Jeff Lynne is a genius....songwriter/ musician extraordinaire......so many great songs......mostly all timeless classics that just don't seem to age!!!!.. Absolutely awesome live.
Jeff Lynne made no secret about his admiration for the Beatles. In the last song on this album, "Shangri-La", he directly references them. Also, he later performed with and produced the three surviving members on the 1994 Anthology project, making him literally the 5th Beatle for a couple of songs.
I believe it was Lennon who said ELO sounds like if the Beatles had continued into the 70's. Jeff Lynn was a huge Beatles fan. If i remember correctly, he helped produce Beatle hits Free As a Bird and Real Love from 1995. ELO had many hits. Check out Turn to Stone and Evil Woman
There's a definite kinship between the Beatles and ELO (also, 10cc who followed up on some of the Fab Four's innovations in parody and studio trickery/ wizardry and wordplay).I would put it like this, if ELO followed the line from Rubber Soul and Abbey Road, 10cc developed the sound on Help! and Revolver, along with some of the audio surprises and satirical lyrics of the White Album. "Livin' Thing" is one of the first songs by ELO I recall hearing on the radio, and I liked it immediately.
Jeff Lynne co-founded the group, but as time wore on he took the lead role. By the time this record came out he was the driving force of the band, writing and producing all of the songs. In its present incarnation (since Richard Tandy recently passed away), he is the only remaining original member.
Sailin' away On the crest of a wave It's like magic Oh, rollin' and ridin' And slippin' and slidin' It's magic [Pre-Chorus] And you and your sweet desire You took me, oh, higher and higher, baby [Chorus] It's a livin' thing It's a terrible thing to lose It's a given thing What a terrible thing to lose [Post-Chorus] (I'm taking a dive, dive!) [Verse 2] Making believe This is what you conceived From your worst day (I'm taking a dive) Oh, moving in line Then you look back in time To the first day (I'm taking, I'm taking) [Pre-Chorus] And you and your sweet desire (Don't you do it, don't you do it) You took me, oh, higher and higher, baby [Chorus] It's a livin' thing It's a terrible thing to lose It's a given thing What a terrible thing to lose [Post-Chorus] (I'm taking a dive, on the slide, hey!) [Verse 3] Takin' a dive 'Cause you can't halt the slide Floating downstream (I'm taking a dive) Oh, so let her go Don't start spoiling the show It's a bad dream (I'm taking, I'm taking) [Pre-Chorus] And you and your sweet desire (Don't you do it, don't you do it) You took me, oh, higher and higher, baby [Chorus] It's a livin' thing It's a terrible thing to lose It's a given thing What a terrible thing to lose It's a livin' thing It's a terrible thing to lose It's a given thing What a terrible thing to lose JUST a song about relationships.
Saw them back in the '70s..."Rockaria" is my favourite, particularly the version on the Midnight Special with bass player Kelly Groucutt sharing lead vocals and singing the operatic parts...
Jeff Lynne, the master craftsman. He was always coy about song lyrics, with Livin’ Thing being the most speculated about. Some have said abortion, whales and other topics. Jeff came out many years ago and said, “The Livin’ Thing is ‘love’.” Yes, love is a terrible thing to lose. Minus a couple obscure songs, Jeff is the lead singer. He’s also the songwriter, producer, lead instrumentalist. Other songs to react to: Telephone Line, Evil Woman, Tightrope, Don’t Bring Me Down, Can’t Get It Out Of My Mind. The group has over a dozen big hits.
Other ELO to check out-Telephone Line, Evil woman-their fantastic remake of Roll Over Beethoven,Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Twilight, Last Train To London, Hold On tight, All Over The world and so many more.
Oh man, it must be Blane day on L33Reacts! With "I'd Love To Change The World", "Funk 49", "Venus & Mars (Rock Show)/Jet" and "Livin' Thing" all on the same day?!? HALLELUJAH! I'm so happy!!! 😊
I think you would enjoy their instrumental track "Fire On High". (And I am not usually fond of instrumentals.) Not only is it crazy and clever, but it really shows what the band can do. And drummer, Bev Bevan, really gets a chance to shine. Like Ringo, he is always playing for the song, and is sometimes underappreciated. But when the song asks him to step up to the plate - watch out.
