@@jamelakajamal you are the man - you make my day when you post new stuff every day. If more folks were like you (and your 385k subscribers) we would be well on our way to better race relations in this country. 👍 Keep up the good work!
Down the rabbit hole ya go: Sweet Talking Woman Strange Magic Living Thing Turn to Stone Don't Bring Me Down Evil Woman Cant Get It Out of My Head Do Ya Shine a Little Love
I would say underrated 10 - 25 years ago, but today they have seen a great rebirth - sold out arena tours worldwide, rock hall of fame inductees, etc. ELO was always a little ahead of their time. It just took the world a little time to catch up with them again.
Jeff Lynne. Like Rodger Hodgson of Supertramp. Great music we all recognize, but people rarely can name the band. Because they never destroyed hotel room or got arrested for piker sh*t.
My uncle helped teach me to read with the lyrics from the liner notes of this song. Then decades later I became a 411 operator. Sad to say, I've had to imitate the sound of a busy signal because no one under age 50 remembers. And people freak when I say it's ok to take the phone off the hook. LOL
When you used a pay phone, yeah an operator would cut in, especially if he had called collect. It is obvious that the singer used a pay phone. Had he called her from his own telephone, there would have been no operator interruption, just an endless ring because his ex never picked up the phone at her end.
Jeff Lynne of ELO was also later a member of the super group The Traveling Wilburys Which also included such legends as Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan
You guys are pretty close. Jeff met George Harrison in London, when the Beatles first started. Jeff was in his own band known as the gollywogs. George asked him to join in with Billy Preston to do the Let it be album, but by then he had also did rhythm guitar on the Magical Mystery Album. Later, Peter Gabriel introduce Jeff to a couple of classical musicians, and ELO was born. Jeff not only produce the Beatles last three songs, he produced the entire Anthology Album, and gave us the last time we would ever hear from the fab four. Yes, he ( along with George Harrison) was the producers of the traveling wilburys. End of the line was written by George, and was kind of a personal tribute to John Lennon. 1998 Grad,...Elliot Music hall,...Purdue.
Remember all the little tricks we had to do to save money from Ma Bell? Call collect and make up a name that was coded to mean something, then the other party would deny the call but get the message. Then in the late 70's some kid figured how to send sounds over the lines to get free long distance.
This song takes a DEEP dive into the aspect of loving someone that does not love you back. SO appropriate for us to just FEEL it and take in the concept that just because you feel it doesn't mean the other person has to even acknowledge that you EXIST. The best lesson though is that your deep love need not be wasted on those that forsake you. YOU CAN LOVE AND BE LOVED AGAIN! BAM!
He wasn't leaving a voice mail, this was the late 70's. Answering machines didn't start coming out till the 80's. It's what he would have said IF she would only answer the phone
bc1969214 that was not voicemail. If you look at the phone it is on a black box, that is the answering machine. When you went out you turned on the machine. When you got back home you would have to rewind the tape to listen to the message
Kim, I read that effect was created by Jeff Lynn actually singing into a phone as it was being recorded, then blended with his actual, unfiltered, real time voice.
michaeldubya Exactly - we didn’t get an answering machine until I was somewhere in high school, so in the ‘80-84 time frame ... and according to Wiki it wasn’t until 1984 after the AT&T breakup that people no longer feared Ma Bell finding out you had unapproved equipment on your line that sales hit 1 million. I remember heading this song at a friend’s house whose dad had an awesome sound system ...
When I grew up, we had a "party line". If you picked up the phone to make a call, and someone was talking, you had to hang up, and wait until you picked up and there was a dial tone, then it was your turn to make a call. Plus you could only walk as far as the cord on the phone would extend. I see some Utube segments, on asking teenagers how to use a dial phone. It's halarious!
I'm 54. Never had an answering machine until I moved out of my parents' house and into my own apartment in 1988. Back then, they worked with cassette tapes.
This is my favorite ELO song of all time. Yes, the refrain is amazing. The emotion they convey. Sublime. And being one that struggles with depression I can really connect with this song. Consider the lyrics and theme. He is reaching out to a friend. Someone he was intimate with. And he just wants to talk. This is shown by "The things we did were all for real, not a dream" and "I'd tell you everything if you'd just pick up that telephone." I can understand this desire to find a connection with someone I have been close with. Someone I trust. How I know there is a link to depression from the following. He is willing to just let is sit and ring hoping to reach the person he is trying to call (this was in the 70s and therefore before voicemail and answering machines). "Blue days, black nights". I know those days and nights. The days you feel blue and depressed and the nights you just try to make it through. This can be very rough. "I look into the sky" The contemplation of the next line "The love you need ain't gonna see you through" The realization that the person you thought you could call and talk to isn't going to be there for you. "And I wonder why", more contemplation of the following. "The little things you planned ain't coming true" wondering how you are where you are rather than where you wanted to be. And then the final part that links it to depression. "telephone line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight". Twilight. Not quite dark, so life is not over but still not in the light so still not living. A point in between. Limbo. In life, depression is a best described as living in limbo. You are not truly dead but you are not really living. You are in twilight.| Jeff Lynne is amazing. I am sad I was not able to go to see them in concert last year.
