There’s NO WAY in HELL You’ll GUESS WHAT This 70s Classic is REALLY About... | Professor of Rock

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll: What is your pick for the greatest SYMPHONIC song of the rock era?

[@Lam_3-22-23]

A Day in the Life Last Train to London

[@williambenner701]

Mad Man Across The Water- Elton John

[@LazyIRanch]

Anything that was performed by Moody Blues and the London Philharmonic. The 1st song that comes to mind is "Nights In White Satin".

[@erikafreebird6449]

Eleanor Rigby by the Beatles..all strings .incredble

[@jstnxprsn]

Jst one? I think this question broke my brain. ( though some might argue that train left the station long ago LOL) Ok fine Random choice. Love Reign Over Me from The Who.

[@francisseidel8014]

My cousin was fortunate enough to become friends with Jeff because they were neighbors, and Jeff used to love to come to my cousin's barbecues. According to my cousin, Jeff is one of the nicest, most down to earth people you'd ever want to meet. I doubt he is shy but rather not always seeking attention. My aunt didn't know who he was until my cousin told her. She just loved talking to him, even before she realized he was famous. Jeff seems to demonstrate how to deal with fame such that it doesn't consume you. He is a true role model for those who came up in music after him.

[@RawOlympia]

cool!

[@peterhendricksen6946]

It was never about fame or fortune for Jeff it was all the music

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Jeff is an amazing human being.

[@lawdogwales5921]

Cool story.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Interesting anecdote. There is an interview with him on Central Television ( Birmingham) local news in the UK from a few years ago ( on You Tube) where he comes across as very down to earth. Most so called celebrities are narcissists and horrible to others but it is always refreshing when they turn out to be decent people. I am sure there are exceptions but the more successful musicians often tend to be the nicest, presumably in part because they have nothing to prove so do not feel insecure or ill disposed to mere 'mortals'!

[@cindysnow2123]

Jeff Lynne is probably one of the best songwriters of all time. Not enough people have taken the time to listen to his music. He has such a way with words and music!!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Also a great producer!

[@85geoffm]

Not probably. He most certainly is one of the best songwriters of all time.

[@highstreetradiocafe5448]

Actually, visa vis George Harrison, many people DO know what an excellent musician he is.

[@chipgaasche4933]

Don't be silly. He wrote some good songs..but "best songwriter of all time"?? Lol

[@chipgaasche4933]

​@@85geoffmridiculous!

[@rabby-u]

Telephone Line has to be one of the most loneliest, convulsingly sad tracks ever written. Masterpiece in picturing a yearning and longing for a love that'll never be returned. Ugh. It kills me just talking about it. Peace bro, good show! ❤

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@Whisper_292]

Agreed.

[@christysbutterfly1612]

YES!!!!

[@martineldritch]

Wholly agree, Telephone Line guts me on a sublime level that I can't really put into words.

[@MK-lm4mh]

Well said. Check out the live performance of the song at Wembley Stadium. The light show is beautiful for such a haunting song.

[@robotorch]

The more I learn of him, Jeff Lynne seems like a Mount Rushmore of Rock kind of guy. So underrated and underappreciated, but he's an all time great.

[@nancydemoss2945]

Jeff Lynne has worked with so many greats.

[@romelovesdan]

Check out his output with "The Idle Race" too...and do not forget the last two MOVE albums 'Moving On' and 'Message From the Country'.

[@charleslumbrezer7741]

A Mount Rushmore of rock is just the Travelling Wilburys.

[@t-mar9275]

@@romelovesdan The Move's 3rd album is titled "Looking On", taken from Roy Wood's composition which opens the album. However, Moving On, is catchier and a better play on their name.

[@LarryLancasterEville]

Here, here! My 1st concert has never been equaled: Elliot Murphy, pre S.P. Journey on their 1st tour(and everyone knew even then they were headed 4 greatness n what's happened with all the egos ever since it's just such a shame), the 1st time I ever heard a real live snare crack behind me: "Do Ya" (can you imagine it was like " oh no, hell no, I - you're kidding THE s*** is on now ...!"). In my book yeah his head would be the first one carved, from the move to the traveling wilburys come on who can say more!

[@Flixartist]

This song always makes me think of my mom. Every time it came on the radio she would sing it at the top of her voice! She loved to sing and had a beautiful voice. I miss you mom. ❤

[@glennabaker3922]

Same thing for my mom! She loved ELO, right along side of me!!!

[@sns0805]

Can't express how cool it was to see Jeff Lynn, Tom Petty, and Prince share the stage at the Rock'n Roll HOF in 2004 doing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". ELO and Prince are by far my favorite pop/rock acts.

[@stephenbrown4211]

That was the one where Prince went off on this improvised guitar solo and the others were like, wth?

[@nmernst]

That was so special indeed.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Loved it!

[@ProfessorofRock]

YES!

[@josephgavron1099]

Loved that video Petty too

[@85geoffm]

I was a huge Beatles fan (still am a HUGE Beatles fan) and got really into ELO not knowing of Jeff Lynne's connection to The Beatles. When I heard of Lennon's remarks, and later discovered The Traveling Wilburys, it essentially justified my love for ELO. Jeff Lynne is incredible on so many levels.

