This song is about 25 years ahead of it's time. And it hasn't gotten old or dated. Songwriting perfection. Straight to the point, no fluff no filler. Just brilliant on all levels.
@@velvetoce3927 Mal and Angus wrote the later AC/DC stuff. Their older brother George wrote and produced the earlier AC/DC stuff and most of the stuff on the Australian charts during the 70’s and early 80’s.
As an official geezer and a working musician in the 60's, this song was catchy enough to grab attention. However today, at 72 years old, I only just realized that I've basically been a fan of the Young family nearly my entire life. My mind is officially blown.
YES, YES, YES. I tried playing this song as the lead guitarist in a rock band in the early 70s, but we collectively couldn’t pull it off. Why? Because it has ‘hidden technical mastery! 50 years later I still can’t play it properly. 😂Thanks Phil, it’s about time someone noticed just how sophisticated this song really is!
@@padraiggillon You could be right looking into it. Wikipedia suggests you are but an article in the Guardian suggests it was Friday On My Mind that promoted the phonecall. www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/09/friday-on-my-mind-the-easybeats-australian-anthem
I read in one of the biography books it was "Good Times" McCartney requested a repeat of. And Stevie Young sang it. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8yMswt56fvQ.html And this performance might very well be the first video appearance of "The Beast" a few years before it was given to Malcolm by Harry & George, when it was still red with a black pick guard and pickups, not modified yet, slung over George's shoulder as he plays the piano at 1:57. Can see the tip of it as George plays it at 1:26
they were great .please do more of them . also srevie wright as a solo artist as he got older he got better can you please do more on stevie wright as a solo performer.❤🎉
I have to disagree with you that neither one of the cover of this song is any good. Bruce Springsteen sang it like he was angry. And I don't think that David Bowie version of the song was any good either. I don't know what planet he was on but wow. If he was planning to destory it he did that in spades.
Incidentally, Stevie Wright is only 19 here. George Young was only just 20. And this is after they'd already had years' worth of smash hits in Australia. LEGENDS!
Stevie's tale was one of tremendous highs and lows ... I would talk to Stevie on Wednesday afternoons when heading to school sport as he was in a convalescent hospital in the 70's in Sydney . The hospital specialised in "deep sleep therapy" which was exposed as a killing field , he was lucky to survive . He was polite and friendly despite being sedated . He later hit the heights again later with Evie parts 1 & 2 but addiction continued to riddle his body and performances became few until his death . Meanwhile Vander and Young continued to thrive giving early impetuous to ACDC and became master producers .
Did stevie ever talk about his time in the Chelmsford private hospital. Or the westmont rehabilitation center. I think that he would have been better off dealing with his drug addiction by himself. Just look at what happened to him when he tried to get help from the treatment centers. They almost killed him with the treatment's they gave him. Can you imagine giving him a cocktail of drugs to treat his addition. And giving him all of the electronic shock treatment's that fried his brain. Not to smart. Doctors should have had their license taken way. And put in prison for killing all those people. Look at all the life's that they ruined.
Hi I'm not sure that he was lucky enough to serve the things that he was put through. Look at the way his life turned out. And that he is now being thought. of as just a Addict is SAD. He was a great performer and song writer and a legend. They don't talk about the other performer's that had the same addiction but died from it. They become Rock hero's I guess That you have to die to become one.
"I'll Never Find Another You" was written by Tom Springfield, so not an Australian composition. But The Seekers certainly an Australian band.@@kenmason1461
I'm 72 and grew up on these guys 1965+. Check out their other unique songs/sound - Sorry - Come and see her - Good Times - Women. Rhythm and lead guitars were George Young and Harry Vanda. They later wrote some great tunes eg Love is in the Air. I was so grateful to be a teenager then. They were Australia's Beatles.