@David James trust me. I do have depression. There are certain life circumstances which has lead to it. I take care of my disabled mother (while working a job that can have me putting in over 85, very active, hours a week) and have done so for over a decade. Have not been able to have a life for myself in that time. My mother's need for help takes my time off (including sleep hours). And now she is dying of stage 4 cancer. I go through some very dark periods (thought-wise). But your point, I get, is that the connection to the song I have doesn't require understanding depression. Am I correct?
Ok I’ll throw in a few ELO suggestions: Can’t Get it Out Of my Head;Evil Woman; Roll Over Beethoven; Strange Magic; Rockaria. A lot of material to work with.
Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame site: "Picking up where the Beatles left off, ELO expanded the concept of great melodies, epic song structures and grand orchestrations. ELO added an exciting mix of elements into rock and roll, including disco rhythms and electronic studio wizardry. Imagine a marriage of tuneful, rocking pop songs with instruments from the symphonic realm, and you’ve got the blueprint for what made ELO one of the most popular groups of the 1970s and beyond. Jeff Lynne, ELO’s vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, co-founder, and frontman, conceived of a rarefied musical sphere in which cellos coexisted with guitars, and where classically tinged progressive rock intersected with hook-filled, radio-friendly pop. The result: ELO’s boundary-breaking approach to rock that resonated with a global audience, both as a pop singles act and as album-oriented rockers with deep-track appeal".
I love your reactions and interpretation of the lyrics. Enjoy your program! This reflected phone calling in the 70's, no answering machines then, no cell phones. The soud effects are old sounds from a telephone line trying for connection. We needed Operator assistance back then to connect with long distance calling! That was considered across our nation, or most certaily international. My how things have changed!
Jeff Lynne, the group's lead and founder was heavily influenced by The Beatles and his early work really shows that. Funny how he joined up with George Harrison in later years. The surviving Beatles (minus John Lennon) respected him enough to have him produce their Anthology set and recreate a couple of unpublished songs from demos. Jeff Lynne is a musical legend - look up his accomplishments in the music industry.
Jeff Lynne... straight up genius and one of the great vocalists ever... that man plays all instruments as well.. early on ELO was a proper band, but soon it was just Jeff in the studio doing nearly everything. He is still doing it today even. Had a new album that is absolutely fantastic just a couple years ago.
@@johnbenard9550 I'm talking about Alone in the Universe from 2015-2016... better album in my opinion, but either way the point is he is still active ;)
wpochert Yes has always remained active writing or producing other people’s music or guesting on others albums. However has not had a successful ELO album since ‘86’s Balance of Power. ELO just has not been the same ever since Lynne lost interest and disbanded the group. The quality of the music since the reformation without the others just plain sucks.
@@johnbenard9550 That's your opinion, but Alone in the Universe is as good as almost any album in the hey day .. and spell the mans name right ... its Lynne
You could play each and every song of this extraordinary group and we will never tire of them. I love to watch your eyes get big when they hit your heartstrings!!! Keep up the great work!
This is one of my favorite ELO songs. It is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. Very evocative harmonies, lyrics, and instrumentation. It's just an absolutely beautiful song!
This is my evidence I present when I defend Jeff Lynne. Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison formed a band, and needed a fifth. Out of all the legends that lineup rightly could've recruited, Jeff Lynne was the dude, hands down. F*cking legend
@@shawnschroeder549 Yeah, looks like most of his big stuff from Free Fallin' onward. I Won't Back Down, Runnin' Down a Dream, Into the Great Wide Open, Learning to Fly. Guy knows his way around a memorable hook
@@qseep yeah happy to say I was there in the seventies hearing ELO the first time around on the radio. We kids also used to make goofy messages on answering machine tape so, not that rare then! Not that it matters 40+ yrs later 😉
Great song from ELO. As many have said we did not have any modern communications devices in those days. Just a bare land line. Nothing was digital it was all analogue; phones, radio, TV, music from LPs or tape. Certainly reminds me of those days trying to ring the girlfriend and the phone just rings and rings till it rings out. Then you try again and again.