[@TwistedRiffster]

How much do you way, huge fan?

[@TheYamahog12]

Please list these levels you speak of.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@TheYamahog12 Singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, violinist, cellist, bassist, drummer, producer. Tom Petty said, *"When I hired Jeff Lynne to produce and co-write my album, Full Moon Fever, I had already been around Rock for a long time, and thought I knew just about all there was to know about making a record. And then I watched Jeff go to work, and realized I didn't really know anything. He plays the studio like it's an instrument. Jeff is the greatest overall musician I've ever known in my life."*

[@headspaceandtiming2114]

Great story! I’m a huge ELO fan. Always asked my parents to get me an Album for Christmas or my Birthday. I remember my Dad hearing the orchestra and looking at the covers of the albums and admitting, they were “neat”. For a Frank Sinatra era guy, who tolerated us kids and our rock, that was huge to me.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Very cool!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

At least the orchestra was genuine and real!

[@KenLieck]

I wonder what your dad would've thought of the Duck Dodgers theme song, with a real crooner (Tom Jones) fronting the Flaming Lips' faux-ELO backing?

[@NH-tv3jr]

Jeff Lynne seemed to be able to write anything and turn it into a masterpiece.

[@KenLieck]

​@@NH-tv3jr Some people, like Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney as a solo artist, crank out songs by the truckload and then choose the very best ones to release. Others, like Lynne and The Beatles as a group, very rarely let a song get near completion unless it's a guaranteed winner. So if Jeff starts to write a real stinker, you'll never know about it. (With the notable exception of "Doin' That Crazy Thing," of course!) The latter way is the best and safest way to preserve one's reputation as a great songwriter, because once a bad song has been committed to tape (or file), it exists forever -- so even if it doesn't slip out during the artist's lifetime, it almost certainly will afterwards! On the other hand, when it comes time to put out box sets or collector's editions, people like Jeff are stuck without having a bunch of extra cool stuff ready to tag on as bonus tracks alongside the original material, which is a bummer...

[@gerryboyce3764]

ELO's "A New World Record" was the first album I ever bought way back in 1976 when I was 14 years old. I still think it's one of the best rock N' roll albums ever made.

[@LarryLancasterEville]

My 1st concert, 1st laser light show. W/ Elliot Murphy and Journey on their 1st tour. No Steve Perry. Everyone knew they were going to be great even then. I was 13. I play guitar and the 1st time I heard a snare drum crack behind me was to "Do Ya", from the "Mission:" album. What went through my mind was "Oh wow, this is really happening, the s***'s on now." I'll never forget the feeling. Me and this drummer played through the whole song perfectly on the first take, including the martial snare break. We were both amazed at each other it was a trip.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

It's a flawless LP. My only nitpick is that Jeff should've given, *"Above The Clouds",* one more verse and one more round of chorus, to make it a proper 3+ minute song. Honestly, I think Jeff deliberately short-changed it because Kelly was on lead vocals.

[@kenoneill8783]

Definitely the best title for an album ever.

[@Cosmo-Kramer]

@@kenoneill8783 When Jeff was writing the not-yet-named album in the summer of '76, on the tele in the other room was the Olympics. Jeff was far enough away that it was basically white noise, but every once in a while the announcers would shout and he could hear what they were saying: *_"IT'S A NEW WORLD RECORD!"_* Jeff had been wondering what to name the album, and after that same outburst from the announcers broke his concentration a few times, he saw it as a sign and named the LP, *A New World Record.*

[@kenoneill8783]

Brilliant, I had no idea, thanks for that.

[@RabidJohn]

In late 2013 or early 2014 Jeff Lynne was interviewed on Chris Evans' BBC Radio 2 breakfast show. Chris asked if there was a chance ELO would play live again, and Jeff replied something to the effect of he didn't know if there was an audience after all these years. Within 30 minutes the show had been inundated with text and emails clamouring to see ELO. You could tell Jeff was completely taken aback by the response - such a humble guy. ELO's 1st concert for 25 years took place in September 2014 at Hyde Park, and it was an astonishing set of back-to-back hits. They were even better at Glastonbury the following year.

[@theritchie2173]

I still can't believe that the Zoom tour in 2001 was cancelled because of low ticket sales. Ah well, at least we got an awesome DVD out of it and the wider public eventually came back to their senses.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

There absolutely is still an audience for ELO! Nobody has forgotten about them.

[@ethel1690cardew]

The band that toured in 2019/20 were absolutely brilliant and it was my first time seeing them live. Took my GF as I got 2 tickets who had no idea about them .....turned her into a fan. Even danced in the aisle to telephone line ....she had no idea what the song meant.

[@devonbrooks246]

I really love ELO. Calling them the children of the Beatles is a huge compliment. Jeff Lynn could fit in perfectly with the Beatles. And yes he carried that torch of the Beatles. But I don't think it is fair to ELO to compare them to the Beatles all the time. Jeff Lynn is a mastermind on his own. What he did with ELO, Traveling Wilbury's, Tom Petty and George Harrison, he is on the pedestal of his own. Can't wait to see the video on Free As a Bird.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed! That's why he produced them!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Jeff Lynne even produced the very last Beatles song.

