Songs That Changed Music - Mr Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra 

What are some of the happiest songs of all time? Share below!

Mr. Blue Sky was the song I picked for my wedding to play directly after we said our vows and walked down the aisle as man and wife. Truly one of my favorite songs of all time. Whenever I really need an attitude boost, this is one of the first choice songs. A true classic masterpiece!

This is one song that I remember hearing when I was a kid in the late 80's/ early 90's being played by my Dad and while I thought it was alright I didn't really get it. About 5 years or so ago, I was driving the works van, after a very grey week it was suddenly a beautiful blue day and this song came on the radio and I suddenly got the song. It went from an alright song to one of my all time favourites.

Some facts about Jeff Lynne (ELO)...First, he is a very humble man, simply because this Music Genius is not interested in fame, the limelight, and money, he just loves to create great music. Jeff Lynne is one of the most versatile musicians ever, this is why he is considered by his peers to be among the greatest. He didn't stick to one style of music because, after decades, it gets boring. Jeff has done progressive Rock, Symphonic Rock - Pop, New wave, and Disco. Everything he does turns to gold. He even flirted with Country music. From 1972 to 1986 (During 14 years) Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra has had more top 40 hits than any other group in the world... 51 years later they still play in sold-out Arenas, festivals and Stadiums. During Jeff Lynne's ELO 2019 Tour, many reviews agreed in saying they are the best live Classic Rock Band in the world still touring and Jeff Lynne is a Music Genius( From Forbes Magazine and the Washington Post). ELO is in the Rock Hall of Fame. Lynne is on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame and Birmingham Walk OF Fame. Jeff Lynne’s ELO won the Best Classic Rock Band plus Lynne won the best Songwriter award ( ASCAP ) in 2019 for his fantastic contribution over the years. In October of 2020, Jeff Lynne has been made an officer of The Order Of The British Empire for his extraordinary contribution to music. He previously has received three Ivor Novello Awards, which celebrate songwriters and composers, including the award for outstanding services to British music. He created the best Super Group of all time with his best friend George Harrison, The Traveling Wilburys. The Legends in the Music Industry call Jeff Lynne the best overall Musician ever and a Producer Extraordinaire. Jeff Lynne has written and produced many hit songs for music legends like George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Joe Walsh, Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Bryan Adams, Aerosmith, Del Shannon, the Everly Brothers, The Beatles, and so many others...In June 2023 Jeff Lynne will be inducted in The Songwriters Hall Of Fame ❤👍💯

I got Out Of The Blue autographed by the whole band on their tour of Australia in 1978. I liked them so much I went to both concerts in Perth. Concerto For A Rainy Day was my favourite when there was an electrical storm outside.

Jeff is an astounding talent! Thank you for such an interesting & informative presentation Warren.

This is one of the songs i'd like at my funeral, I don't want anyone being sad. ELO was the first group I got into, Time was the album that started me off.

XTC’s “Ballet for a Rainy Day” always makes me think of “Mr. Blue Sky” (or the whole “Concerto for a Rainy Day” suite). And it’s transition into “1000 Umbrellas” is just awesome!

I just love the bit that fades in again after its finished. One of my favourite outros ever! Right up there with layla.

I’m 100% convinced that, if J.S. Bach had managed to live another 250 years, he would have made music with similar orchestrations and instrumentations to ELO’s recordIngs. He would have absolutely loved using Moogs, Fairlights, Synclaviers, etc., too.

As a young lad I'd go and see Birmingham City FC play at the weekend, starting in 2003. One of the pre-match songs was always Mr. Blue Sky, so I've been very familiar with it for a very long time. It really is a wonderful song, and would always give me a feeling of happiness and appreciation for being in that atmosphere, before we inevitably played poorly and lost haha! It's the perfect song for the team though, fitting our colours and the fact Jeff himself is a local supporter. EDIT: Oh wow you even mentioned it got played at the 2011 Football League Cup Final. That game was Arsenal vs Birmingham City, with the blues winning, which was why the song was played!

I've done live sound for years and Mr Blue Sky is one of the songs I regularly use to ear check the room. If there's a frequency band that's not right it will show up at some point, glaringly.

