🎵 Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing REACTION

[@johnc7512]

This girl's smile is just awesome!

[@paddycullen1]

Her smile is infectious 😊🥰

[@qhl5579]

ELO, now that's a vibe.

[@jennyjenny4501]

Nobody else sounds like ELO! They are magic!

[@frankmcbride7051]

The difference is not huge, but this is not the classic version. Jeff Lynne re-recorded the classic ELO songs a few years back and this is one of the re-recordings. For someone who has been enjoying the songs for decades it's easy to notice the difference and hard to understand why Jeff did it, especially without making improvements.

[@Lexy-O]

I think they do it for a better deal on royalties

[@Lexy-O]

I much prefer the original recordings

[@robd4376]

Good ear Frank. It’s just not the same and not as good as the original version, just my opinion.

[@Lexy-O]

Problem was his vocals were in their prime as was his production and mixing skills on the original.

[@jackgilchrist]

I prefer the original recordings to this as well, but I think Jeff is sounding great in the "Jeff Lynne's ELO" concert film I watched a while back (I think the Wembley thing from 2017, or something in that time frame). The musicians, backup singers, etc., were all great, too, and the whole performance was tight. I don't generally have any desire to see old bands on their geriatric tours, as it just makes me sad, but I would really like to see them. The crowds were singing and dancing and having fun too.

[@richard_n]

ELO is one of those bands that you can listen to in any mood and any time. Everything is better after one of their songs.

[@jackgilchrist]

ELO music always just puts me in a better mood.

[@PatRyan-my8ep]

Great reaction so many great elo songs and all different and fun😊😊😊 thanks for reaction

[@gforce1138]

ELO is my all time favorite & this was the 1st song I ever heard on the Radio in Grade Skool & been a fan since...

[@surlechapeau]

Brad & Lex, you’ll love their "Do Ya”!!!

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

What a *shame you didn't react to the original version, this is an inferior re-make done by Jeff Lynne decades later.* Having said that, I'm glad you guys are hitting up ELO more regularly these days. And I was stoked to hear *Lex* say that ELO is moving up on her list of favorite bands! :D Next from The Electric Light Orchestra, please react to their 1979 classic, *"The Diary of Horace Wimp"* you'll love it! (Use the studio version, and Brad, you do *NOT* need a lyrics video, all the lyrics are super easy to understand. Trust me.)

[@davidbarrow3176]

Yes this sounds sub standard too the original.

[@sebastianblack6506]

I knew something was off --- I just thought it was an alternate mix or something.

[@markproffitt4935]

Yes, I noticed almost immediately that this was a different version from the original. My daughter said..."It sounds the same to me." I told her that if she had listened to this song 500 times as I have over the course of my life that she would hear the difference too. This version lacked something. Not quite as good in my opinion. Still good, but the original is better.

[@LEE.COSTELLO]

Yes, that's not the original It has something missing and I can hear some of the vocals have been auto tuned. The original is much better plus no auto tune or pitch correction.

[@jumpjet777]

@@sebastianblack6506 Ditto ........ 😒

[@chrisa7498]

Most guilty pleasure song of all time. I remember when this came out and I was in 3rd or 4th grade. You guys make me realize that growing up in the 70s and 80s really was special.

[@TheFlowNetwork]

We're probably about the same age. I've been teaching an online class on the history of Rock. Once a week we learn about one year in Rock history...year by year. Tonight we're up to 1983...Thriller, Synchronicity, Business As Usual by Men At Work, Let's Dance by David Bowie, REM's first single "Radio Free Europe", Rock The Casbah, Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This, Come On Eileen!... the US Festival, U2 War tour and Live At Red Rocks "Sunday Bloody Sunday" with Bono waving that big white flag....I'm constantly amazed how great the music was in the 70's and 80's.

[@TheMikelleh]

Jeff Lynn is amazing. He grew up on classical music, fell in love with rock, and said “why can’t I have both?” His music is like no other. He incorporated orchestral instruments in rock songs. Well, pop songs anyway.

[@Lexy-O]

Plus his vocal arrangements, harmonies and production are amazing

[@charlier711]

Agree on Jeff Lynn, I actually didn't realize who he was until he joined the Traveling Wilbury's - oh, he's the guy behind ELO! Good stuff!

[@Lexy-O]

Check out Sweet Talkin’ Woman (studio version) by ELO. It’s arguably their best song.