Mothers are, for the most part, the most unconditionally loving people on the planet. Also, we all have regrets about the way we were when we were younger. The family around us at that time probably knew better, and knew it was a phase. We think we hurt them, but they were wiser than we give them credit for. Whether you believe in an afterlife or not (I'm Atheist) I still like to think of them smiling knowingly, whether from Heaven (if you believe in that) or from my knowledge of getting older and seeing young ones act out, and knowing already they don't mean it. They're still getting to know themselves.
This one and Sweet Talkin' Woman remind me of each other. Jeff Lynne is such a genius, musically. This song was featured at the end of Boogie Nights, and I think of that scene every single time I hear it :D I think you would love ELO's album El Dorado as it's very arty/proggy/experimental, and not anything like this one, or the concerto for a rainy day that you heard.
The song is about love, according to Jeff. But IMO their songs are more about the listening experience than about meaning. I'm not sure about the string section's involvement here because in this era of the band they hired an orchestra for the studio recordings (the boys did play live though). There are lots of songs worth recommending, I'll go with All Over the World (1980), which is one of their most feel-good ones. They were doing some Disco at the time and they did it well.
According to Jeff Lynne he wrote this when his girlfriend dumped him. It's his plea for her to not let their live/relationship die. BUT, like all art, once it is in the public arena, people can and do interpret it how they want and according to the effect it has on them. I had an ex who was convinced it was a song about a fairground ride disaster! Something about a roller coaster going "higher and higher" and then "taking a dive".
They were the first concert I ever saw at the Philadelphia Spectrum. Not sure which show it was as it was sometime in either early ir mid 70's. I have always been a fan.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was the first concert I ever saw. And as things turned out, in a very different place from the first, Lynyrd Skynyrd was the second concert I ever saw😊
@@Cosmo-Kramer thanks for the response! I couldn't remember the year but I did think it was in the early 70's. I saw Argent at the Tower Theater. It was when they came out with Hold Your Head Up
Jeff Lynne also produced and worked with George Harrison on some of his solo work. Also with George in The Traveling Wilburys. Supergroup you should definitely check out
Jeff Lynne (who comes from my home City of Birmingham, UK) is a great musician and producer. E.L.O have loads of great songs and sound just as good live (if not better) than they do on the studio versions. My favourite is 'All Over The World'. Jeff is on his final tour this year at the age of 77. He was also in the super group 'The Traveling Wilburys' with George Harrison (The Beatles), Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. You should listen to more E.L.O and 'End of the Line' and 'Handle With Care' from 'The Traveling Wilburys'.
Well documented. Jeff Lynn loved the Beatles & he was influenced in his music. Eventually he was in the Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & Rory Orbison. They never got serious, just had fun.
Lee, I believe you will really like The Alan Parson's Project. They are a band from the same era who also used a big orchestra. I would suggest Eye In The Sky live from Columbia. My other favorites are Don't Answer Me, and Time from the same live concert.
@@EskWIRED There is an interview with Alan called Alan Parsons - how "Eye in the Sky" and "Sirius" changed my life where he talks about being there, working on the sound system, and they show a picture of him.
Jeff Lynn produced a couple of The Beatles albums, before he started ELO, and then of course was part of The Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. Howes's that for an All-Star Band?
Ummm, no. Jeff *never* produced a Beatles album, and didn't even work with them until a decade after he'd disbanded ELO in 1986. In 1995 he produced a couple Beatles songs for their Anthology project, and he also produced albums and/or songs for solo projects by Harrison, McCartney and Starr a few years before and after Anthology.
Jeff Lynn. Most mis-understood(?) artist of out time? I don't know but I've always felf he didn't get the respect he deserved. Maybe that's changing now. I sure hope so. A New World Record is a fantastic album. Lots of good stuff on it. Bought it when it came out when I was in high school.
Saw ELO in 1979 at Anaheim Stadium, Amazing show. If you want to see the members perform here's an 'Official Video' of "Evil Woman" ua-cam.com/video/BmJiS3163Cs/v-deo.html
An nteresting interpretation but I seriously doubt that’s the case. I’m more of their era and don’t think they were a band to weigh into controversial issues.
Jeff Lynne is a genius....songwriter/ musician extraordinaire......so many great songs......mostly all timeless classics that just don't seem to age!!!!.. Absolutely awesome live.
