No compilation of surface-level British music played at weddings and function room parties is complete without Electric Light Orchestra. Mr. Blue Sky weaselled its way into the cultural bubble and deservedly so. That makes it sound like Jeff Lynne and the band are not worthy of those classic Christmas CD compilations which so graciously thieves £11 from the elderly. Out of the Blue remains a crowning achievement not just for the band but for the music of the 1970s, of Brit culture which has since been adapted, castrated and ripped through. Mr. Blue Sky still stands strong, a track that finally shows the band have found their footing and now grasps what makes a wider audience tick. It is their defining moment. It may not be their best, but it is the one everyone will recall when asked to name an ELO song.
Jolly beyond belief and maintaining an optimism few had at the time, Mr. Blue Sky remains a staple of sunshine and happiness. An overwhelmingly happy song which never fails to lift the mood. Few songs remain staggering on every listen but with the many layers to this Lynne classic, it is hard not to fall into its warm embrace no matter the occasion. A song which, if dropped from any set after its release, would spark alarm in audiences. Such is the power of it as a cultural beacon, from the Olympics 2012 ceremony to live performances on the Over and Out farewell tour, fans and the band would be lost without it. But the “it” is not the floaty lyrics calling on us to have a good day but the barrage of instrumental stylings, the brief radio static storytelling at the start of an upbeat morning.
Crucially, though, Mr. Blue Sky has avoided the usual cultural slog which affects one-hit wonders like Come On Eileen or overplayed miseries from bands held in high regard for questionable reasons, the nonsense of Bohemian Rhapsody still dribbling from speakers across the country. Mr. Blue Sky remains one of the very best songs because its lyrical structure, the haunting end to a beautiful day, is cyclical. There will be another bright sky and the notes of hope and optimism running through Mr. Blue Sky are incredibly charming. Pair it with the ill-forgotten B-Side, One Summer Dream, and those hopes of a joy-filled summer come rushing back. Their Face the Music rip is all but forgotten and sadly so. Fans will find much love for it but the cultural impact it had, compared to Mr. Blue Sky, is minimal.
But it is ripped from an album which, despite being just two years removed from Out of the Blue, feels like a different time for the band. Lynne and the group’s chase of The Beatles’ structure, from the wispy vocals to the well-intended layers of acoustic instrumentals, is the beginning of a style which would be the permanent state of the band. One Summer Dream remains an incredibly important song for the group, and it pairs very well with Mr. Blue Sky. One of the finest songs. Most artists have a song that the bulk of the public can define them with, and for ELO, it is Mr. Blue Sky. Not a bad song to have as your defining moment, and there were plenty more to come from Lynne and the band.
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Mr Blue Sky is a track I always play when about to land on a commercial flight. The early sections of the song correspond to the “Wake up! We are about to arrive!” moment followed by the under carriage extending, and the actual landing which can be noisy and vibrating.
The later stages of the song accompany the taxi to the airport, the engines powering down, and the passengers standing up to collect their carry on baggage for the overhead lockers.
The relief in another successful landing is captured by the
‘Swingles Singers’ vocals and the final sustained chord.