YES! You could do a whole video series on the works of Jeff Lynne👍

This song came out when I was 10 years old. I bought the 45 and ELO became the first rock band I loved.

Epic! Cant believe we are discussing a cognitive neuroscience paper on this channel. I hope you never run out of Songs That Changed Music to review. Fantastic one Warren and crew!

Would love a dive into Talk Talk. Their journey from It’s My Life to Spirit of Eden is fascinating I imagine and I’d also imagine you appreciate the orchestral arrangements on Colour of Spring & Spirit of Eden?. Spirit of Eden being probably my number one album.

When I was a young teen my brother and I saw ELO at the LA Forum in 1981. It was their Time Album tour but they also played Mr. Blue Sky. What a life-long awesome memory!

Fascinating story about "Out of the Blue". I love it. Thanks for these insights.

To me Mr. Blue Sky Doesn’t sound musically happy but sad and That’s why I absolutly love it. Lynne is a giant in music. An absolute genius

One of my favorite people... talking about my favorite artist of all time!

Brilliant! ELO has been been one of my favorite bands since the early 70's. Mr. Blue sky is an all time favorite.

Bought the double LP as soon as I could get it when I was a kid. it remains of my all time favorite albums of all time due in no small part to this incredible song.

This is a fantastic track and so uplifting. The orchestral wind down at the end is just perfect. The story of where and how it was written is also interesting. People will still be listening to this in a hundred years time.

WOW! As a 53 year-old American steeped in pop culture who grew up on ELO and loves them to this day... I've never heard this song or seen a single movie or other reference in this video! How is that possible? Now I have to hear this song! I can't wait. Edit: Okay, I'm not seeing it. It's a good song, but the happiest song of all time? Seriously? Where were these polls (pills?) taken? Perhaps it's just the happiest song in England...

Jeff Lynne, Rock Legend 🎸🥁🎹🎼. ELO greatest Rock Band ever in my opinion 👍. Just to add, brilliant video 👏👍!!!!!!

ELO were something magnificent! And I was only 7 years old when I first heard them and I loved them! My dad had a couple of their records! To this day, they were from the future! LOL Thanks Warren!

This song is responsible for the single most profound "OMG that's the song!" moment of my life. I've been a huge ELO fan from before I knew what and who it was that I liked so much. Thanks for running down some of what makes this song, and ELO at large, so special.

Was lucky to see Jeff Lynne's ELO live in 2018, one of the best shows I've ever been to. Love Mr. Blue Sky and it never fails to bring a smile, I'm just a little worried about overuse like an anthem at a sporting event. To answer your question, Wings' "Listen to What The Man Said" just brings back a lot of happy memories and never fails to raise my spirit.

Can only join you in saluting Jeff Lynne...what a musician. As always...great video Warren...thanks.

They way you speak about Jeff is exactly how I feel about him, I’m so glad you love him too. He’s an all time great as a pop songwriter, but as a producer for me he is peerless. He made Paul McCartney, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Roy Orbison do their best solo work. You Got It is my favourite song and it was only after getting into ELO I found out he produced the song. It all made perfect sense. Thanks so much for making this video, I really enjoyed it.

One of my ex girlfriends had Out of the Blue on vinyl. I had never really listened to it before other than the songs that played on the radio. I loved it so much, I played it every weekend morning in its entirety. She got sick of it, but I never have. Amazing album!

70's ELO were HIGHLY under-appreciated. Cheers

My Dad is a huge fan of ELO, he always played full albums in our road trips on vacation. Last train to London, Mr Blue Sky, Telephone Line, Don't Bring Me Down, Evil Woman... And so many more are just part of my life. I did not realized how much of an influence Jeff genius is for me until one day I played one of ELO's album to my best friend (and best musical friend too) and he said to me "now I understand the way you sing and arrange"... Best compliment ever. Thank you Warren for this incredible document, I feel the love for the band, the man, and of course... THE MUSIC!!! Best wishes from Spain!!!