@@katherinemiller2401 Just today I've been listening to, and trying to copy on the keyboard, Midnight Blue (Discovery Album). That's up there with Can't Get it Out of My Head. Good choices though.
Jamal, "the voice mail?" When this song was written, there weren't even answering machines, nevermind voice mail. Someone didn't pick up, you called back later. The good old days..... when we were all free.
The way I view this song is a message of someone who is lonely and trying to contact and re-connect with old friends who have since moved on living their own lives. I would also include this song in the current times we are in during this awful pandemic for those in self isolation.
@ItsMyLife Tx 😄Mood rings are so cool. I actually bought one a couple years ago at a rest stop shop while traveling, but I lost it the next day. Had me feeling very nostalgic though.
ELO is one of the best bands to ever exist and is very underrated. Their work is unique and absolutely stunning. Telephone Line has the most special place in my heart ❤️ I've seen them live last year and it was one of the best concerts I've been to in my life. I love that you pretty much react to all my favourites 😆 Had to subscribe since I've been watching your videos for the past 2 hours! Much love!
THIS is one of the most beautifully produced songs ELO ever did. EVERYTHING about it is just perfect. Jeff Lynne's vocals here were just beautiful -- full voice, falsetto, the lifts, the falls, etc. And the HARMONIES -- The song, in it's entirety, is just beautiful. Jamal -- This is back in the 70's -- WAY before the days of cell phone -- People had to get the help of a TELEPHONE OPERATER (usually a female) to help them make a long-distance phone call. It's kind of hard to explain to anyone who wasn't alive back in the day.
Jamel_aka_Jamal... Please do a "reaction" to E.L.O.'s " Can't get it out of my head". Jeff Lynne is an excellent songwriter and vocalist.... Enjoy the journey down the rabbit hole - E.L.O. has a multitude of hits...
There was an interview with John Lennon and he was asked, if the Beatles had stayed together, who would they be, Lennon replied "Electric Light Orchestra"
Can't get it out of my head!!AWESOME SONG. AND YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT TELEPHONE LINE. its pronounced like it looks Eee L oh ELO. FINALLY AFTER MANY MANY YEARS I FINALLY GOT TO SEE THEM IN HOUSTON TX.It was a wonderful gift from my beautiful daughter. PRICELESS
I was privileged to attend the opening show on August 2018 in Oakland, Ca at Oracle Arena. It took them 37 years to get back there and over 30 years since the last time they toured North America. Let me tell you, not only had they not skipped a beat but they were multitudes better than ever. One of the best concerts I have ever seen and they lived up to the name.
This song came out just before my first break-up - EVER - with my high school sweetheart/college girlfriend. I saw ELO perform this without her at Boston Garden. It was paralyzingly beautiful to hear at that concert. But for years, I found listening to this song to be crushingly painful. I'm so glad that pain wore off because it's one of the most beautiful songs of my lifetime.
Listened to this on the radio back then when I was a teenager ... couldn't get a date and felt so depressed. No mobile phones then just a pay phone when I was making the the call. There were other expenses to deal with and we couldn't afford a house phone. Everything was a treasure ... even friendship. Miss those years.
My favorite band growing up. I graduated in 1980. P.S. highly recommend playing Mr. Blue Sky ✌😎
Před 4 lety
I recommend Concerto For A Rainy Day. The (whole) third side of the two-disc vinyl release (that I once - don't ask - called my own… the artwork, OMG the artwork!) is one connected piece, and you really should listen to it in one go. Mr Blue Sky is just the capstone (and the hit… but I'm with Joe Jackson and his "Hit Single" there)
This band was the very first I ever saw. At the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. I think I was 17 at the time. And they were awesome. Soon after I also saw Heart and The Eagles(twice each), and both were great, but ELO was the best concert I ever saw. Those guys on the cellos in their long white tuxedoes and that great voice and harmonies, all sharing a stage that was revealed in a cloud of smoke at the start when the space ship opened up revealing all this along with 2 white grand pianos. What?!! awesome! And for the time, it was high tech, they used lasers that spelled out lyrics in mid air. I always loved this band and I am a guy. none of my male friends would admit to liking this group. their loss. I knew they were special though. I knew they would last. and today you cannot turn around without hearing one of ELOs songs in a movie or commercial or something. My main love is classic rock, and ELO Is certainly not that, but they are phenomenal.
