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Fun Music Information -> Electric Light Orchestra
Parody album cover
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This is the most recent information about Electric Light Orchestra that has been submitted to amIright. If we have more information about Electric Light Orchestra, then we provide a link to the section where it appears (the actual page whenever possible).
Our newest site, amIwrong has an albums order quiz where you need to put this performer's albums in order of release.
Band Name Origins:
- "Light orchestra" was a feature of several fancy restaurants in the 60s in the UK. They were really quartets - violin, viola, cello, upright bass - or something like that. They played "light" or string versions of contemporary top hits (like say the Beatles' "Yesterday"). ELO uses electric and electronic instruments and the band name was really some kind of kooky joke. There's also the "electric light" phrase in the name. Look at the first two albums' cover art. The self-titled debut (called "No Answer" in the US by accident) has an ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB on it! The second one has a starship shaped like a (*drumroll, please!* - CLASH!) ELECTRIC LIGHT BULB! Yuk yuk. I just love this band's music, even if the name origin is pretty stupid. Submitted by: Bad Pun Name 4 a Great Band
Stupid Band Names:
- Is it supposed to refer to an orchestra of electric lights (which I assume is the intended meaning), or a light (opposite of heavy) orchestra that's electric? Submitted by: Mr. Bump
Music Performer Nicknames:
Known informally as: Ee-Low. Submitted by: I Smoked Two Joints in Ottawa
Known informally as: ELectronic Overload. Submitted by: Robert D. Arndt Jr.
Song Titles Not Used as Lyrics:
Song Name | Comments & Submitter Name |
| "Across the Border" | "I gotta get that southbound train tonight, ooh / If I don't get to the border then I'll write" Across the Border is never used, although border is in the chorus, and across is used once during the lyrics. - Doug N. |
| "Rockaria!" | She's sweet on Wagner, I think she'd die for Beethoven, She loves the way Puccini lays down a tune, And Verdi's always creeping from her room. - Eddie2112 |
New Band Names:
New Name | Why It's Better | Submitter Name |
| Electric Dark Orchestra | When they decide to turn 'em off and retire? | Stu L. Pigeon |
| Electric Light Dorkestra | It was on the show "Modern Family". | Odie Garfield |
New Song Names:
Original Song Name | New Song Name | Submitter Name |
| "Telephone Lyin'" | "Telephone Line" | Flora Rolf |
| "Telepath Line" | "Telephone Line" | Flora Rolf |
| "Telescope Line" | "Telephone Line" | Flora Rolf |
| "Telephone Lion" | "Telephone Line" | Flora Rolf |
| "All Night I Hurled" | "All Over the World" | Robert D. Arndt Jr. |
There are additional new song names available. | ||
Literally Impossible Song Titles:
Song/Performer | Comment | Submitter Name |
| "Mr. Blue Sky," | The sky cannot be a man (or any person). | Rock Maninoff |
| "Rock 'N' Roll Is King," | Never heard of a King named Rock 'N' Roll. | Peter |
Use a Song Title to Answer a Different Song:
Song & Band Name | Song & Band Name | |
| "Stoned Love," The Supremes | "Turn To Stone," Electric Light Orchestra | |
| "That Song Is Driving Me Crazy," Tom T. Hall | "Can't Get It Out Of My Head," Electric Light Orchestra | |
| "Sweet Talkin' Guy," The Chiffons | "Sweet Talkin' Woman," Electric Light Orchestra | |
| "New York, I Love You But You're Bringing Me Down," LCD Soundsystem | "Don't Bring Me Down," Electric Light Orchestra | |
| There are additional songs titles that answer other songs available. | ||
Remove a Letter From a Song Title:
"For Little Diamonds" originally "Four Little Diamonds"
Same sound, different meaning
Serafina
"Our Little Diamonds" originally "Four Little Diamonds"
Serafina
"Curl" originally "Curly"
Candy Welty
"Ellie Takes Her Bow" originally "Nellie Takes Her Bow"
Lucy Crosland
"Nellie Takes Her Bo" originally "Nellie Takes Her Bow"
Peter
There are additional song titles with a letter removed available.