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here...This was my true introduction to Rock as a child..I still LOVE this extremely talented band.., Brad and Lex.., Their Musicality is Amazing...And a very chill symphonic sound...."The Movement of the sound due to Love..WOW..you guys PERFECT DESCRIPTION 🥰💞

[@jimcarlson6157]

Eric, you don't need to pretend to be your wife. when I finally admitted to the world how much I love ELO, I was free to be me (plus my wife blocked 🚫 my access)

[@guidosarducci]

@@jimcarlson6157 😂😂

[@irucat5149]

I support you too eric

[@ericsmith6615]

Ok Guys.., This really is The Wife.., I always use his handle.., But..He Thanks you for the support anyway!✌

[@iainweller452]

You can’t go wrong with ELO one of their later singles was “Secret Messages” from the album of the same name and still one of my favourites.

[@ingvarjensen1088]

Mine, too!

[@827dusty]

ELO has always been a Symphany Band. That's their trademark style. They dd a complete concert tv show on the BBC (British TV) a few years ago. They are just so good. And we can't forget Jeff Lynn (of ELO) was a member of "The Traveling Wilburys" along with Bob Dylan, George Harrison (Beatles) Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty.

[@larryhalbrook6874]

My absolute favorite group in the 70s and 80s. They have so many big hits. Jeff Lynne is the lead singer and he even made a solo album titled "Armchair Theater" a few years back. WOW! What an album. Love your reaction.

[@wbmstr24]

it's about being in love and not wanting to lose it.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Another great band that was so ahead of their time. So many great songs.

[@CoffeeConnected]

I can't agree with that because how many acts around today are doing the ELO thing? They are very much of their time and place, England in the 1970s. I do agree that they created so many great songs though.

[@txrojas]

They had their time. Decided to go disco and never recovered. They were original but not ahead of their time.

[@jmarasco510]

One of the absolute best bands of all time. Countless great songs

[@NomyJackson]

Love can be one way. A parent might love their kid unconditionally and the child might not reciprocate. Great song!

[@MySherry10]

ELO is one of my favorite groups I played it work so much the guy in next dept. said aren;t you tired of listening to them yet, I said nope. LOL. I love thier sound and harmony and thier songs are upbeat and happy. they make you feel good and like all the stuff they put in thier music , that just catches your attention . It is chill fun , I can listen to them anytime, Strange Magic was one of my absolute faves. I think your talking of unrequited love, where they love but not returned, and thats fine if person accepts that and realizes its just not there for them.

[@michaelchilcott210]

My of my favourite bands growing up brilliant lyrics and music. loved the review.

[@chetcarman3530]

Jeff was a HUGE Beatles fan, especially. George Harrison's, whose influence can be heard in much/most of Jeff's music. Like this one. Lynne would become friends with George and produce more & more of G's tracks. This is how Travelling Wilburys came to pass, with some of their mutual influences & heroes joining in: Dylan, Petty, Orbison & longtime solo Beatles collaborator Jim Keltner on drums. This is one of ELO's first, biggest hits & one of my favorites by anybody of the period! Good call😃💜💜💜

[@roberteytchison2595]

Jeff was the producer of Harrison's, Petty's and Orbison's come back album and was kind of the connection for the Wilburys. I think he is still the only producer to have 3 songs in the top 10 by 3 different artists at the same time and still didn't get the producer of the year that year. He and Harrison convinced Roy to overcome his severe stage fright and perform again. Gave us some great songs and a Super band in the process.

[@seandobson6221]

Such a great song I forgot how much I loved this song.

[@d-2793]

ELO had great big band sounding & harmonies. So unique

[@ready4sea301]

Sailing away on the crest of a wave, it’s like magic.. Rolling and riding, slipping and sliding, it’s magic. For me this song is about surfing. And it was often stuck in my head while surfing as a teenager in the late 70’s.

[@ddwchamp]

Can't get you out of my head was the first ELO song I heard.

[@ernestpacheco8148]

Living thing was the very first song when I was a kid that I heard that introduced me to what real music is all about. ELO ,STyX, Journey and Fleetwood Mac... I was hooked !

[@petern1938]

I once heard ELO described as the music the Beatles would have been making if they'd not split up.

[@christopherwinkler4451]

Yep, and that description came from none other than John Lennon himself. He described Showdown as a mix of Lighting Striking by Lou Christie and Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, "with a little Walrus underneath." Perfectly apt desription.

[@leogothisoscar271]

ELO have their live show down to a science and this is one of the songs that sounds even better live.

[@olavjorvik94]

Watched them live in Norway in 2017 for the first time. They NAILED the live sound. It was SPOTLESS. Best live sound I’ve ever heard, and I’ve seen the odd show. The mix was so clean, it sounded like the album, honestly. Almost identical. And Jeff at his old age, sang and played perfect with his shades and curls. He’s my second favorite song writer, after George. And I hope he sticks around for a long time❤

[@peteross1246]

The “living thing” is love.

