Electric Light Orchestra fans are pointing out the “songwriting style” similarities between frontman Jeff Lynne and The Beatles’ Paul McCartney.
A few listeners picked up on similarities between the two legendary artists with their “songwriting style” questioned in a post to Reddit’s ELO subreddit. One user asked: “Does anyone know what you call the back-and-forth notes/style (mainly on piano/keys) that Jeff Lynne likes to use on songs like Ordinary Dream, Blown Away, etc.? I know McCartney/Beatles use it in some songs.”
Fellow fans have since discussed the root note behind these similarities, with other Reddit users once calling ELO a band that sounds like “what The Beatles would’ve got up to in the 70s.” The original poster in the ELO thread added: “It’s the back-and-forth piano pattern that runs throughout each of those songs. And a few others he’s written. I think in songwriting and musical terms it’s a seventh or a fifth? But I can’t remember what that is called.”
One fan replied: “It’s the Root and third interval alternating with the fifth. It can also be the third and fifth alternating with the Root.” Another fan has since explained how a root note in the main chord works. They wrote: “It’s basically a root note in the main chord that you’re hearing repeatedly in the passing chords. For instance – Ordinary Dream is in D.D chord are the notes D – F # – A.
It’s the F# he keeps bouncing back on the passing chords. D (F#) F#m (F#) Bm (F#) etc. On a piano, it’s easy to play as you’re hitting 2 notes then 1 note, 2 notes then one note.”
Fans of The Beatles are now saying they had initially believed hit tracks like Mr. Blue Sky were in fact written and performed by the Fab Four. In a thread from last year, one fan wrote: “As an uninformed child I thought ‘Mr. Blue Sky‘ was a Beatles song.”
But another fan of the band who found the similarities a little too much to bare has found out why they dislike Lynne’s production and musical style. They wrote: “Do like ELO to an extent.. but I was listening to Flaming Pie today (produced by Jeff Lynne) and the new anthology tracks (also produced by Lynne) and I realized the thing I don’t like about them is the same thing Ringo didn’t like… the looping drums completely ruin any song dynamic.
“It eliminates empty space and any mild adjustments of tempo and makes the song one big repetitive idea. What makes the Beatles great is the band dynamic, the leaning, the emptiness and the fullness. Jeff Lynne’s works completely lack that aspect. I still respect their talent but ultimately ELO is a band I am fine owning just the greatest hits.”
