Telephone Line - ELO | The Midnight Special

ELO performed February 18, 1977
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[@pamcornelius9122]

My husband was a huge ELO fan. I’ve seen them live three times (in Murfreesboro, Denver and Atlanta). Eddie died in 2021. His favorite ELO song was Telephone Line. The lyrics haunt me.

[@krisbenoit7843]

😢

[@that70sgirl90]

I saw him in concert in 2019. At 72 years old, he still sounded the same and looked fabulous! What a phenomenal concert. He was and still is a humble man. Thank you for sharing! 💖

[@davidaston5773]

Hi Pam, YOU SAW ELO?! WOW! You're SO lucky. For me, ELO is like, a connection to my late Dad. I remember he had an ELO badge and other stuff? I still can't listen to "Mr. Blue Sky" without tearing up. I'm so sorry about your husband, he sounded like one rolling and rolling guy but, don't be sad. He's truly free now. He's now an eternal California Man. And in your dreams if you see a old fashioned telephone? Pick it up and Eddie will be on the other side to tell you he loves you and always WILL. Peace and love to you, David

[@catherinegrogan1343]

❤

[@DrummingMan1]

respectfully, it could haunt you, but it could also, maybe make you smile!

[@miguelmolina.]

🎉still here listening this beautiful song from my childhood 70s 🎉great time 🎉after all these years miss good old days 🎉 timeless masterpiece is 2024 love it 🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉

[@kalament1969]

It'll never get old..unlike us. Lol

[@miguelmolina.]

Bring memories after all these years brother thanks 63 boy timeless 💙

[@StephanieJeanne]

Another of my favorite ELO songs. Such an emotional one. 😢They did a wonderful performance here. I don't remember that firework looking thing behind them in other clips from this episode, though.😊💜

[@gregoryduncan3067]

No, this is a laser show-less song.

[@StephanieJeanne]

@@gregoryduncan3067 true

[@EtienneComment]

Love hearing the cellos clearly in the mix! Go Hugh and Mel!

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Feel my youth ‘calling’ me back, strange how a cool tune makes us regress and remember ~ feel ~ what we were doing when 1st hearing,,,both the good and bad memories come flooding back. “Blue days, black nights, doo~wah, doo~lang” are fabulous lyrics, thank you ELO & the Midnight Special! Happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy 😉

[@stephenmarken4360]

Thank you Jeff Lynne for your brilliance and beautiful vocals.

[@peggyconley5225]

Lynne is the master ❤ love this beautiful song

[@drm54321]

Awesome sound and video. Love these guys! Thank you Midnight Special!

[@DanM-ys5pz]

Those harmonies on the vocals are legit.

[@randominsights1012]

The song, and album, that made ELO my favorite group

[@redbarchetta8782]

What a great song.

[@jkkay477]

1:43 The chorus is LEGENDARY. I could listen to it all day.

[@PeaceOfGrace]

Thank you, Great memories

[@chuckmorton8823]

Fabulous ... that's the good stuff

[@edearnshaw1475]

This amazing band definitely designed the goatee!!

[@pembrokejones3969]

Telephones used to be connected to a wire that came out of the wall. Some of them had dials for entering the number you wanted to call, which you had to remember or look up in a book that came out about once a year. You could also call directory assistance and a lady would look up the number but you had to know where the person lived.

[@PuffKitty]

I laughed but you're absolutely correct in explaining about telephone lines ☎️

[@munter10]

Aaaahh yes! Back in the day when white guys had arrows and goatee beards, the 70’s were really something, I was a teen and I’ll never forget the music of that era!

[@theresafoster2353]

Saw them in the 7Os in Omaha, NE

[@markatr6]

45 + yrs later, jeff lynne can be seen doing this acoustically, still sounding great, elo has a place in history...

[@claytonvernon8793]

A New World Record is so awesome.

[@noppawut3442]

❤❤ ELO ❤❤

[@lowellcalavera6045]

😢 This song killed me then, and damn…..it still does.