[@fryertuck6496]

Lemon said he felt that ELO went where the Beatles should have gone.

[@gettingkilt]

"Son of The Beatles" was John Lennon's opinion of ELO.

[@davidwiman979]

He also produced one of Joe Walsh's best solo efforts, as well as Roy Orbison & McCartney himself. Jeff brings out the best in all he works with!

[@dandydapple687]

Loooove Jeff Lynne and his various projects throughout the years!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He’s still doing it!

[@dad4ever-c90]

You were right! I wasn't even close with my interpretation of this song. But I think that is part of the MAGIC of music. Songwriters may be inspired by events in their own life. But our understanding of the lyrics is often shaped by our own experiences, making them even more personally meaningful.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agreed. Doesn't matter really. Whatever you'r interpretation is!

[@flwrfan1752]

I figured the song was about romantic love.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

And THAT is why so many songs are classic and timeless.

[@jerrylev59]

It is usually better to be more poetic and figurative rather than literal when writing lyrics. Too much personal detail often becomes tedious. I enjoy learning the inspiration for songs I like, but I don't let it limit my interpretation and appreciation. Much of it comes from the subconscious and even the songwriter may be unaware of all the levels of meaning it may have.

[@325Bertie]

My brother introduced me to ELO on his new 33. Steffan died in a explosive, fiery car but his ear for music always reminds of him. Gone over 40 years.

[@elizabethorsillo7187]

ELO was another one of those bands that was very underrated in America. They were absolutely brilliant!

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Love their music.

[@davewebbtheauthor]

I was a huge fan back in the day (and still, actually). I wouldn't say they were underrated. They were all over the radio and television, with five Top 10 albums and 19 Top 40 hits, and they received favorable reviews by most of the critics. I say they were rated just right. :)

[@timmcm9538]

@@davewebbtheauthor I would describe ELO in the 70,s as ubiquitous. It was the foudtion of the rock music played during it's time

[@davewebbtheauthor]

@@timmcm9538 That sounds about right. We had four TV channels and and handful of radio stations and, as a young kid, I was highly exposed to them and bought up their records and tapes like crazy.

[@OroWriter]

Love ELO and their underrated contribution to the Xanadu soundtrack. Their song “Don’t Walk Away” mixed with animation legend Don Bluth’s animation (Secret of Nimh, Dragon’s Lair) is one of my favorites moments in cinematic history.

[@laustcawz2089]

I think the whole soundtrack's amazing!

[@johnnyappleseed5029]

​@@laustcawz2089Agree 100%

[@billkeithchannel]

@@laustcawz2089How can you not just fall in love with an album full of Jeff Lynne and Olivia Newton-John?

[@CountJayeAndTheHardBeats]

That was my introduction to ELO. Listened to that Xanadu album without pause.

[@billkeithchannel]

It's such a shame that Dragon's Lair The Movie never got made. Don and his partner Gary got the indiegogo fundraisers to do a pre-vis conception animation to pitch to the studios to fund the full film almost a half-decade ago. The people that backed the project and got to see the final pitch reel were not happy with the character changes and weak script so it is no wonder it never got studio backing for a full movie.

[@jennyjenny4501]

The way that this song can be interpreted to fit so many situations in life speaks to the genius of the songwriting.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I think of it as applicable to the things I need, like food, water, shelter.

[@LisaWeiss-ic6kk]

Takes me back to the days when roller skating was THE thing to do! Many memories of those fun times!

[@lisamh9037]

Yes!

[@tedfabiano]

As a kid I found ELO Greatest Hits with that Nice Price sticker. It was my gateway to decades of loving this band. Thanks Prof for Livin Thing!

[@ProfessorofRock]

LOVE the Nice Price... MISS IT!

[@peterhendricksen6946]

I bought ELO'S greatest hits in 79' I didn't know what groups sung which songs so I thought MA MA MAMMA BELLE, was another song which turned out to be Bohemian rhapsody by QUEEN because of the verse ma ma Mia So I bought it by accident you could say And the rest is history

[@CB-xr1eg]

@@peterhendricksen6946 Ma Ma Ma Belle*

[@TheAmericanGirl1967]

Oh wow, I’d forgotten about the Nice Price stickers!

[@snoops5581]

Love ELO & Jeff Lynne. My favorite songs are Showdown & Evil Woman. ELO is the kind of music you want to listen to on a good sound system so you can hear all the instruments.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Underrated is one of the most overused words on You Tube. In ELO's case it is probably apt in view of their talent, creativity and unerring knack of making some of the greatest music committed to record, yet since their seventies/ early eighties heyday they have not always been accorded the credit such creativity deserves. Truly one of the all time great bands.

[@RBS_]

...I remember gettin' the "Discovery" Album from me Dad, Summer 1979; He was getting re-married (he & me Mom divorced in '71), and his LP Record collection was at his Mother's House.... I HATED the LP cover, but the MUSIC, man....pa-POW! ....Then got "Tusk", "Bad Girls" (a 2nd copy), & "Off The Wall", later....I was off, and RUNNIN' ! ...ha-HAAA!!

