Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Song about ELO: The Story of a Rock 'n Roll Band

811 views
Skip to first unread message

Rob

unread,
Oct 30, 1999, 3:00:00 AM10/30/99
to
Randy Newman recorded this song and put it on his 1979 "Born Again" album. I
always thought it was a neat tribute to ELO, with it's strings, false ending
and all, even though it isn't entirely accurate withe the names, etc. Anyone
with thoughts on the song??

Rob

(For those who haven't heard it, hear are the lyrics:)

They were six fine English boys
Who know each other in Birmingham
They bought a drum and guitar
Started a rock-roll band

And Johnny played the little violin
and Bobby Joe played the big violin
The one that stands on the floor
They were all in the rock-roll band

Their first song sounded like this:
Please get me a witness
Please get me a witness

Right off, they needed a name
Someone said, "How 'bout the Renegads?"
Johnny said, "Well, I don't know.
I prefer E.L.O."

I love their "Mr. Blue Skies"
Almost my favorite is "Turn To Stone"
And how 'bout "Telephone Line"?
I love that E.L.O.

Reggi...@webtv.net

unread,
Oct 30, 1999, 3:00:00 AM10/30/99
to
i think it was 88 or 89 that jeff lynne produced and co-wrote a song by
randy newman called FALLING IN LOVE; it was used during the closing
credits to the tom selleck movie HER ALIBI...it is a pretty good tune.
the movie was quite funny also.


Martin Randall

unread,
Oct 31, 1999, 2:00:00 AM10/31/99
to
Actually, I never really thought of this as a tribute. But then again not
really a satire either. So I guess it was just one of those Randy Newman
songs that did not quite hit the target. Anyone else got another
interpretation/opinion ?

Steven Acevedo

unread,
Oct 31, 1999, 2:00:00 AM10/31/99
to
"Martin Randall" <mar...@randall-tyler.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

He does mention TURN TO STONE and MISTER BLUE SKY in it which is good
enough for me. Jeff later returned the favor by producing the song
FALLING IN LOVE.

-----------== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News ==----------
http://www.newsfeeds.com The Largest Usenet Servers in the World!
------== Over 73,000 Newsgroups - Including Dedicated Binaries Servers ==-----

Andrew Bradley

unread,
Nov 4, 1999, 3:00:00 AM11/4/99
to
> He does mention TURN TO STONE and MISTER BLUE SKY in it which is good
> enough for me. Jeff later returned the favor by producing the song
> FALLING IN LOVE.

Apparently, when Jeff finally met Randy Newman he went straight to the piano
and played and sung that song. Just to show he didn't mind. I think the song
shows Randy's puzzlement over exactly how a band like ELO could exist. I
mean, they were an unusual lineup.

Andrew

http://www.mp3.com/AndrewBradley

Martin Randall

unread,
Nov 8, 1999, 3:00:00 AM11/8/99
to

Steven Acevedo wrote in message <381ba8a1...@news.kua.net>...

>"Martin Randall" <mar...@randall-tyler.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>
>He does mention TURN TO STONE and MISTER BLUE SKY in it which is good
>enough for me.

Beg to differ but simply mentioning song titles does not constitute a
tribute - could it not be irony ?

Rob

unread,
Nov 9, 1999, 3:00:00 AM11/9/99
to
>Beg to differ but simply mentioning song titles does not constitute a
>tribute - could it not be irony ?
>


I think if you heard the song you would agree it was written with rather fond
thoughts of ELO. It even sounds ELOish in stretches, with a few strings
included.

Rob

Martin Randall

unread,
Nov 9, 1999, 3:00:00 AM11/9/99
to

Rob wrote in message

>I think if you heard the song you would agree it was written with rather
fond
>thoughts of ELO. It even sounds ELOish in stretches, with a few strings
>included.


Have heard it - have several Randy Newman albums. It may well sound
ELO-ish - ever heard of parody and pastiche ? You can be fond and ironic at
the same time. Anyone got anything to add re what Randy Newman himself said
about the song ?

M Wilbury

unread,
Nov 10, 1999, 3:00:00 AM11/10/99
to
<<<Have heard it - have several Randy Newman albums. It may well sound
ELO-ish - ever heard of parody and pastiche ? You can be fond and ironic at
the same time. Anyone got anything to add re what Randy Newman himself said
about the song ?>>>

A tribute from Randy Newman? From the King of musical sarcasm and irony? I
think you would be kidding yourself if you thought Newman was giving ELO a big
thumbs up in "Story of...". One look at the cover art of the album "Born
Again" signals where he was directing one this album's jabs (it portrays Randy
as a business man sitting behind a corporate desk with KISS makeup on his face,
)...

"Corporate Rock"...

...which was the distain of many hardcore rockers and critics in the mid to
late 70s. ELO was accused of being so by many when they finally hit BIG.

Remember?

Though maybe we should be "honored" that Randy chose ELO over other acts to
immortalize in his song, please don't take it at its face value. Please don't
take any Randy Newman song at its face value.

Matt Wilbury

Martin Randall

unread,
Nov 10, 1999, 3:00:00 AM11/10/99
to

M Wilbury wrote >A tribute from Randy Newman? From the King of musical

sarcasm and irony? I
>think you would be kidding yourself if you thought Newman was giving ELO a
big
>thumbs up in "Story of...".
>
>Though maybe we should be "honored" that Randy chose ELO over other acts to
>immortalize in his song, please don't take it at its face value. Please
don't
>take any Randy Newman song at its face value.


Seconded wholeheartedly Matt.

0 new messages