Jeff Lynne talks about Livin Thing

Jeff Lynne talks about the writing of the ELO song "Livin Thing"

[@lolafinch]

"I was chuffed with that bit." -- "This is a naughty bit." -- "Once you're stuck in the F-minor." I love the way he talks about discovery in harmonic progression and invention.

[@Dina6279]

Fan bloody tastic...what a complete and absolute genius!! He looks like a big cuddly teddy bear here and I want to hug him. If I'm not mistaken that looks like the guitar Jeff's dad bought for him for two pounds. Jeff composed all his first songs on it...thanks Jeff's dad we are so very grateful to you xx

[@hunkatiel]

If Jeff made an acoustic album with just him sitting there singing his songs I'd buy it.

[@snork3823]

I’d buy it if he just played the songs and didn’t sing at all …(not because I don’t like his voice - it would just be cool to concentrate on the music)

[@parttroll1]

"its very simple"...ah you're too modest Mr Lynne its bloody brilliant. Wonderful song

[@JohnQ1127]

Agreed, the guy is so humble about his talent. He's way too modest because those are amazing chord changes. He goes from C to Am which is obvious but then he takes it to a Ab to a Fm and it works. Then there's the G augmented in the chorus and then he takes it to a Bbm in the "I'm taking a dive" part. Fantastic song-writing and an Extremely underrated song.

[@MarcusIsI]

JohnQ1127 I agree!! Such a beautiful chord change.. it doesn't look like it should work but it does!

[@Cerph]

That's the funny thing about talent- whatever you're good at, seems simple and easy to you- (and seems like pure genius to everyone else).

[@NevoAlmighty]

Indeed amazing chords usage, just don't forget about the singing part. His pick of vocal notes for these chords are just rainbow in your ears (That Em after Fm is incredible with that high note on singing).

[@mihalidellaportas892]

Are you sure this isn't Stevie Riks?

[@MegaSkills9]

I totally agree with you. I play all the old ELO songs on the piano and can sing like him too. The rush I get from it is unreal. It takes me back in time to when the world was a much better place. One of the best groups ever.

[@hossola77]

The Electric Light Orchestra (and especially Jeff Lynne) were so ahead of their time. Classic band!! We'll never see or hear anything like them again!

[@weejim48]

Always been a fan of ELO . Jeff Lynne is such a brilliant songwriter. If I was ever lucky enough to win the lottery I would pay any amount to his favourite charity for a half days guitar lesson. Brilliant. 👍👍👍

[@starryian007]

This guy is awesome. A phenomenal songwriter and musician.

[@ElvarMasson]

Humble, modest

[@jucklowe]

He makes genius look hilariously humble. "That's all it is really,,,it's very simple",,, Damn,,, he means it too,,, How can you not love this guy?

[@urbangorilla33]

Yeah, back-to-back relative minors, the descending progression back to the tonic, and the augmented in the chorus. Walk in the park, that's all!

[@jucklowe]

@@urbangorilla33 We only have 2 Wilburys left,, we need to bubble-wrap Bob and Jeff!

[@tjcint]

@@urbangorilla33 Nothing to it ...

[@scissors656]

love how his dad cranked up the stereo playing living thing.

[@76gremlin]

Jeff Lynne's comments so special to listen to here. Clearly he had "made it" by the time he did this interview as he reflected back to all the hits in the mid 70's. But in this discussion, he's still giddy about chord progessions on one sone. Makes me appreciate his musical genius even more.

[@magnificentTVchannel]

How lovely to come across this. I conducted this interview in Jeff's studio. I remember it so well and we jammed this and Lady Madonna together later on. Im a songwriter myself and spent an hour or so discussing the mechanics of the song. I left the BBC before the project this interview was for was completed and glad to see someone did something with it. I wonder where it came from?

[@paulah229]

Very well done. Thank you.

