ELO unreleased "Beatles Forever"
BLACKPOOLJIMMY
Song by Electric Light Orchestra
Released Never
Recorded 1982-83 Wisselord Studios, Hilversum, Holland
Genre Rock
Length 4:26
Label Jet Records
Writer Jeff Lynne
Producer Jeff Lynne
"Beatles Forever" is a song recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra
(ELO) in 1983, intended for the album Secret Messages. When the album
was cut from a planned two-disc set to a single LP, "Beatles Forever"
was abandoned — and somwhat abruptly, given that it had previously
been cited as the likely lead-off single from the intended double LP.
It currently remains the only "lost" track from the original Secret
Messages album not to appear later as an official bonus track or part
of a compilation. However, the chorus part of "Beatles Forever" was
used by Jeff Lynne on his "Video!" solo single.
Acetates of Secret Messages are known to exist in the format of the
originally-intended double album. At an ELO Fan Club Convention,
"Beatles Forever" was played as a treat for fans under strict
conditions concerning the presence of recording equipment. These
conditions were evidently not strict enough, and a recording was made
(somewhat ironically) using a portable video camera. This bootleg
recording was subsequently made available as an MP3 download, with
predictably low sound quality given the source, format, and date of
the recording.
The track seems unlikely now to ever be given an official release,
with plenty of speculation as to the reasons why. One likely
explanation centers around some of Lynne's later involvements as a
producer, first with George Harrison and then with subsequently-
released Beatles material; Lynne, now having had the opportunity to
work closely with the subjects of the song (The Beatles and its
members), may have later felt somewhat embarrassed by the track.
Unfortunately for fans, "Beatles Forever" seems destined to remain in
the vaults forever...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEEDeB4zFg
Nil
rec.music.beatles:
> The track seems unlikely now to ever be given an official release,
> with plenty of speculation as to the reasons why. One likely
> explanation centers around some of Lynne's later involvements as a
> producer, first with George Harrison and then with subsequently-
> released Beatles material;
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEEDeB4zFg
I think the real reason it remains unreleased is that it's not really a
very good song, a deadly point when it begs to be compared to a real
Beatle song. Still, I think it's a charming valentine to Lynne's main
inspiration, and I wish it would be released.
I tried to learn this song for a public performance, but I couldn't
make it work for solo guitar and voice.
Have you heard Harry Nilsson's Beatles tribute song from 1964, "Stand
Up and Holler", and his later "You Can't Do That"? Both are very cute.
globular
Their first album got its name by a mistake, No Answer.
It's hard to work out Lynne solo projects from ELO generally.
Secret Messages is one of their albums I like a lot.
BLACKPOOLJIMMY
> On 28 Jan 2009, BLACKPOOLJIMMY <Blackpoolji...@aol.com> wrote in
> rec.music.beatles:
>
> > The track seems unlikely now to ever be given an official release,
> > with plenty of speculation as to the reasons why. One likely
> > explanation centers around some of Lynne's later involvements as a
> > producer, first with George Harrison and then with subsequently-
> > released Beatles material;
> >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEEDeB4zFg
>
> I think the real reason it remains unreleased is that it's not really a
> very good song, a deadly point when it begs to be compared to a real
> Beatle song. Still, I think it's a charming valentine to Lynne's main
> inspiration, and I wish it would be released.
agree
>
> I tried to learn this song for a public performance, but I couldn't
> make it work for solo guitar and voice.
>
> Have you heard Harry Nilsson's Beatles tribute song from 1964, "Stand
> Up and Holler", and his later "You Can't Do That"? Both are very cute.
agree. (not sure about "cute" though.)
topaz...@gmail.com
Thank you so much for finding this for us. Not the best ELO release
but still a wonderful song to share.
topaz...@gmail.com
Can you send these pieces into RMB? Sounds like they would be worth
hearing. Nillson had a wonderful sense of humor in his music.
Behold my tits of fire
It's just too bad Bip is too much of a melodramatic pussy to de-lurk
and talk about his heeero.
who?