I still love this song. I truly believe that pop music from the mid-Sxties to the mid-Seventies was like a movement in painting, a unique movement when there was relative freedom in at least Europe and North America due to a pretty good economy, the baby boom of youth liberated from the "fears that our parents grew by", and the volume and new sounds provided by electrical amplification and electric guitars. The musicians were musicians and composers before they wanted to ber rock stars.
Including AC/DC. Harry Vanda gave his guitar to Malcolm Young. Also, Vanda and Young were a powerhouse of songwriting establishing countless Australian bands
@@cwegers3 I didn’t know that. Thanks. I checked further, and in the same song: ‘and Harry doesn’t mind, if he doesn’t, make the scene. He’s got a daytime job, he’s doin alright’ is Harry Vanda
In 1967 I was in the 7th grade , loved this song.! Still do. Great guitar riff here that every kid was trying to learn back then… rip Stevie Wright and George Young. Oh and nice job Phil!
You will enjoy this then... here's Stevie Wright performing his hit Evie pts 1,2 and 3 at the Sydney Opera House. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lPveBD6WWXc.html
@@leelee6683 Yeah Heroine is one hell of a drug.... once it gets you it's very hard to keep away from that shit..... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BsomkbNgFYQ.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RrK8--j2xE0.html
This song is regularly voted the best Australian song of all time. Fascinating how use of the repetitive mechanical riff introducing the verse section captures brilliantly the drag of the 5-day working week. George Young's brother Malcolm, the musical genius behind AC/DC, said that he noticed the interesting rhythms of machinery in factories where he worked and used them when writing his songs. I wonder how much this riff in 'Friday on my mind' may have consciously or subconsciously heighted his awareness of them.
It still...even now... saddens me looking at Steve Wright..... such talent. To see how he ended up was heartbreaking. Such talent, completely wasted. Vanda and Young were geniuses.
One of my all time favourite songs from the 60s - I was born in 1950. I saw a video clip somewhere of Stevie Wright, talking about this song. He said it was written in a key that was a bit too high for him. If you watch him singing it live you can sympathise with him. Great singer and front man though.
Hi Fil! I sure remember these guys! Took me back to the sixties as soon as the song started...smiling as I remember those fun songs...so young, and carefree! Now I am 73, I just wish I had slowed down a little more, and realized how lucky I was to be part of the sixties kids! Wow! The music was absolutely outstanding! ✌️
I am 69 years old and as soon the intro started i knew this song. There never be a time with music like this again. So glad i was a 60,s kid and grew up in that era of great music. It was non-stop exelent music.
Glad that Fil mentions George's guitar work on this--doesn't mention Harry Vanda's counter riff, unfortunately... he really doesn't mention Harry much in this entire video, strangely enough. This song marked the emergence of the Vanda-Young songwriting partnership--previously, it was really predominantly Wright-Young, with Harry chipping in some, and Dick Diamonde and Snowy Fleet co-writing with the others. Harry was mastering the English language (he was from the Netherlands, as was Dick), and once he did, he became George Young's main partner in song.
How funny! I just watched this performance yesterday, and was so impressed by how winded and tired Stevie is introducing it, (the last song of the set), then, bam, once they start singing he's all energetic and bouncy! Brilliant analysis of what makes the song and the band tick. Thanks!
I was a senior in high school when this came out, and it was fantastic! So much fun to listen to and try to sing along with. Hard to believe people in the video are slow dancing. Enjoyed your analysis of the song. Me, I just always enjoy listening to it. Even now.
Ah, another song/band from my youth! As soon as I saw The Easybeats in the title, that song immediately came to mind! (Yes, I sometimes can't recall why I've walked into another room, but I can pull up trivia from the 60s in a flash! lol 😉) Thanks for the great background history on them, Fil...loved it! 🧡
The first time I heard this song on the radio when I around 16 I just about fell over. And later as a bass player my young band mates and I had to really work on this tune to try and get it right. Still one of my favorites all these years later and it was light years ahead of it's time.