[@omnipop4936]

Nice job on this interview! I'd pay good money to see the rest of it. I too am a songwriter, and I just love Jeff's enthusiasm when he's taking about chord progressions and song structure, etc. It's almost like hearing myself talk! :) Very inspiring. In fact, I think it would be awesome if you (propelled by your love of songwriting, and utilizing your showbiz connections) would do this kind of interview with other big name songwriters - from all eras. A bit like the fabulous "Classic Albums" series of DVDs (which I believe is now discontinued). In that series, a different famous album was featured each time, and they'd have the album's original songwriters, band members and studio engineers analyze each song - right down to the individual instrument tracks - while sharing their recollections and insights. Absolute "red meat" for songwriters like us! Just a suggestion.

[@magnificentTVchannel]

Don't get me started. This was part of a mini-series. We filmed hour long interviews with a lot of people. Some finance guy had screwed the deal up so it never got used. I think the tapes are still at the BBC. Who did I interview? Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye for Good Vibrations, Steve Miller, Hsl David and Dionne Warwick, Bill Withers, Weill and Mann, Nancy Sinatra, Jeff, Status Quo, Oasis, Ultravox, Texas, 10cc, Alice Cooper, Procol Harum and about -5 others. None of it used - though I guess some of the tapes like this one were recycled online by Radio 2 or something. I have thought about it as a set of filmed live events but never got round to it but yes you are right.

[@mindhead2005]

Oh man, that must have been a blast to film!!!

[@shanachelich2782]

When was this filmed? It´s fantastic!

[@bleebloe]

I said it before, I'll say it again. If I can have any 1 musicians all around talent, it would be Jeff Lynne without any thought whatsoever. Such an underrated genius.

[@tonydegregorio4895]

This is a fascinating dive into the mind of a songwriter that you rarely get to experience. Hard to believe that one man could come up with such a masterpiece.

[@KathrynBriley]

love it!

[@GFHanks]

And, one masterpiece after another.

[@michaelforde4373]

yes Jeff to say he was " chuffed" to find that chord is an understatement , truly magnificent musician , long live ELO

[@davidval7188]

One of my favorites. Wonderful thank you for the beautiful song.

[@kennatiousc]

interesting how humble he is about genius musicianship.

[@remlapwc]

He's a musical genius, and he sounds great even on a camcorder mike.

[@hujjesb]

Jeff gives me hope in mankind so down to earth love him

[@JohnLennon100]

Jeff is a genius. At the same level of the Beatles. And I love the Beatles more than anything. Thank you.

[@QBAN2010]

Better than The Beatles.....he is Paul, George, John and george Martin all rolled into one!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tjcint]

​@@QBAN2010 Totally disagree. He is not better than The Beatles.

[@Amanda-kd3cm]

Definately better than the Beatles 👍👍👍

[@Amanda-kd3cm]

​@@QBAN2010 definately better than the Beatles!

[@chrisrose5885]

The genius of simplicity. The simplicity of genius. A perfect example. Thanks so much, Jeff.

[@dydekjcross]

I love Kelly's voice on "Sweet is the Night", a bit of Eventide on the vocals gives it the doubling/flanging sound..."and the light that shines paints trace of sadness on the street, I wait, I cant seem to get to you." Dial in just the left side of the song and you'll hear low harmonies, panned to the right are the high harmonies during the chorus....wonderful job by Mack and one of my favorite string arrangements of any ELO song.

[@puertecitos6888]

Jeff Lynne, one of my all time hero's.

[@iVenge]

the single most underrated artist of the past 50 years

[@TruthSurge]

this is a great example of chord progression skill. He changed keys and then used the Em to sort of bridge the F m back into a place where he could work back to the orig key. But that's what songwriters do or good ones, I should say.

[@lloydmoss217]

Plus it was so intuitive

[@thephilosopher4915]

You are a genius mate

[@brujaderio]

This is my favorite ELO song! In fact..one of my favorite songs of songs.

[@Helmut83]

Agreed 100% with your comment. You are one guy that is able to appreciate Jeff Lynne's genius fully. I mean, how the hell is he able to put an Ab chord, which is out of the C scale, and make it sound so good all the same? How is he able to put a V grade (G) augmented in the chorus and put over it a melody that fits perfectly? And then a VII grade flat, which normally would me major, but he does it minor!! It's extraordinary! People don't realize, this guy is from another planet.