[@keithguidry2841]

Love your gramer. This is one of the most well written comments I've ever read!

[@richardb9419]

This comment is one of the most underrated comments on KZbin

[@timetraveler5246]

It is so highly overused that I’ve grown to truly dislike the word ‘underrated’ thanks to KZbin.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Not surprised. I have lost count of the number of times bands who are critically acclaimed and/ or commercially successful are described as underrated. In some cases it is arguable but generally, by definition, it is not the case!

[@christysbutterfly1612]

Professor, you hit it out of the park with this episode!! E.L.O 's music was literally the background music to my early childhood.. my biological mother was a huge fan and their music was always blaring in her pea-green 2 door Vega especially in the hot Kansas summertime in the early 70s.. every time I hear their music it takes me back to my earliest memories, barreling down the highway, with the windows down and music up. She would sing every word, beautifully off-key, getting lost in the lyrics.. it's so amazing how music can transport us back in time... We were notified in November that our biological mother had passed, prompting my siblings and I to get together and heal from the past that was her, but the most positive thing she instilled in us was a love for music and to ALWAYS turn the music up and sing ❤ Thank you for this and all the videos you do!! ~Christy

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

My condolences, Christy.

[@christysbutterfly1612]

@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 thank you!

[@BS-gj5ot]

ELO is timeless, brings back the nostalgia like a tidal wave

[@nmernst]

I too love this song. All Over the World though has a special place in my memory. Jeff Lynne and ELO first came to my attention with the album and movie Xanadu. Thanks for sharing.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for snatching!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

With Olivia Newton-John.

[@ghidrah76]

Been a fan of ELO since I was about 5, and now I’m 47. Jeff Lynne is one of the most genius producers of all time. It’s amazing how he still makes music til this day!

[@purplelove392]

As usual Adam, anytime you talk about your dad, his love of music and how it bonded you, my tear-ducts are lubricated.🥲

[@Windstreamtom18]

Me too

[@mizginavale22]

Since ELO is my favorite band of all time, I recognized the person on the thumbnail photo immediately to be Jeff Lynne. I couldn't wait to click on the video. They say that you should never meet your heroes because you might be disappointed, but for Jeff, meeting the Beatles and later being in a separate band with George Harrison, transformed into amazing collaborations and friendships. As a fervent lover of this band, I recommend that you listen to ELO's music with headphones on. You will be transported out of this planet, which I've always thought their spaceship logo was an appropriate metaphor for their music. Livin' Thing is a song that has such a great start and it just builds more and more into a great song. I felt a closer connection to Jeff Lynne with the song " Wild West Hero". I connected to his boyhood dream of being in Westerns. I was so happy when Jeff Lynne was inducted this year into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. An incredibly well deserved honor for someone who is such an amazing song writer.

[@RBS_]

...I thought the thumbnail was Don Henely! ....i came to me senses a second later....ha-HAA!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Awesome!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

They couldn’t have chosen a better logo.

[@rickhawk22]

What a fantastic description of an amazing band lead by the conductor himself, Jeff Lynne!!

[@lindamcfarland9656]

It's A Living Thing has got to be my favorite ELO tune 😊 That seeming bohemian mix of music is just a treat, especially the sound of that violin! It takes what we often consider a higher form of music (classical) and melds it with rock n roll. Sort of "You got your peanut butter in my chocolate!", it highlights how music can't be pigeon-holed. 😊

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's right!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

It enhances the music and adds detail.

[@libertyfarmsiowa]

I first saw ELO live in Omaha, Nebraska in June of '78 at 15 years old. I had my learner's driver permit, but couldn't drive without an adult licensed driver. My cousin Rob and I begged my dad to come with us. He finally gave in and we bought 3 tickets, agreeing to buy my dad's ticket as a gift, which made my dad just as excited as Rob and I were to see the concert. We arrived early at the old civic auditorium, long since demolished, and were up front waiting at the outer doors to get in. When the crew opened the outer doors there was a mad rush to get in, but the crew had not yet opened the inner doors, there was a massive crowed push, and we rode the "wave" so to speak, but it got a little scary because when we hit the inner doors we were being smooshed pretty hard, we had to push back to relieve the pressure on the inner doors so they could be opened, and once again when the inner doors were opened it was like crowd surfing for the three of us barely having to take any steps to enter the arena. The whole stage set up for the "Out of the Blue" tour was AWESOME! That massive spaceship was the stage, and when the top lifted off to a flood of dry ice "smoke" and the laser lights were firing off everywhere, with an audible RUMBLE that shook the building as if a massive F6 tornado was tearing through town is when my dad was truly overwhelmed with excitement and awe, just as Rob and I were. He really didn't know any of ELO's songs, but after that concert I would often hear my dad listening to my ELO's records, and when the ELO Discovery Tour came to Omaha, I didn't even have to ask, my dad had already purchased 3 tickets for the three of us to repeat our first ELO experience, and again we were not disappointed.

