After ELO's breakup in the mid 1980s, Lynne moved into production work, showing both the influence of The Beatles that characterized much of ELO's work and an influence from rockabilly-style music. The Beatles' connection was strengthened when Lynne produced George Harrison's Cloud Nine, a successful comeback album for the ex-Beatle released in 1987 featuring the popular single "(Got My Mind) Set On You." In 1989, Lynne co-produced the acclaimed album Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty, which included the hit singles "Free Fallin'," "I Won't Back Down" and "Runnin' Down A Dream," all co-written by Lynne. This album and Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, also co-produced by Lynne, both received nominations for the Grammy as Best Album Of The Year in 1989.
In 1990 Lynne released his first solo album Armchair Theatre, featuring the singles "Every Little Thing" and "Lift Me Up." The album received some positive critical attention but little commercial success.
In February of 1994, Lynne fulfilled a lifelong dream by working with the three surviving Beatles on Anthology album series, and reunion tracks "Free as a Bird" and "Real Love" (overdubbing John Lennon's demos for the songs). He has also produced records individually for George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and worked extensively on the Roy Orbison album Mystery Girl.
In 2001, Lynne released a new ELO album, Zoom, which--save for original ELO keyboardist Richard Tandy on one track--featured none of the original members of the Electric Light Orchestra, but attempted to "return to the classic ELO sound" [1]. The album received positive reviews but had no hit singles. While a concert of the album was filmed and shown on PBS stations, a planned concert tour was cancelled, although the concert was released on DVD. Also that year, Lynne appeared on a VH-1 Storytellers show filmed in New York, and EMI and Sony released remastered editions of part of ELO's catalog.
Lynne went back to the recording studio as a producer in 2002, co-producing and helping complete George Harrison's posthumously-released album, Brainwashed. He was also heavily involved in the memorial Concert for George, held at London's Royal Albert Hall in November 2002, and subsequently produced the Surround Sound audio mix for the Concert For George DVD released in November 2003. The DVD received a Grammy for Best Long Form Music Video.
Also in 2002, a tribute to Lynne called Lynne Me Your Ears was released [2], featuring two CDs full of artists performing Lynne/ELO songs, including Todd Rundgren, SWAG (featuring members of Wilco, The Mavericks and Cheap Trick), Sixpence None The Richer, Doug Powell, PFR, Jason Falkner, Fleming and John, Jerry Chamberlain of Daniel Amos, Rick Altizer and others.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine Tom Petty revealed that fellow Wilbury and Full Moon Fever producer Jeff Lynne will reunite with Petty on his upcoming solo album, due in 2006.
Jeff Lynn co-wrote, with John Farrar, the lyrics and music for the 2007 Broadway musical Xanadu. The show used several ELO songs, including "I'm Alive," "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic."
In 2012 Lynne's second solo album, a covers album entitled Long Wave, was released on 8 October 2012. A greatest hits collection of re-recorded ELO songs by Lynne titled Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra was also released under the ELO moniker on the same day.
On September 24, 2015, under the name Jeff Lynne's ELO, "When I Was a Boy", the first single from Alone in the Universe was released on the internet with a music video released not long after. The album was released on November 13, 2015 and was followed by promotional shows including the first ELO shows in the United States in 30 years. A 2016 European tour has been scheduled.
Smile
Jeff Lynne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you
Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just
Smile
The song "Smile," composed by Charlie Chaplin, has been covered by many artists, including Jeff Lynne. The song's lyrics encourage the listener to maintain a optimistic outlook on life and to continue smiling despite life's struggles. The singer acknowledges that life is difficult and full of challenges, but he or she expresses confidence that by keeping a positive outlook, one will ultimately triumph. The lyrics advise the listener not to cry, but instead to put on a smile, as it will make life worthwhile and help one overcome their difficulties.
The opening lines of the song, "Smile, though your heart is aching/Smile, even though it's breaking," create a powerful contrast between the idea of smiling and the pain associated with a broken heart. The song goes on to say that even in times of uncertainty and fear, a smile can help alleviate sadness and usher in a new day. The singer emphasizes that even if one's heart is heavy and tears are near, it's crucial to keep smiling and persevere.
Overall, "Smile" is an uplifting song with a message of encouragement and positivity. It urges listeners to maintain a hopeful attitude even when life gets hard.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile, though your heart is aching
Even though you feel hurt or sadness inside, try to smile
Smile, even though it's breaking
Even if you're on the verge of falling apart emotionally, smile anyway
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by
When life's struggles seem to be ahead, you can persist and pass through them
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through
For you
If you confront your fears and sadness with a smile, tomorrow could be brighter and better for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Express joy on your face and keep the feelings of sadness concealed, so that it doesn't get in the way of experiencing life's happy moments
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Even if you're feeling emotional, don't give up and stay optimistic with a smile
Smile what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you'll just
Smile
Instead of crying or being upset, choose to appreciate the good things in life, as it's an indication that life is always worth living, if only you smile
Contributed by Levi K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.