[@FinnMove]

It´s amazing the difference between two Jeff Lynnes. The man with a very big ego ( with respect ) in the records and the very shy and modest person in the public.

[@fcamiola]

big ego? really?

[@primitiverock]

I could listen to Jeff, with vocals and Acoustic and still be enthralled.

[@jeddest]

I have a short list of songwriting heroes. Jeff Lynne is right at the very top along with Lennon-McCartney, Andy Partridge, Neil Finn and Elvis Costello. I could listen to him talk about how he wrote his songs all day long...and then some. Fantastic.

[@ryangreen2469]

Pure Magic !!! Jeff Lynne oozed talent all around, superb songwriter,musician- complete artist who in my opinion ranks up there with Lennon, McCartney, Orbison,Dylan,Clapton.... I was privileged to see ELO live twice , both concerts are my very favorites of all that I went to... Thank you Mr Lynne for sharing with the world your genius mind to music.

[@MusicLover10538]

Jeff Lynne is a Music Genius period.

[@Luvinthe70s]

I think the best thing about this video is seeing how Jeffs brilliance and talented mind works. He changes chords as easily as most of us change a light bulb!!

[@SweetDreams706]

I love you Jeff Lynne. Livin Thing is one of my top favorite songs ever. Thanks for all the fabulous music.

[@abashal]

One of the greatest song writers of our time!! Extremely underrated!

[@eclecticear]

His vocal range is taken for granted, because it is so easy for him. So many octaves; and his voice can be soft or strong, and it comes through so clean. I so love the Beatles; but Jeff Lynne has put out more albums that I can listen to straight through. The songs pull you in and don't let you go, right to the last note.

[@abashal]

Absolute Brilliance!! This man knows how to write,arrange,produce,and sing music.... listen to ELO beyond the hit songs... you'll be amazed at the depth of it all.. beautiful sound thru and thru.. thanks Jeff, truly amazing stuff

[@CaribSurfKing1]

As he points out, doing something that's a bit 'wrong/naughty' in terms of music theory is what the human brain craves as a listener!

[@gordonm.7387]

Exactly. Our souls brighten up with certain changes. Four Strong Winds by Ian Tyson has similar changes, really great song, Neil Young did it.

[@rvic11]

Yes, that why so many - particularly modern - songwriters (Ed Sheeran and the gang) write really boring songs. Many today don't have an active interest in or basic knowledge of harmony. Jeff writes some great changes.

[@ccmkoho]

Changing keys is not against music theory. The only chord that is “surprising” is g aug. great song though

[@spizzolato1086]

We just saw him sing this on August 10, 2018 in Houston, Tx. He is the best ever!!!

[@KathrynBriley]

would've SIMPLY loved to see ELO. I'VE had my share ofconcerts and karaoke but ELO surpasses the normal on so many different levels!

[@michaelnorman3393]

July '19, the Chicago show. Best decision ever 😁

[@wmschroeder]

His last line is hysterical. "That's all it is really. It's very simple." hahahaha!

[@southernoregoncatmom6519]

What an awesome chord progression.

[@bennymc1]

Jeff Lynne, you are the best ever!

[@fabfour7397]

From 1972 to 1986, ELO accumulated more combined UK and US Top 40 hits than any other band in the world, and also generated the third most UK and US separate Top 40 hits. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Light_Orchestra_discography

[@floydbrennan9789]

Jeff- You merely think "Livin' Thing" is good? It's freakin' awesome and ultimate proof of your genius!! I thought you were a California surfer dude when I first heard this song as a kid. Never knew in a million years you were from England. Sheer freakin' genius!! You truly are and always will be the Nikola Tesla of music!!

[@MadsMeMMMBop]

Floyd Brennan I also think of him as the Genghis Khan now.