[@tartanphantom]

I've been a huge fan of ELO since I discovered them in 6th grade elementary school... beginning in 1974 with their first "big" stateside hit, "Can't Get it Out of My Head". My father, who loved orchestral and classical music, thought they were "quite alright" (in his own words, that was a huge compliment) and never objected whenever the sounds of the Eldorado album came from my bedroom. To bring this full circle, my own son was heavily influenced by my own musical tastes in his teens. Fast-forward 35 years to 2009-- when my son was a DJ at his college radio station (in my hometown), he would end EVERY one of his shifts by playing ELO's "Shangri-La", and dedicating it to me, because he knew it was my all-time single favorite ELO tune... and he knew I'd always be listening to his show. We got to see Jeff Lynne several times over the years, and every live performance was as memorable as the one before. When it comes to music, Jeff Lynne "gets it". THANK YOU so much for this, Adam! Music is so much more significant when we can tie it to our own life events.

[@cpm1003]

I absolutely love ELO. I've played them so much, my kids know all their songs.

[@terrybailey2430]

ELO had such a distinctive sound you just had to listen to them over and over again. Living thing is one of my favourite songs and you can take whatever meaning you like from the lyrics, it reminds me of when my daughter was born premature and she was in ICU for the first month of her life. A wonderful song.

[@RSGill1903]

Showdown is my favorite ELO song. Brings me back to my early teens.

[@VeganChefRon]

Absolutely love the violin opening of this classic. Best symphonic song Moody Blues Nights in White Satin. As always, a great job Professor!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Good call!

[@AnneDowson-vp8lg]

I agree with both your points.

[@madbrowniac7871]

Heard that one once at Two in the Morning! The time of day or night that You hear a Song can definitely send an extra shiver up Your spine.😂😮🎤🎼🎵🎶🎸🎹🥁📻🌚B.W.

[@denisemorgan8975]

@@madbrowniac7871 Indeed...looking out the window into the dark, snow falling down

[@concernedprogressive]

ELO was my first concert in 1981. Hall & Oats were the opener. Crazy! I feel so fortunate to have seen both bands.

[@lainie105]

Jeff is a genius and is under rated. He is actually playing tonight in San Diego with Joe Walsh for a US Veterans benefit concert. Wish I was there!

[@s2seltaeb]

I was there, and it was great! And he did this song! My favorite ELO!

[@lainie105]

@@s2seltaeb Glad to hear the show was great but I’ve never known Jeff to do anything less! I’m jealous! ✌️

[@s2seltaeb]

@@lainie105 It was great. Very cold for SD, but a great show. I will upload a few bits of it soon.

[@MusicLover10538]

"Jeff Lynne(ELO) is all of the harvest that The Beatles left sown in their path. But he is the best seed and the best fruit. There is not and will never be another one. Neither more beautiful nor more perfect."

[@teresaellis6666]

Love ELO. We had a heatwave in the summer of 1977 in Ireland and I will always associate Mr Blue Sky with that feeling of teenage freedom in the sun

[@lauraallen55]

I'm curious what constitutes a heat wave over there? I live in northern California in what's known as the Central Valley and our usual temperatures for all of Summer is 36-38 and sometimes a bit higher. Then, it cools down to 32-35 for September, and finally down to 28-30 for October. November we still have 26 degree days. Oh, and it's horrible and I hate it the way Brits hate the grey skies and colder temps. I would kill for some of that because it's endlessly sunny, and we get zero rain between May and usually December. We *may* get a half and hour of so of rain here and there (2-3 times) in November, but real rain doesn't occur until well into December. Then, it's still interspersed with mainly sunny days.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Makes you stand the heat a little bit.

[@eleanormay729]

ELO is one of my favorite bands, whenever I hear any of their songs it takes me back to my teenage years. I feel young again!

[@williamclarke2020]

Jeff Lynne is a musical genius. In many ways, he is the continuation of "Beatles esque" music. He even sounds like Paul McCartney. ELO has so many hits and enduring songs. Jeff Lynne, fantastic lyricist, composer and band leader.

[@sarahloughlin3724]

Jeff Lynne all has very smooth and beautiful vocals.

[@CB-xr1eg]

He sounds nothing like McCartney. Don't be silly.

[@amycrittendon3269]

Professor, you have read my mind once again. ELO…another of my top ten favorite bands. I’m going through some dark days right now. And you ALWAYS brighten my days. Livin’ Thing and Confusion are Jeff’s best songs, but I love every single song! I deeply appreciate this video! God bless you, professor!! ❤

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Hang in there, Amy!

[@MyName-pl7zn]

I always thought it was about a relationship never would have guessed an ailment, lol. Love those deep dives with everything you could possibly wonder about including how the blue violin came to be. Jeff is a musical genius without a doubt. Fantastic episode professor, loved it! Can't wait for Free as a Bird!!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks MY NAME. Always love seeing your comments!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I thought it was about needing food, water, shelter, and clothing because without them it would make your life harder!

[@jimvinespresents...8463]

ELO = my all-time favorite group! Jeff Lynne = my all-time favorite maker of music (tied with Burt Bacharach). Looking forward to seeing Jeff and ELO in October (this'll be my 4th time seeing him perform live)! 👍

[@16Elless]

What a band! Always loved ELO & Jeff Lynne is definitely one of the best songwriters of all time. Timeless music.