Genius Jeff Lynne, I’m glad you are here at the junction of ELO. Enjoy! ELO was progressive,classical, eclectic mix of music. Jeff Lynne is yet another of England’s gems.🎶❤️
There was no such thing as voice mail when this song was created. I love that you seemed to almost be speechless.... Jeff Lynne is a living legend, singer, song writer, producer, artist. No other like him! ❤️🙌❤️
Wasn't no voice mail, no answering machines, cellphones, text messages,or hand held computers back when this song came out. No wonder our generation's music was so much better, less distractions, more time. Wilburys.
Agreed. that's why I love walking down memory lane with these twenty-year-olds because they just have no clue what life was like back then it was ten times better the anticipation of is she going to call me was just the best and then when the phone rang and your sister answers it! And then all the teasing began bc a girl was calling. Great times.
We didn't even have call waiting! I don't think kids today understand just how much has changed in the last 50 years. When I graduated high school in 84, it would take a truck to carry everything a we now have in a cell phone. Think about it, you would have to pack; a tv, vcr, vcr tapes, camera, video camera, stereo, records and tapes, guital tuner, calculator, video game consul, files, photo albums, word processor, dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, tons of books, maps, stamps, envelopes, pens, paper, file cabinets, clock, calendars, charge card machine, answering machine. . . Oh yeah, a big ass phone. That's not even considering the plethora of things I left of or hadn't even been invented yet. Before you kids start feeling all superior remember, it was my generation that got tired of lugging all that crap around and invented the tech that you enjoy.
I Loved this band, Worked at Walmart just a few years back and played thier music in the music section all the time, drove the guy who worked there nuts I played it so much but he let me. this group is so good and harmony is amazing and the sound. They said their concerns were amazing
I grew up listening to ELO on vinyl from my parents record collection. Mostly jazz and broadway, but they had ELO and Hendrix. Thoroughly enjoying every video. Keep it going. There's so much more out there. It would take 100 lifetimes to listen to all the great music in this world. And one day I hope one of my requests gets through to you. Since we've had to spend so very much time at home during the last few months, your videos have kept a smile not only on my face, but also my 11 year old daughter and 9 year old son. Peace!
Jeff Lynne is a musical genius, I have loved him just about my whole life. To many songs to list, but please check out the The Traveling Wilburys, you wont be sorry.
You’re so right, Jeff Lynne is brilliant. Telephone Line was one of the first 45s I ever bought as a kid. It’s one of my favorite songs ever and I love all ELO.
Awesome!! One of my all-time favourite bands!!! Jeff Lynne is a genius!! So much cred!! ELO is a beautiful, epic, amazing rabbit hole!! I really hope they’re regulars on the channel!! Do Ya, Rockaria! (An official video reaction would be amazing for this one!), Last Train To London, Turn To Stone, Tightrope... I could add loads more. Thanks so much, Jamel!! This made my day!! ❤️ Stay well & safe!!! My favourite reactor hands down!!! 🙌🏻❤️👏🏻💯 ❤️ from 🇨🇦
Runamuck93 OMG, yes!!! Well ahead of their time! Yet, ELO/Lynne seem underrated to me... not that it means much (like the Grammys), but, they weren’t inducted into the R&RHoF until *2017!!* Which is unbelievable when you think about Jeff’s accomplishments! Aside from ELO, he’s produced some outstanding work for other MAJOR artists as well as written/co-written a plethora of hits (Tom Petty alone, some of his best work!). It’s fantastic to see such love for them in the comments!! I grew up on ELO & passed them on to my own kids, who love them as well.😊
JOEL LIEBLER They really are!! I especially enjoy when Jeff had the boys in the band with him back in the day... such gifted musicians who rocked those strings (keyboards, pianos, drums, bass, etc..., lol)!! When you actually contemplate how many phenomenal songs they’ve recorded, unlike anyone else except for a couple of “Beatle-esque” sounding hits, it’s quite mind blowing! I just adore them.☺️
Oh, Jamel, you magnificent bastard! I can only smile when you remind me how rapidly technology has changed our lives over the course of mine! There was no voice mail, email, or answering machines when this song was released in 1977. If the party you tried to reach did not 'pick up' the phone and speak with you, you just didn't communicate with them. You could direct dial persons who lived within your local area, but 'long-distance' calls had to be routed through a long-distance operator. And the charges for making such a call were pretty steep! If the person you called was not within earshot of their phone you didn't reach them and, if you weren't at the location of your home phone, you had to use a 'public phone' and pay with coins - phone cards didn't exist either. I sure miss those days - we all had more leisure time and the pace was less stressful!
