The third Monday of January has been awarded the gloomy title ‘Blue Monday’ due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and a lengthy wait until the first pay day of the year.
But Blue Monday doesn’t have to be the most depressing day of the year, which is why we’ve compiled a list of brilliant tracks that have the word ‘Monday’ in the title, to combat those blues.
Disclaimer: As truly wonderful as it is, ‘Blue Monday’ by New Order isn’t in here due to the obviousness of it having the same name as the day.
Icehouse • ‘Electric Blue’
Co-written by John Oates of Hall & Oates, ‘Electric Blue’ by Icehouse hit number one in Australia, cracked the top ten in the USA and remains one of the band’s most enduring songs. Capturing the essence of the 1980s with its saxophone and snazzy riffs, ‘Electric Blue’ is the perfect pop song.
7 Worlds Collide • ‘Too Blue’
Back in 2009, Neil Finn released a charity studio album called 7 Worlds Collide to raise money for Oxfam and it featured a staggering list of guest stats – including Johnny Marr, who co-wrote the jangly opening track ‘Too Blue’ with Neil and Jeff Tweedy. The bouncy track features Neil and Johnny on vocals, with Ed O’Brien, Phil Selway, and Glenn Kotche making up the rest of the band.
David Bowie • ‘Blue Jean’
Renowned for its Julian Temple directed video and loosely inspired by Eddie Cochran, David Bowie’s ‘Blue Jean’ was a top ten hit in America and in the UK circa 1984. Described by the starman as “a sexist piece of rock ‘n’ roll” that’s about picking up women, it’s an up-tempo, catchy track that features some killer sax work by Lenny Pickett.
Manic Street Preachers • ‘International Blue’
When Manic Street Preachers released ‘International Blue’ – the lead single of their 13th album, Resistance is Futile – it felt like a ready-made greatest hit. Inspired by the city of Nice in the mid winter sun, the life’s work of French Nouveau realism artist Yves Klein and the pure pop records that the band grew up with, the vibrant track features some of frontman James Dean Bradfield’s finest guitar wizardry and serves as a sound reminder that the trio are still releasing solid material three decades into their career.
Modest Mouse • ‘Baby Blue Sedan’
‘Baby Blue Sedan’ from Modest Mouse’s 1997 album The Lonesome Crowded West sees the band at their best. Deemed to be one of the most tender and beautiful songs in their back catalogue, ‘Baby Blue Sedan’ showcases frontman Isaac Brock’s vulnerable side as he captures the painstaking loneliness of teenage years.
Queen • ‘My Melancholy Blues’
There’s little more beautiful image than Freddie Mercury at a piano – from the soulful melody to Freddie’s pitch perfect voice, ‘My Melancholy Blues’ encapsulates Queen’s versatility and is by far one of their most beautiful tracks.
Badfinger • ‘Baby Blue’
‘Baby Blue’ is the memorable 1972 track by Badfinger that plays in the last minutes of the final episode of ‘Breaking Bad’, which caused a huge spike in streams and downloads of the track. Boasting a strong melody and distorted lead guitar, the track was one of the band’s catchiest singles and features one of the greatest opening lines of a song.
Blondie • ‘Union City Blue’
Despite being one of the strongest tracks in their back catalogue, ‘Union City Blue’ – Blondie’s ode to the working class – failed to reach the top ten. Somehow both raw and pure at the same time, it features exceptional drumming from Clem Burke and almost euphoric guitar work from Chris Stein.
Noah and the Whale • ‘Blue Skies’
‘Blue Skies’ was the first single to be taken from Noah and the Whale’s 2009 album, The First Days of Spring. The melancholic track captures the essence of the album, which tells the tale of the demise of frontman Charlie Fink’s relationship with Laura Marling. Possessing hopeful lyrics, it’s a beautiful track with an optimistic message that better times are coming.
Electric Light Orchestra • ‘Mr Blue Sky’
Including ‘Mr Blue Sky’ by Electric Light Orchestra feels like a very predictable move, but a couple of years back, researcher Jacob Jolij revealed it to be the happiest song in the world – and who are we to argue with that? The upbeat track has become an intrinsic part of popular culture and based on the brilliance of the closing section – where the track changes tempo and the lyrics stop – alone, we’re not surprised that it’s so loved.