They incorporated the sounds of string ensembles, vocoders and dub echos into rock songs, thereby creating a very sophisticated studio version of rock. The musical content of ELO songs often went far beyond usual chord structures, mixing pop songwriting with classical romanticism and synthesized sounds. The band claim that their music "picks up where The Beatles' 1967 song I Am the Walrus left off."
Formed in 1970 by Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne and Bev Bevan (the remaining members of the 1960s rock group The Move). The band used cellos, violin, horns and woodwinds to give their music a classical sound. This was an idea Roy Wood initially had while with The Move, to take rock music in a new direction. In 1970 when Carl Wayne left the The Move, Jeff Lynne, front man with fellow Brum band Idle Race, responded to Wood's second invitation to join the line-up, with the lure of starting the new band. To help finance the fledgling project, two more Move albums were released during the recording of their eponymous first album in 1971 which produced the UK hit 10538 Overture. In the US this album was released with the mistaken title of No Answer, due to a mix-up with an uncompleted telephone call to the American label and subsequent secretarial message.
However, tensions soon surfaced between Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne. With most of the media attention focused on Roy Wood, differences in musical direction, and a disastrous first live outing, it was no surprise when the band went through the first of its many line-up changes as Wood took Hugh McDowell and Bill Hunt with him to form Wizzard. Despite the music press's predictions that the band would fold without Wood, Jeff Lynne stepped up to lead the band, with Bevan remaining on drums, bassist Richard Tandy switching to moog synthesizer, Michael d'Albuquerque on bass, Mike Edwards, Colin Walker (cello) and Wilfred Gibson replacing Steve Woolam on violin. They released ELO 2 in 1973, from which came their first U.S. chart hit, a hugely elaborate version of the Chuck Berry classic Roll Over Beethoven. After their second album, violinist Gibson was dismissed and replaced by Mik Kaminski. They also released On The Third Day in 1973, with Mike Edwards playing all the cello parts due to Colin Walker leaving the band. Later that same year saw the return of Hugh McDowell, who had jumped ship the year previous, to replace cellist Colin Walker.
In 1974 Lynne hired a thirty-piece orchestra, choir and Louis Clark, then began work on the next LP Eldorado, A Symphony, a concept album about dreams, scoring their first U.S. Top Ten hit with Can't Get It Out Of My Head in 1975. Eldorado would become ELO's first gold album.
After the release of Eldorado, bassist and vocalist Kelly Groucutt and cellist Melvyn Gale joined, replacing de Albuquerque and Edwards respectively.
The band split in 1983. In 1985, Lynne, Tandy and Bevan reunited and recorded the album "Balance of Power". This reunion was short lived and the band split once more in 1986. Bev Bevan and Louis Clark, with the consent of Lynne, toured and recorded as ELO Part II from 1988 until Bevan's retirement in 1999. In 2000, Lynne and Tandy reformed Electric Light Orchestra and released a new record, "Zoom". "Zoom" proved to be a commercial failure, and the duo split once more in 2001.
In 2014, following support from BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, Lynne and Tandy reunited as a part of BBC Radio 2's "Festival in a Day" to perform under the new billing, "Jeff Lynne's ELO", a name Lynne devised as a response to ELO tributes, imitation bands, and offshoots who used ELO to promote their own tours.
In February 2015, Jeff Lynne's ELO performed at the Grammy Awards with Ed Sheeran, and in September of that year they announced a new album would be released under Columbia Records. Jeff Lynne's ELO - Alone in the Universe was released on November 13, 2015, and was ELO’s first album of new material in almost 15 years.
The second album under Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Jeff Lynne's ELO - From Out of Nowhere, was released on November 1, 2019.
There is more than one artist with the name "ELO". The vast majority of scrobbles to "Electric Light Orchestra" are for the rock band from England.
ELO, is a South Korean singer, who debuted with the album, 8 Femmes, on August 26, 2016.