The part of the song that you were talking about at the end is in a scene from Billy Madison. It’s the part where Adam Sandler calls Steve Buschemi to apologize for bullying him in high school. Steve forgives him, hangs up, and then puts lipstick on while reminiscing
his voice brought me so many memories, so many great songs from that band and that voice. i saw him doing the george harrison tribute with the song "while my guitar gently weeps" and it hit me like a slap. i have to hear more ELO!!
You should do Don't Bring Me Down next.
Wow!! You Just Answered my question for my Beatles reaction I just did of (Don’t Let Me Down) Which I will be posting
You’ll understand when you see my Beatles Reaction
@@jamelakajamal you are the man - you make my day when you post new stuff every day.
If more folks were like you (and your 385k subscribers) we would be well on our way to better race relations in this country. 👍
Keep up the good work!
Down the rabbit hole ya go:
Sweet Talking Woman
Strange Magic
Living Thing
Turn to Stone
Don't Bring Me Down
Evil Woman
Cant Get It Out of My Head
Do Ya
Shine a Little Love
@@jamelakajamal ELO had a mission to pick up musically where the Beatles left off!
ELO is one of the most underrated bands ever. Tons of hits, that most people think are someone else.
Underrated?
They were massive from around 1971 in the UK, Europe, the Far East, & Australasia!
It was only the Americas that missed them back then.
Not underrated.
I would say underrated 10 - 25 years ago, but today they have seen a great rebirth - sold out arena tours worldwide, rock hall of fame inductees, etc. ELO was always a little ahead of their time. It just took the world a little time to catch up with them again.
Excellent in concert!
When this song was written, there were no answering machines, let alone voice mail. =)
My friend you have just stumbled upon the legend that is Jeff Lynne.
He’s a god. He’s the only one I listen to in my care literally everyday to work lol
Total legend
WORD UP
The fifth Beatle
Yesss Sir 👍
One of the most talented singer songwriters that has ever lived.
Jeff Lynne.
Like Rodger Hodgson of Supertramp.
Great music we all recognize, but people rarely can name the band.
Because they never destroyed hotel room or got arrested for piker sh*t.
You got that right
Totally agree , absolutely love Jeff Lynne! Incredible voice
Not to mention he produced a few Beatles albums and was a member of the Travelling Wilbury's. The greatest group of artists in mho.
Saw them in concert in 1978. If I could go back and relive any concert it would be that one
You stumbled into a world that no longer exists. Operators that would not let you ring forever... no such thing as voice mail...
I feel old suddenly. Lol . I remember no answering machines.
My uncle helped teach me to read with the lyrics from the liner notes of this song. Then decades later I became a 411 operator. Sad to say, I've had to imitate the sound of a busy signal because no one under age 50 remembers. And people freak when I say it's ok to take the phone off the hook. LOL
When you used a pay phone, yeah an operator would cut in, especially if he had called collect. It is obvious that the singer used a pay phone. Had he called her from his own telephone, there would have been no operator interruption, just an endless ring because his ex never picked up the phone at her end.
@@shayleeledevre6401 yep, don't let it get you down, you are still breathing
@@thomast8539 and old. 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you though, I'm not down. 🙂🙂🙂
The only person with "voice mail" in those days was Jim Rockford.
LOL!!!
😂😂😂😂
What's hilarious is all the people that don't get that reference. Great show.
Good one! I’d forgotten about the Rockford Files.
That made my day. I loved that show. I used to watch that show with my grandfather. Lol
Jeff Lynne is a genius ,singer ,songwriter,multi-instrumentalist and producer.
All of ELO's music is awesome.
YES!
An anomaly of contemporary music indeed.
I think Jeff Lynne is a grossly under appreciated singer. Elo had a unique sound and a big part of the was Jeff's vocals
Facts!
How good is this track?
44 years on it still sounds amazing to me.
ELO is my all time favorite group and Jeff Lynne is a musical genius.
Jeff Lynne is amazing 💯
Jeff Lynne of ELO was also later a member of the super group The Traveling Wilburys Which also included such legends as Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, George Harrison, and Bob Dylan
and ended up producing the last Beatles (Threetles) songs "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love"
And was also in the move .
He brought the Beatles back together for their anthology dvd series
You guys are pretty close.
Jeff met George Harrison in London, when the Beatles first started.
Jeff was in his own band known as the gollywogs.
George asked him to join in with Billy Preston to do the Let it be album, but by then he had also did rhythm guitar on the Magical Mystery Album.
Later, Peter Gabriel introduce Jeff to a couple of classical musicians, and ELO was born.
