In the US the song was included on the album On the Third Day (1973), while in the UK the song was omitted from that album but featured a year later on the band's first compilation album, also entitled Showdown. In 2006 the remastered issue of On the Third Day would feature the song on the album on both sides of the Atlantic for the first time.
The song showed a change of style for ELO, with a funkier backbeat beneath the band's trademark sweeping strings, and the inclusion of a clavinet. The record was a favourite of John Lennon at the time, who dubbed the band "Son of Beatles" in a US radio interview.
Jeff Lynne played the lead guitar part using Marc Bolan's Gibson Firebird guitar.
Showdown
Elo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
About a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a showdown.
Bad dreamer, what's your name?
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as though there'll be more pain
And it's rainin' all over the world
It's raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night.
She came to me like my friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a showdown.
Save me, oh, save me
It's unreal the suffering
There's gonna be a showdown.
And it's rainin' all over the world
Raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night.
Raining all over the world
Raining all over the world
The longest night.
And it's rainin' all over the world
Raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night.
You gotta save me, girl
When I'm ready for save
Oh, I'm fool for you
You know that real that
Go on and save me.
Can you feel what you're doin'
To me now?
I'm on the run again
You gotta save your soul...
The lyrics to ELO's "Showdown" paint a vivid picture of a woman who is heartbroken and dreaming of a lost love. She shares her story with the southern wind, aware that her love story is destined to end. Despite the pain and heartache she feels, she is still determined to face it all head-on, knowing there will be a showdown.
The song's chorus is a repetition of the phrase "it's raining all over the world, tonight the longest night," which contributes to the melancholy and reflective feel of the song. The singer is likened to a 'bad dreamer', adding to the somber tone. His friend has come to him like a southern wind, only to leave him heartbroken and with a heart of stone. He too knows there will be a showdown that he'll have to face.
The plea towards the end of the song, "save me girl," seems to suggest that the singer is desperate for help and needs someone to rescue him from his pain. The lyrics are powerful in their portrayal of heartbreak and the emotions that come with it. ELO has managed to deliver a powerful song that draws the listener into the emotion-filled story.
Line by Line Meaning
She cried to the southern wind
She expressed her sadness to the wind that blows from the south.
About a love that was sure to end
She talked about her love that she knew would eventually come to an end.
Every dream in her heart was gone
All the hopes and dreams in her heart were shattered.
Headin' for a showdown.
She was heading towards a confrontation or a decisive point in her life.
Bad dreamer, what's your name?
Addressing someone who is having a bad dream, what is their name?
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
It seems that both of us are in a similar situation or heading towards the same destination.
Looks as though there'll be more pain
It appears that there will be more sorrow or hurt.
There's gonna be a showdown.
There will be a final battle or conflict.
And it's rainin' all over the world
It is raining everywhere, all around the world.
It's raining all over the world
The rain is falling on every part of the world.
Tonight, the longest night.
This night seems to be very long and never-ending.
She came to me like my friend
She approached me as if she was a friend of mine.
She blew in on a southern wind
She arrived suddenly and unexpectedly on a wind from the south.
Now my heart is turned to stone again
My heart has become cold and unfeeling once more.
There's gonna be a showdown.
There will be an ultimate confrontation or fight.
Save me, oh, save me
Please rescue me or help me out of this situation.
It's unreal the suffering
The pain and misery are beyond belief or imagination.
There's gonna be a showdown.
There will be a conflict or face-off coming up soon.
You gotta save me, girl
You must rescue me, my lady.
When I'm ready for save
When I am prepared to be saved.
Oh, I'm fool for you
I am a complete and utter fool for you.
You know that real that
You understand that it is true.
Go on and save me.
Please continue and help me out of this predicament.
Can you feel what you're doin'
Are you aware of the effect you are having on me?
To me now?
Am I the one being affected by you currently?
I'm on the run again
I am fleeing or escaping once more.
You gotta save your soul...
You must rescue or redeem yourself.
Contributed by Maya T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-ip9yu7lp1q
She cried to the southern wind
About a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin for a showdown
Bad dreamer, what's your name
Looks like were ridin on the same train
Looks as through therell be more pain
There's gonna be a showdown
And it's rainin all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
She came to me like a friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a showdown
Save me, oh save me
Its unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a showdown
@DamienMcGuinness
[Verse 1]
She cried to the southern wind
'Bout a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a showdown
Bad dreamer, what's your name?
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as though there'll be more pain
There's gonna be a showdown
[Chorus]
And it's rainin' all over the world
It's rainin' all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
[Verse 2]
She came to me like a friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a showdown
Save me
Oh, save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a showdown
[Chorus]
And it's rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
[Bridge]
(Rainin', rainin')
(Rainin', rainin')
[Chorus]
Rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
The longest night
[Chorus]
And it's rainin' all over the world
Rainin' all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
[Outro]
You gotta save me, girl
When I'm ready for savin'
I'm a fool for you
You know I need you, child
Come on and save me
Can't you feel what you're doin' to me now?
I'm on the run again
Gotta save your soul
@Cerph
She cried to the Southern wind
'Bout a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a showdown
Bad dreamer, what's yer name?
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as though there'll be more pain
There's gonna' be a showdown
And it's rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
She came to me like a friend
She blew in on the Southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna' be a showdown
Save me, save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna' be a showdown
And it's rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
(instrumental)
Rainin', rainin'
Rainin', rainin'
Rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
The longest night
And it's rainin', all over the world
Rainin', all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
Ya' gotta' save me, girl
When, I'm ready to save
I'm a fool f' you
You know I need ya' child
Come on and ... save me
Can't ya' feel whatcha' doin' t' me now?
I'm on the run again
Ya' gotta' save me so
@dougpool4730
As a kid in the '70's I didn't really care for ELO. Now having rediscovered them at 58 years old I'm like "what the hell was I thinking". Amazingly beautiful. 👍👍👍
@davidfsikkema1416
I get it Doug, at 74, I enjoy music I didn't care for a few decades or so ago. Our musical tastes can change as well as our preferences in food . . . and women :-)
@davidfsikkema1416
P.S. Also discover The Traveling Wilburys if you haven't already, Jeff is there too.
@rondeneef
them just good D
@laneflinn2450
@David F Sikkema Wikburys were the best so much fun
@bigdgz1965
Same here. They're awesome.
@matthew-Williams
Been a fan of ELO since I was a kid, great band and Jeff has the kind of voice you just cant miss.
@video-tourist
Me too! ELO is the best!
@kesotone
Buscemi n Goodman
@andymatthews7617
JUST SUPERB, no band in the last 25 years has come close.