I Had the good fortune to see the EBs on tour with Gene Pitney, The Music Machine, the Box Tops and others in Raleigh, NC in ‘67. What a lineup! That summer had the greatest songs imaginable. In addition to hits from the bands mentioned above, I Was Made to Love Her, Light My Fire, All You Need Is Love, and many more made my otherwise boring Summer actually fun. I recall that, not surprisingly, Stevie proved his worth as a great entertainer. In addition to their original songs, their cover of A Day In a Life was unforgettable. When the final chord was hit, as part of the presentation, Stevie fell face first off the stage onto what looked to be a couple of mattresses. Ahead of his time, I’d say. Anyway, thanks for the analysis of this outstanding song and the techniques involved.
I grew up on the "little Easies", their stuff was a huge influence on me. As good as the whole lineup were together, Vanda and Young were the musical strength. By the time I had grown up? and developed the taste for live music and a beer, George, and, I guess Harry, had thoroughly schooled the junior Youngs in exactly how two guitars should compliment each other, and I was able to witness the emergence of Malcolm and Angus' band. Vanda and Young took their ability to production as well. Whilst the bands no doubt had the talent, see what the Vanda/Young touch did with Aussie bands like The Angels and Rose Tattoo, as well as the early AC/DC. Stevie Wright's solo contribution to Oz rock is also without peer. He was one of those who always dug deep and gave a bit of himself in every performance. Stevie did not always care what was best for him, and, I think, left us early because of that. Near on 40 years ago I was acquainted with a guy who worked on his tours . As well as looking after the gear, the crew had to attempt to keep the suppliers at bay. Sad loss was Stevie. I really appreciate the diversity of music in your reviews. Thank you...
You should recognize that it wasn't Vanda and Young songs that made the Easybeats stars, it was Wright and Young. Wright and Young wrote, Shes So Fine, Sorry, Wedding Ring, Woman, Ill make you Happy, For my Woman etc., Friday was when Vanda really came into it. And soon after that , they were toast..alsorans. After they went to the UK, their producers told Wright to shove off the song writing. As mentioned here, they were told to get 'sophisticated' . What a bummer for him. From there Stevie Wright went downhill whilst Vanda and Young wrote a lot of woffly psychedelic pop finally coming good at the end in '69. Most people don't credit Wright for the songs and give it to Vanda and Young. Not knocking Vanda who is obviously a massive talent and brilliant guy. Even this guy doesn't mention Wright writing the songs. Wright wrote the lyrics I believe, while George did the chords....I can see the mid 60s Brit producers getting all 'heavy' and asking for 'meaningful' songs..pity.
@@mebeasensei Absolutely!! And one of the major things George got out of the UK experience for his brothers. Stick firmly with what your instinctive type of music is. DON'T let others sway you. It brought ACDC the long term success that the Easybeats also deserved
Wings of Pegasus, Easybeats,so big in Australia in 65/66 every song was just a bigger hit than the last one. When the Rolling Stones toured Australia in late 65 the Easybeats were the support act. At the end of the tour Mick Jagger said "Man, that group made us work every night." When the dust finally settled AC/DC would form out of this band. The song is a classic and after all these years still has the power to pull you out of your chair and onto the dance floor. Cheers, Chris Perry.
@@happyolddude I was sure the Easybeats were on the list. But was it the New Zealand group, Ray Columbus and the Invaders? Doing songs like " She's a Mod." The Easybeats did a finale tour of Australia in 1966 before they went to the U.K. to record. I saw their show in Adelaide, I think on the same show was a group called The Twilights. Was'nt Glen Shorrick one of the group. Were'nt the Twilights from Perth or did some of the group members come frm Perth. Cheers, Chris Perry.
@@ainsleyperry5192 Chris thanks for your reply. You were very close. the line up was The Stones, Roy Orbison, The Newbeats and a New Zealand group named Larrys Rebels. Glenn Shorrock was indeed the lead singer of the Twilights and the group was from Adelaide where the original lead singer of AC/DC came from (David Evans).. The reason I remember so well re The Stones was that I took a girl with me who disappeared when the Stones came on to go forward and I never saw her again!