[@davidaston5773]

"Telephone Line" is ELO's "Here, There and Everywhere" in how emotionally honest and vulnerably deep it is. Proves there was way more to Jeff Lynne and ELO than disco and orchestra rock. All great song writers and groups get stereotyped. But, if you're a fan and have experience the full spectrum of their career? You'll know they have plenty of creative surprises. PS I am happy this is today's song and you wrote your comment. Because life has tested me so much recently and today? I was cold shouldered by the same people. But ELO is here to do what music always does = help you soar above and beyond your troubles. To be FREE to smile in complete JOY. Flying along with the chords, tempo and melody of a endless parade of happiness. Peace and love, David

[@matchpoint14]

Nobody can come close to writing and performing a song like this now a days. I want to go back to these days

[@tommyharyadi9702]

RIP Richard Tandy & Kelly Growcutt..

[@nickrandles1102]

I'll always think of Steve Buscemi putting on that lipstick in Billy Madison while this plays 😂

[@stever7142]

Me too lol

[@111Watersong]

That hair…..🤪

[@bryanrains1]

I always include Depeche Mode’s Violator to test sound setups.

[@ravenbaa7989]

I heard this on a movie with Adam sandler

[@billlonee9470]

Otis Wilbury?

[@elliottwinget3437]

Shows you how old people looked in the 70s haha Jeff is only 29 here looking 45

[@andrews527]

I took another drink to this one, but it didn't improve the sound mix.

[@onlyvictoryandfreedom5107]

💯🇮🇱👍🇺🇲🇺🇦🇨🇦🇬🇪

[@RodeWerk-Rw]

ELO was incredible, "Telephone Line" is an awesome song that got a ton of airtime throughout the 1970's. Thank you, The Midnight Special for preserving these wonderful memories.

[@davidf3883]

a rare jeff lynne on stage without sunglasses on. ELO was just plain awesome and Jeff was a songwriting genius on par with Paul McCartney.

[@LoredanaLanzo-iq8ux]

Veramente fino al 1975, Jeff Lynne era senza occhiali, salvo alcuni casi per look bizzarri che si usavano in quegli Anni

[@rtothec1234]

ELO: The Beatles of the 70s

[@no834]

take it easy fan boy he is a very talented artist and song writer but Paul McCartney is leaps and bounds ahead Plus Jeff STOLE his whole sound from the Beatles so calm down son.

[@gemgemjo55]

Jeff is still awesome! and ageless

[@Revelation6_7-8]

I just assumed he was born with sunglasses on.

[@soulcornflake1]

This was the height of music television. On Friday night after the Tonight Show there was Wolfman Jack and the Midnight Special. Then on Saturday afternoon was American Bandstand with Dick Clark, followed by Don Cornelius and Soul Train. And Saturday night was Don Kirshner's Rock Concert.

[@dynjarren8355]

Exactly! My weekends were filled with music! It was great and it would get me ready for the Weekend. Now I only have KZbin which I’m grateful for because I can see the past over again to a degree. I miss AB and Dick Clark and Soul Train and Don Cornelius. Great dance shows and Hosts! I saw Dick Clark live once hosting an outdoor festival. He was a smooth Host! RIP

[@dynjarren8355]

Those were the good old days. My weekends were filled with music! Kirchmers Rock concert was an hour of live music every Saturday night! I loved that show!

[@jeffheck5559]

Thanks for picking my memory. My sister and I loved soul train to see the albino guy and the funk down at the end.

[@peteespinosa2186]

Ouch, it hurts now to think all that great music is gone, not really thank you Midnight Special.

[@dannyboydston2064]

Absolutely…As a 1978 high school grad, I remember all that. Great memories

[@williamdrijver4141]

When Jeff was singing without sunglasses 🙂

[@JoeMarauder-xk6wj]

Those lights are bright man ....

[@Michael-mm3fm]

Yeah interesting, Bono says he has an eye condition (?) but Jeff ??

[@gocarrt]

Feels like the 1st time I've ever seen his eyes!

[@TheBFN]

👿🔱😈.. for real I think this is the first time I've ever seen his eyeballs😮

[@blutomindpretzel1735]

ELO's best song. Jeff Lynne is absolutely brilliant

[@chuckmorton8823]

truth

[@michaelhess5522]

Brilliant how they added Doo-Wop lines from the 1950s into this 70s classic.

