Thou shalt not number seven

Title: Mr. Blue Sky
Composer: Jeff Lynne

This is a request that I got for an ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) 1978 hit. At the time, Jeff Lynne broke out of a creative block and invented a musical superhero that many of us learned to relish and sing along with. It was originally recorded in Munich, Germany and the electric voice of this superhero was inspired by Sparky's Magic Piano, an old children's record. In the original song, Mr. Blue Sky introduces himself in the second bridge, via a vocoder. "Thou shalt not number seven" was the original working title and this song is considered one of the most uplifting or happiest songs ever recorded. It was used in various ads for multiple companies, in movies, and on spacecraft (space shuttle Endeavor & space shuttle Atlantis) as the wakeup call for the astronauts. A piano solo version of this song may not do it justice, but it is a reminder of the original that people enjoy when I play at Mayo clinic.

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 ay ay!

Runnin' 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 ay ay!

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?

Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race
A celebration
Mr. Blue Sky's up there waitin'
And today
Is the day we've waited for
Ooorrr

Oh, 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

Mister Blue Sky!
Mister Blue Sky
Mister Blue Sky-yiy!

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!

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