@@happyolddude Thank you for that. Shows how time can distort your memories. I heard that Larrys Rebals are now in the New Zealand Hall of Fame. The one thing I know for shaw. You don't want to take a girl anywhere because as soon as you get there then they disapear into thin air. True then still true today. Cheers, Chris Perry.
I should of added this yesterday, I was a high school kid Australia when Easy Fever hit us, and believe me they were huge in Australia. But I must congratulate you on your summation of their career, it was extremely accurate.
The energy of this song is contagious reminds me of my teenage years when the most important thing on my mind was Friday -Stevie had a great voice and stage presence - many songs sound to me similar to the Beatles I’m crazy about this sound this band I just love them !! Thank you Fil !!
Great stuff Fil. I also grew up on the Easies and their many hits in Australia before Friday On My Mind. They had actually perfected that sound with Friday's predecessor "Sorry" . Check it out. In the end, I think Harry & George's biggest hit was the perennial "Love is in the Air" which they wrote and produced for John Paul Young, and of course AC/DC benefited tremendously from their earlier experiences in the industry.
By the way, I saw some of AC/DC's early pub gigs, when Angus really was a teenager. Pretty much doing then what you see him still doing now, but back then they had to win over a Tuesday night disco crowd who'd not heard of them. I heard him and Malcolm doing a radio interview at the time, explaining how they started playing at home, and Angus proceeded to play Glenn Miller's "In The Mood" riff on an acoustic.
I really like The Easy Beats. I've been meaning to check out more of their stuff. Thanks so much for covering them so well. Truly appreciate your work 😎rock
It's very fun for me (a pre-Invasion player) to watch a good guitarist describe all of the things that go through a guitarist's mind, moment-by-moment, without actually thinking about it. Thanks for reviewing all of the old stuff!
Harry and George really were dynamo's of the Australian music scene in the 1970s and 1980's. Albert studios had so many great and successful Australian bands and of course they helped out Georges little brothers band ACDC a lot. Ive heard George used to play bass sometimes for ACDC early on and was an amazing bass player as well.
Great Australian band, from my home country. So sad to see such talent that was wasted by poor management, although they had many hits which were unknown outside Australia, probably as big as the Beatles and the Stones down under at the time. RIP George and Stevie.
I am sorry to say that I heard that Harry Vanda has passed away last year. In August of 2022 😢😢😢 at the age of 78. I read that he was diagnosed with dementia 😢😢😢 But he died from cancer 😢😢. Only 8 months after being diagnosed 😢😢. Don't know how bad his dementia was? He will be missed 🎉🎉
Another version I liked better of this showed up on my youtube from French TV, 1967 and I played it over and over and over. Brought back memories of my day, with Friday on my mind too! His dance moves were amazing! He gave his all. Everything about this song, the words, the delivery and yes the technical mastery! Always makes me happy!! Thanks for the review.
Hi fil , I don't know if you got my questions a few minutes ago ? I might have been cut off before it was sent. So I will ask you again. Are you going to be doing a show about Stevie Wright's solo music career. He wrote some good songs 🎉🎉. He wrote a song called. ( Cindy ) and one called. ( Brothers ) He performed at the Bridge way Hotel in Australia where he did a Otis Redding song called I've been loving you to long. He put his soul into it 🎉🎉🎉. The concert was in the year 1987 or 88 I thought you might like it 😂😂😂. He needs some one like you to acknowledge his talent. So he can have the credit he deserves as a song writer and performer in my opinion he was just as good as George and Harry. 🎉🎉🎉
George young was the older brother of Angus and Malcolm and another brother named Alexander young who was another 60s band called Grapefruit in London. They never really made it big but you should watch their performance of “Cmon Marianne”, lead singer had amazing vocals.
