1015. ‘I’ll Be OK’, by McFly

/ UK #1s blog

Here it is, then. The McFly number one that I’m not so keen on…

I’ll Be OK, by McFly (their 4th of seven #1s)

1 week, from 21st – 28th August 2005

But woah! Hold on. It’s not bad. It’s slightly heavier than anything from their debut album, and more adult in content. It’s a musical pep talk, an encouragement that however difficult life may be, you’ll be okay. Perhaps this was a sign that the sudden catapulting to Britain’s biggest pop act status had been tough on what was still a group of teenage boys. Keen McFly watchers will note that it’s their first #1 where Danny has taken lead vocals, which means they were definitely going for something heavier.

The musical references are more grown up too, with lots of classic rock touches, from the chiming U2 intro, to the Beatlesy guitar licks, and some seventies-Who synth lines in the middle eight. It actually is, in songwriting terms, a good piece of music. I particularly like the little bridge before the second verse, and the drum fill on the try a little harder… in the final verse. It’s attention to detail like this that elevates McFly from boyband to proper band.

So why don’t I like it that much? Well first I must admit that I am liking it more now, listening to it intently for this post. It’s a very solid pop-rock song. But it’s McFly trying to sound like someone else. When writing on ‘All About You’, I mentioned that their second album ‘Wonderland’ – from which ‘I’ll Be OK’ was the lead single proper – is my least favourite of all their LPs. Because they seemed to be trying too hard to prove themselves as proper musicians, cramming their songs with references from the greats, and worthy lyrics about depression (this song), midlife crises (‘The Ballad of Paul K’) and teen suicide (‘She Falls Asleep’, the first part of which is fully orchestral).

Having said all that, looking at the album’s track list now, I’m also remembering that the three subsequent singles were all great, and were all Top 10 hits (especially the rocking ‘I Wanna Hold You’, all about a final shag before the end of the world). Plus it has one of their all-time great album tracks, the emo ‘Too Close for Comfort’.

So, there it was. The McFly song I’m not too keen, but that is still a fine record. From my least favourite of their albums, which is apparently still packed with great tunes. Maybe I’m just fussy…

6 thoughts on “1015. ‘I’ll Be OK’, by McFly”

  1. Of their No. 1s so far, this might actually be my favourite. Very catchy, and excellent chorus. Nice bridge. Backing vocals are very Beatlesque. Good lyrics too. I think lyrics like this even if they come across as a little cheesy as a young adult are important for a band/artist like this to have, especially for their very young and impressionable fanbase, and particularly those who are suffering and, well, are not ok. I actually think the track is more mid-90s pop rock sounding than classic rock, though those synths sound like they’re out in the fields fighting for their meals in a teenage wasteland.

    Between this, Oasis next up and then Gorillaz with the sensational “Dare”, a nice three rock song streak. Hell, even the Pussycat Dolls and Sugababes songs are fantastic, and then after that you have arguably the most popular modern rock band in terms of streaming.

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  2. I don’t remember this one at all, it just passed me by I think, as McFly tended to do at the time. I like the U2 nick intro and as you say the Beatles-ey bits in the riffs and harmonies, but my underlying issue with the boys’ tracks around this time I think remains the melody and vocals being a bit samey. So what did I rate it at the time? I need to dig that out: one week at 74, it says here, that’ll be why I’ve forgotten it then! From Star Girl onwards I’ll be more positive as they move into top 40’s for me 🙂

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  3. Do you think they were looking for credibility/influenced around this time due to the breakup of Busted and Charlie with Fightstar?

    A critically acclaimed rock group and as AllMusic put it “perhaps the only pop star to make the convincing transition from fresh-faced boybander to authentic hard rock frontman”.

    Fightstar are immense and obviously now he is charting all over the world, including the US, with President.

    Obviously James tried the same with Son of Dork but honestly they just sounded exactly like Busted.

    Do you believe this was a factor for their pursuit of acclaim or a natural step?

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    • As much as I don’t love ‘I’ll Be OK’, or the accompanying album, I think the shift to a more adult sound was probably very sensible for McFly in the long run. Teen acts have to grow with their fans, so a 14 year old who had fallen in love with ‘5 Colours in Her Hair’ would have been 16 by the time of ‘I’ll Be Ok’. Whether it was a conscious decision or natural progression on their part, I don’t know.

      Busted largely did a retread of their first album for their 2nd, which was still very successful, but which sort of backed them into a corner, and led to Charlie quitting. They probably would have gotten away with a heavier, more adult 2nd album, still been commercially successful, and things could have been very different. Who knows…?

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  4. Pingback: 1016. ‘The Importance of Being Idle’, by Oasis | The UK Number Ones Blog

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