[@raddad10]

Why do we enjoy / Love Adam Reader, The Professor of Rock so so much. Maybe we’re old enough to remember the voice of Casey Kasem that came across the radio telling us where our favorite songs and bands landed on the American Top 40 weekly market. If you loved music it was a must listen too, as that was a major topic of conversation besides the hot girls in your HS class. Casey, always enlightening his listeners about the band and their songs. Thank you Adam for reminding us why the music of the 1970s and 80s was so great. And thanks for the weekly music video trips down memory lane. You are loved and appreciated.

[@roberteytchison556]

I've given the gift of elo to a number of young people. The band blows their minds when they find out that there is no autotuner and they sounded almost as perfect live as on the radio.

[@rjkral]

There's simply and wonderfully a MAGIC to ELO and all the Jeff Lynne does. All of it (and there's so much!) from early ELO to Xanadu to Lynne's solo material to his latest tours. It's MAGIC!! And your memories with your father, Professor, @ProfessorofRock surely magic too. A terrible thing to lose, but memories live on forever, a living thing indeed!!

[@HarrierMan99]

Livin' Thing is one of my favorite songs off of one of my favorite albums, A New World Record. Fantastic production by Lynne, exceptional musicianship by the band, and the orchestra and choir sound great. Also, the song is short and to the point, something that many rock bands in the 70's couldn't achieve with their long drawn-out jam sessions. That album is packed with gems besides Livin' Thing: Telephone Line, Do Ya, Tightrope, Shangri-La and more. Check it out!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The song is effective because people are able to remember it.

[@Foxxivoxxi]

What a sweet, heartwarming memory about your dad!! 🥹 Thank you for sharing.

[@ritchhine6255]

Love Jeff's work. He is another true genius. I remember as a kid in highschool hearing this song on the radio and the sonic brilliance that you just couldn't get out of a 67 Ford Galaxy stock AM radio, forced me to buy some Jenson triaxials and a Pioneer supertuner. Then you got the full effect of "I'm takin' a dive!!!!" As well as all the other great music from that time. Great video! Thanks for another great show!👍✌️🙏

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing! Love it!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Cool!

[@JeffLynnesELO2025Tour]

This is so informative. Please do more ELO, the best band ever musically.

[@GDogAU]

Man, you do a great job putting this together. Good stuff. Thank you.

[@hraith]

Love ELO, and they are part of my earliest memories back in the late 1970s. To me, Jeff Lynn's fingerprint on so much of his work is the 12 string guitar track. You hear it in ELO all over the place, and it got used on Tom Petty's work with Lynn in the studio.

[@Carolinafishingtales]

I never was what I call a hard-core ELO fan , but I do love their music. The 2 songs that got me to become a fan in general were Don't Bring me down and Telephone Line.

[@ssotthbradford1]

As an anniversary gift. My wife flew back to Pittsburgh from Salt Lake to see the final concert in Jeff Lynne’s ELO tour Aug 1, 2019. I’ve seen the Eagles, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Hall and Oats etc, etc. I’d take ELO over them all. And When Dhani Harrison joined them onstage for a Traveling Wilbury’s Handle Me With Care, it just doesn’t get any better than that. Truly the most underrated band IMO. Thanks for all of your ELO videos!

[@flavellinator]

Livin' Thing has my favorite B-side song, "Fire on High!" There just aren't bands that emit such instrumental depth, like ELO and Chicago, anymore...

[@ProfessorofRock]

Such a great song!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Great song.

[@fritzsmith7794]

I remember playing it backwards to get the reversed message at the opening. There are a lot of guitar solos that make me crank my stereo up but Fire On High is a whole song that really tests your stereo and sounds so good as it is punching through your loudspeakers (sorry to my neighbors).

[@RichardMcCullough-bj4ez]

Jeff deserves his own solo induction into the rock and roll hall of fame for not just his work with ELO, but also his solo work, his work with The Willbury’s, and his work as a producer.

[@MargaretZammitt]

And a Knighthood

[@JeffLynnesELO2025Tour]

💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@JustaKubrickFan]

ELO will always be in my heart. My very first concert expierence was with ELO in 1978. Fantastic show with a stage designed like a UFO. Ended up purchasing their whole catalog on vinyl and still have it.

[@richardcoleman3425]

Thank you so much for this video, Professor! I discovered ELO in 1977 when my mum bought me a second-hand copy (we were poor) of the Out of the Blue LP for my 13th birthday (I was a sci-fi nerd and it had a spaceship on the cover!). I'm in my 60th year now, and Jeff Lynne's music and words have been the soundtrack to my life all these years - The sounds he has crafted have echoed my own feelings in ways I could not express myself, and he has never failed to bring me joy and comfort in my darkest moments, uplifting my spirit when things have been bad. He seems such a humble bloke, and I doubt he even thinks about the effect his works have had on people's lives, but he has made a difference to mine - he made it better. Thank you Jeff. And thank you, Professor...

[@davidrandall4182]

To me, this song is about having something to sing while waiting for the next car to come by as I'm hitchhiking the country roads around west Puget Sound. ❤

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Rock on!