[@davidoran123]

Kelly Groucutt did not get enough credit for the bass and the great harmonies.

[@caryheuchert]

Agreed! Kelly was the perfect musical match with Jeff in ELO.

[@johnnytyler5685]

The voices perfect. The perms immaculate. The outfits matched. An exceptional live performance of Telephone Line.

[@glennbasilii552]

One of the few bands that sound exactly like the album, while playing live. Look them up at Webley stadium, 50 years later and they still sound the same, incredible

[@11004bill]

This song breaks my heart. 68 years old.

[@marilynfisher]

64 here

[@btipton6899]

55 here

[@WilliamBain-ot4gq]

68 here

[@cindyhorton3924]

64 here

[@tiberius1701]

63 here and the same feeling...

[@mojokai3]

I was 13 years old when I heard this song. As a boy living in the Far East who did not understand English, all I knew was that it was the most beautiful love song ever written. Even now, when I listen to this song, it takes me back to when I was a teenager.

[@mperson1890]

Great memories! Jeff/ELO is definitely one of my favorites. His vocal range is phenomenal!

[@hinjurock70]

The bassist is singing a lot of the high parts on the chorus here.

[@101snapper]

@@hinjurock70 He was incredible backing up Jeff - R.I.P

[@mperson1890]

@@hinjurock70 TRUE. But I’m talking overall, not specifically this song, Jeff’s vocals are amazing 👍🏼

[@rebeccawagner4167]

Kudos, to the Midnight Special for putting on amazing talent and showcasing their music 🎶 🎵 I love ELO,their music 🎶 🎵 ❤️ ♥️ 💜 💕 is unique and sounds beautiful 🎉🎉

[@johnshields6852]

16 in 1976 my first job and paycheck I bought ELO, Frampton comes alive and steelydans royal scam. I wore them out. Thank you for a great memory.

[@WindigoMac]

Royal Scam may be my favorite by Dan. Incredible record

[@RachelandDuluth]

@@WindigoMac Caves of Altamira! Haitian Divorce!

[@WindigoMac]

@@RachelandDuluth Maybe my two favorite off the record. We have similar taste!

[@RachelandDuluth]

@@WindigoMac The story of Haitian Divorce is classic Donald Fagen writing. but the horns on altamira are amazing

[@demonicsweaters]

The late 70s were such an amazing time in music. So much variety, so much originality, thank you Midnight Special. Jeff Lynne is one of a kind, such an amazing musician.

[@jacquesleroux5069]

The originals are always the best, super authentic!

[@MissPerriwinkle]

he sings with such heart/conviction.....very touching.

[@pejaguilar30]

Another beautiful song from ELO. Our Genius at its peak. Thanks to The Midnight Special for sharing this new joy.

[@that70sgirl90]

This song will always hold a special place in my heart. It immediately took me back to a special time and place in my life. You never forget the first love that you experienced as a teen. I hope that no matter where we are in life, good things have come our way. Happy Wednesday... thank you for sharing! 💖 Happy Thanksgiving Eve... just be happy, humble, grateful, and kind ! 🦃

[@StephanieJeanne]

The me memories attached to songs never leave us, do they? I hope you have a happy one, too! 😊💜

[@that70sgirl90]

@@StephanieJeanne Never... ever... they'll be with us forever. 💖 Thank you, I will! 🦃🤗💟

[@curtisphilumalee1447]

Lmao I can truly relate to your statement. When I hear Kansas, Foghat or ELO it takes me back to a time I’d love to relive.

[@that70sgirl90]

@@curtisphilumalee1447 Best years! 💖

[@hans6670]

❤

[@ricktamu]

I was too young to remember these episodes. One thing I think about when I watch headliner bands such as ELO is how much Midnight Special paid them. Also, I wonder what it would’ve been like to be an audience member. I would’ve tried to muscle myself to the front! These were great days of music!