Moment in Paradise
Electric Light Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She never cried, she only tried
To fly beyond her dreams
No walls around her mind
Deep inside she'd try to hide
That she was way beyond her means
She said that it's your duty to save your soul
To save it for someone
Moment in paradise
Just a moment in paradise
Oh, yeah
Moment in paradise
Just a moment in paradise
Oh, yeah
She floated out upon the wind
That blew my thoughts into the night
She knew the things she had to know
She drifted high above my mind
Blew my brains out, did alright
I think she knew it all along
She said that it's your duty to save your soul
To save it for someone
Moment in paradise
Just a moment in paradise
Oh, yeah
Moment in paradise
Just a moment in paradise
Oh, yeah
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, oh, yeah
She said that it's your duty to save your soul
To save it for someone
Moment in paradise
Just a moment in paradise
Oh, yeah
Moment in paradise
Moment in paradise
Moment in paradise
Moment in paradise
Oh, yeah
Moment in paradise
Moment in paradise
Just a moment in paradise
The lyrics to Electric Light Orchestra's song Moment in Paradise speak of a woman who never shed a tear, but always aimed for the skies. The woman, who has no limits or boundaries, aims to hide her true abilities and potential. She believes that it’s her duty to save her soul, to keep it for someone who deserves it. This 'someone' could be a partner or a higher power, depending on how the listener interprets it.
The woman in the lyrics knows that she has to learn everything about herself, so she drifts off into the night sky to gather her thoughts. She is knowledgeable with a deep understanding of who she is, and with her wisdom, she is able to take the singer on a journey of discovery. The moment in Paradise is a fleeting feeling or 'moment' that everyone should experience to appreciate the wonders of life.
The song is a masterpiece that speaks to different listeners in different ways. It's open to interpretation, and the lyrics let everyone make the song their own, depending on their interpretation. It's a beautiful song about seizing the moment and appreciating life, and it's a must-listen for anyone who wants to live a fulfilling life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, yeah
Expressing enthusiasm and anticipation for what is to follow.
She never cried, she only tried
She was determined to succeed and wouldn't let setbacks or failures bring her down.
To fly beyond her dreams
To go beyond what she once thought was possible and to reach for her greatest aspirations.
No walls around her mind
She had an open and unencumbered mindset, unbounded by prejudice or narrow thinking.
Deep inside she'd try to hide
She tried to conceal her insecurities and vulnerabilities.
That she was way beyond her means
She felt inadequate and unsure of her ability to achieve her goals.
No borders and no lines
Her worldview was unrestricted and limitless, without any predetermined boundaries or limitations.
She said that it's your duty to save your soul
She believed that taking care of oneself, both physically and spiritually, was a fundamental obligation.
To save it for someone
To preserve oneself for another person, either figuratively or literally, by being healthy and whole.
Moment in paradise
A fleeting period of blissful fulfillment or contentment.
Just a moment in paradise
This happiness would not last forever, but was nonetheless valuable and worthwhile.
She floated out upon the wind
Her spirit soared freely and effortlessly, unbound by earthly constraints.
That blew my thoughts into the night
Her ethereal presence had a profound and lasting impact on the singer's perception of the world.
She knew the things she had to know
She was wise and knowledgeable about the crucial aspects of life.
She drifted high above my mind
Her thoughts and ideas were transcendent and far-reaching, far beyond what the listener could comprehend.
Blew my brains out, did alright
Her influence completely overwhelmed and astounded the listener, but in a positive and fulfilling way.
I think she knew it all along
She was aware of the profound impact she had on others and always acted intentionally.
Moment in paradise
A brief but significant period of supreme happiness and fulfillment.
Moment in paradise
A fleeting but memorable experience of pure joy.
Oh, yeah, oh, yeah, oh, yeah
Repeating the enthusiastic chorus to emphasize the value and significance of the 'moment in paradise.'
Moment in paradise
A small window of time where all feels wonderful.
Moment in paradise
A momentary escape and reprieve from the difficulties and stress of everyday life.
Just a moment in paradise
A recognition that true happiness cannot be sustained indefinitely, but should still be cherished and appreciated.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF LYNNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert Cochran
on State of Mind
An overlooked album which more people should listen to
Rodney
on Rockaria!
Weit in die Ferne , man hört, man hört die Musik
Philip Kassabian
on Starlight
A nice ELO song.
Philip Kassabian
on Starlight
A lovely ELO song.
Philip Kassabian
on Wild West Hero
An absolutely beautiful song.
Philip Kassabian
on Last Train to London
Never heard this ELO song before.
Philip Kassabian
on All Over the World
An ELO song that surprisingly few people know about. To me this rivals Mr. Blue Sky.
Philip Kassabian
on Ticket to the Moon
A song about a person being utterly confused in a difficult situation. He can't even fathom the journey he's about to take to the moon. It's surreal to him.
Philip Kassabian
on Strange Magic
A very mysterious and awe inspiring song. Definitely one of ELO's better songs.
Philip Kassabian
on Livin' Thing
It's a great song and to me it symbolizes the meaning of loss and how absolutely devastating it can be for a person.