@@jamelakajamal you are the man - you make my day when you post new stuff every day. If more folks were like you (and your 385k subscribers) we would be well on our way to better race relations in this country. 👍 Keep up the good work!
Down the rabbit hole ya go: Sweet Talking Woman Strange Magic Living Thing Turn to Stone Don't Bring Me Down Evil Woman Cant Get It Out of My Head Do Ya Shine a Little Love
I would say underrated 10 - 25 years ago, but today they have seen a great rebirth - sold out arena tours worldwide, rock hall of fame inductees, etc. ELO was always a little ahead of their time. It just took the world a little time to catch up with them again.
Jeff Lynne. Like Rodger Hodgson of Supertramp. Great music we all recognize, but people rarely can name the band. Because they never destroyed hotel room or got arrested for piker sh*t.
He wasn't leaving a voice mail, this was the late 70's. Answering machines didn't start coming out till the 80's. It's what he would have said IF she would only answer the phone
bc1969214 that was not voicemail. If you look at the phone it is on a black box, that is the answering machine. When you went out you turned on the machine. When you got back home you would have to rewind the tape to listen to the message
My uncle helped teach me to read with the lyrics from the liner notes of this song. Then decades later I became a 411 operator. Sad to say, I've had to imitate the sound of a busy signal because no one under age 50 remembers. And people freak when I say it's ok to take the phone off the hook. LOL
When you used a pay phone, yeah an operator would cut in, especially if he had called collect. It is obvious that the singer used a pay phone. Had he called her from his own telephone, there would have been no operator interruption, just an endless ring because his ex never picked up the phone at her end.
Jeff Lynne of ELO was also later a member of the super group The Traveling Wilburys Which also included such legends as Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan
You guys are pretty close. Jeff met George Harrison in London, when the Beatles first started. Jeff was in his own band known as the gollywogs. George asked him to join in with Billy Preston to do the Let it be album, but by then he had also did rhythm guitar on the Magical Mystery Album. Later, Peter Gabriel introduce Jeff to a couple of classical musicians, and ELO was born. Jeff not only produce the Beatles last three songs, he produced the entire Anthology Album, and gave us the last time we would ever hear from the fab four. Yes, he ( along with George Harrison) was the producers of the traveling wilburys. End of the line was written by George, and was kind of a personal tribute to John Lennon. 1998 Grad,...Elliot Music hall,...Purdue.
This song takes a DEEP dive into the aspect of loving someone that does not love you back. SO appropriate for us to just FEEL it and take in the concept that just because you feel it doesn't mean the other person has to even acknowledge that you EXIST. The best lesson though is that your deep love need not be wasted on those that forsake you. YOU CAN LOVE AND BE LOVED AGAIN! BAM!
Remember all the little tricks we had to do to save money from Ma Bell? Call collect and make up a name that was coded to mean something, then the other party would deny the call but get the message. Then in the late 70's some kid figured how to send sounds over the lines to get free long distance.
Kim, I read that effect was created by Jeff Lynn actually singing into a phone as it was being recorded, then blended with his actual, unfiltered, real time voice.
I'm 54. Never had an answering machine until I moved out of my parents' house and into my own apartment in 1988. Back then, they worked with cassette tapes.
michaeldubya Exactly - we didn’t get an answering machine until I was somewhere in high school, so in the ‘80-84 time frame ... and according to Wiki it wasn’t until 1984 after the AT&T breakup that people no longer feared Ma Bell finding out you had unapproved equipment on your line that sales hit 1 million. I remember heading this song at a friend’s house whose dad had an awesome sound system ...
When I grew up, we had a "party line". If you picked up the phone to make a call, and someone was talking, you had to hang up, and wait until you picked up and there was a dial tone, then it was your turn to make a call. Plus you could only walk as far as the cord on the phone would extend. I see some Utube segments, on asking teenagers how to use a dial phone. It's halarious!
This is my favorite ELO song of all time. Yes, the refrain is amazing. The emotion they convey. Sublime. And being one that struggles with depression I can really connect with this song. Consider the lyrics and theme. He is reaching out to a friend. Someone he was intimate with. And he just wants to talk. This is shown by "The things we did were all for real, not a dream" and "I'd tell you everything if you'd just pick up that telephone." I can understand this desire to find a connection with someone I have been close with. Someone I trust. How I know there is a link to depression from the following. He is willing to just let is sit and ring hoping to reach the person he is trying to call (this was in the 70s and therefore before voicemail and answering machines). "Blue days, black nights". I know those days and nights. The days you feel blue and depressed and the nights you just try to make it through. This can be very rough. "I look into the sky" The contemplation of the next line "The love you need ain't gonna see you through" The realization that the person you thought you could call and talk to isn't going to be there for you. "And I wonder why", more contemplation of the following. "The little things you planned ain't coming true" wondering how you are where you are rather than where you wanted to be. And then the final part that links it to depression. "telephone line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight". Twilight. Not quite dark, so life is not over but still not in the light so still not living. A point in between. Limbo. In life, depression is a best described as living in limbo. You are not truly dead but you are not really living. You are in twilight.| Jeff Lynne is amazing. I am sad I was not able to go to see them in concert last year.