Thankyou for this. Stevie was a v good friend of mine. Especially through a v difficult time in my life and I hope I helped him in his hard times when many turned their back. It helped I was a quiet patient nurse I should think. Ha. And part time librarian at Sydney Uni. ( break from nursing)....He gave me the greatest compliment anyone ever gave me in my life. An incredible compliment. Stevie was highly intelligent and fascinating to talk to and be around. . He could suddenly stun you with his knowledge and especially his wisdom. Being a front man can be v difficult. All eyes on you etc. He;d done that role from a v young age, He'd love to just hide at home. Me too, being a semi hermit. I still am . Peace and quiet, Too much talk is a waste of time and interferes with creative contemplation. .Though we'd talk sometime for hours!!! Haha. I played a little classical guitar and I'd play that to put a gentle flow around. Part of Asturias and a few others, etc. I got some much needed practise. Taught at boarding school by special music teacher. Hahaha. Later his accent became more Aussie. As it should. And Evie, it was about the beginning and unwanted death of a relationship. .Symbolic. He was one of ours, an Aussie... I loved him....still do ( sorry, bit of a novel )l
I’ve heard this song before but have never seen this live performance. You can certainly see how Malcolm Young was influenced by the percussive rhythm style of his brother George. It’s an incredibly impressive performance especially given the energy. There are times when Steve looks like he might go out of key by simply being out of breath but never does. The backing harmonies are impressive as well, very melodic and a nice contrast with the raw edginess of the vocals.
This was at the very end of a long evening gig. No wonder he was running out of breath and voice. The studio version is better. Nonetheless, brilliant.
Awesome production Phil, as per usual. The guy's met at an immigration hostel not far from where I grew up in Sydney. Villawood was a place for new arrivals either waiting for housing or just adapting to the move to Australia. Quite a few up and returned not long after arrival. Great show.
As i recall, V&Y had shown their song ideas to 'someone' in England who was not captured by any of of them. As they were leaving, 'oh we have this riff' which he loved (they'd had it for some time but couldn't work out how to complete it), it was finished in the next week (?) and the rest is history
You hit it right on the head about the guitar techniques employed in this song. It sounds easy to play, but to play it right is very difficult. I have been listening to a lot of the Easybeats lately and so many of their songs are killer. They were such an underrated band, and Stevie was a great frontman. You can see a lot of influence he gave Bon Scott in how he owns the stage. As always, a great job, look forward to seeing more of your videos.
This song is a masterclass in pop songwriting. The tension of the verse, leading to the happy release of the chorus, which ends building on a tension of its own-- the "tonight!" repetitions, is dazzling. 1967 was the Garage Band period in the states--after Beatlemania but before Summer of Love. "Friday On My Mind" has a garage band sound, but it's so much more sophisticated than the usual fare. I love it.
It certainly was 25 years ahead of its time. Listen to Angus Young's guitar on Thunderstruck (recorded in 1990) and then go back to this track and you realise where he must have got the idea for the riff.
Friday on my Mind - the song that made Paul McCartney pull his car over after hearing it being played on BBC Radio. He went and called BBC and requested they play the song again so he could listen to and analyse the song structure. He loved the song and was impressed by how well it was written. High praise indeed.
Nostalgic excellence & live energy comes through big. Out of breath from the previous song, struggling through the lyrics with exuberance and likability, appreciating the enthusiasm of the frontman in a big way!
Back in around 1980 ,,,, I was apprenticing at Albert studios ,,,,,, mainly I did it for the experience and my love of music ,,,,,, and also I accumulated quite a bit of studio time for myself ,,,,,,, I was lucky enough to be there while bands like the Angels ,, Rose tattoo ,,,,,AC,DC,,,Jon English ,,,,and many more were recording their albums,,, When I finally got my studio time and was putting down some songs ,,,, Harry and George came in and asked if they could have a listen, They sat down and watched for awhile,,,,,boy did I feel nervous ,,,, They were pretty cool and were interested in the session. I was in good company though ,working with me were Paul Radcliffe RIP and Mark Opitz
What a great video! One of the things I love about these is watching Fil watch the performance. With that infectious smile, it's clear that he loves this music. What a song, and what a band! Fil does a nice job of running down the history of the members of the Easybeats, but he does leave off that George and Harry would become Flash and the Pan. They put out a great album with the late--'70s hit that I'm sure everyone knows, "Hey, St. Peter." (weird video). I've always wondered why Stevie didn't become a **huge** pop star, and why the Easybeats weren't more popular in America. Eh. The vagaries of the fickle listening public, I guess. Great video, Fil - thanks!