[@Lutherson1962]

SR20 Dude

[@Jefflantern483]

Yes ELO’s livin’ thing ever brings back good memories of a 11 year old kid in the fall of 1976! 👍👍 Yes I have A New World Record Lp on vinyl too! 🙂🙂🔊🔊

[@jonjackson5372]

The first album I ever bought was a K-tel compilation which included “Livin’ Thing”. The very next album I bought was “A New World Record” by ELO. I love their music to this day and I feel that Jeff Lynne is the greatest musical genius of the 20th and 21st centuries!

[@HalfassDIY]

I used to go to sleep to elo playing on my portable cassette player hidden under my covers when I was in junior high school in 1977. Out of the Blue just took me away.

[@trailerparkcryptoking5213]

Jeff Lynne is a musical genius and it’s a well known fact amongst musicians! He co-wrote most of Tom Petty’s biggest hits!

[@zipadeedooda7938]

All these years I thought he was singing 'I'm thinking of dying', not 'I'm taking a dive'. Changed my whole perspective on the song. Thanks for all the amazing information and insights.

[@brentcox7772]

Awesome story Professor!! Saw the “Out of Blue” tour in “78!! Fantastic!!🤘🔥

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks Brent! Awesome! What did they open with?

[@brentcox7772]

@@ProfessorofRock “Standin’ in the Rain”🤘🔥

[@lauraallen55]

I can guess the next three songs. Love the Concerto! @@brentcox7772

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Where did you catch them?

[@brentcox7772]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 it was called the Myriad in OKC back then

[@KandyLovesGreen]

I can't even express how much I love your videos! You are so good at what you do! Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It saves my soul every single day! Thank you, thank you for all your effort and stories. ELO and Jeff Lynne are still one of my favorites not to mention The Traveling Wilburys! Love the story and pic of you and your dad! 💚

[@trinaq]

I love ELO, my favourite tracks from them would probably be "Mr Blue Sky" or "Don't Bring Me Down."

[@ProfessorofRock]

The best!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love those songs.

[@audreyhepburne]

Otis Wilbury! I love Jeff Lynne and I love both Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) and the Traveling Wilburys. Jeff is such an amazing talented man. I would have never guessed the secret meaning behind this song. Thank you, Professor!

[@conniebauer4128]

It's about the highs and lows of a relationship. The music even sounds like you're being taken on a rollercoaster ride. Awesome song, as are ALL of ELOs songs. I have every album they ever recorded as well as all of Jeff's solo material.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Actually It's kind of about 2 things!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love this take, Connie.

[@theysjrj]

ELO has been and always will be truly amazing. They shaped my music taste for the rest of my life. I am drawn to bands that often include an orchestra and/or strings. Groups like the Airborne Toxic Event. ELO and Jeff Lynne continue to amaze today. Another great episode Professor!

[@TheSlowoldman]

Love ELO, joy is the word that comes to mind......summers, girls, friends fill my mind when I hear ELO..... especially their part of the soundtrack to Xanadu. I was almost 15 and was in love for the first time...... and we begin "goin' steady"after her and I went and saw Xanadu. I know, with a band like ELO for your favorites to be from the soundtrack to Xanadu is kind of funny, but the fact is, it's true..... I still smile to this day whenever I see any reference to the movie or hear an ELO song from the soundtrack....... Mr. Blue Sky is also a great song on the first unclouded day after winter.....

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for sharing!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Xanadu by Olivia Newton-John backed by ELO is a delightful experience!

[@svenonnerstad1494]

Jeff Lynn and his ELO defined my youth and is one of my favorite bands. I love their music and their orchestrations. I was also a Beatles fan. So I agree with your statement that they were a continuation of the sound and music. Mr Jeff Lynn made so many productions together with other artists and they were all great sometimes. Thank you for a great show! Best regards from Norway.

[@jackiedonerson9486]

Can't ever get enough of Jeff Lynne and ELO!

[@sarahloughlin3724]

There is no end to Jeff Lynne's phenomenal talents.

[@pamvanallen3919]

I'm seeing Jeff Lynne's ELO tonight at VetsAid in San Diego. I'm sure he'll sing "Living Thing."

[@DrAD767]

What did you think of the concert?

[@catherine6653]

This is a wild story. It shows how listeners make their own interpretation of a song. As a kid listening to this song, I didn't think about the meaning of the song. I like the melody. The orchestra is epic.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Everyone is different!

[@ProfessorofRock]

But I get what you're saying!

[@Polyphemus47]

I always heard it as a reference to a romantic love. I'd give a bunch of money to hear that original version that was destroyed. Darn these artists! They seem to think that what they create belongs to THEM! I say 'Nay!' I NEED to hear everything they create, from the first finger on a piano key. Oh! See Dee? Indubitably.

[@Polyphemus47]

I'm not.@@ProfessorofRock

[@kathleenhudson8429]

I am an avid reader, but when I listen to music, I hear the music first and the words second. I also love some songs with messages I don’t agree with, but since I love the music, I listen to them anyway. So it doesn’t bother me if I don’t know the songwriter’s inspiration for the song. That said, I do also appreciate good lyrics.