1st concert. 11 yrs. old. Sept. 1 1978. Tarrant County Convention Center, Ft. Worth Texas. Out of the Blue Tour. Giant white "hamburger" shaped UFO onstage. Trickster opened. Lights go down, smoke oozes out and covers everything...strings stirring....building...rising....then that thing...spaceship opened up; top "bun" rises up and inside....Mik, Melvyn, Kelly, Bev, Hugh, Richard, and Jeff! Green lasers stabbing the air everywhere...the sound of thunder..then...the massive Concerto for a Rainy Day. I ain't been the same since.

There is actually a strong sense of angst and melancholy riding below as an undercurrent to the happy surface of this song.

incredible track, as a kid I didn't really understand the vocoder voice, thought it was amazing. When I hear the song, it makes me smile, saw Jeff Lynn's Electric light Orchestra in 2017 and they played Mr Blue Sky, brilliant.

Their album 'Discovery' is my happiest album ever and I love it as much now as I did when I first heard it in 1979 at eight years old on my dad's Hacker Tribune sound centre!

I believe a good competitor for "The Happiest Song of All Time" would have to be "Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In" by The Fifth Dimension.

ELO made some brilliant records and this is one of the very best!

I love this series so much. It reminds me to listen to a LOT of great songs plus I almost alwsys learn something I didn't know.

I love ELO and Mr Blue Sky always gives me a euphoric hit!! One of my top ten too!! Great video!

Had this song in my head for the last few weeks. This came at a great time!

Warren, thank you so much for this video. I'm also a Queen nut along with ACDC & Thin Lizzy etc etc but I had to have 'Out Of The Blue'. I also love 'Wild West Hero'. Just pure class.

I saw ELO late 70s early 80s. It was when wireless mics, vari light etc first came into existence. They walked in to a completely empty stage. No lights, no speakers, amps etc. the speakers were hidden and the lights came up from the floor as did the drum kit etc. amazing show and so unique

Always loved the song. The short melodic guitar solo is a masterstroke! It really establishes the feel-good mood early in the song. And great use of bending notes.

ELO's "New World Rising" from 4 years earlier is largely forgotten but pretty cheerful too.

ELOs Time album is a masterpiece, got me into ELO when I was young.

Fact check: Bev Bevan wasn't recruited by Wood and Lynne, he was already the drummer for the Move and he actually helped to finance the project, becoming legal co-owner of the ELO name/brand at the outset. Nice video!

My older brothers first album was Out of the Blue. Sweet memories Warren thanks for all the information .

Great video. I remember back in the day the music teacher allowed us to bring in music we liked. I brought in my Mr Blue Sky record and we spent time analysing it. It was the most enjoyable music class I ever had.

One of my (ever) Top 10 Songs too.....I can hear it over and over again - best regards from Hamburg - Sandy

It was a great album when it came out. I loved ELO and still do. Thanks for making this video.

There are times when being older is not such a bad thing when you can look back at your youth and remember hearing songs such as this one and Bohemian Rhapsody for the first time in the radio and looking forward to the next time you’d get the chance.

Incredible video Warren, thanks so much for that. OOTB was my very first double album purchase, I hadn't discovered the joys of progressive rock at that time...lol. I heard Mr. Blue Sky on the radio and was blown away, so just had to have that album. Luckily, my dad was a big fan of ELO and bought tickets to see the OOTB tour at Wembley Arena. I was 13 years old, it was my first ever concert. It was amazing. The top of the ELO spaceship lifting up to reveal the guys starting to play. One of those moments that'll stay with me forever.

Fantastic . . . Again!

Out of the Blue was a mood enhancer for me in the tough times of middle school. Listened over and over again.

The first 45 I ever bought back in 77…it’s just perfect and cheers me up instantly the moment I hear it and I can’t help myself…I just have to join in 👍

I very much enjoy watching this. Well done, as usual!

I'm 44 and I got brought up on bands like this. I love ELO. I've never foisted my own musical tastes on my own kids. In the car we take turns picking tracks. It's comforting when they start liking stuff you do. My youngest asked me to put Mr Blue Sky on and I couldn't remember having played that one. He got it off Tik Tok.

My first LP I ever bought. Since then I love this song until today and beyond 😀

"Out of the Blue" was my first ELO album. I listened to it nonstop for months in 77 and 78 on my Panasonic system.