The 1970s were probably the greatest decade in music from beginning to the end.
Cant Get It Out Of My Head is a different sound but a beautiful song.
Jeff Lynne made no secret about his admiration for the Beatles. In the last song on this album, "Shangri-La", he directly references them. Also, he later performed with and produced the three surviving members on the 1994 Anthology project, making him literally the 5th Beatle for a couple of songs.
Showdown by ELO is Jeff Lynne at his most soulful.
ELO have so many great songs. Jeff is a genius.
I believe it was Lennon who said ELO sounds like if the Beatles had continued into the 70's. Jeff Lynn was a huge Beatles fan. If i remember correctly, he helped produce Beatle hits Free As a Bird and Real Love from 1995. ELO had many hits. Check out Turn to Stone and Evil Woman
More likely, they would have sounded like Wings.
There's a definite kinship between the Beatles and ELO (also, 10cc who followed up on some of the Fab Four's innovations in parody and studio trickery/ wizardry and wordplay).I would put it like this, if ELO followed the line from Rubber Soul and Abbey Road, 10cc developed the sound on Help! and Revolver, along with some of the audio surprises and satirical lyrics of the White Album.
"Livin' Thing" is one of the first songs by ELO I recall hearing on the radio, and I liked it immediately.
For reference, it’s Lynne…👍
It's Jeff LYNNE!
I can sum up my feelings about Jeff Lynne in one word: Genius.
ELO and The Alan Parsons Project also helped me get through the 70's.
This whole album is amazing
It starts with Tightrope and ends with Shangri-la which are two of their best songs.
Jeff Lynne, master producer.
Jeff Lynne co-founded the group, but as time wore on he took the lead role. By the time this record came out he was the driving force of the band, writing and producing all of the songs. In its present incarnation (since Richard Tandy recently passed away), he is the only remaining original member.
Jeff was the "driving force of the band" from the 2nd album forward. This is from the 6th album.
classic ELO, brings me back to my bar days
Sailin' away
On the crest of a wave
It's like magic
Oh, rollin' and ridin'
And slippin' and slidin'
It's magic
[Pre-Chorus]
And you and your sweet desire
You took me, oh, higher and higher, baby
[Chorus]
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
[Post-Chorus]
(I'm taking a dive, dive!)
[Verse 2]
Making believe
This is what you conceived
From your worst day (I'm taking a dive)
Oh, moving in line
Then you look back in time
To the first day (I'm taking, I'm taking)
[Pre-Chorus]
And you and your sweet desire (Don't you do it, don't you do it)
You took me, oh, higher and higher, baby
[Chorus]
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
[Post-Chorus]
(I'm taking a dive, on the slide, hey!)
[Verse 3]
Takin' a dive
'Cause you can't halt the slide
Floating downstream (I'm taking a dive)
Oh, so let her go
Don't start spoiling the show
It's a bad dream (I'm taking, I'm taking)
[Pre-Chorus]
And you and your sweet desire (Don't you do it, don't you do it)
You took me, oh, higher and higher, baby
[Chorus]
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
JUST a song about relationships.
Saw them back in the '70s..."Rockaria" is my favourite, particularly the version on the Midnight Special with bass player Kelly Groucutt sharing lead vocals and singing the operatic parts...
Jeff Lynne, the master craftsman. He was always coy about song lyrics, with Livin’ Thing being the most speculated about. Some have said abortion, whales and other topics. Jeff came out many years ago and said, “The Livin’ Thing is ‘love’.” Yes, love is a terrible thing to lose.
Minus a couple obscure songs, Jeff is the lead singer. He’s also the songwriter, producer, lead instrumentalist.
Other songs to react to: Telephone Line, Evil Woman, Tightrope, Don’t Bring Me Down, Can’t Get It Out Of My Mind. The group has over a dozen big hits.
Other ELO to check out-Telephone Line, Evil woman-their fantastic remake of Roll Over Beethoven,Can't Get It Out Of My Head, Twilight, Last Train To London, Hold On tight, All Over The world and so many more.
your'e doing a great job, enjoying these reactions, all the music i have loved my whole life. God bless you
Oh man, it must be Blane day on L33Reacts! With "I'd Love To Change The World", "Funk 49", "Venus & Mars (Rock Show)/Jet" and "Livin' Thing" all on the same day?!? HALLELUJAH! I'm so happy!!! 😊
Gotcha Day! Pretty cool!!! Never heard that before, never had one, but a great idea!
