03-04-19
Full disclosure, I can’t hear this song now, without thinking of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, and a little CGI tree (Groot) dancing gleefully while narrowly avoiding death thanks to his compatriots. I suppose that’s where part of the inspiration for today’s design comes from, an epic head-shaped city being built in the clouds.
The song itself has always created an optimistic nature within me, it makes me feel as if anything is possible, that opportunity has arrived, and it’s imperative we take advantage of the opportunity. That feeling towards the end of winter when you’ve been locked inside for weeks on end, and just at the moment you’re about to lose it completely, the clouds break, and the sun appears. The perfect moment. Everything seems new, fresh, and possible.
It’s told that Jeff Lynne wrote this while sequestered in the Swiss Alps. He had left to the area to focus on ELO’s new album and was strained with a creative block. His chalet had been snowed in, and the clouds made the sight dreary until one day the clouds broke, and the blue sky came out—Mr. Blue Sky was born.
As a child when I would listen to this song, I would always imagine a titan-like figure which controlled the sun and sky, walking through the world and casting rays of sunshine and happiness on everyone, only to have to retreat due to the night/seasons. Though they have to retreat, you know it’s only temporary, and there are no more worries.
If we are continually basking in the sun, we will be quick to take it for granted. Inversely when we are consumed by darkness and cold, our first wish is for the return of the sun, quickly forgetting any and every memory of wanting something different.
Optimism is more than making the best out of a bad situation, it also knows that a bad situation is when we can be at our best because it is up to ourselves to keep pushing forward in those toughest moments. Maintaining an optimistic disposition is not an easy feat, most of our emotions are designed to keep us in states of alertness, as opposed to the tranquility that is associated with optimism.
Lyrics:
[Spoken Intro]
Morning! Today’s forecast calls for blue skies
[Verse 1]
Sun is shining in the sky
There ain’t a cloud in sight
It’s stopped raining, everybody’s in the play
And don’t you know, it’s a beautiful new day, hey
Running down the Avenue
See how the sun shines brightly
In the city, on the streets where once was pity
Mr. Blue Sky is living here today, hey
[Chorus 1]
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long, so long
Where did we go wrong?
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long, so long
Where did we go wrong?
[Verse 2]
Hey, you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration, Mr. Blue Sky’s up there waiting
And today is the day we’ve waited for
[Chorus 2]
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long, so long
Where did we go wrong?
Hey there, Mr. Blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around, see what you do
Everybody smiles at you
Hey there, Mr. Blue
We’re so pleased to be with you
Look around, see what you do
Everybody smiles at you
[Bridge]
Mister Blue Sky!
Mister Blue Sky
Mister Blue Sky-yiy!
[Verse 3]
Mr. Blue, you did it right
But soon comes Mr. Night
Creeping over, now his hand is on your shoulder
Never mind, I’ll remember you this
I’ll remember you this way
[Chorus 2]
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why
You had to hide away for so long, so long
Where did we go wrong?
Hey there, Mr. Blue (sky)
We’re so pleased to be with you (sky)
Look around, see what you do (blue)
Everybody smiles at you
[Outro]
Please turn me over