Poor Stevie got on the "horse" and couldn't get off. George and Harry wrote him a song called Evie in three parts, which did well in Australia in 1974. But he continued to deteriorate, surprisingly he lived in poor health till 2015.
I don't think that it was the heroin that was caused all of his health problems. I think it was the treatment at the Chelmsford private hospital that helped cause his health problems. 😢😢 After 14 electric shock treatment's and Nobody knows how many times he was given a cocktail of drugs that nobody knows what was in them. All together it fried his brain made him do things that he would not have done. It is very sad that when he tried to get help for his addition at 2 different rehabilitation center nothing worked for him. What did those places do besides take his money😢😢😢😢😢
@@fredjones1238 Yes it’s true Steve Marriott as a guest sang in the refrains of Good Times. I was surprised to hear that when I first found out. If you listen to the song you can clearly hear his distinctive vocals. I think it’s wonderful that two of my favourite singers, both named Steve, sang together. I hope they became good friends
Great live version! I remember this as a kid all over the radio! Top Ten Hit here in Canada peaking at #3.🇨🇦 Such a well put together song technically! Great lead vocals and enery from Stevie! Vocally and musically so tight and precise! Love the energy! Always felt the Easybeats were one of those under appreciated bands very much ahead of their time. Excellent analysis once again Fil! Thanks!😎🎼🎵🎶🇨🇦
I love this song, I think it epitomizes in so many ways the best of 60s rock, and I am so glad to see that Fil did an analysis of it. I always look forward to Fil's videos--which I consider the best music analysis/reaction videos on RU-vid, hands down. His respectful admiration for artists of the past, often representing various genres, and his love for music that comes through as he smiles while observing the videos, his interesting deconstructions, his knowledgeable and informative discussions of the history of the careers of the artists, all combine to make this THE channel for music lovers. Thanks, Fil, for your great videos!!!
Ive been listening to this some more and really digging the rhythm section--how it contrasts with the opening guitar riff, propels the song through the space just before the chorus, and bounces through to the next verse. It's the contrast and bounce that made mid-60s rock so exciting.
And, Fil, thanks for this video, and for your work on the series generally. Although I just subscribed today, I've previously checked out several of your videos, and have enjoyed them and learned quite a bit. Keep the great work coming! Bob
Vanda and Young actually met as teenagers in the migrant hostel at Villawood (which is a suburb of Sydney). Families who migrated to Australia often were initially accomodated by the federal government at old army camps in very basic buildings called Nissan Huts. It was a tough life. Nevertheless it was a start to a new life in Australia.
Immediately as the intro started i knew the song. Like 9/10 songs that came out that era. Melodies and harmonies that logde in the mind and soul forever. The music of the past had a mysterious special quality that will never to be replicated. It blew us away back then and continues today. No one will remember today,s music in 40 or 50 years.
Easybeats Vanda and Young wrote it and then it was covered by Bowie and later by Gary Moore. There’s a good reason big names covered the song - its a pop masterpiece.
As a (mostly hack) musician, I appreciate this on so many levels: a GREAT song; a great, energetic live performance, and an absolutely great analysis/breakdown! I've just discovered your channel, it's it's fast becoming a favorite! Thanks -- it's also fun watching you enjoy the videos as you present them. Obviously, a labor of love for you!
Great song , great analysis, but Fil , I must admit I find your facial expressions throughout the song even more entertaining . Your exuberance and pure joy beams .