I think you would enjoy their instrumental track "Fire On High". (And I am not usually fond of instrumentals.) Not only is it crazy and clever, but it really shows what the band can do. And drummer, Bev Bevan, really gets a chance to shine. Like Ringo, he is always playing for the song, and is sometimes underappreciated. But when the song asks him to step up to the plate - watch out.
Saw ELO live in 1978. Excellent show! ❤
Same. First concert. September of '78. Philly. Amazing!
ELO has some great tunes....
Mothers are, for the most part, the most unconditionally loving people on the planet. Also, we all have regrets about the way we were when we were younger. The family around us at that time probably knew better, and knew it was a phase. We think we hurt them, but they were wiser than we give them credit for. Whether you believe in an afterlife or not (I'm Atheist) I still like to think of them smiling knowingly, whether from Heaven (if you believe in that) or from my knowledge of getting older and seeing young ones act out, and knowing already they don't mean it. They're still getting to know themselves.
Jeff Lynn was one one of the founders of the Travelling Wilburys.
So many hits. Jeff Lynne, wonderful song writer and producer. Great choice Scott.
Gotta listen to Tightrope from this same album. Really, the whole album is great.
This one and Sweet Talkin' Woman remind me of each other. Jeff Lynne is such a genius, musically. This song was featured at the end of Boogie Nights, and I think of that scene every single time I hear it :D
I think you would love ELO's album El Dorado as it's very arty/proggy/experimental, and not anything like this one, or the concerto for a rainy day that you heard.
The song is about love, according to Jeff. But IMO their songs are more about the listening experience than about meaning.
I'm not sure about the string section's involvement here because in this era of the band they hired an orchestra for the studio recordings (the boys did play live though).
There are lots of songs worth recommending, I'll go with All Over the World (1980), which is one of their most feel-good ones. They were doing some Disco at the time and they did it well.
Indeed. Those were the High Days! ❤
Pure sunshine
We just lost Tandy recently. RIP (Granpa WWII vet? Congrats and admiration for you Sir.)
Hi Lee. Really like this ELO track (one of my favourites), but I love your shirt even more!
I agree Lee...those strings!! ❤😊
Great review the genius jeff lynne so far ahead of his time so many classics thank you ❤
Thank you for your views on this great song from ELO. Keep up the show! love you.
One that doesn’t get reacted to much, but is quite a ride is ELO’s Kuiama.
Great Choice!
Have you listened to Strange Magic? another gorgeous song by them
I thought it was a lost love song.
Showdown next! ❤🎉❤
Love Jeff Lynn and the strings!! Saw them a few times and loved it!
According to Jeff Lynne he wrote this when his girlfriend dumped him. It's his plea for her to not let their live/relationship die.
BUT, like all art, once it is in the public arena, people can and do interpret it how they want and according to the effect it has on them.
I had an ex who was convinced it was a song about a fairground ride disaster! Something about a roller coaster going "higher and higher" and then "taking a dive".
Good thing you split from that girl, she sounds dense AF.
YOU ROCK LEE!!!💯🎶🔥❤
Great recording and tune.
"Telephone Line" is the most well known on this album (I never cared for it all that much though) but give "Tightrope" or "So Fine" a shot.
They were the first concert I ever saw at the Philadelphia Spectrum. Not sure which show it was as it was sometime in either early ir mid 70's. I have always been a fan.
Lynyrd Skynyrd was the first concert I ever saw. And as things turned out, in a very different place from the first, Lynyrd Skynyrd was the second concert I ever saw😊
ELO was also my first concert, and yes, it was also at The Spectrum in South Philly. September 18, 1978. Amazing!
@@Cosmo-Kramer if Al Stewart opened than we were at the same show!
@@lindaulloa4786 Nope, you were there a few years earlier than me. Argent, was the opening band for my show. Would've preferred, Al.
@@Cosmo-Kramer thanks for the response! I couldn't remember the year but I did think it was in the early 70's. I saw Argent at the Tower Theater. It was when they came out with Hold Your Head Up
Lee: Sweet is the Night. An amazing ELO song. ❤
Jeff affecting his Dylan voice. Great song.
It's about surfing as metaphor for being in love.
