TOP TEN: The Best Songs Of Electric Light Orchestra (E.L.O.)

This band was formed in 1970 when Roy Wood (then member of the Move) wanted to form a band with classical sound mixing with rock to "pick up where the Beatles left off". Jeff Lynne (then frontman of 'Idle Race') loved the idea and in 1970 he joined Wood in forming Electric Light Orchestra (short ELO or E.L.O.). The eponymous debut studio album was released at the end of 1971. The album was released as "No Answer" in the United States in 1972 thanks to a misunderstanding. Joining Lynne and Wood on the album was drummer Bev Bevan. The album reached the Top 40 in their homecountry UK but barely cracked the US album charts. Wood soon left the group because of problems with their manager Dan Arden and he formed the band Wizzard. Lynne continued with different personal, added Richard Tandy to play synthesizer and occasionally guitar or bass guitar.

In early 1973 they released their 2nd album "ELO 2" and the single "Roll Over Beethoven" which became their 2nd UK Top 10 hit and their first to chart in the USA. In 1973 they released their next album "On The 3rd Day". In 1974 they released their 4th album "Eldorado, A Symphony" and it became their first gold album in the USA, peaking at #16 in the album charts. Following the release Kelly Groucutt was hired to play bass for the group. In 1975 they released their next album "Face The Music", including the single "Evil Woman", which became their 3rd Top 10 hit in the UK.

In 1976 they released their next album "A New World Record" - it became platinum in the UK and the USA and was their first Top 10 album in their homecountry. It included among others the hit single "Livin' Thing". In 1977 they followed it up with "Out of the Blue" - the album was certified platinum again in the UK and the USA and peaked in both charts at #4. Three singles from the album reached the Top 10 UK Single Charts.

After a long world tour they released their next album "Discovery" in 1979 - it became their first #1 lp in the UK and was certified double platinum in the USA and platinum in the UK. The single "Don't Bring Me Down" peaked at #4 in the US Billboard Hot 100 - their best result there.

In 1980 Lynne was asked to write music for a musical movie called "Xanadu" - the movie performed poorly but the soundtrack album was well received and certified double platinum. The title track with Olivia Newton-John peaked at #1 in the UK Single Charts and became their only #1 single. In 1981 they released their next album "Time" with a more current sound and peaked at #1 in the UK album charts for 2 weeks. In 1983 after problems with manager Arden arose and the oil crisis scratched plans for a double album they released "Secret Messages" and reached the Top 5 in the UK this time. Before they disbanded Lynne was forced to record one more album and so they did in 1986 with "Balance Of Power", another Top 10 album in the UK. Lynne then joined Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison and Bob Dylan to perform the supergroup "Traveling Wilburys" while Bev Bevan continued as ELO II.

In 2017 the key members of the band Wood, Lynne, Bevan and Tandy were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame. Lynne and Tandy have continued to make music under the name Jeff Lynne's ELO.

Here now are my favorite 10 songs of this group, hope you enjoy! What are your favorites? Write in the comments and discuss this video if you like, but please keep it civil. Thank you!

No copyright infringement intended you can buy and stream all these songs in your favorite store in full length. No money is made with these videos, they are simply a hobby to celebrate music. To support ELO go to their official sites, buy and stream their songs. Thank you!

[VAWineNB]

A very '80s-oriented list. You should have expanded it to top 20 songs as many classics are missing. No Telephone Line? No Shine a Little Love? No Strange Magic? No Evil Woman? No Can't Get it Out of My Head? No Showdown? You could also include a few solo cuts like "Save Me Now, " his beautiful song from Armchair Theater.

[TimBietka-ulxk]

I have always paid attention attention to E l O an Jeff Lynn, there music 🎶 was totally different but I still love it today, brings. Back the old school days memory s,

[hernanpatrik]

Evil Woman, I cant get it out my head, Roll Over Beethoven, Last Train to London, Midnight Blue, , Livin thing, telephone line, Blue Sky, Need her love, Confusion, Stranger, All over the World.

[paulinecooke]

I would have found room for the Diary of Horace Wimp and I can’t get it out of my head but some great choices from you.

[josefranciscogomez]

Last train to london, Evil woman, Midnight blue, Shine a little love, Need her love... Most of their best songs were not included

[ozziequinones]

In what universe are these the ten best songs of ELO?

[Tony-H-Gos]

Great to see a 'Top' Ten of ELO Songs here. But I've got to agree with 1 or 2 other posters - why no other greats like Roll Over Beethoven (best cover version ever), and Showdown (always like this one, 'forerunner' to Evil Woman and Livin' Thing)? What about Sweet Talkin' Woman, Strange Magic, Night Rider (both from Face the Music), Telephone Line (great song!) & Rockaria (New World Record), Last train to London, All over the world (Xanadu). Why not an album track like Night in the City, Starlight, or Standin' in the rain (Out of the blue)? Go for the best!

[greghansell]

It's interesting that there is nothing from 'Face The Music'. But thank goodness Livin' Thing is in there!

[karlranseier]

Their best years were between 1975 and 1979.

[locha]

I might not agree that Hold on tight is the best but this list was actually interesting. And calling America is like the single most underrated song in ELOs catalogue. Great to see it.

[KickAssets]

You ought to rename this the TOP 10 ELO songs with NO STRINGS!! haha As you missed all the genius songs.

[The_Lost_One]

That wasnt even the ELO version of Xanadu.

[depstein]

Love the representation from Time! it's my favorite album ever made and I love to see other people who like it too!

[feloeffel]

'rockaria' and '10538 Overture' are good songs too tho, but still good video

[tajtandoori]

Come on now last train to london is the best!

[richardmatte]

Fire on high? Nightrider?? Evil Woman??? This list has got to be a joke...good one.

[redskinsnut]

Surely you can't be serious. Xanadu?? Too many Time tunes.

[mgvideoproductions]

too much splits.... in "hold on for the very good!

[philipblack]

I would NOT have selected some of these songs to be in the top 10. They have many that are much better!! POOR