[@janiceellery1653]

Jeff Lynne has admitted in interviews that he is somewhat shy and self-conscious. The sunglasses probably gave him more self-confidence and a way to "hide". These personality traits make him more endearing. He's the rock star that doesn't act like a rock star 🙂❤

[@ericjurgens6976]

Love the ashtray on the synth. Kelly Groucutt was such a great harmony singer.

[@firefoxUser-p1v]

Was that his falsetto in the chorus, sounded so good?

[@101snapper]

He was excellent

[@BigJimeSlade]

No glasses…wow. And such a great song. Saw him a couple of years ago and he still has an amazing voice.

[@dondee5439]

Beautiful song full of desperation. The white-man afro was front and center here.

[@Oklahoma-Dreaming]

I don’t know if this is an original ELO song but it sounds so much like Paul McCartney wrote it. I’ve heard it hundreds of times but I’ve never really looked into the history of the song. Anyways “telephone line” sounds so quaint now. It would be, “Fiber Optic Line with Internet and Voice Services” now. Not quite as catchy.

[@louiebee6745]

Except for Roll Over Beethoven, ALL of ELO's hits were written by Jeff Lynne.😎

[@stevensilverstein9897]

Loved the beautiful simplicity of their music. Every word, and every note. Struck deep. And was a stroke of genius.

[@maestropaulotrindade]

MUSICA MARAVILHOSA! ELO trilha sonora dos meus 15 anos😍😍😍😍😍

[@dynjarren8355]

Jeff Lynn has pupils! 😮 He’s been hiding his eyes for 40 years. It’s nice to see his face for once. 😊

[@josephroman8568]

Seeing these clips of ELO takes me back!

[@willspies5869]

Did they just get back from a disco? What's with the outfits? lol.

[@rogeredmunds5806]

That stuff was "hot" in 1977 (same with the big hair !).

[@markglabinski526]

Brings back such great memories! Thank you.

[@davidaston5773]

ELO = John Lennon called them "Sons of the Beatles". When JOHN LENNON, one half of the greatest writing duo EVER honours you as a successor to his own band YOU KNOW it's legit. "Telephone Line" is a perfect example of an writer who has learned and been inspired by THE ABSOLUTE BEST. I wish the original ELO line up had reunited because it would've been nice to see them live. Jeff Lyne is another example of why the 1970s were the greatest decade when it came to song writers and creating songs which LIVE ON. The SAME era which gave us ABBA, Bee Gees, KISS and so SO more. And of course The Midnight Hour. David

[@zoomosis]

Of course it's no coincidence Jeff Lynne teamed up with George Harrison among others to form the "supergroup" the Traveling Wilburys. What an honour it would've been for Jeff to start a new band with some of his musical heroes.

[@davidaston5773]

​Perfectly put@@zoomosis. The Traveling Wilburys is like the Highwaymen = A mount Rushmore of their genre(s). They're not a supergroup but to remind all the others how high they set the bar. And then, raise their own. They're like the the million dollar quartet = Artists whose value and contribution to music and the world is beyond any attempts to define them. And they are the like we'll NEVER see again. New artists or simply those learning music for the first time, only have to learn from them to see how much music will transform them and their lives. Music is true freedom. It binds us. It makes us all equal. And that makes me smile And sometimes it's about just playing with friends (a great wise person said the once), David

[@stevelowry794]

So nice to see classic performances without any auto tuning/lip synching BS, REAL performances by REAL artists. Not models first, musicians fourth.

[@tenmilliondreamers]

This was the best ELO ever. And their best song, alongside Mr. Blue Sky.

[@thinkbeforyouvote]

Finally saw ELO 5 or 6 years ago in Detroit. He still sounded just as good as he did here. One of my top 10 favorite singer/bands of all time.

[@robertfitterman3777]

Thank you Midnight Special for the great memories!! ELO has always been at the top of my list musically.

[@MaoistBanker]

Boy I’m glad I called that guy

[@moti1257]

❤❤❤❤

[@NovaRack]

Luke Skywalker on the keyboards!

[@gregoryduncan3067]

Unique. It definitely has their signature on it.