@David James trust me. I do have depression. There are certain life circumstances which has lead to it. I take care of my disabled mother (while working a job that can have me putting in over 85, very active, hours a week) and have done so for over a decade. Have not been able to have a life for myself in that time. My mother's need for help takes my time off (including sleep hours). And now she is dying of stage 4 cancer. I go through some very dark periods (thought-wise). But your point, I get, is that the connection to the song I have doesn't require understanding depression. Am I correct?
There was an interview with John Lennon and he was asked, if the Beatles had stayed together, who would they be, Lennon replied "Electric Light Orchestra"
Jeff Lynne, the group's lead and founder was heavily influenced by The Beatles and his early work really shows that. Funny how he joined up with George Harrison in later years. The surviving Beatles (minus John Lennon) respected him enough to have him produce their Anthology set and recreate a couple of unpublished songs from demos. Jeff Lynne is a musical legend - look up his accomplishments in the music industry.
@@qseep yeah happy to say I was there in the seventies hearing ELO the first time around on the radio. We kids also used to make goofy messages on answering machine tape so, not that rare then! Not that it matters 40+ yrs later 😉
@@katherinemiller2401 Just today I've been listening to, and trying to copy on the keyboard, Midnight Blue (Discovery Album). That's up there with Can't Get it Out of My Head. Good choices though.
Jamal, "the voice mail?" When this song was written, there weren't even answering machines, nevermind voice mail. Someone didn't pick up, you called back later. The good old days..... when we were all free.
Ok I’ll throw in a few ELO suggestions: Can’t Get it Out Of my Head;Evil Woman; Roll Over Beethoven; Strange Magic; Rockaria. A lot of material to work with.
I love your reactions and interpretation of the lyrics. Enjoy your program! This reflected phone calling in the 70's, no answering machines then, no cell phones. The soud effects are old sounds from a telephone line trying for connection. We needed Operator assistance back then to connect with long distance calling! That was considered across our nation, or most certaily international. My how things have changed!
This is my evidence I present when I defend Jeff Lynne. Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison formed a band, and needed a fifth. Out of all the legends that lineup rightly could've recruited, Jeff Lynne was the dude, hands down. F*cking legend
@@shawnschroeder549 Yeah, looks like most of his big stuff from Free Fallin' onward. I Won't Back Down, Runnin' Down a Dream, Into the Great Wide Open, Learning to Fly. Guy knows his way around a memorable hook
You could play each and every song of this extraordinary group and we will never tire of them. I love to watch your eyes get big when they hit your heartstrings!!! Keep up the great work!
Wasn't no voice mail, no answering machines, cellphones, text messages,or hand held computers back when this song came out. No wonder our generation's music was so much better, less distractions, more time. Wilburys.
Agreed. that's why I love walking down memory lane with these twenty-year-olds because they just have no clue what life was like back then it was ten times better the anticipation of is she going to call me was just the best and then when the phone rang and your sister answers it! And then all the teasing began bc a girl was calling. Great times.
We didn't even have call waiting! I don't think kids today understand just how much has changed in the last 50 years. When I graduated high school in 84, it would take a truck to carry everything a we now have in a cell phone. Think about it, you would have to pack; a tv, vcr, vcr tapes, camera, video camera, stereo, records and tapes, guital tuner, calculator, video game consul, files, photo albums, word processor, dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, tons of books, maps, stamps, envelopes, pens, paper, file cabinets, clock, calendars, charge card machine, answering machine. . . Oh yeah, a big ass phone. That's not even considering the plethora of things I left of or hadn't even been invented yet. Before you kids start feeling all superior remember, it was my generation that got tired of lugging all that crap around and invented the tech that you enjoy.
Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame site: "Picking up where the Beatles left off, ELO expanded the concept of great melodies, epic song structures and grand orchestrations. ELO added an exciting mix of elements into rock and roll, including disco rhythms and electronic studio wizardry. Imagine a marriage of tuneful, rocking pop songs with instruments from the symphonic realm, and you’ve got the blueprint for what made ELO one of the most popular groups of the 1970s and beyond. Jeff Lynne, ELO’s vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, co-founder, and frontman, conceived of a rarefied musical sphere in which cellos coexisted with guitars, and where classically tinged progressive rock intersected with hook-filled, radio-friendly pop. The result: ELO’s boundary-breaking approach to rock that resonated with a global audience, both as a pop singles act and as album-oriented rockers with deep-track appeal".
