.

Further reading (all in German): 1. The Petards (fansite). 2. The Petards official site. 3. The Petards entry at de.wikipedia.


Les Hou-Lops - Vendredi m’obsède (1967)

(George Young - Georges Aber)
Canada Canada
Later version

French version first recorded in France by Erick Saint-Laurent.

Single on Apex by beat band from Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec. For a while at the height of Beatlemania they dyed their moptops blonde and were known as Les Tetes Blanches.

Further reading (in French): 1. Discography and brief biography at RetroJeunesse60.com. 2. Les Hou-lops/Les Tetes Blanches at Centre d’histoire de Saint-Hyacinthe.


Erick Saint-Laurent - Vendredi m’obsède (1967)

(George Young - Georges Aber)
France France
Later version

Track on EP on Barclay, recorded in London with arrangement and musical direction by Reg Guest. The title is a fair translation of Friday On My Mind: “Friday obsesses/haunts me“. Also recorded in Canada by Les Hou-lops.

Reference: Sleeve shots at encyclopedisque.fr.

Version alert from Philippe: merci encore une fois.


George Brummell - Vendredi m’obsède (1967)

(George Young - Georges Aber)
France France
Later version

On EP on Vogue label by Toulouse singer, real name Michel Simonet (b. 1945), better known as Mike Shannon, lead singer of popular French rock’n’roll band Les Chats Sauvages 1962-1964, replacing Dick Rivers.

References, further reading: 1. EP details at EncyclopeDisque.fr. 2. Mike Shannon at French Wikipedia.

Merci à Philippe de me signaler cette version.


Transsylvania Phoenix - Friday On My Mind (1968)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Romania Romania
Later version

On EP Vremuri ("Old Times") by covers and original band combining Western rock with traditional folk sounds, formed in Timisoara in 1962.

Further reading: 1. Official site at Transsylvania-Phoenix.net. 2. Transsylvania Phoenix entry at Wikipedia


The Johnny Hawker Orchestra - Friday On My Mind (1968)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australia Australia
Later version

On Columbia album Out Front, presumably an instrumental version. Orchestra leader and arranger Johnny Hawker worked on many Australian recordings, including Grantley Dee’s Wild One. See also Cinderella Rockefella, the 1968 hit by Johnny and his wife Anne, a cover version of the Esther & Abi Ofarim hit.


Bobby Patrick And Flash-Back - Friday On My Mind

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

c.1970

On Music For Radio, Television and Films, an LP of library music (ready made theme and background music) in United Artists’ Recorded Music Library series. Personnel included Roger Dean, ex-John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers guitarist.

Vernon Joynson, in The Tapestry of Delights, confirms that this is the same trumpeter-vocalist Bobby Patrick of Bobby Patrick’s Big Six, a band that also included Roger Dean. Alex Young, saxophonist brother of the Easybeats’ George Young, was also in The Big Six, but he was not part of Flash-back.

Further reading: 1. Bobby Patrick’s Big Six entry in Vernon Joynson, The Tapestry of Delights (shop) 2. Roger Dean discography and interview at Rock of Ages (Kollektionist.net).


Missing Link - Friday On My Mind (1972)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

Single on United Artists by progressive band from Munich. Only the B-side, Kids Hunting, was on Missing Link’s 1972 album Evergreen, but Friday On my Mind appears as a bonus track on the CD reissue.

Not to be confused with Australian 60s band The Missing Links.

Further reading (in German): Review of Evergreen at German progrock site Babyblauen Seiten.


David Bowie - Friday On My Mind (1973)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On Pinups, David Bowie’s tribute to the songs of the 60s. (See also Everything's Alright.)

Further reading: Album review by Bruce Eder at All Music Guide.

 

John Kincade - Friday On My Mind (1974)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On album One Of Those Dreams. John Kincade was the name adopted by John Knowles after he was recruited to front a touring version of songwriter John Carter’s studio band Kincade (Dreams Are Ten a Penny, 1973, a hit in parts of Europe and Australia).

Further reading: For the full complicated story, see Alex Gitlin’s Kincade page and the Wikipedia entry.


Earth Quake - Friday On My Mind (1975)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

Single on Beserkley (the label’s first) by power pop band formed 1966 who had previously released two albums for major label A&M 1971-72. Also on Earth Quake's album Rockin' The World and on compilation Beserkley Chartbusters Vol. 1.

Beserkley was an independent label formed in Berkeley, California by Matthew King Kaufman, manager of Earth Quake. Other label artists included Jonathan Richman (who played on this Earth Quake track) and the Modern Lovers, The Rubinoos, and Greg Kihn.