[@MadMax-pu1kj]

My best friend and I were not permitted to drive from Indianapolis to Bloomington (IU Campus) to see our favorite band, ELO, in 1982 as 16-year-olds. Fast forward to 2021 when I took my son and he took his daughter to see ELO when Jeff Lynne toured again. I still remember Steve and I in his car taking the I-465 loop around Indianapolis listening to "Time" when it first came out. "Remember the good old 1980's... when things were so uncomplicated..."

[@tomntammybrown3817]

ELO was highly underrated. I have always loved them 😍. They and Chicago were my two favorite bands for a long time.

[@robertvance1873]

A New World's Record is a Masterpiece from the beginning to the End, Telephone 📞 Line is One of My Favorites.

[@michaelrochester48]

I love ELO and I’ve always liked their stuff since I was a little kid in the 70s but I was very impressed with their late stuff like calling America, rock ‘n’ roll is King and So Serious. There were still gas in the tank in my opinion when they disbanded.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks! Michael!

[@rinzaghi2057]

And Hold on tight (to your dreams)

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Hold On Tight…

[@carolharris2357]

You are right. Every time I hear an ELO song I think how it's still popular and good to listen to.

[@spanishpeaches2930]

New World Record was the first album i was truly mad about . Played it so many times. Went to see them with a schoolmate, at Wembley Arena, in 78.The whole spaceship and laser gig was so loud and fantastic. My mate died in a road accident three years later, sadly. He was a great guy..which was his name. It was a terrible loss, but the memory of the two of us at the gig still remains.. Happy days they were indeed.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I’m so sorry. How tragic. R.I.P. Guy 😢

[@kiraliemedina52]

I have been a HUGE fan since the 70s I have to admit I REALLY miss the strings. I know he says how incredibly hard it was but there is something about it that makes it so special

[@rdmineer1]

Jeff Lynne may never be properly listed with the classical composers that came two and three centuries before him. On my list, his works are at the top. What is perhaps more amazing, at 76 Jeff Lynne is still touring, his ELO still sounds authentic, only better, and he still sings his falsetto, on key.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Up there with Brian Wilson and co.

[@coachhunter1]

ELO stepped in to my life and filled my heart with joy after the Beatles. Have all their albums and I honestly believe they are the most underrated back in Rock History. Jeff Lynne is a genius in my opinion. Great job Adam!

[@cottage6988]

I would LOVE to know more about Jeff's work on the movie Xanadu. His music in the film always swells my heart. My Dad took me to the theater to see Xanadu and I'll never forget that day solely because of Jeff's score. Phenomenal.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

The last time Gene Kelly ever starred in a movie. What a great way to go out.

[@cottage6988]

@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 Truly!! There was so much magic in that movie.

[@cottage6988]

@@ProfessorofRock I sure hope you make a vid on this. Your channel is fantastic. So much love for ya man!!!! Truly epic channel.

[@Lessontobe]

I love how I know who you are going to talk about within the first 20 or 30 seconds of the video almost 100 percent of the time! Once again, fantastic post. Thank You

[@RodCornholio]

Genius. That's the word I see most often when describing Jeff's music.

[@ProfessorofRock]

For sure!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

Phenomenal.

[@aopLib19]

One of the most underrated musicians of all time, I think Jeff Lynne will go down in history as one of the greatest contributors ever to rock and roll -- may he live long and prosper

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree! Genius.

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

He is the unassailable.

[@jeffreyshier9021]

I was a teenager when this song came out. I’ve never analyzed it, I only enjoy it.❤

[@talanbruns]

OMG What a phenomenal band. Jeff Lynne has written so many classic tunes. He really is a rock and roll maestro.

[@terencem8795]

Jeff Lynne. I really don't know what else I can say. A true rock icon.

[@CowGirlKat8691]

ELO was on my radar but never saw them in concert. Hubby’s a bigger fan than I though. Great job on the video. His Uncle was a musician in Chicago who played many instruments before they were offered to the public. Sadly he passed away before we were married.

[@richard_n]

I always thought Living Thing was about love. Love really is a living thing that you have to take care of like any living thing or you will lose it.

[@ColoradoCarnivoreCabinetGuy]

This is beautiful. You are awesome!!! Thank You.

[@rollingthunder9579]

For me, the verse and bridge of Living Thing possibly constitute Lynne's finest moment. Incredible orchestral arrangements, combined with that acoustic guitar, that almost Dylanesque style of singing, the unique vocal melody line, the dream-like atmosphere, the moodiness, those violin solo bits... The chorus is OK but not at the same level as the rest of the song. However, the verse and bridge are so grreat that it's one of those songs I have to listen to when it comes on the radio.

[@frooplewomanpox2889]

Thanks again, Professor, for more Jeff’s Lynne and Electric Light Orchestra! Great episode…like always! As I have said here on your comments before, I’m a 60 year old who still has a childhood favorite band - ELO. Keep the great content coming, Professor!

[@erikwaters6678]

Love ELO. If im forced to declare my favorite band of all time.....yeah, its ELO. With Livin Things specifically, nothing will ever top the first time i heard it at the end of Boogie Nights.

[@lauraallen55]

The placement of the song at the end of Boogie Nights just cracked me up for some reason lol!

[@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980]

I love that soundtrack.

[@lauraallen55]

So do I! Also, great movie.@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980