I am sure I hear Mr. Blue Sky as a child, but I heard it again during a episode of Doctor Who, and it became a new favorite for me and my entire family.

These video essays are the most amazing aspect of your wonderful channel!

Thank you Warren! I absolutely love and enjoy your work on this, your Produce Like A Pro Channel. I grew up listening to music. My mom was an avid music listener and collector. We did not have much. For fun, my father would take my mom and the four of us little ones to a fabulous record store, The Record Theater. The place was huge! For hours my mom would comb through the library of all things music. My sisters and I would play arcade games to pass the time. Often, as I grew, I would likewise grow to love music, and would, like my mom, look at every album in the store. My Mom would leave with an arm full of albums. My dad made sure my mom had the best listening experience. Kef speakers, eventually joined the system. Top notch record players, with the best needles. Back in the day, even ultrasonic remote control to automatically move the arm. Cool. Later in life, I had become a professional mobile DeeJay, and grew a library doing what I loved to do. Watching your production series, Songs That Changed Music is wonderfully enjoyable! ELO is one of my favorites. Growing up, I just was stuck on Boy Blue, from the Eldorado album. If I had to pick one from Out Of The Blue, (and there are many tracks I like), right now, Summer & Lightning. Thanks ever so much for your choice to share your talent and knowledge, bringing more meaning to one of the already great iconic bands and songs of all time, The ELO.

Thank you for covering this track. Out of the Blue was the first album I ever bought and have just listened to Mr Blue Sky on it: still sounding surprisingly good after so many years. One album or artist I’m not sure you’ve featured is Big Country somewhat out of the limelight now but The Crossing was a brilliant album and the track Chance is just superb. The late lamented Stuart Adamson’s song writing and guitar playing together with the almost military style drumming make this the standout track. The short instrumental section around 2:40 is just such a pleasure to listen to.

The 70s to 80s albums from Queen, ELO, Floyd and even Eagles are all I listen to nowadays and I was an 80s Duran Duran kid when music was most important..being born in 1970

Those moments driving on the road for work with wall to wall blue skies then this comes on the radio… so good

Big ELO fan. Thanks for this episode. When I was graduating from High School, no easy task. Out of the Blue showed up. My local heros Aerosmith, The J Geils band and Boston were the what's happening. ELO took me past Kiss and Thin Lizzy and showed me what more was possible. Just last week I digitised my LP for safe keeping. I hope to be a local DJ soon and ELO will make some shows for sure. Thanks Waren. My uplifting song is Assent by Brian Eno from the Apollo soundtrack LP with Daniel Lanois and Roger Eno. One of my favorite.

My favorite ELO song is All Over The World. Hold on Tight, Turn to Stone, Living Thing are my other biggest favorites. But Mr Blue Sky is right up there with them. Got to see Jeff Lynne's ELO perform in 2019 with my dad. So glad I did. One of the highlights of my life being in an arena with thousands of other fans singing along to everything.

I'm so glad I paid very little attention to music paper reviews back in the 70s -- I might have missed out on loads of great songs and bands that they were frequently snooty about. Quality always wins out in the long run, and ELO are very, very good quality. Great video Warren!

I love the passion you have for music and it really shows in this video and I love Mr Blue Sky too (of course) I always play it in the car where I can really crank it up. Great video as ever!!

I imagine the fact that "Mr Blue Sky" was in so many movies, ads, tv shows, the copyright tentacles that reach far & wide prohibited you from playing snippets of the song, which is unfortunate. Still, a gripping and enjoyable video as always, Warren! Also, that album of redos, "Mr. Blue Sky," is even more impressive when you A/B it with the original recordings. Just incredible.

Oh how I love to play Mr. Blue Sky! Always a crowd pleaser!

Liking Mr Blue Sky has never been a guilty pleasure... 😉

So so pleased that you chose this to examine Warren. If any song were appropriate for your “doing marvellously well” intro then it is this one. concerto for a rainy day” which in itself is a total masterpiece. If you’ve never heard Out of the Blue please do so and get it on vinyl, where you can get the full effect of the rainy day concerto. Lynn is a modern genius arranger producer and songwriter. I just love ELO and always have, even through the “naff” years.

