Electric Light Orchestra – “Strange Magic”

This song is a like a dream, it is like everything all at once. It keeps building and building with that powerful endless chorus that sounds like a doo-wop band floating through time. It is ‘70’s mellow gold at its finest, and the melodies drive the flighty feeling home entirely horror show. This is some glossy production, but entirely necessary for a song of this variety, as quite a few ELO numbers are given that fancy studio touch. I like the vague lyrical content that just sort of repeats like a trance. The arrangement of the backing vocals sounds like something out of an epic tune by Queen. There are a few light moments with Jeff Lynne mumbling sweet nothings, but on the whole, this chap knows how to construct an appropriate Rock orchestral number with a generous helping of glitzy glamour, momma.

I mean, we’re not talking about that hideous recent tune by John Mellencamp, as you would actually want to hear “Strange Magic” in a car commercial, or while getting a filling at the dentist. This isn’t our country, honey, its strange magic country! I am no ELO expert, hell, I’m not even a fan, but a good tune is just that, and if you do not believe me then let me refer you to a little number by The Kinks called “Waterloo Sunset.” Do you get the picture now, sweetheart, or does daddy have to beat it out of you? Just back off and enjoy this airy spacey Pop Rock piece of music, that’s all I ask. I don’t want no fighting.

Now just shut up and get swept away in the musical peace of this trance-like mind twister that is ideal for those of us who like a good melody:



Traveling Wilburys are highly questionable characters…