Further reading: 1. Beserkley album discography at BSN. 2. The Beserkley Story at BC Music 3. Beserkley at Wikipedia.


Lenny Mac Dowell - Friday On My Mind (1975)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

Instrumental version on album Flute Power by German flautist (real name Friedemann M. Leinert) in the jazz-Latin-ambient area with electronic back-up, based in Stuttgart, Germany. See Discogs.com.


Peter Doyle - Friday On My Mind (1976)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

Single on RCA (UK) YouTube by Australian singer Peter Doyle, by this time working in the UK. This was his first single after leaving the New Seekers, produced by David Mackay and Tarney & Spencer.

For Peter Doyle's Australian career see, for example, Peter DoyleStupidity, Grandma's TonicHi Hi Hazel and The Virgil BrothersTemptation 'Bout To Get Me.

(An) amazing rendition of the Easybeats' hit… Why it never got sufficient airplay to allow it to become a hit will remain a mystery to all those who ever hear it.Details and commentary on Friday On My Mind at The Peter Doyle Website.


Threshold - Friday On My Mind (1976)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

Single on Sol-doon (through Pye) by Portsmouth group. Friday On My Mind was arranged and produced by their manager Allan Heather of ATV Music. Threshold’s 1976 line-up was John Wilson, Trevor Price, George Allen and Paul Russell.

Reference: Label shot, other details at 45cat.

Listen at YouTube. The B-side is here.

Thanks to John Wilson.


London - Friday On My Mind (1977)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On EP Summer Of Love on MCA label by punk/new wave band managed and produced by Simon Napier-Bell.

Further reading: 1. Miles Tredinnick’s London page 2. London's page at MySpace  3. Simon Napier-Bell at All Music Guide 4. SimonNapierBell.com 


Fantasy - Friday On My Mind (1977)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australia Australia
Later version

Melbourne pop band who had a hit in 1973 with the double entendre novelty The Marrow Song. Track from Tribute to Australian Rock And Roll, an album of remakes of Australian hits from the 60s and 70s. See also The Real Thing.


The Kursaal Flyers - Friday On My Mind (1977)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On Five Live Kursaals, final album by eclectic pub rock band of the mid- to late-70s whose members went on to Eddie & The Hot Rods (Graeme Douglas) and The Records (Will Birch and John Wicks).

Further reading1. Stephen Thomas Erlewine’s band bio at all Music Guide. 2. Kursaal Flyers at Wikipedia 3. Kursaal Flyers' MySpace page.


The Golant Pistons - Friday On My Mind (1979)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

7” single on Sawmills (“from Sonet Records”) by British punk or new wave band, produced by Tony Cox. Also on MFP punk compilation We Do ‘Em Our Way (1980).


Chilly - Friday On My Mind (1979)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

From album Come To LA by German disco group formed 1978.
This was a #2 hit in South Africa.

Further readingChilly entry at Wikipedia. Thanks to Terry Stacey.


Peter Frampton - Friday On My Mind (1981)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On A&M album Breaking All The Rules (1981), also on Shows The Way (1998)

British singer-guitarist from Kent Peter Frampton (b.1950) had been in The Herd and then in Humble Pie with Steve Marriott. He embarked on a solo career which led to brief superstardom in the 70s with his best-selling albums Frampton Comes Alive! (1976) and I’m In You (1977).

Further reading: Peter Frampton biography and album review by Joe Viglione at All Music Guide.


The Vanguards - Friday On My Mind (1982)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Norway Norway
Later version

On 2003 album Vanguards Special – The Vanguards 1963-2003, live track recorded 1982 by Norwegian band active throughout the 60s.

Further reading: Vanguards discography at Instromania.


Barry Christian - Friday On My Mind (1982)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

7" single on KRL label.


Chameleon - Friday On My Mind (1982)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Later version

Single on Platinum #E-838. Filed under punk at record dealers’ websites.


The Curves - Friday On My Mind (1983)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

12” single on Allegiance by Southern Californian pop-rock band produced by Richie Wise, also on The Curves’ second album.

Further reading: MySpace page of Curves guitarist Tom Boxwell


The Gents - Friday On My Mind (1986)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

Released in two versions on 7” and 12” singles. Mod band from Doncaster in South Yorkshire, active throughout the 1980s, released nine singles and two albums. Not to be confused with numerous other bands called The Gents.

Further reading: For everything Gents, see Simon’s Gents site at TheGents.org.uk which includes commentary on Friday On My Mind.


The Space Negros - Friday On My Mind (1987)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

On album The Space Negros Do Generic Ethnic Muzak Versions Of All Your Favorite Punk/Psychedelic Songs From The Sixties. No further commentary needed?


