The FinTech Karaoke Challenge: Mr. Blue Sky

[A longer version of this blog appears here, explaining why so many songs are anti-bank]

During lockdown, Spotify has found that the song Mr Blue Sky by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) is the most popular song of the summer. It makes us feel good, even though the song is over forty years old (stop being ageist). It’s all about happiness, blue skies, sunshine and the fun being back in our lives.

Forget that. Turn it around and bring in the FinTech Karaoke version of Mr. Blue Sky …

 

Mr Blue Sky from Chris Skinner

 

Mr Bank Man*

 

Money’s staying in the bank

There is no debt in sight

I’ve stopped loaning and all my money is in play

That is why

It's a beautiful new day, hey hey

 

Running the online exchange

See how fun it is working in the City

In the banks where once was pity

Mr. Bank Man’s working here today, hey hey

 

Mr. Bank Man please tell us why

You kept us in debt for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?

 

Mr. Bank Man please tell us why

You kept us in debt for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?

 

Hey, you with the load of debt

Maybe you don’t need to fret

We can get over, and wipe out your loan cover

As today is the day we've waited for

 

Oh Mr. Bank Man please tell us why

You kept us in debt for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?

 

Hey there Mr. Bank

We're so pleased to borrow from you

Look around see what you do

Everybody frowns at you

 

Hey there Mr. Bank

We're so pleased to borrow from you

Look around see what you do

Everybody frowns at you

 

Mr. Bank, you want to fight?

Well here comes Mr. Right creeping over

Now his hand is on your shoulder

Never mind I'll remember you this

I'll remember you this way

 

Mr. Bank Man please tell us why

You kept us in debt for so long (so long)

Where did we go wrong?

 

Hey there Mr. Bank

We're so pleased to borrow from you

Look around see what you do

Everybody frowns at you

 

* POSTNOTE

Please note that although this Karaoke is titled Mr. Bank Man, it is not meant to offend other genders. It purely because Ms. Bank Woman or Mx. Bank Person did not fit with the tune and, equally, you rarely find a Woman or LBGTQ running a bank (except Citibank, RBS and …)

 

Meantime, I don't normally explain why I wear what I wear for my Karaoke but, this time, it's an exception as I'm dressed up as Mr. Bank Man. The flowers are to make the customer feel good; the raincoat in sunshine is due to knowing there will never be an umbrella; the glasses are so I can read the fine print, even if the customer cannot; and the hearing aid is there to show that we are the listening bank ... except it's turned off.