This is one of my favorite ELO songs. It is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. Very evocative harmonies, lyrics, and instrumentation. It's just an absolutely beautiful song!
ELO is one of the best bands to ever exist and is very underrated. Their work is unique and absolutely stunning. Telephone Line has the most special place in my heart ❤️ I've seen them live last year and it was one of the best concerts I've been to in my life. I love that you pretty much react to all my favourites 😆 Had to subscribe since I've been watching your videos for the past 2 hours! Much love!
THIS is one of the most beautifully produced songs ELO ever did. EVERYTHING about it is just perfect. Jeff Lynne's vocals here were just beautiful -- full voice, falsetto, the lifts, the falls, etc. And the HARMONIES -- The song, in it's entirety, is just beautiful. Jamal -- This is back in the 70's -- WAY before the days of cell phone -- People had to get the help of a TELEPHONE OPERATER (usually a female) to help them make a long-distance phone call. It's kind of hard to explain to anyone who wasn't alive back in the day.
There was no such thing as voice mail when this song was created. I love that you seemed to almost be speechless.... Jeff Lynne is a living legend, singer, song writer, producer, artist. No other like him! ❤️🙌❤️
Jeff Lynne... straight up genius and one of the great vocalists ever... that man plays all instruments as well.. early on ELO was a proper band, but soon it was just Jeff in the studio doing nearly everything. He is still doing it today even. Had a new album that is absolutely fantastic just a couple years ago.
@@johnbenard9550 I'm talking about Alone in the Universe from 2015-2016... better album in my opinion, but either way the point is he is still active ;)
wpochert Yes has always remained active writing or producing other people’s music or guesting on others albums. However has not had a successful ELO album since ‘86’s Balance of Power. ELO just has not been the same ever since Lynne lost interest and disbanded the group. The quality of the music since the reformation without the others just plain sucks.
@@johnbenard9550 That's your opinion, but Alone in the Universe is as good as almost any album in the hey day .. and spell the mans name right ... its Lynne
The way I view this song is a message of someone who is lonely and trying to contact and re-connect with old friends who have since moved on living their own lives. I would also include this song in the current times we are in during this awful pandemic for those in self isolation.
I was privileged to attend the opening show on August 2018 in Oakland, Ca at Oracle Arena. It took them 37 years to get back there and over 30 years since the last time they toured North America. Let me tell you, not only had they not skipped a beat but they were multitudes better than ever. One of the best concerts I have ever seen and they lived up to the name.
Jamel_aka_Jamal... Please do a "reaction" to E.L.O.'s " Can't get it out of my head". Jeff Lynne is an excellent songwriter and vocalist.... Enjoy the journey down the rabbit hole - E.L.O. has a multitude of hits...
Genius Jeff Lynne, I’m glad you are here at the junction of ELO. Enjoy! ELO was progressive,classical, eclectic mix of music. Jeff Lynne is yet another of England’s gems.🎶❤️
This song came out just before my first break-up - EVER - with my high school sweetheart/college girlfriend. I saw ELO perform this without her at Boston Garden. It was paralyzingly beautiful to hear at that concert. But for years, I found listening to this song to be crushingly painful. I'm so glad that pain wore off because it's one of the most beautiful songs of my lifetime.
Great song from ELO. As many have said we did not have any modern communications devices in those days. Just a bare land line. Nothing was digital it was all analogue; phones, radio, TV, music from LPs or tape. Certainly reminds me of those days trying to ring the girlfriend and the phone just rings and rings till it rings out. Then you try again and again.
My favorite band growing up. I graduated in 1980. P.S. highly recommend playing Mr. Blue Sky ✌😎
4 года назад
I recommend Concerto For A Rainy Day. The (whole) third side of the two-disc vinyl release (that I once - don't ask - called my own… the artwork, OMG the artwork!) is one connected piece, and you really should listen to it in one go. Mr Blue Sky is just the capstone (and the hit… but I'm with Joe Jackson and his "Hit Single" there)
Listened to this on the radio back then when I was a teenager ... couldn't get a date and felt so depressed. No mobile phones then just a pay phone when I was making the the call. There were other expenses to deal with and we couldn't afford a house phone. Everything was a treasure ... even friendship. Miss those years.