Add a Letter to a Song Title:
"Nellie Takes Her Bowl" originally "Nellie Takes Her Bow"
Candy Welty
"Nellie Takes Her Brow" originally "Nellie Takes Her Bow"
Candy Welty
"Nellie Takes Her Blow" originally "Nellie Takes Her Bow"
But, in the 1970's, did she inhale?
Peter
"Nellie Stakes Her Bow" originally "Nellie Takes Her Bow"
Peter
"Hold Ron Tight" originally "Hold On Tight"
Serafina
There are additional song titles with a letter added available.
Change a Letter:
"Tour Little Diamonds" originally "Four Little Diamonds"
Only if you'd been micro miniaturized!
Melissa Officinalis
"Sour Little Diamonds" originally "Four Little Diamonds"
Alyssa Jayne
"Telephone Nine" originally "Telephone Line"
Candy Welty
"Telephone Fine" originally "Telephone Line"
Candy Welty
"Secret Massages" originally "Secret Messages"
That felt better!
Al
There are additional song titles with a letter changed available.
Song Parody Lyrics:
Original Song Name | Parody Song Name | Parody Author |
| "Telephone Line" | "My Cell Phone Died" | Randy Hearn |
| "Don't Bring Me Down" | "Cockroaches Bring Andrea Down" | LoriLoud33 |
| "Sweet is the Night" | "Sweat is the Night" | Cactus Impersonator |
| "Mr. Blue Sky" | "Mr. Grey Sky" | Cactus Impersonator |
| "Rock 'n'Roll Is King" | "You're a Sore Loser" | I Rode The ELO Starship in 2019 |
| "Evil Woman" | "Rotten Bastard" | Democracy Defender |
| "Do Ya" | "Do Ya" | ELO Starship Passenger |
| "Calling America" | "Screwing America" | Congratulations, Jeff Lynne OBE! |
| "Evil Woman" | "Evil Woman" | Randy Hearn |
| "Don't Bring Me Down" | "Don't Bring Meloetta Down (fixed version; now updated)" | AmericanGirlFan8998 |
There are additional song parodies available. | ||
Songs for Commercials, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
Song Name | Product | Submittor |
| 10538 Overture | Larchmont, NY Chamber of Commerce | Not the Same Bob |
| Strange Magic | Penn & Teller: Fool Us | Edward |
| Evil Woman | Obama 2012 | JC Foster |
| Last Train to London | London Underground | Dylan Baranski |
| Turn To Stone | The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe | Pickle* |
| There are additional commercials that haven't been done yet available. | ||
Bad Choices for On Hold Music:
Song Name | Company/Organization | Submittor |
| Evil Woman | Kamala Harris's cellphone | Edward |
| Evil Woman | Hillary Clinton's answering machine | Edward |
| Evil Woman | Laura Ingraham's office | Brit Boxx |
| Mr. Blue Sky | Severe Weather Hotline | Non Compos Mentis |
| Evil Woman | Nunnery/Magdalena School for Wayward Girls | rocky |
| There are additional on hold music ideas available. | ||
Songs for Duets, That Haven't Been Done Yet:
First Band/Song Name | Second Band/Song Name | New Song Name | Submittor |
| Little Woman Bobby Sherman | Sweet Talkin' Woman Electric Light Orchestra | Little Sweet Talkin' Woman | Serafina |
| More Than A Woman Bee Gees | Sweet Talkin' Woman Electric Light Orchestra | More Than A Sweet Talkin' Woman | Serafina |
| More Than A Woman Bee Gees | Evil Woman Electric Light Orchestra | More Than An Evil Woman | Joe |
| She's Always A Woman Billy Joel | Sweet Talkin' Woman Electric Light Orchestra | She's Always A Sweet Talkin' Woman | Serafina |
| There are additional duets that haven't been done yet available. | |||
If Groups Combined, Their Names Might Be:
Perez Prado and His Electric Light Orchestra
Perez Prado and His Orchestra combined with Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted By: Opie M.
Royal Philharmonelectric Light Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra combined with Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted By: Ed
Shep And The Electric Limelite Orchestra
Shep And The Limelites combined with Electric Light Orchestra
Submitted By: Candy Welty
RELO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon combined with Electric Light Orchestra
(Note: The second band is often referred to by its initials.)