My favorite positive tune is "Steal My Sunshine" by Len. The wood block (from the "More, More, More" sample) and the piano are infectious. That recording will not let me be unhappy.

Had to stop for a bit to give the song a listen... mostly cuz I've never listened to it very closely and like I used to do in high school and all I could really remember was the feel of it. I had no idea how complex it was. Thanks for covering it, you opened up whole new side of it.

Thanks for doing this classic from ELO. Jeff Lynne has done so many classic songs that puts him in a league of his own. Hope you do many more from this Musical wizard, Jeff Lynne's catalogue is just out of this world and should get more documentaries about his magic touch.

I fell in love with ELO with the El Dorado album. It was a natural progression from the classical music and opera my parents listened to and the pop music I had just discovered when I got my first clock radio. I saw them first with the spaceship arena concert in Anaheim in August 1978 - what a mind blowing concert that was! Mr. Blue Sky has always been a favorite and I've used it a lot on videos I made of my Camp Fire club (youth club) that I would play for the kids and their parents at the end of the year because it totally exemplifies kids having fun. Thanks for the fun reaction and great info.

The one hit wonder "Beautiful Sunday" is a super happy song. Right up there with Mr Blue Sky.

Strange Magic is a fabulous song, the quintessence of what you imagine an ELO ballad to be: a catchy, melancholic and slightly haunting melody coupled with soaring string sections and vocal harmonies creating a a dream-like feel . It's the same atmosphere ou get in the verses of Living Thing, surely one of Lynne's finest moments ( well, that's my take on it, anyway). Evil Woman is obviously genius too. Shine a Little Love from the Discovery album is an amazing combination of rock and disco, and All Over The World from Xanadu is also an oft overlooked masterpiece. 1983's Secret Messages is in my view an often overlooked album. Mr Blue Sky, on the other hand, has thankfully achieved the recognition it deserves.

Looks like I’ll be humming the song all day and reminiscing the good ol, times when it used to get played at every party around.

The correct answer to this question is obvious. "Having a good time" Queen.

I had the same classical background with jazz thrown in, but it was the Police rather than Queen that triggered me into realizing there was so much more out there. And lol, it WAS my older brother who had the ELO vinyls that I listened to.

I always look at this track as if the Beatles were still around they would record music like this. We played it when the students returned to face to face teaching after lockdown last year. It just made everyone feel happy.

This is a fantastic and very objective review. Well done mate!😎👍💯

Love these!!! Thank you!

For me the happiest song ever is Here comes the sun from The Beatles written by George Harrison. And yes indeed I like Mr. Blue Sky

This was a HUGE album in my young life at the time, Lynne is a massive influence on my musical sensibility, blending traditional and synthesis in such a fluent way that got under the radar. The Whale is a case in point (and he even uses the old telephone line filter!). It is a very cinematic album and I still have the mind-pictures it evoked from back then. And I still get emotional listening to it.

I'm rather partial to Here Comes the Sun and I can see clearly now by Johnny Nash.

You are spot-on sir!! Mr. Blue Sky has always been my favorite "feel good" upbeat song. I defy anyone to remain in a bad mood after a complete listen! Another song that will lift just about anyone out of a humdrum mood is Matthew Wilder's "Break My Stride". Both of these songs are MASSIVE earworms!

Always loved this song, especially the ending tag..epic!

Such a great group and what an amazing sound.

The song always makes me emotional and literally well up listening to it.

VINDICTATED!! only took a few decades! at school had drawn the cover of "Out of the Blue" on to my School Bag fully coloured in.... given that I was half in to the Beatles and half in to the incoming "post punk"/new wave" I was never in one camp or the other and coped flack from both the school for drawing on my bag ... probably fair point as it was literally the WHOLE front of the bag... and of course all the cool kids who were in to standard americana rock hits ... now if we can just rehabilitate Cheap Trick ;)

Best video you have ever done. ELO has had a huge impact on my life and continues to do so.

Your videos are so well made, entertaining and teaching! Thanks for your great work!

he's the one they call mr. blue sky. he's the one that makes the weather sunny and dry

The best!!

ELO is generally one of the most underrated bands.