Gary Moore - Friday On My Mind (1987)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version
#26 UK #18 Ireland #30 Sydney #9 Melbourne #3 Adelaide #30 NZ

On Wild Frontier, album by distinguished Irish blues-rock guitarist and composer. Among the bands Gary Moore has played with on tour and in the studio is Thin Lizzy, whose frontman Phil Lynott was in Moore's early band Skid Row for a time.

Further reading: Biography and album review at All Music Guide.


Khemi - Friday On My Mind

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
France France
Later version

c. 1989
Single produced by Serge Mazeres, mixed by Herve Volme & Gabri, arranged by Mario Santangeli.


Elliot Goblet - Friday On My Mind (1989)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australia Australia
Later version

Parody

Single on Avenue. Deadpan version by deadpan comedian, a persona of Jack Levi.

Further reading: 1. ElliotGoblet.com.au 2. Brief Wikipedia entry.


Rickie Lee Jones - Friday On My Mind (1989)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

Track on CD single of Satellites, also on 12" vinyl.


Tatara - Friday On My Mind (1995)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

Instrumental version on album Dingdingding on Null Vier Null label. Tatara is a big, brassy, theatrical street band from Hamburg.

Further reading: 1. Tatara’s website and MySpace page. 2. Alternative Bands 101 at RelevantMusic.org.


The Busters - Friday On My Mind (1996)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

On album Stompede by German post-ska band.

Further reading: Busters' official site.

 


Michael Bruce - Friday On My Mind (1997)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

On solo album In My Own Way on One Way label by Alice Cooper’s guitarist-keyboardist.

Further reading: Michael Bruce biography and review of the album by Donald A. Guarisco at All Music Guide. 


Dakota - Friday On My Mind (1997)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

On album Little Victories by New York classic rock band.


Vanessa Amorosi & Lee Kernaghan - Friday On My Mind (2001)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australia Australia
Later version

Theme song for Nine Network’s Friday Night Football, recorded by two well-known Australian artists, chart-topping pop singer-songwriter Vanessa Amorosi and major country music star Lee Kernaghan.

Further reading: 1. Official sites: VanessaAmorosi.com and LeKernaghan.com. 2. Wikipedia: Vanessa Amorosi and Lee Kernaghan. 3. All Music Guide; Amorosi and Kernaghan.


Noogie - Friday On My Mind (2001)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australia Australia
Later version

CD single on Trauma by Sydney rock band, also on album Remote Controller. Also heard on the soundtrack of US film A Walk To Remember (2002).

Listen to Friday On my Mind at Noogie’s otherwise neglected MySpace page.


Paul Michiels - Friday On My Mind (2001)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Belgium Belgium
Later version

On album Forever Young by Belgian singer-songwriter (b. 1948), previously with Purple Bus, Octopus and Soulsister.

Further reading: 1. Brief biography at last.fm. 2. Official site at PaulMichiels.be


Superyob - Friday On My Mind (2004)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On album Ghetto Blaster by London punk-rock-indie band led by Frankie Flame.

Further reading: Official site at Superyob.com.


Coyote Girlz - Friday On My Mind (2005)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Germany Germany
Later version

CD single on Spectre.  This seems to some kind of spin-off from the 2000 film Coyote Ugly, though the soundtrack offers no clues.

Further reading: Coyote Girlz page at Spectre Media


Aqua Velvet - Friday On My Mind (2005)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
USA USA
Later version

On instrumental album Hey Everybody, Let’s Fall In Love by musicians Jim Hoke and Randy Leago.


Richard Thompson - Friday On My Mind (2006)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
UK UK
Later version

On 1000 Years of Popular Music, CD-DVD concert recording of the songs of the millennium chosen and performed by British folk legend.

Further readingReview by Mark Deming at All Music Guide 


Ben Lee - Friday On My Mind (2008)

(Harry Vanda - George Young)
Australia Australia
Later version

Track by Sydney singer-songwriter-actor on the album Easy Fever: A tribute to the Easybeats and Stevie Wright (various artists, October 2008).

Harry Vanda commented on Ben Lee’s version to The Weekend Australian’s Iain Shedden:

I thought Ben did the smart thing. He even put a beat into the song. The original Friday On My Mind… you try and dance to that and you fall over your feet…

And on composing the song:

You don’t think at the time that ‘this is rather clever’, but when you dissect it years later you realise it is rather clever. I liked to squeeze a chorus in A into an E minor verse. That worked, but I can assure you it wasn’t as calculated as that.

Reference: Iain Shedden, “Sounds of Then”, The Weekend Australian, 27-28 September 2008