[@giuseppinavenci2152]

It has a great, gypsy-sounding violin intro that is beautiful. The gypsy violin returns from time to time..Love it.

[@colinglen4505]

Brad's signing up to that music interpretation class is really paying off!

[@SCOOBYPALOOZA]

ELO Is Dope. They Take You Back To A Different Time Every Time.

[@reneelyons6836]

ELO is the Beatles of the 70's.

[@cernegiant398]

You have officially listened to the greatest pop song of all time. Who knew? Well done Brad & Lex.

[@raye402]

ELO Live a must watch for the strings alone!! 👏

[@zigman63]

Funny thing when ELO were becoming very successful, I was mid teens so I was on my own journey musically etc,but I do remember if I happened on TOP OF THE POPS and they were on I usually stopped what I was doing at just listen. Now I really appreciate how amazing they were .

[@sealdrup]

Same.

[@gandalf679]

I'm now 63,,,I've been a fan of this band since their inception, and many, many more bands like them, you've found one band that stands apart from the rest, You'll enjoy the rides they take you on...Rock ON!!

[@debbiechang5781]

You can never go wrong with ELO. Great choice guys. 🌺✌️

[@ChrisPetrocchi]

‘That’s why it’s a given thing and not a receiving thing’ … She nailed it!

[@csedrivers2850]

It's ELO. 😎

[@michellefranco5648]

Lex, you mentioned that ELO was moving up your list. Believe me, the more you listen , the more it will move. There so much in what they do.

[@AWKnuden]

ELO and the songwriter Jeff Lynn are fantastic. You MUST listen to “Tightrope”, using your headphones. Otherwise you wont hear the genius of the melody.

[@jamestripp239]

ELO’s Rock n Roll is King ps the lead singer Jeoff Lynn was a Traveling Willbury

[@brucelyni3600]

Like a lot of songs you’ve reacted to, this is featured in the film “Boogie Nights.” If you ever do movie reactions, that would be a great one to do!

[@CoffeeConnected]

This particular song was played right at the end of the film at the mirror scene just as it went into the end credits wasn't it?

[@traceystanley3554]

One of my favorite groups ever!

[@danmcconnell5941]

This is easily my favorite ELO song

[@TheJohnnywbred]

First concert I went to. Great show 1981 old Boston Garden. ❤

[@chetcarman3530]

This is The latest of several times Brad has said he can't imagine loving someone who doesn't love you. Glad to see it addressed in conversation.👍

[@russwalker3119]

my favorite band of the 70's so good, so different

[@beeseewill2407]

Jeff Lynne said he dreamed this song.Got up and put it together. Masterfully I say. Love it.

[@aaronarnold7653]

Excellent start this morning...a hui hou

[@marcus_ohreallyus]

When I was a kid, ELO was my first rock band obsession. I had all of their albums and spent hours listening to the records and admiring the album art (we didn't have the internet yet...don't hate). Actually, I would say all that ELO album art inspired me to be an artist, and I've been an artist professionally for almost 30 years.

[@jonnno243]

The Diary Of Horace Wimp needs to be aired sometime.

[@chrissiegle1065]

ELO... fun music... smile music... Jeff Lynne was so original, blending classical elements with opera and pop.. Great band... Great reaction.

[@easyrolling]

This was when ELO was at their best, in the middle of the album stretch, not to say the early things or later were bad, they weren't, but mid 70's to late 70's they could do no wrong.. Great song.. super reaction

[@rk41gator]

One way love is unrequited love. So much music is about unrequited love. There is a difference between obsession and love. 'It's a givin' thing' Lex is right!

[@andyscott5277]

Love ELO, definitely check out "Turn to Stone," song always makes me so happy 😊

[@ffjsb]

Love CAN be one way. It becomes an obsession when you deny that it's only one way and you won't let it go.

[@JFLY78]

As a person born in 1978 I don't think there is any other band that invokes more nostalgic memories for me than ELO...the weird thing is that the memories that come flooding back are the most mundane, day-to-day activities as these songs played in the background, it's weird, I can remember them very vividly and with great clarity...."Strange Magic" indeed!

[@80HD8]

The difference between one way love and obsession is a restraining order.

[@99bigjim]

"New World Record" ... one of the greatest pop/rock albums of all time

[@Tireshredderjoe]

I love ELO. Also love your conversation here!

[@lumpyfishgravy]

The word for one-way love is Unrequited.

