The Best ELO Songs of All Time is our concise introduction to the music of the Electric Light Orchestra (aka ELO). The Electric Light Orchestra was formed in 1970 by songwriters-multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan. The band was effectively spun out from the final incarnation of the 1960s psych-rock band The Move.
With ELO, Lynne and Wood hoped to translate the Beatles’ ambitious studio conceits for live performances, in effect combining modern pop of the time with classical overtones. When Wood left the band in 1972, Lynne become de facto leader and built a new group of musicians, with included violins and cellos, that would evolve during its existence.
Lynne led ELO to wild success, selling over 50 million albums during its heyday of the 1970s. Now consisting of Lynne alone with studio musicians and rebranded as Jeff Lynne’s ELO, ELO’s status as one of the best pop-rock bands of all time is secure.
Check out our Best ELO Songs of All Time list (in chronological order of release) below.
“10538 Overture” (The Electric Light Orchestra, 1970)
“Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle” (On the Third Day, 1973)
“Can’t Get It Out of My Head” (Eldorado, 1974)
“Evil Woman” (Face the Music, 1975)
“Telephone Line” (A New World Record, 1976)
“Turn to Stone” (Out of the Blue, 1977)
“Shine a Little Love” (Discovery, 1979)
“Don’t Walk Away” (Xanadu OST, 1980)
“Twilight” (Time, 1981)
“Bluebird” (Secret Messages, 1983)
“Getting to the Point” (Balance of Power, 1986)
“Ordinary Dream” (Zoom, 2001)
“When I Was A Boy” (Alone in the Universe, 2015)
Yes, we realise that this The Best ELO Songs of All Time consists (mostly) of what can only be described as recognisable hits but we believe it’s the best way to start your ELO journey of discovery. Certainly we expect to get into a Deep Cuts feature sooner or later. In the meantime, enjoy!!!
Check out Jeff Lynne’s ELO online.
… still there’s more …