More elo❤❤❤
You're end stories & reaction is maybe the best part of the whole song analysis and video especially your personal life experiences❤
There is soooo much good ELO music…
Awesome oldie!
Jeff Lynne also produced and worked with George Harrison on some of his solo work. Also with George in The Traveling Wilburys. Supergroup you should definitely check out
They have the Beatle-iest sound of any band that came after...
I agree. I love how at points it honestly sounds like the Beatles and others it’s like the next evolution of them. It’s interesting as hell.
ELO! My teen years 😊
Mr Blue Sky is my favourite ELO song
25K!!!!!!!!!!!❤🎉🎶🔥
Thank you 🎶🎉
Jeff Lynne (who comes from my home City of Birmingham, UK) is a great musician and producer. E.L.O have loads of great songs and sound just as good live (if not better) than they do on the studio versions. My favourite is 'All Over The World'. Jeff is on his final tour this year at the age of 77. He was also in the super group 'The Traveling Wilburys' with George Harrison (The Beatles), Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. You should listen to more E.L.O and 'End of the Line' and 'Handle With Care' from 'The Traveling Wilburys'.
Well documented. Jeff Lynn loved the Beatles & he was influenced in his music. Eventually he was in the Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & Rory Orbison. They never got serious, just had fun.
Lee, I believe you will really like The Alan Parson's Project. They are a band from the same era who also used a big orchestra. I would suggest Eye In The Sky live from Columbia. My other favorites are Don't Answer Me, and Time from the same live concert.
Alan Parsons produced Dark Side of the Moon. He also was a recording engineer on Let It Be and Abbey Road.
@@EskWIRED Yes! In fact, he can be seen in the video on the roof. You have to look closely. He is wearing an orange shirt.
@@carolyncappitelli1460 Wow! Now I need to re-watch it 🙂
@@EskWIRED There is an interview with Alan called Alan Parsons - how "Eye in the Sky" and "Sirius" changed my life where he talks about being there, working on the sound system, and they show a picture of him.
love ELO. Thanks for the reaction
I prefer old school Electric Light Orchestra to the top 40 hit machine they became. Please do Dreaming of 4000 if you want to some brilliant music.
Yeah Dreaming of 4000 deffo or Fire on high.
New World Rising/Ocean Breakup Reprise
Jeff Lynn produced a couple of The Beatles albums, before he started ELO, and then of course was part of The Traveling Wilburys with George Harrison, Bob Dylan Tom Petty, and Roy Orbison. Howes's that for an All-Star Band?
George Harrison chose Jeff to produce Cloud Nine. He also worked on the Lennon demos.
Ummm, no. Jeff *never* produced a Beatles album, and didn't even work with them until a decade after he'd disbanded ELO in 1986. In 1995 he produced a couple Beatles songs for their Anthology project, and he also produced albums and/or songs for solo projects by Harrison, McCartney and Starr a few years before and after Anthology.
🔥🔥🔥
I also thought what that's what it was about but I think Jeff said not.
Jeff Lynn. Most mis-understood(?) artist of out time? I don't know but I've always felf he didn't get the respect he deserved. Maybe that's changing now. I sure hope so. A New World Record is a fantastic album. Lots of good stuff on it. Bought it when it came out when I was in high school.
Considering all the hits I would say there was a LOT of respect.
"Misunderstood"?? What's that supposed to mean? lol
No, it's not about that. ❤
Jeff Lynne has said "Livin' Thing" is about loss of love, not abortion.
Saw ELO in 1979 at Anaheim Stadium, Amazing show. If you want to see the members perform here's an 'Official Video' of "Evil Woman" ua-cam.com/video/BmJiS3163Cs/v-deo.html
Bit 'deep' but did you mean abortion? I've always thought that might be the meaning? Probably totally wrong.
You can’t say certain things without running risk of being demonetized so I just use words that sound similar but yes that’s what I was saying
An nteresting interpretation but I seriously doubt that’s the case. I’m more of their era and don’t think they were a band to weigh into controversial issues.
@@ericmartin8818 yeah, about a relationship - the relationship is the living thing - organic, etc.
@@L33Reacts It's not about that, Jeff has said what it's about before.
It's not about that.
ELO- the poor man’s Beatles , great group
"poor man's Beatles"? To me, far superior to the Beatles🤷