Thanks Jim for requesting this classic, I used to listen to ELO 8tracks on the way to high school in the 70s , them Queen and Kansas were my go to , thanks
You commented about the intro to the song and the strange undertones - well, that was exactly how my father reacted. It was 1975 and I bought two new albums to bring home - this one and Queen's A Night at the Opera. My father listened to a short section of the beginning of each album. Once he was done, I was informed that I could listen to this music anytime he wasn't home. I went out and bought a pair of headphones to use with my stereo, and I listened to it all of the time. The 70's was one of, if not the greatest decades for rock music and music, in general. This track from ELO - no one had ever heard music like that before. It was fabulous. I'm in my 60's now and I still rock to ELO, Queen, and all of the rest from the 70's and 80's.
Back when vinyl ruled, there was a thing called “Back Masking” where vocals were recorded backwards. The gibberish in the song’s beginning is an example of this. In reverse it says “ The Music is Reversible, but Time Isn’t. Turn Back, Turn Back”.
Jeff Lynne made the start strange because there was a large group of people saying that one of there song's was satanic so it was a kind of joke he played on them but when it first came out I got the album and loved this track I have been a big fan of theirs since they started out.
Did you know that the song has a hidden message when played backward? When played in reverse, the song says, “The music is reversible, but time is not. Turn back, turn back, turn back.” And yes...we had to keep headphones on for this song and Revolution #9!
The backwards vocals at the start say... "The music is reversible, but time is not. Turn back, turn back, turn back." (Rush fan that started with ELO!! LOL)
Absolutely true. I used to have a turtable as a kid, I would put it in nutrual, and turn the LP backwards with my finger and it said " the music is reversable, but time is not, Turn back......" as you stated. I thougth it was really cool,
I have an older pressing of Face the Music, so I’ve only done it once so i wouldnt damage the record, but ye ive done this too and it sounds really cool and spooky :)
B-Side of Livin' Thing (in the UK at least), the backward masked voice from memory is something like " the music is reversible... but time? turn back, turn back, turn back"
A group of "angels" Say at the end of this song.. firreee on highhh! Firee onn highhh! Fantastic , I like it. With ELO for me, sun rises. Greeting and friendship, from Chile 🇨🇱América Latina
My older brother used to play this record when it came out in the mid seventies and I was only about six or seven. The intro used to scare the hell out me but I loved it even then. Great reaction, keep up the good work 👍
Jeff did that opening in direct response to some who claimed that his previous album "Eldorado" had backwards masked satanic messages, which of course it didn't (our Jeff isn't that kind of guy). This bit is the drummer Bev Bevan saying "The music is reversible but time is not, turn back, turn back, turn back.
Yo John - Prior to ELO, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne were in a band called "Move". PLEASE check out the song "Hello Suzie" from the Move album: "SHAZAM" (1970), and ESPECIALLY check out the song "Brontosaurus" from the Move album "LOOKING ON" (1970). You'll discover Roy's and Jeff's musical roots (connections) from the Beatles to the Move, and then to ELO, and finally the Traveling Wilburys. it is definitely worth the listens to these albums. I trust you will enjoy them! With Peace and Love to All!
I think ELO’s best album is “ELDORADO” which is amazing from beginning to end. 2nd favorite would be “ON THE THIRD DAY” which is well-worth checking out, as well. Soooo many great songs from this band!
Thanks to John & Jim! Next from the great ELO, I suggest their 1975 hit, *"Evil Woman".* You'll love it! Since you especially love Jeff Lynne's vocals, they really shine in this song!
That was a great album with Strange Magic and Evil Woman hits too on the radio then. I saw them in late 75 or early 76 with a group they toured with called Crack The Sky who also had a hit back then too (Surf City). Forgot to mention they also had another hit from a previous album called Can't Get it Out of My Head.
Being the eternal contrarian I favor the albums “Time,” “Secret Messages,” and “Balance of Power,” though ELO really hadn’t ever had a bad album. I think that you would really like “Prologue / Twilight.”
You should check out these 2 songs off the "Out of the Blue" album: summer and lightning & the Jungle (i believe thats the name) talking about cool songs :)
Here's video you can react to, It's from George Michael called Killer. The video has short intro from thr Ghostbusters then it kicks into high gear. ua-cam.com/video/sBXzrJrM1AE/v-deo.html
I requested this song on Patreon specifically for the confused expression I knew John would have at the beginning of the song.🤣👍🔥🔥🔥
Good job!
Seems it left him a bit speechless?
Thanks Jim for requesting this classic, I used to listen to ELO 8tracks on the way to high school in the 70s , them Queen and Kansas were my go to , thanks
You commented about the intro to the song and the strange undertones - well, that was exactly how my father reacted. It was 1975 and I bought two new albums to bring home - this one and Queen's A Night at the Opera. My father listened to a short section of the beginning of each album. Once he was done, I was informed that I could listen to this music anytime he wasn't home. I went out and bought a pair of headphones to use with my stereo, and I listened to it all of the time. The 70's was one of, if not the greatest decades for rock music and music, in general. This track from ELO - no one had ever heard music like that before. It was fabulous. I'm in my 60's now and I still rock to ELO, Queen, and all of the rest from the 70's and 80's.
