“Friday on My Mind” – Single by the Easybeats from the album Good Friday
B-side: “Made My Bed, Gonna Lie in It”
Released: 14 October 1966 (UK), 17 November 1966 (Australia)
Recorded: 8 September 1966
Studio: IBC, London
Label: United Artists
Songwriter: Vanda & Young
Producer: Shel Talmy
Charted No.16 in US, No.6 in UK, No.1 in Australia
Though the song has long been termed a “working class anthem”, George Young maintained it had “more to do with their outlook on the world than any class statement”.
The Easybeats were an Australian rock band that formed in Sydney, Australia, in late 1964, and disbanded at the end of 1969. They were the first rock and roll act from Australia to score an international pop hit with the 1966 single “Friday on My Mind”.
All five founding members were from families that had migrated to Australia from Europe: lead singer Stevie Wright and drummer Gordon “Snowy” Fleet were from England; rhythm guitarist George Young was from Scotland; lead guitarist Harry Vanda and bassist Dick Diamonde were from the Netherlands.
Unfortunately, the band was never able to equal the success of their big breakout hit. Drug abuse, problems with management, and band disagreements caused delays in releasing a follow-up single. Six months passed before “Who’ll Be the One” appeared, and it failed to chart anywhere other than Australia, where it only reached No. 14. The Easybeats never had another hit in the U.S. After building up large amounts of debt, the band broke up in 1969. Vanda and Young worked for years to pay off their financial obligations.