Submitted By: Rick Atoni
There are additional Electric Light Orchestra Combined Groups that haven't been done yet available.
Misheard Lyrics:
"Do Ya"
Misheard Lyrics: Do it, do it one by one
Original Lyrics: Do ya, do ya want my love?
| "Evil Woman"
Misheard Lyrics: Is she a woman?
Original Lyrics: Evil woman
|
"Ma-Ma-Belle"
Misheard Lyrics: I got sneakers 'round the corner of the avenue
or I got a Snickers 'round the corner of the avenue Original Lyrics: I come sneakin' 'round the corner of the avenue
| "Last Train to London"
Misheard Lyrics: Underneath a starry sky I was stupid as the steely hand rushed by
Original Lyrics: Underneath a starry sky Time was still but hours must really have rushed by
|
| There are additional misheard lyrics available. | |
Misheard Lyrics Stories:
|
"Mr Blue Sky"
Misheard Lyrics: Look at Ralsei, what'cha do?
Original Lyrics: Look around, see what you do
|
Story about this misheard lyric by: Anonymous I first heard this song not long after I finished the first chapter of Deltarune. I must have had the goat boy in my head because I thought they were talking about Ralsei even though this song came DECADES before Toby Fox even thought of his magnum opus. Haha I'm so dumb :P |
| There are additional misheard stories available. | |
Funniest Song Lyrics:
"Don't Bring Me Down"
The Funny Lyrics: Don't bring me down, Bruce!
Why They're Funny: So who is this Bruce person? Bruce is a male name, but these guys are singing to a female entity throughout this song. I don't get it.
Submitted by: Quyjibo
|
Nonsensical Song Lyrics:
"Don't Bring Me Down"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: Don't bring me down....grooosss!
Why They're Nonsensical: This song has nothing to do with grossness. Apparently, from what I've found out, Jeff Lynne thought that it sounded like the German word for "greetings" when said like that, that's why he put it in the song.
Submitted by: Erica
| "Don't Bring Me Down"
The Nonsensical Lyrics: You're lookin' good just like a snake in the grass
Why They're Nonsensical: I'm sure that many people in the world are afraid of snakes. So I think the singer is implying that the person he's singing about is frightening, not good-looking!
Submitted by: Candy Welty
|
Dated Song Lyrics:
"Brontosaurus"
The Dated Lyrics: Now her daddy's getting old
And he seemed to lose control When the Brontosaurus Stormed into the house to trap her. Why They're Dated: When certain dinosaur fossils were found, they were originally given the name "Brontosaurus". But eventually they proved to be of the same dinosaur whose fossils were earlier discovered and earlier named "Apatosaurus". When a name is so given and later found to apply to the same genus earlier named something else, the earlier assigned name has priority under the rules of nomenclature. So Apatosaurus, and not Brontosaurus became the correct name for the dinosaur genus that had been given both names. So "Brontosaurus" is now an outdated dinosaur name.
Submitted by: Kirsten Abercrombie
|
Song Lyrics That Name Check Celebrities:
"Shangri-La"
The Lyrics: '...faded like the Beatles on Hey Jude.'
Who They Mention: The Beatles
Submitted by: John
| "Illusions in G Major"
The Lyrics: I heard the pilot saying, Poems that were written by John Keats and Robert Browning
Who They Mention: 19th century English poets John Keats and Robert Browning
Submitted by: Mark Silverman
|
| There are additional celebrity lyrics available. | |
Song Lyrics That Mention Other Songs:
"Sweet Talkin' Woman"
The Song Lyrics: Communication breakdown all around
Song They Mention: "Communication Breakdown" by Led Zeppelin
Submitted by: Mickey D.
| "Shangri-La"
The Song Lyrics: My Shangri-La has gone away,
Faded like the Beatles on 'Hey Jude' Song They Mention: 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles (a direct reference)
Submitted by: Pickle*
|
Songs That Open With Their Titles:
"Don't Walk Away"
Opening Lines: Why do I say don't walk away?
Comments: From the 1980 Xanadu soundtrack album. It also appears on the soundtrack of the Xanadu Broadway musical, though done by the cast of the musical.
Submitted by: Vic George
| "I'm Alive"
Opening Lines: I'm alive, and the world shines for me today.
