A song from legendary rock group Electric Light Orchestra could have made it to the top of the charts if the label had pushed it, John Lennon claimed.
In a radio interview introducing the song to listeners, The Beatles member backed the Jeff Lynne-fronted group and their song, Showdown. Though the song in question never did top the charts, Lennon’s appreciation for the band, which he dubbed the “Son of Beatles”, was clear. In an interview given to a local radio station, Lennon picked several songs he would like to be broadcast. One song chosen by Lennon was the ELO track, Showdown. Though the song would miss out on the number one spot, it garnered high praise from Lennon, who included it as one of his radio play choices.
The Beatles’ influence on frontman Jeff Lynne and ELO is clear, with the band stating that they wanted to continue on from where I Am the Walrus left off. Lennon picked up on that desire just a few years on from the release of their On the Third Day single.
Lennon said: “We’re going to play Electric Light Orchestra, from last year. Showdown,’ which I thought was a great record, and I was expecting it to be Number One, but I don’t think UA [United Artists] got their fingers out and pushed it.” The Beatles’ songwriter went on to praise ELO as a “really nice group” who were clearly influenced by the Fab Four.
Lennon added: “And it’s a nice group, I call them Son of Beatles, although they’re doing things that we never did, obviously. I remember the statement they made when they first formed was to carry on from where The Beatles left off with ‘[I Am the] Walrus,’ and they certainly did.”
The Beatles member explained the influences of Showdown during his interview, saying it was more than just a rip of the Fab Four sound. He shared: “Now, for those people who would like to know where licks and things come from, like I do, because I’m always nicking little things myself.
“This is a beautiful combination of I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, and [Lightnin’] Strikes… Lou Christie, and it’s a beautiful job with a little Walrus underneath.” Showdown features on ELO’s third album, On the Third Day, with Lynne using Marc Bolan’s guitar to get the song’s sound.
Bolan had been present in the recording studio and played on some of the songs for On the Third Day, though loaned his guitar to Lynne for Showdown. Lynne’s work on the song received praise as soon as it was cut, with the sound engineer praising the songwriter for having made a “classic”.
Lynne shared: “I made the riff up and I was thrilled with it. I knew it was going to be a hit even after I had just done a few notes of it. When we cut it, the engineer said, ‘This is a classic.’ I was thrilled to bits.” Showdown would peak in the UK Charts at Number Twelve.