Jeff not only produce the Beatles last three songs, he produced the entire Anthology Album, and gave us the last time we would ever hear from the fab four.
Yes, he ( along with George Harrison) was the producers of the traveling wilburys.
End of the line was written by George, and was kind of a personal tribute to John Lennon.
1998 Grad,...Elliot Music hall,...Purdue.
And cololabration with Prince as well
Sweetie we didn't have answering machine or voicemail when this song came out. And we used the operator often for long distance calls.🙂
Don't forget this was before call waiting also. Had to call the operator to cut in.
You might have to explain the concept of an operator also. ;)
Paul Gardner ha ha ha haaaaa true!
@@charliemac64 Dial '0' for an emergency!
I am too old.
Remember all the little tricks we had to do to save money from Ma Bell? Call collect and make up a name that was coded to mean something, then the other party would deny the call but get the message. Then in the late 70's some kid figured how to send sounds over the lines to get free long distance.
It’s nice to see people are still discovering ELO for the first time. Such an amazing experience.
This song takes a DEEP dive into the aspect of loving someone that does not love you back. SO appropriate for us to just FEEL it and take in the concept that just because you feel it doesn't mean the other person has to even acknowledge that you EXIST. The best lesson though is that your deep love need not be wasted on those that forsake you. YOU CAN LOVE AND BE LOVED AGAIN! BAM!
He wasn't leaving a voice mail, this was the late 70's. Answering machines didn't start coming out till the 80's. It's what he would have said IF she would only answer the phone
He was talking into the telephone ... to the endless ringtone.
@@johnnyfoe707 joke's on you, I disabled my voicemail :3
Remember not being able to leave your house? I wish now I could walk away and not be expected respond immediately.
I'm sure voice mail existed in the 70s (cue Rockford Files intro) but yeah voice mail wasn't part of this song.
bc1969214 that was not voicemail. If you look at the phone it is on a black box, that is the answering machine. When you went out you turned on the machine. When you got back home you would have to rewind the tape to listen to the message
“Evil Woman” and “Do Ya” are great ones too
YES
Nick Morken Yes!
"Do Ya"... my ELO favorite!
"Evil Woman," and then "Devil Woman," then "Witchy Woman." back to back to back :-)
A New World Record
I love how his voice changes from sounding like he's talking on the phone to regular voice as we realize that she's not answering.
Kim, I read that effect was created by Jeff Lynn actually singing into a phone as it was being recorded, then blended with his actual, unfiltered, real time voice.
Jeff Lynne's voice is so wonderful on this song. He sings it with real feeling.
Answering machines were rare at the time, no caller id, voicemail? Nope. You’d call and hope the party would pick up.
michaeldubya Exactly - we didn’t get an answering machine until I was somewhere in high school, so in the ‘80-84 time frame ... and according to Wiki it wasn’t until 1984 after the AT&T breakup that people no longer feared Ma Bell finding out you had unapproved equipment on your line that sales hit 1 million. I remember heading this song at a friend’s house whose dad had an awesome sound system ...
When I grew up, we had a "party line". If you picked up the phone to make a call, and someone was talking, you had to hang up, and wait until you picked up and there was a dial tone, then it was your turn to make a call. Plus you could only walk as far as the cord on the phone would extend. I see some Utube segments, on asking teenagers how to use a dial phone. It's halarious!
nebbin dog Huh?
michaeldubya I am assuming he is talking about the vast number of candles required! :)
Busy signals, party lines, long distance charges, phones had cords...back when you had to get up to turn the T.V. on or change the channel.
Yes, when he says "So no one's answering, but could you just let it ring a little longer, longer..." he's talking to the operator.
I'm 54. Never had an answering machine until I moved out of my parents' house and into my own apartment in 1988. Back then, they worked with cassette tapes.
You look great for 54!
Ha! You sounded old. Then I realized I'm older.
Yep!
This is my favorite ELO song of all time. Yes, the refrain is amazing. The emotion they convey. Sublime. And being one that struggles with depression I can really connect with this song. Consider the lyrics and theme. He is reaching out to a friend. Someone he was intimate with. And he just wants to talk. This is shown by "The things we did were all for real, not a dream" and "I'd tell you everything if you'd just pick up that telephone." I can understand this desire to find a connection with someone I have been close with. Someone I trust.
How I know there is a link to depression from the following.
He is willing to just let is sit and ring hoping to reach the person he is trying to call (this was in the 70s and therefore before voicemail and answering machines).
"Blue days, black nights". I know those days and nights. The days you feel blue and depressed and the nights you just try to make it through. This can be very rough.