> On Jan 28, 8:25 pm, Nil <redno...@REMOVETHIScomcast.net> wrote:
>
> > On 28 Jan 2009, BLACKPOOLJIMMY <Blackpoolji...@aol.com> wrote in
> > rec.music.beatles:
>
> > > The track seems unlikely now to ever be given an official release,
> > > with plenty of speculation as to the reasons why. One likely
> > > explanation centers around some of Lynne's later involvements as a
> > > producer, first with George Harrison and then with subsequently-
> > > released Beatles material;
> > >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSEEDeB4zFg
>
> > I think the real reason it remains unreleased is that it's not really a
> > very good song, a deadly point when it begs to be compared to a real
> > Beatle song. Still, I think it's a charming valentine to Lynne's main
> > inspiration, and I wish it would be released.
>
> agree
I'm not sure if I like this song or not.... sound quality being so
poor. It wouldn't be hard to do a version of it
with the right musicians. It's a bit like Hello Goodbye, Mind games, &
Penny Lane.
Fattuchus
>
> - Show quoted text -
This song sounds like someone is trying their hardest to be a Beatles
make believe band. I don't know much about ELO (although I like quite
a few of their songs). Were they a new band in 1982? It seems to
me that
this song would have been a bad choice for a new band to
release . . . . perhaps it would have worked once that band was
established and famous in their own right.
IMO if a new band released this song, people might have "written
off" the new band as merely a group of Beatles mimics. It would have
been bad publicity.
The song is OK but I don't see it as something serious. It makes me
think of a novelty record like "Ringo for President."
Fattuchus
> On 28 Jan 2009, BLACKPOOLJIMMY <Blackpoolji...@aol.com> wrote in
Nilsson is often cute.
who?
1977?
It seems to
> me that
> this song would have been a bad choice for a new band to
> release . . . . perhaps it would have worked once that band was
> established and famous in their own right.
That, and cause songs about the Beatles...from start to finish come
off as corny, IMO....though the intention was good.
>
> IMO if a new band released this song, people might have "written
> off" the new band as merely a group of Beatles mimics. It would have
> been bad publicity.
Well, ELO pulled it off, but Badfinger was the Best.
>
> The song is OK but I don't see it as something serious. It makes me
> think of a novelty record like "Ringo for President."
There you go!
JohnB
ELO's first self-titled album was released in 1972.
<snip>
who?
Interesting. Thanks, John. Did it sell well?
The Arranger
My 10-year-old son learned the guitar part to "Baby Blue" yesterday. I
have no idea where he's ever going to play this, or who he'll play it
with. My band was considered hopelessly out of date playing this stuff
in 1979.
The Arranger
JohnB
The single "10538 Overture" did ok, the album sold enough, but then
Roy Wood left to form Wizzard and Jeff Lynne took over. That's when
the real success started. That first album is possibly the only rock
album where the most prominent instrument seems to be the cello :-]
who?
It's really not out of date so much, IMO. It's your son finding a
great rhythm guitarist...and his ability to find and excellent rhythm
guitar player ...being able to find the
right person to play the part on rhythm guitar...which is hard to
find. That's where I excell in music..but finding someone his own age
willing to play the song may be impossible.
I Ran into a young guy the other day..for example..and he's 24 years
old...and I told him even though I would be considered an old
man..playing bass with his band
at at age 53..he and his band might appreciate my knowledge of me
playing bass for the fun of it..and my rhythm guitar skills..and he
never said no to me. I think
he has the intelligence to know that I'm not interested in putting any
members of his band down...for lack of their knowledge..but that I
could show them a few things.
We'll see what happens...but I only want to be of help to him and his
band, if he'll let me. I have no desire whatsoever to be a regular
member of any band ever again.
But, it would make me feel young again..sitting in with them. :-)
This song is a classic..and I hope young people carry on....playing
it..no matter what generation
they are.
who?
Hmmm. I never heard ELO until about 1976--77.
Nil
rec.music.beatles:
> This song sounds like someone is trying their hardest to be a
> Beatles make believe band.
No, it's someone who already had an entire mega-successful career being
a Beatles make believe band.
> I don't know much about ELO (although I like quite a few of their
> songs). Were they a new band in 1982?
No, they had already been making hit records for a decade before
that.
> It seems to me that this song would have been a bad choice for a
> new band to release . . . .
I guess Jeff Lynne would agree with you, since he hasn't released
it. And despite the label "ELO", this is a Jeff Lynne solo
production, not a band.
> The song is OK but I don't see it as something serious. It makes
> me think of a novelty record like "Ringo for President."
It's a tribute. I don't think it was intended to be either an
artistic statement or a hit record.