# Mr. Blue Sky (song) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 11, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497 "2025-06-11T22:08:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/1 "2025-06-11T22:08:25Z")
TIL that (supposedly) that the heavily vocoded message at the end of the song Mr. Blue Sky doesn’t say “Mr. Blue Sky-y” but instead, “Please turn me over”. Being instructions at the end of side 3 to flip the disc over to start side 4. ---
**Author:** ![Carnacki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b5e925/32.png) [@Carnacki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnacki)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/2 "2025-06-11T22:37:10Z")
I told that bit of trivia to my wife – she never remembers, and each time we hear the song I have to remind her what that voice is saying. My favorite stanza is about Mr. Night, and I like to think it’s about the inevitability of people in our lives dying. I.e., Mr. Night is Death, who is always nearby - but the singer promises to remember his friends in their prime (or, in the sunshine, with blue skies). “Mr. Blue, you did it right But soon comes Mr. Night creepin’ over; Now his hand is on your shoulder Nevermind, I’ll remember you this way” Am I reading too much into an upbeat nonsense song? Probably. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/3 "2025-06-11T22:41:23Z")
Interesting! I always thought it was “mr blue sky xxx” replacing xxx with something I didn’t know. I can still hear that, but I can also hear “please turn me over”. It appears the band agrees with this “new” interpretation. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/LMY5xe36cfE/maxresdefault.jpg "Jeff Lynne's ELO - Mr. Blue Sky at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park 2014") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMY5xe36cfE&t=277) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/4 "2025-06-11T22:44:55Z")
I’m not sure I’ve ever listened to the very end of that song. Thanks for sharing, that’s a cool piece of trivia. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/5 "2025-06-11T23:09:18Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Being instructions at the end of side 3 to flip the disc over to start side 4. Wasn’t the reverse of side 3 on a double album usually side 2? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/6 "2025-06-11T23:26:13Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Wasn’t the reverse of side 3 on a double album usually side 2? [Sometimes yes, sometimes no.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_album#Sequencing) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/7 "2025-06-11T23:33:08Z")
I’ve been a big ELO fan since the late '70s – it’s safe to say that they are my all-time favorite band, and I’ve steeped myself in the group’s lore, and their songs. Even so, I had always assumed it was “Mister Blue Sky-yiy,” too, until relatively recently (definitely within the last decade) , where I read an interview with either Jeff Lynne or Richard Tandy (the band’s keyboardist), who confirmed that it is, indeed, “please turn me o-ver.” My mind was momentarily blown. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/8 "2025-06-11T23:35:40Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Being instructions at the end of side 3 to flip the disc over to start side 4. I always knew what the words were, but I never knew what they meant. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2025, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/9 "2025-06-11T23:36:47Z")
It was a long time listening until I realized the crack of thunder at the beginning of the concerto says Concerto For A Rainy Day. I blame my crummy sound system at the time. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/10 "2025-06-12T00:42:56Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > My mind was momentarily blown. Hopefully you watched the video I posted! What’s odd is if I don’t watch I can still hear the version I’ve always thought it was. If I watch I absolutely hear the correct “please turn me over”. I’ve listened to this song a lot over the years. Today I learned… ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/11 "2025-06-12T02:52:04Z")
great cover by the Muppets. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/iRNl0iWE490/maxresdefault.jpg "The Muppets Sing Mr. Blue Sky | Dear Earth") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRNl0iWE490) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/12 "2025-06-12T02:59:45Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Hopefully you watched the video I posted! I’ve actually seen that concert video previously, but yes, the enunciation is very clear there. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/13 "2025-06-12T14:42:49Z")
> [@Carnacki](#): > > “Mr. Blue, you did it right > But soon comes Mr. Night creepin’ over; Yes, could have looked it up I suppose, but I never knew what the words to that line were. My guesses were “Mr. Blue, you dirty rat” Or “Mr. Blue, you turned and ran” So thanks for that. ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/14 "2025-06-12T15:51:46Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > great cover by the Muppets. I’ve watched that one many times since it came out. One of the best anti-depressants ever made. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/15 "2025-06-12T17:23:08Z")
Is there _anything_ those Muppets can’t do? ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/16 "2025-06-12T20:33:15Z")
In a word, no. I do so miss the Muppet show. [Theme song cover.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K_Mpdjv1R8) > [@Carnacki](#): > > My favorite stanza is about Mr. Night, and I like to think it’s about the inevitability of people in our lives dying. I.e., Mr. Night is Death, who is always nearby - but the singer promises to remember his friends in their prime (or, in the sunshine, with blue skies). > > “Mr. Blue, you did it right > But soon comes Mr. Night creepin’ over; > Now his hand is on your shoulder > Nevermind, I’ll remember you this way” > > Am I reading too much into an upbeat nonsense song? Wow, that is poignant. I hope it’s true, that adds depth to the song. . ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/17 "2025-06-12T20:38:01Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Wow, that is poignant. I hope it’s true, that adds depth to the song. It’s an interesting take on that verse. Generally speaking, Jeff Lynne wasn’t known for particularly deep lyrics back then – he was making pop songs – so I’m not at all certain that that was his intent with the verse, but I can definitely see that interpretation being made. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/18 "2025-06-12T21:35:27Z")
Now that we’ve solved one ELO mystery, can we move onto who is Bruce and why is he bringing me down? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/19 "2025-06-12T22:09:23Z")
::Snerk:: Well, if nothing else you’ve knocked Mr. Blue Sky out of my head. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497/20 "2025-06-12T22:45:31Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > Now that we’ve solved one ELO mystery, can we move onto who is Bruce and why is he bringing me down? 😉 His full name is Bruce Mondegreen. 😃 The real story: While writing “Don’t Bring Me Down,” Jeff Lynne was using a temporary placeholder word, “groos,” in the chorus, until he thought of an actual word to fill into the spot. German music engineer Reinhold Mack, who was working with Jeff on producing the album, remarked that it sounded like a German word for “greetings,” _Gruß_. Jeff wound up keeping “groos” in the final recording, apparently liking the German meaning. Many fans misheard it as “Bruce,” to the point that, when he performs the song now, Jeff actually does sing “Bruce” instead of “groos.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-blue-sky-song/1019497.md?page=2)