[@soulbrother5435]

There were a lot of singers-songwriters-producers in 70-s who became a legends: Brian Wilson, Jeff Lynne, Richard Carpenter, JJ Cale

[@rcjward]

Love this. Thanks for posting!

[@scissors656]

gotta love that augmented chord !

[@scissors656]

the d minor to b is the magic of the song !

[@jeankavanagh1485]

Jeff you are pure amazing!!!

[@donnaverano12345]

Mozart, Schubert, Verdi, Chopin, Jeff Lynne........................

[@MoMoMyPup10]

Jeffrey Lynne -- super genius.

[@horsesinmidstream]

My Lord, Jeff Lynne, man, how can you be soooooooooooooooooooo good?

[@movilwagg]

looking Lynne playing his guitar with no pretentions, wonderfull...a genius really

[@cockoffgewgle4993]

No pretensions, aside from the shades lol

[@bradwms47]

I enjoy hearing how songs became to be

[@MisterTMH]

Jeff Lynne has lived in LA for years now but still has that very Brummie Midlands accent.

[@ElvarMasson]

I don't think your original accent ever "goes away"

[@gldmj55]

Such an experienced musician. I lol when he said "I never heard that chord change before, the Dm to the G+." lol now he's heard everthing! D, E, F, G, higher and higher baby, back to C! Thanks for the music and inspiration, Jeff.

[@williampeters5446]

Dude is super cool!

[@mariluzguajardoramos3966]

Eres un genio Jeff Lynne..espero algún día vengas a mi Chile 💖🇨🇱

[@nicholasjohnson6724]

It takes a really smart man to smash simple chords together so they sound good. You are a genius Jeff Lynne !!!!!

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

what a pleasure to see Jeff in action, I was Ireland's Greatest Wizzard fan 1972 :)

[@Dina6279]

Are you confusing Jeff with Roy Wood? Jeff was never in Wizzard. Roy Wood left ELO to form his own band, [Wizzard] and left Jeff and Bev Bevan to continue with ELO.

[@Quendra11]

You inspire me so much.After five years of not playing ,I have picked up the guitar to try and play this amazing song and I will learn the violin part as well.I was a professional violinist in a symphony orchestra and wish I could play with musicians like you who are genuine and so so talented.Have a music degree in violin from Universoty of Cape Town,Rene Groyer Love you

[@cfb30]

Jeff Lynne is the ultimate "utility" player in the "sport" of rock and roll. 1. He's a great songwriter. 2. He's a great singer. 3. He's a great guitar player 4. He's a great producer. It's like a baseball player being an all-star pitcher, catcher, shortstop, and outfielder all at once.

[@michaelnorman3393]

I definitely love your appreciation for Mr Lynne! I think a better analogy would be a 4 sport star. Baseball, football, basketball, and track. A utility player is generally helpful in multiple areas. Jeff dominates in all areas, like a HOFer. 😉

[@123yeahyeahno]

Brilliance is not complicated for the brilliant. To them, it's simple, and therefore difficult to explain.

[@IndieManc]

MMM Jeff Lynne..a song writing god! Lets remember that in the early days (post..the move) jeff was coupled with Mr Roy wood..another songwriting great This shows , both Jeffs musical talents and his obvious passion for music..A legend!

[@dbraynor]

Oh my word! Jeff Lynne is a genius. Miss him. Great stuff. It is like he can see, taste, and feel the music. Just awesome....awesome.

[@pcno2832]

When "Living Thing" came out in 1976, it reminded me of "It's Over" by Roy Orbison. Of course, at that time, I didn't even know if Orbison was still alive, let alone that he'd be working with Jeff Lynne some day.

[@abashal]

A tremendously underrated songwriter and musician; If you listened to ELOs albums throughout you would understand what a musical genius this guy is! he comes from a period when music and it's chords were created by imagination and hours of experimentation to find the right sound! No auto tune, drum kits, or stealing other musicians hooks used to rhyme words with a fake beat and be called an "artist"

[@PoGirlShines]

Love this song. Loved ELO.