"I look into the sky" The contemplation of the next line
"The love you need ain't gonna see you through" The realization that the person you thought you could call and talk to isn't going to be there for you.
"And I wonder why", more contemplation of the following.
"The little things you planned ain't coming true" wondering how you are where you are rather than where you wanted to be.
And then the final part that links it to depression.
"telephone line, give me some time, I'm living in twilight". Twilight. Not quite dark, so life is not over but still not in the light so still not living. A point in between. Limbo. In life, depression is a best described as living in limbo. You are not truly dead but you are not really living. You are in twilight.|
Jeff Lynne is amazing. I am sad I was not able to go to see them in concert last year.
Reaching out to a friend? Not quite. His ex lover and she won't pick up the phone.
Wow.get out of my head.
@David James trust me. I do have depression. There are certain life circumstances which has lead to it. I take care of my disabled mother (while working a job that can have me putting in over 85, very active, hours a week) and have done so for over a decade. Have not been able to have a life for myself in that time. My mother's need for help takes my time off (including sleep hours). And now she is dying of stage 4 cancer. I go through some very dark periods (thought-wise).
But your point, I get, is that the connection to the song I have doesn't require understanding depression. Am I correct?
“Living Thing” from the same album is great tune as well.
“ I Can’t Get it Out of My Head” ELO
This song has a lot of layers to it, almost like a opera. It’s about him trying to talk to his ex girlfriend by phone.
ELO are masters of "call and response" in their songs!
ELO - Can't Get it out of my Head. That's my suggestion to you. Love that song.
Great song!!!
"Red light on the water, I saw the oceans daughter...", beautiful !
Robin Hood and William Tell and Ivanhoe and Lancelot, they don't envy me. Wish I thought up that line!
So glad you are doing ELO now. Jeff Lynne is one of the greats.
You are 100% CORRECT!
Yes, he is
Absolutely......pure magic....!!! 😊💜
I lost my mom 13 years ago. This was one of her favorite bands. This song always makes me think of her
One of, maybe thee most underappreciated bands ever. Jeff Lynne my God...
Have you ever heard of Badfinger, Or The Lovin' Spoonful?
@@milestrotter6844 Of course
Glad you're reacting to Electric Light Orchestra! They're a great band.
Ok I’ll throw in a few ELO suggestions: Can’t Get it Out Of my Head;Evil Woman; Roll Over Beethoven; Strange Magic; Rockaria. A lot of material to work with.
Strange magic is my favorite
I remember their album Time, Great album
Excellent suggestion, Rockaria. I haven’t heard that in years.
I love Can't Get It Out Of My Head! Great one!
rich56 Great tunes!
I took my son last year, 2019, and Jeff sounded as great as ever!
Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra from The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame site: "Picking up where the Beatles left off, ELO expanded the concept of great melodies, epic song structures and grand orchestrations. ELO added an exciting mix of elements into rock and roll, including disco rhythms and electronic studio wizardry. Imagine a marriage of tuneful, rocking pop songs with instruments from the symphonic realm, and you’ve got the blueprint for what made ELO one of the most popular groups of the 1970s and beyond.
Jeff Lynne, ELO’s vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, co-founder, and frontman, conceived of a rarefied musical sphere in which cellos coexisted with guitars, and where classically tinged progressive rock intersected with hook-filled, radio-friendly pop.
The result: ELO’s boundary-breaking approach to rock that resonated with a global audience, both as a pop singles act and as album-oriented rockers with deep-track appeal".
“Turned to stone”, a great tune
HELL YES and probably one less likely to be played on the radio!
man I Love that song!!
Another good one from ELO is "Can't Get It Outta My Head"
Memories of when I was so much younger, driving with my Dad. Good memories. Miss u daddy. Doo wop telephone line.
Can't hear it without memories of interstate 70 sitting in my daddy's car.. tears rolling now.. heres to our daddy's
I love your reactions and interpretation of the lyrics. Enjoy your program! This reflected phone calling in the 70's, no answering machines then, no cell phones. The soud effects are old sounds from a telephone line trying for connection. We needed Operator assistance back then to connect with long distance calling! That was considered across our nation, or most certaily international. My how things have changed!
The Beatles said if they didn't break up, their music would end up sounding like ELO's. This is coming from the freakin' Beatles, no less!
Jeff Lynne, the group's lead and founder was heavily influenced by The Beatles and his early work really shows that. Funny how he joined up with George Harrison in later years. The surviving Beatles (minus John Lennon) respected him enough to have him produce their Anthology set and recreate a couple of unpublished songs from demos. Jeff Lynne is a musical legend - look up his accomplishments in the music industry.
