| Electric Light Orchestra – Livin' Thing Lyrics | 9 years ago |
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This song has been open to many interpretations over the years. In interviews Jeff Lynne himself has stated it is simply about love being a living thing. And while I cannot argue with the writer's assessment of his own lyrics, I can't help but feel that something else was left out of the story. To understand the full story you have to know the early days of the ELO. Their original lineup consisted of Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, Bev Bevan, Bill Hunt, and Steve Woolam. Upon completion of the first album, violinist Steve Woolam committed suicide. Although very little information can be found about this gentleman, what is out there paints a sad story of lost love, a falling out, and drugs which ultimately led him to jump from a building to his death. Knowing this and listening to the lyrics again and again I could not help but feel that this song is an account of Lynne's own emotions about this pivotal, yet oddly hushed moment of the band's history. In the lyrics he starts out talking about the emotional highs one feels when they are falling in love (Sailing away on the crest of a wave, it's like magic...) Then he goes to the next verse questioning what could have driven someone to move down the line so fast (makin' believe this is what you conceived from your worst day). Final verse he's talking about the act of suicide itself, still searching for reason and offering advice (Taking a dive, can't halt the slide... So let her go, don't start spoiling the show, it's a bad dream). Additionally he throws in background vocals throughout the song like "I'm taking a dive", "Higher and Higher" "Don't you do it" and an eerie, almost weeping violin to go along with all of it. I could be completely off, but it just seems to be a logical explanation knowing the band's history. I'd be curious to know others' opinions here. |
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