Comments: From the 1980 Xanadu soundtrack album. It also appears on the soundtrack of the Xanadu Broadway musical, though done by the cast of the musical.
Submitted by: Vic George
|
| There are additional spelling lyrics available. | |
Made Up Words in Songs:
"Don't Bring Me Down"
The Made Up Words: Grooss
Comments: According to the liner notes of the ELO compilation Flashback and elsewhere, Lynne has explained that he was singing that made-up word "Grooss", which some have suggested sounds like the German expression "Gruß" (Gruss). After the song's release, so many people had misinterpreted the word as "Bruce" that Lynne actually began to sing the word as "Bruce" for fun at live shows.
Submitted by: Joey F.
| "Jungle"
The Made Up Words: chooka chooka hoo la ley, looka looka koo la ley
Comments: From the album 'Out Of The Blue'
Submitted by: audreydog
|
| There are additional spelling lyrics available. | |
Song Title Space Change:
"KU, I Am A" originally "Kuiama"
Submitted by: Sutch
"Day Breaker" originally "Daybreaker"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
"Sweet Talk In Woman" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Peter
"Liv In Thing" originally "Livin' Thing"
What thing is Liv into these days?
Submitted by: Ava Rice
"Show Down" originally "Showdown"
Submitted by: Yvette Bristle
Band Name Anagrams:
Other Car's Electric Light Submitted by: Alexis
Orchestrate Cleric Light Submitted by: Alexis
Registrar: Collect Hi-Tech Submitted by: Alexis
Song Title Anagrams:
"Two Men Walk In A Set" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Alexis
"Like A Wet Townsman" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Alexis
"Women Walk In State" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Alexis
"We Want Teas, No Milk" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Alexis
"We Want Milk, No Teas" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Alexis
There are additional Song Title Anagrams available.
Super Long Pop Songs:
"Roll Over Beethoven" Length: 8:10
ELO's re-make of the Chuck Berry classic incorporates excerpts from Beethoven's 5th Symphony
Submitted by: Robert Ballinger
"Kuiama" Length: 11:19
Submitted by: Sutch
Song Title Spoonerisms:
"Tweet Sulkin' Woman" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Mae Beam
"Tweet Sulkin' Woman" originally "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Submitted by: Mae Beam
"Rock 'N' Cole Is Ring" originally "Rock 'N' Roll Is King"
Submitted by: Mary Byram
"Cock 'N' Roll Is Ring" originally "Rock 'N' Roll Is King"
Submitted by: Ned MacCamden
"Told On Height" originally "Hold On Tight"
Submitted by: Janice Ferrell
Foreign Language in English Songs:
"Hold On Tight"
The Lyrics: Accroches-toi a ton reve
Accroches-toi a ton reve Quand tu vois ton bateau partir Quand tu sents -- ton coeur se briser Accroches-toi a ton reve. Why: Basically, it's the lyrics to the song translated into French. In English they are: Hold on tight to your dream/Hold on tight to your dream/When you see your ship go sailing/When you feel your heart is breaking/Hold on tight to your dream.
Submitted by: crazydon
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Upbeat Songs With Depressing Lyrics:
"Turn To Stone"
The Lyrics: I turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Turn to stone when you comin' home, I can't go on. Turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone. Why: The whole song has a cheery rock sound, but the whole song is about someone leaving this guy all alone and it feels like forever when she comes back that he becomes stone.
Submitted by: Paul Warren
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Band Name Spoonerisms:
Elect Leek Right Orchestra originally "Electric Light Orchestra"
Submitted by: Waldo D. Law
Hidden Tracks:
"Time After Time"
It appears on the US cassette and original CD, but it's not listed. It comes after "Take Me On and On" on side 1, and "Four Little Diamonds" starts off side 2. On the CD it's the same sequence.
Submitted by: Mr. Blue Star
Hidden Messages:
"Fire on High"
The beginning of the song contains the backwards message "The music is reversible, but time is not. Turn back, turn back, turn back, turn back" underscored by some twilight zone-esque music.