Can't get it out of my head!!AWESOME SONG. AND YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT TELEPHONE LINE. its pronounced like it looks Eee L oh ELO. FINALLY AFTER MANY MANY YEARS I FINALLY GOT TO SEE THEM IN HOUSTON TX.It was a wonderful gift from my beautiful daughter. PRICELESS
This band was the very first I ever saw. At the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. I think I was 17 at the time. And they were awesome. Soon after I also saw Heart and The Eagles(twice each), and both were great, but ELO was the best concert I ever saw. Those guys on the cellos in their long white tuxedoes and that great voice and harmonies, all sharing a stage that was revealed in a cloud of smoke at the start when the space ship opened up revealing all this along with 2 white grand pianos. What?!! awesome! And for the time, it was high tech, they used lasers that spelled out lyrics in mid air. I always loved this band and I am a guy. none of my male friends would admit to liking this group. their loss. I knew they were special though. I knew they would last. and today you cannot turn around without hearing one of ELOs songs in a movie or commercial or something. My main love is classic rock, and ELO Is certainly not that, but they are phenomenal.
Jamel. You're listening to us baby boomers music we grue up with. I think it's great that you appreciate this great music and hope you cherish it as much as us short timers do. I love your reactions and your uplifting smiles. Keep it alive....
Jeff Lynne is a musical genius, I have loved him just about my whole life. To many songs to list, but please check out the The Traveling Wilburys, you wont be sorry.
You’re so right, Jeff Lynne is brilliant. Telephone Line was one of the first 45s I ever bought as a kid. It’s one of my favorite songs ever and I love all ELO.
Oh, Jamel, you magnificent bastard! I can only smile when you remind me how rapidly technology has changed our lives over the course of mine! There was no voice mail, email, or answering machines when this song was released in 1977. If the party you tried to reach did not 'pick up' the phone and speak with you, you just didn't communicate with them. You could direct dial persons who lived within your local area, but 'long-distance' calls had to be routed through a long-distance operator. And the charges for making such a call were pretty steep! If the person you called was not within earshot of their phone you didn't reach them and, if you weren't at the location of your home phone, you had to use a 'public phone' and pay with coins - phone cards didn't exist either. I sure miss those days - we all had more leisure time and the pace was less stressful!
According to wikipedia (trust *that* as you will); *"Telephone Line" is the theme song of the 1977 film Joyride* *The song is also featured in the movie Billy Madison* *It was also used on the HBO series Big Love in the season 2 episode "Vision Thing"* *It was also played in a car during the "Malcolm Holds His Tongue" episode of Malcolm in the Middle.*
I Loved this band, Worked at Walmart just a few years back and played thier music in the music section all the time, drove the guy who worked there nuts I played it so much but he let me. this group is so good and harmony is amazing and the sound. They said their concerns were amazing
The part of the song that you were talking about at the end is in a scene from Billy Madison. It’s the part where Adam Sandler calls Steve Buschemi to apologize for bullying him in high school. Steve forgives him, hangs up, and then puts lipstick on while reminiscing
Awesome!! One of my all-time favourite bands!!! Jeff Lynne is a genius!! So much cred!! ELO is a beautiful, epic, amazing rabbit hole!! I really hope they’re regulars on the channel!! Do Ya, Rockaria! (An official video reaction would be amazing for this one!), Last Train To London, Turn To Stone, Tightrope... I could add loads more. Thanks so much, Jamel!! This made my day!! ❤️ Stay well & safe!!! My favourite reactor hands down!!! 🙌🏻❤️👏🏻💯 ❤️ from 🇨🇦
Runamuck93 OMG, yes!!! Well ahead of their time! Yet, ELO/Lynne seem underrated to me... not that it means much (like the Grammys), but, they weren’t inducted into the R&RHoF until *2017!!* Which is unbelievable when you think about Jeff’s accomplishments! Aside from ELO, he’s produced some outstanding work for other MAJOR artists as well as written/co-written a plethora of hits (Tom Petty alone, some of his best work!). It’s fantastic to see such love for them in the comments!! I grew up on ELO & passed them on to my own kids, who love them as well.😊
JOEL LIEBLER They really are!! I especially enjoy when Jeff had the boys in the band with him back in the day... such gifted musicians who rocked those strings (keyboards, pianos, drums, bass, etc..., lol)!! When you actually contemplate how many phenomenal songs they’ve recorded, unlike anyone else except for a couple of “Beatle-esque” sounding hits, it’s quite mind blowing! I just adore them.☺️
Jeff Lynne captures the sound of the 70’s in one song. This album is one of the greatest ever. He’s a consummate producer/composer/ singer and he produced a lot of George Harrison’s albums.
@ItsMyLife Tx 😄Mood rings are so cool. I actually bought one a couple years ago at a rest stop shop while traveling, but I lost it the next day. Had me feeling very nostalgic though.
I did the same as a 13-year old (around 1978). But some of my friends knew them, even one of my dads friends actually (who had that space ship double album that got me hoked).
When I was in basic training in Ft. Knox, for armor tank training, I made a tape of songs, and sent it to her, this was the first song on the tape, I told her about it when I called her from the phone booth, wow, what memories...Thank You Brother Man...Rock On..