[@sarahloughlin3724]

Jeff is so humble.

[@truthbknown4957]

Simple, for him. Great talent

[@alblack5600]

The man's an absolute genius and the type of bloke I'd love to share a pint and have a decent chat with. You are the man Jeff keep doing what you're doing 🍻

[@socrates2410]

Jeff says "it's very simple". Ha ha for us the audience it's hard to make music like he does! He is phenomenon and a great artist and composer!

[@MrGibble64]

its not simple jeff . . . its genious , thank you .

[@ambermum]

Oh wow, just heavenly. I agree with AutomaticGainsay, there should be videos like this to accompany every ELO song!

[@toastee3]

"That's all it is really, it's very simple" he says... maybe for you Jeff.

[@JuniperCo]

E L O really made my teen years. Massive influence on me as a musician. You can learn so much from this video. I like the way he keeps saying, this is the naughty bit!!!!

[@parttroll1]

Interesting to hear how these great songs come about, a chance chord change just made the song absolute magic. One of the great 70's bands. I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing ELO

[@jasminnemcdonald94A]

Could Jeff Lynne be an alien from outer space? He can create music that is out of this world. He can even sing and use extraterrestrial messages in his songs.

[@mempersman69]

Incredible!!!! What a piece of music history here!!!!Genius !!!!!

[@rosemusic10]

bloody legend

[@RonnieDillJrLoveIsADarkPlace]

Yes he's a bloody legend

[@joesmith8270]

Jeff's voice matches his songs perfectly, which i guess happens often with great musical artists.

[@spacefieldtime]

A+.....thanks for the insight....this song is one of the top 10 of all time..pure ingenuity...

[@TheMogzee7]

what a musician fantastic wonderful...always loved jeff lynne/elo there been some really cool stuff on tv jeff doing acoustic sets with comments from the likes of paul mccartney,joe walsh long time collaborator richard tandy....just watching a gig from london back in 1978 oh and not forgetting the late great roy orbison,george harrison(r.i.p)tom petty and bob dylan all great stuff loved the upload to smashing cheers

[@RAG1060]

He makes it sound like writing an amazing song is as easy as brushing ones teeth... true modesty and talent there!

[@lucyfoster4082]

Aaaaaaa whoever uploaded this I cannot ever ever ever thank you enough.

[@david1leigh]

the most underrated musician ever. Jeff Lynne is a musical god.

[@poemodjo9]

Jeff is god! I love his voice and his music, always liked ELO and i'll always listen over and over again! Thanks for my dad bringing me up on the good stuff!

[@JohnQ1127]

Well the guy comes off as extremely humble so that might throw people off. I'm always amazed when people can write simple sounding pop songs with strange and unusual chords progressions. I think The Beatles were the first to do thinks like using 6th chords or augmented chords. A song like "From Me To You" sounds pretty simple but it's in the key of C and it has that Gm chord in the bridge and the augmented G at the end of the bridge.

[@kingguitar1]

Thanks.he really is the best.

[@ruthwood1444]

lovely man.

[@savageactor7]

Wow I had no idea these gems were out here...thanks so much for putting it up.

[@Syd4402]

You are so right! A friend thought she bought ELO and when she played it, I said thats not Jeff Lynne, so I bought her the remastered original. ELO w/o Jeff is like the Stones w/o Jagger.

[@horsesinmidstream]

mr. lynne, jeff, jeff lynne, please tell me, how can you be so smooth and sexy and charming and brilliant???

[@Tommyr]

I can't believe I just discovered this video! Awesome!

[@juaquiene7733]

Love Jeffs voice and his awesome music. Such complexity. Just never gets old.

[@paxomatic]

Love it. He's nothing like I thought he would be. Fantastic. Thanks.

[@antrygis1]

Livin' Thing and Do Ya were and are my favorites on the radio.

[@RaleighRoyal]

"Once I found the E minor, it was a real treat." What I'd give to meet Jeff.

[@Porschedude8]

Absolute genius!! Love his work!! Thank you!