Submitted by: Evan
Backwards Messages:
"Secret Messages"
This song has a secret message that basically says, "What are you looking for? Turn the needle back and play this thing forward." ELO has made several backwards messages on their previous albums (none of them the rumored 'Christ infernal' message - it was never made), and the 1983 'Secret Messages' is peppered with just that. Other messages on this LP include counting numbers, cheering for the Birmingham Bluebirds Football (Soccer) Club, marching chants and a shout of BEATLES FOREVER! Not very Satanic, is it?
Submitted by: Evil Man
"Mr. Radio"
Somewhere during the song the phrase "hello Mr. Radio" can be heard backwards.
Submitted by: A Stranger
"Eldorado"
The line "playing the game I'll sail away on a voyage of no return to see" can be reversed to sound like "he is the nasty one, Christ you're infernal. It is said we're dead men; everyone who has the mark will live." This sparked controversy when it was released.
Submitted by: A Stranger
"Fire on High"
After being criticized with 'Eldorado' having subliminal messages, Jeff Lynne placed a message in the song which sounds like 'Madness, madness, madness' and gibberish played forward. But played backward It says, 'The music is reverseable, but time is not. Turn back. Turn Back. Turn Back!...'
Submitted by: Paul Warren
What A Band is Best Known For (aside from their music):
"Selling a Song Name on a Shirt"
Last night I fulfilled a t(w)een dream and went to a wonderful concert featuring the Electric Light Orchestra (due to British rock'n'roll legalities, a.k.a. 'business shit', it's called 'Jeff Lynne's ELO' now. No matter.). The opening guest was Dhani Harrison, who is the bright talented son of a guy named George who in turn was in a band called the Beatles. Ever heard of them? Anyway, the swag booths were selling T-shirts and some of the ELO shirts featured that famous logo starship of theirs. They also sold some women's shirts with the title of one of their hits on the front - 'Evil Woman'. I saw that and I literally LMFAO until I nearly got sick, right in the waiting line. Honest!
Submitted by: James Wilbury
"Is It a UFO? No, It's ELO!"
I was reading an article in "Dynamite" magazine (for tweens) with the title "Is It a UFO? No, It's ELO!". It described the props for their tremendous groundbreaking 1977-1978 tour. They would use a huge model starship adorned with "ELO" in lights. A huge platform would descend with the band playing on it. Local police got calls of UFO sightings! The 'starship' couldn't really fly, and the band stated that it was hot and dirty inside of it. Laser beams were also used for the shows, which was a novelty at the time.
Submitted by: ELO is Dy-No-Mite!
"Bellybuttons!"
On the cover of their album "On the Third Day" (US release) the members of ELO pose for the front cover and pulling up their shirts to expose their bellybuttons! Don't ask me why. British humor, perhaps?
Submitted by: Lift Up Your Shirts!
"Coffee ad on TV!"
"Hold On Tight To Your Dreams" was a top 10 hit for ELO in the autumn of 1981. Ironically enough, this song was played as background music for TV ads by the American Board to Promote Coffee Drinking (something like that). A narrator would discuss about the energy-giving qualities and warmth (and coziness!) you can get from a cup o' jack. Later on, the narration was done by Ann and Nancy Wilson (HEART). The ad would be about "Heart mixes a new record" and would show a backstage view of a Heart show. The ad would still feature the classic ELO hit, however and not a Heart hit. The ad would end with Ann exiting a limo with a bouquet of flowers and she'd quip, "Keep rockin'!". These ads were aired until about 1986. Radio DJs sometimes referred to this song as "that coffee drinking song". STRANGE BUT TRUE.
Submitted by: Interstellar Coffee Drinker Extraordinaire
Products Bands Should Endorse Based on Their Name:
General Electric
One of their logos resembles the GE logo.
Submitted by: James Wilbury
Electric Company
Submitted by: britrock
Movies Named After Song Titles:
"Strange Magic"
2015 animated film
Submitted by: That Man Over There
"Twilight"
the 2008 teen vampire romance flick
Submitted by: I'm So Mysterious
Bad Ringtone Choices:
"Mr. Blue Sky"
The Lyrics: Sun is shinin' in the sky
There ain't a cloud in sight It's stopped rainin' everybody's in the play And don't you know It's a beautiful new day, hey hey Why: This would be very ironic on a rainy day.
Submitted by: Kerry
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