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…

"Mr. Blue Sky" - The Electric Light Orchestra

Alright, I'll just say it right off the bat: If listening to this song doesn't make you feel all sorts of warm and fuzzy inside, then you clearly have no soul. No, even better: if this song doesn't make you wanna hug Jeff Lynne, massage his back and feed him oatmeal from a spoon when he's sick, then you clearly worship satan.

With that out of the way, this is about one of my favorite song's of all time: "Mr. Blue Sky", off of Electric Light Orchestra's epic 1977 double album, "Out of the Blue" (definitely recommended for fans of wonderful pop music). This stunning piece of pop genius has been used in everything from "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" trailers to car commercials, and yet it loses none of its magic. It begins with a radio tuning to a weather forecast, a simple staccato piano riff, an instrumental build-up.

"Sun is shining in the sky
There ain't a cloud in sight
It stopped raining
Everybody's in the play
And dontcha know
It's a beeeeeeutiful day
Hey, hey"

Such refreshing simplicity. It's been said that Jeff Lynne wrote this song immediately after seeing the sunshine after a long rain spell at the rented Chalet in the Swiss Alps in which he wrote "Out of the Blue", and the optimism shines through. (Supposedly, the entire album was written in 3-4 weeks at this isolated location.)

The strings and percussion sound effects all lead into a wonderful chorus, with harmonies popping up every which way. The guitar solo is a bright burst of melody before the second verse.


Hey you with the pretty face
Welcome to the human race! (Dude, that's...like...deep!)

One of my favorite moments in the song is at about 2:10, during that bridge section, where that little, funky bass riff joins in the mix and somehow makes me smile until my face aches. It's crazy how such a small element can make all the difference.

The cheesy vocal effects, the psychedelic choir, it's all thrown in here; a stunning epitome of 70's musical excess. Somehow, Master Lynne makes it all work, leading to pure pop euphoria. But, wait, a false ending! It's back. If you listen carefully, the ridiculous vocoder voice at the end is saying "Please turn me over", instructing you to turn the vinyl over to side four.


Mr. Blue Sky
Please tell us why
You had to hide away for sooo long!

Here's a creepy Youtube puppet video that uses the song:



(Copyright 2007 for Hilbert_Cheesecake productions. Good day.)