Electric Light Orchestra’s ‘jolly’ hit was because of Jeff Lynne’s ‘good mood’ after huge headline show

A “jolly” song from a recent Electric Light Orchestra album was written as a response ot the “good mood” of frontman Jeff Lynne.

The Evil Woman hitmaker has shared the surprise response to their huge headline show, which then formed a song on the album From Out of Nowhere, ELO’s most recent release. His buoyant mood following the reaction to the performance played a huge part in creating the track, which Lynne confirmed during a song-by-song breakdown of the 2019 album. Lynne, who will retire from live performance after the Hyde Park show on July 14, says the “jolly” track was inspired by a 2014 show. ELO’s Wembley Stadium performance was recorded and subsequently released as a live album, and the performance seemingly left Lynne inspired.

He told Louder Sound: “This was about playing at Wembley, and I’ve even nicked a little bit of the crowd. We had audience microphones set up to record the applause – because we were making a film – and so I nicked a bit of the crowd’s vocals from when we were singing Telephone Line. There are probably a few thousand of them all singing the falsetto part.

“I put them in for the atmosphere, because that’s what it was really like. When I sang it, I could hear them all singing as well. 60,000 of them! I don’t know if they’re all singing, but 59,872 were.

“It’s very jolly, because I was in such a good mood having done that show. I was so nervous about the show, but it was great to do it and have it be a success. Everybody loved it.

“The nerves stop when you get on and do the first number and everyone goes mad. And the age groups are unbelievable! It’s ten-year-olds, twenty-year-olds, sixty-year-olds… and all the kids know all the words.”

Lynne references the Wembley Stadium show heavily in the song, Time of Our Lives. The opening bars mention the “football ground” and the disbelief at playing the huge venue. ELO will perform their last shows on the Over and Out tour later this year. The Lynne-fronted group will perform in Manchester and Birmingham before a final show at Hyde Park.

The Doobie Brothers and Dhani Harrison are among the opening acts for the massive showcase, which is set to be the final live performance from Lynne and the band. Though he may be bowing out form live shows, it is believed Lynne will continue creating music, either as a producer or as the lead of ELO.

He told MOJO Magazine: “I am happy with what I’ve done, and the crowd reactions to the shows and the music have been amazing. This is not a farewell to music. I am excited to return to the studio full-time, which is what I love!”