One of the coolest “instrumental” tracks ever recorded!
True Words Spoken
The main part of this song was the theme song for the CBS Sports Spectacular TV show back the mid to late 70s
My goodness....that guitar solo sounds like hope,love and the past all rolled into one.
The whole Face the Music album is great in my opinion. Evil Woman and Strange Magic both became hits.
FTM is my favorite ELO album
Back when vinyl ruled, there was a thing called “Back Masking” where vocals were recorded backwards. The gibberish in the song’s beginning is an example of this. In reverse it says “ The Music is Reversible, but Time Isn’t. Turn Back, Turn Back”.
Jeff Lynne made the start strange because there was a large group of people saying that one of there song's was satanic so it was a kind of joke he played on them but when it first came out I got the album and loved this track I have been a big fan of theirs since they started out.
Did you know that the song has a hidden message when played backward? When played in reverse, the song says, “The music is reversible, but time is not. Turn back, turn back, turn back.” And yes...we had to keep headphones on for this song and Revolution #9!
The backwards vocals at the start say... "The music is reversible, but time is not. Turn back, turn back, turn back." (Rush fan that started with ELO!! LOL)
Same here, ELO was my first fave band, then around 1980 I discovered Rush! Both still in my top 5
Absolutely true. I used to have a turtable as a kid, I would put it in nutrual, and turn the LP backwards with my finger and it said " the music is reversable, but time is not, Turn back......" as you stated. I thougth it was really cool,
I have an older pressing of Face the Music, so I’ve only done it once so i wouldnt damage the record, but ye ive done this too and it sounds really cool and spooky :)
B-Side of Livin' Thing (in the UK at least), the backward masked voice from memory is something like " the music is reversible... but time? turn back, turn back, turn back"
A group of "angels" Say at the end of this song.. firreee on highhh! Firee onn highhh! Fantastic , I like it. With ELO for me, sun rises.
Greeting and friendship, from Chile 🇨🇱América Latina
Hi Cecilia!
A masterpiece song from a masterpiece album.
My older brother used to play this record when it came out in the mid seventies and I was only about six or seven. The intro used to scare the hell out me but I loved it even then. Great reaction, keep up the good work 👍
They opened with this song when I saw them in the 70's. Epic!
greatest intro ever.. when that door creaked I almost croaked !
Jeff did that opening in direct response to some who claimed that his previous album "Eldorado" had backwards masked satanic messages, which of course it didn't (our Jeff isn't that kind of guy). This bit is the drummer Bev Bevan saying "The music is reversible but time is not, turn back, turn back, turn back.
Some Christian organization.
Eldorado, the entire album.
Damn straight dude. One of my favorite albums of all time by anyone.
Yo John - Prior to ELO, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne were in a band called "Move". PLEASE check out the song "Hello Suzie" from the Move album: "SHAZAM" (1970), and ESPECIALLY check out the song "Brontosaurus" from the Move album "LOOKING ON" (1970). You'll discover Roy's and Jeff's musical roots (connections) from the Beatles to the Move, and then to ELO, and finally the Traveling Wilburys. it is definitely worth the listens to these albums. I trust you will enjoy them! With Peace and Love to All!
I think ELO’s best album is “ELDORADO” which is amazing from beginning to end. 2nd favorite would be “ON THE THIRD DAY” which is well-worth checking out, as well. Soooo many great songs from this band!
Thanks to John & Jim! Next from the great ELO, I suggest their 1975 hit, *"Evil Woman".* You'll love it! Since you especially love Jeff Lynne's vocals, they really shine in this song!
One of the best endings ever.
My favorite ELO song. Love it! You got to love the back masking which was a big controversy back then.
Tightrope
Shangri-La
That was a great album with Strange Magic and Evil Woman hits too on the radio then. I saw them in late 75 or early 76 with a group they toured with called Crack The Sky who also had a hit back then too (Surf City). Forgot to mention they also had another hit from a previous album called Can't Get it Out of My Head.
One of my favorite songs by ELO. LOL..try to pick a genre...
Great reaction John! Sometimes I wonder if Nightwish was influenced just a little by ELO, they both sound symphonic for sure 😊
"Showdown"
Love showdown. The cello (I believe it's a cello) is great. GREAT SONG.
The music is reversable, but time is not. Turn back! Turn back! Turn back! TURN BACK!
NICE, ELO!
Apparently elo were banned from gigging in Ireland because of the reversed vocals
This was a B side to Living thing on a 45 single
Being the eternal contrarian I favor the albums “Time,” “Secret Messages,” and “Balance of Power,” though ELO really hadn’t ever had a bad album. I think that you would really like “Prologue / Twilight.”
Kid of the 80s huh?....me too. But didnt like bop.
You should check out these 2 songs off the "Out of the Blue" album: summer and lightning & the Jungle (i believe thats the name) talking about cool songs :)
People tried to say this beginning was a satanic message.
It must be played backwards...
Bev Bevan drums add it.
Check out Eldorado
Here's video you can react to, It's from George Michael called Killer. The video has short intro from thr Ghostbusters then it kicks into high gear. ua-cam.com/video/sBXzrJrM1AE/v-deo.html