[@louiebee6745]

And to think this was the 3rd single off A New World Record, after Livin' Thing and Do Ya.😎

[@daniellaarias7583]

Maravilloso 😍. Muchísimas gracias Midnight Special ❤

[@MA_808]

all the boys present and accounted for...nothing better

[@bogdanxyz-ee4yf]

Stare ale super cały czasy na topie Jeff i ELO wielkie❤❤❤❤

[@SuperAnimelover100]

Richard Tandy RIP !!!

[@jomamma1750]

Who played keys on that? Anybody know

[@jimmyhowe7883]

Richard Tandy

[@jomamma1750]

@@jimmyhowe7883 Thanks

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

Satin shirts, harmony vocals and Polymoogs... lovely.

[@mondavou9408]

So good! Those of us who got this amazing music all the time by just turning on the radio.... so lucky.

[@themidnightspecialtvshow]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@mondavou9408]

@@themidnightspecialtvshow I really, really appreciate your channel. Its a great archive of so many amazing artists in their prime. Its really nice to see and hear them the way they were meant to be experienced (barring in person live of course).

[@jkkay477]

One of my earliest memories is listening to Livin' Thing on the car radio. I was about 5 or 6.

[@MuppetOne]

Fabulous 🎻🎸🎵🥁

[@Slartie24]

Harmonizing is delicious

[@peterreeks1918]

RIP Richard Tandy

[@IndridCool54]

RIP Richard Tandy… 😔

[@mperson1890]

Jeff’s voice has gotten BETTER as the years go by. Amazing live concerts sound just like the albums.

[@johnbeyenberg3630]

So true. Kelly was a great talent. Teaming with a Supreme composer/ lyricist like Jeff was no coincidence. What an honor to have experienced them together. As the years past Jeff got better. Thanks midnight special for being so special.

[@Beethoven5th]

Tremendous Tune! "Okay, so no one's answering Well, can't you just let it ring a little longer, longer, longer?" Back when Telephone Operators were middleman required to connect phone lines. You had to ask the Operator to "...let it ring a little longer".

[@johnbrundige-zy1fm]

Hi everyone I'm going to see Jeff lynns elo at TD garden 9/23/24 my first time seeing them rock on jeff lynne

[@davidreigelman3492]

Enjoy!!!

[@jonhowe2960]

I actually prefer Tandy's keyboard sound here to the studio version 👏👏

[@gobirds4362]

This is def better

[@BigBusDream]

One of the best written and produced albums of all time. This was a killer single

[@JQ127-c4e]

I always wondered if John Lennon ever thought about collaborating with Jeff Lynne. ELO took the torch from the Beatles and carried it to new and exciting places. 21st Century Man would have been a killer song for Lennon.

[@rogeredmunds5806]

I can remember hearing John saying in an interview that he hoped if The Beatles had stayed together, they would have produced material of the calibre of ELO's. That's some tribute.

[@JQ127-c4e]

@@rogeredmunds5806 And well deserved. Not surprising George Harrison hooked up with Jeff Lynne.

[@jackiehite5099]

I never saw in concert. So upset. But always one of my favorite bands.

[@peggyconley5225]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ronnieparker4311]

E l o was so great during the 70’s ! It’s kinda mind blowing to think 10 years later jeff would be in a band with Roy, Tom , George , bob as the traveling Wilbury’s ! That was a great band also ! Space ace Ron ⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@maurimartinez8720]

Thank you very much!!!... 🔝💡🎼🎵🎶 E L O E L O

[@sammy9103]

Love ELO❤ Never got to see them 😢

[@chriskroll4166]

That dude's voice just kills . I can hear the Roy Orbison influence. 😊

[@weing]

That chorus dances right up close to "all the young dudes", doesn't it ?

[@AccurateCrabLegs]

I think about this song every time I use a telephone

[@anakina1]

Have loved this song since I first heard it many years ago. Excellent live performance from the Special.

[@wandasewell4501]

Best song!!! Remembering when I meant my husband over 30 years ago. The telephone.....

[@wandasewell4501]

I worked for AT&T cellular, and we had beepers and analog phones.