[@willfromyadkinville]

the love is real! they were so good!

[@stevoschannel4127]

Another thought; what a wonderful gestation that lil tyke is having! Great music, happy silly mom, love circulating through his little developing self with every beat of sweet lexis heart! So excited for y’all!

[@mikejohnson-dl7vt]

Used to sing with cousins in car as kid(ooohh, memories..😎❤🎶🤙

[@sirkat344]

Perfect time for you to do this one. It was released as a single this week in 1976. Great, great album from start to finish.

[@royalway12]

Seen them twice. Great shows both times.

[@williameckert1623]

I'm fortunate enough to have seen ELO 3 times.

[@dougC08]

Lex you are on point about Love❤ thank you. 👍

[@alexandraozbourne3937]

Man oh man ELO! Their music is so very nostalgic for me. So many fantastic songs Telephone Line is really good. It's all good. Thanks 😊 ♡

[@goosefarm3602]

probably my fav ELO song

[@berniemargolis4288]

I would argue that you can have one-sided love. It can certainly devolve into obsession, but it doesn't have to. When the intended recipient makes it clear that they have no wish to receive that love, then making the decision to back off and stop overtly expressing it is itself an act of love. You don't have to forcibly express love to feel it. In other words, love doesn't necessarily have to be given to be felt.

[@jensen220]

From Songfact: There has been lots of speculation as to what this song is about, with a popular rumor being that it is an anti-abortion statement. ELO frontman Jeff Lynne has said it is simply about the loss of love, although its initial inspiration was a bout of food poisoning. He let that slip in a talk with Hi-Fi News & Record Review in 2014. "You'll never be able to listen to it the same again," he said. "I wouldn't want anyone to think it's about a bad paella on a Spanish holiday." The song features uncredited vocals by Patti Quatro (sister of Suzi Quatro), Brie Brandt, and Addie Lee, who were all one time members of the female rock group Fanny. According to Suzi Quatro's autobiography the trio sang the "higher and higher" parts. "Livin' Thing" returned to a Billboard chart for the first time in 40 years in 2017 as a result of its featuring in Volkswagen's "The New King" commercial. Fueled by its appearance in the ad, the tune entered the Rock Digital Songs Sales chart.

[@CharlesBryan1]

Love is love. It is like a radio transmission. You can transmit a radio show, but if no one tunes in to it then no one will hear it. But the radio signal is still there. And so, the transmission of love is still love even if there is no receiver. The Charles has spoken. :)

[@williamshaw4943]

yous guy's need 2 watch elo Wembley or bust when they thought that no one would turn up ❤

[@suzanne6333]

Reminds me of my older cousins hanging out by their cars at family get togethers ...not surewhat they were passing around but music was good.

[@ericq9049]

I would argue that Jeff Lynne has had as much impact on the sound of rock in the 70s and 80s as Phil Spector did in the 60s, except he changed the sound for a lot of already well established artists. His vocal production is beyond compare.

[@RCShadow]

You guys went from song to a deep dive on a subject that is as old as Shakespeare and longer lol. ELO was great and I'm glad my generation grew up on those bands. I was a late 70's to early 80's teen and I loved every minute of it.

[@tylerhackner9731]

The first elo song I heard. I loved it

[@robertiddings4697]

This is one of thier best songs

[@davidfallwell3550]

They were awesome in the 70’s

[@kyotocoversjimanderson782]

Well, that was an amusing reaction! Great stuff!

[@kevinfhaney]

Love is a living thing love is a verb

[@brettshaver3074]

Jeff Lynne is a genius! I really like Telephone line

[@mauricecarrig3019]

Brilliant review every elo song are wow telephone line live at Wembley

[@jameshunter7303]

Strange Magic should have made at least one of your top 5’s for September!

[@kkampy4052]

One way love is called unrequited love.

[@biggmaqq]

Genre fluid! Love your hoodie, Lex.

[@kassandrariemersma7902]

Love these guys!!!!!

[@lightsideofthemoon13]

The couch gang has to get more ELO on polls they deserve some love.

[@jonnno243]

That bar or so of piccicato strings near the beginning, reminds me of near the beginning of "When My Little Girl Is Smiling" by The Drifters etc.

[@crazexskater]

I love many people who don't love me back... I still love them...

[@mikehoward2340]

Can there be one way love? Absolutely. Unrequited love is a story.as old as time. Novels, songs, plays, poems, etc are chock full of unreturned love.

[@Chical209]

"Here is the News " has always been a cool song for me

[@kirkschabatka1999]

The Beatles in the seventies. Baby, its a living thing!!!