The Diary Of Horace Wimp by Electric Light Orchestra

Album: Discovery (1979)

Charted: 8

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Songfacts®:

As it says on the tin, this song is written in the form of a diary, with entries from Horace Wimp, a guy who has trouble finding a wife because he is shy and always late. It ends well for Horace, who builds up his courage, finds a girl and marries her.
"The Diary Of Horace Wimp" was recorded at the Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany. Group leader Jeff Lynne sang the lead vocals, played lead and rhythm guitar, the piano and the synthesizer. The song wasn't released as a single in America but reached #8 in the UK, where Electric Light Orchestra is from. The song was included on their 1979 album Discovery, which also includes "Don't Bring Me Down."
Note that the diary entry for Saturday is missing. That's because, according to Jeff Lynne, Horace watches football (soccer) on that day, so it's like his sabbath. Lynne is a big supporter Birmingham City Football Club, the subject of the 1977 ELO song "Birmingham Blues."

Comments: 7

Mr. Elo from Wild West HeroOriginally in 1979, the reason Jeff gave for no "Saturday" was that it had too many syllables and didn't fit. many years later he added ... because football is played on Saturday.
Ole from Copenhagen, DenmarkReason for Saturday is not in song is that Saturday is when you watch Football (soccer)
Jeff Lynne born and growing up in Birmingham is a Birmingham fan
Liquid Len from Ottawa, CanadaDave, I would say looking for deep meaning in an ELO song is a waste of time. The lyrics are more determined by what rhymed and was easy to sing. Check out the vocoder in it though, pretty crazy sounding. Bedee bedee bedee oowowowow.
David from Manchester, EnglandJeff Lynne says that "Saturday is for football" in the sleeve notes of the Light Years compilation.
David from Grimsby, EnglandThere is no saturday because the diary Jeff Lynne based it on was a seven day diary with the Saturday missing.
Derek from Cambridge, New ZealandWhat I want to know, is what happened to SATURDAY????
Dave from Cardiff, WalesI wonder if this song, for it's humour, wit and, above all else, it's very funny storyline, is an implication that if a bimbo like Horace Wimp can find a nice girl and marry her, then there's hope for everyone? A kind of 'hang in there' message for those frustrated single people who think they are destined to be on their own??

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