Isn't he with Terry Kath's wife now?
ELO had some of the best harmonies of all time! Your reactions are priceless!😍
ELO still gives a great concert! The entire audience gets involved.
Jeff Lynne... straight up genius and one of the great vocalists ever... that man plays all instruments as well.. early on ELO was a proper band, but soon it was just Jeff in the studio doing nearly everything. He is still doing it today even. Had a new album that is absolutely fantastic just a couple years ago.
Umm, try a couple months ago. “From out of Nowhere” was released Nov. 2019.
Lynne is also a Super Producer
@@johnbenard9550 I'm talking about Alone in the Universe from 2015-2016... better album in my opinion, but either way the point is he is still active ;)
wpochert Yes has always remained active writing or producing other people’s music or guesting on others albums. However has not had a successful ELO album since ‘86’s Balance of Power. ELO just has not been the same ever since Lynne lost interest and disbanded the group. The quality of the music since the reformation without the others just plain sucks.
@@johnbenard9550 That's your opinion, but Alone in the Universe is as good as almost any album in the hey day .. and spell the mans name right ... its Lynne
Jeff Lynne, (he's basically ELO) should have been knighted by Queen Elizabeth already.
jsprite123 Why didn’t she knight him. ?
@@sabrinanascimento5248 I wonder that myself
He should be. It's a mystery why he hasn’t been.
You could play each and every song of this extraordinary group and we will never tire of them. I love to watch your eyes get big when they hit your heartstrings!!! Keep up the great work!
Yes
This is one of my favorite ELO songs. It is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion. Very evocative harmonies, lyrics, and instrumentation. It's just an absolutely beautiful song!
Jeff Lynn is great you might recognize his voice from singing with Tom Petty & being one of the Traveling Wiburys.
This is my evidence I present when I defend Jeff Lynne. Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison formed a band, and needed a fifth. Out of all the legends that lineup rightly could've recruited, Jeff Lynne was the dude, hands down. F*cking legend
Jeff Lynne wrote a lot of Tom Petty's songs didn't he?
@@shawnschroeder549 Yeah, looks like most of his big stuff from Free Fallin' onward. I Won't Back Down, Runnin' Down a Dream, Into the Great Wide Open, Learning to Fly. Guy knows his way around a memorable hook
@@tsrocks48 for sure!
It’s before voice mail, LOL. He was just thinking of what he wanted to say to her, when she didn’t answer.
Well we did have answering machines on tape back in the dark ages!
We had a thing called an answering machine until the 90’s
This was the seventies. Answering machines were rare then and didn’t take off until the mid 80s.
@@qseep yeah happy to say I was there in the seventies hearing ELO the first time around on the radio. We kids also used to make goofy messages on answering machine tape so, not that rare then! Not that it matters 40+ yrs later 😉
Lyle Kopnicky they were around in the 1930’s and invented in the 1800’s... they were not rare in the 1970’s.. everyone had one
I had the pleasure of see ELO in 1976 I was 14 years old. Great concert and good memories.
Great song from ELO. As many have said we did not have any modern communications devices in those days. Just a bare land line. Nothing was digital it was all analogue; phones, radio, TV, music from LPs or tape. Certainly reminds me of those days trying to ring the girlfriend and the phone just rings and rings till it rings out. Then you try again and again.
Lol another rabbit hole, “Can’t get it out of my Head”, “Don’t Bring Me Down”. “Evil Woman”. Jeff Lynn is a genius.
I effing love "Can't Get it Out of my Head"
Katherine Miller should’ve told him earlier, because he didn’t listen or react to it, and he’s probably heard it too.
@@katherinemiller2401 Just today I've been listening to, and trying to copy on the keyboard, Midnight Blue (Discovery Album). That's up there with Can't Get it Out of My Head. Good choices though.
@@ericleach7074 that is so awesome!! Those are great song choices for sure :)
Jeff Lynne is the best.
I recommend "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", "Showdown", and "Twilight" from these guys as well.
Jamal, "the voice mail?" When this song was written, there weren't even answering machines, nevermind voice mail. Someone didn't pick up, you called back later. The good old days..... when we were all free.
A was getting ready to write the Same thing… lol, lol!!🤪😁
yup, no requirement to instantly answer a text
There were answering machines. They go back to the 1930s
The way I view this song is a message of someone who is lonely and trying to contact and re-connect with old friends who have since moved on living their own lives.
I would also include this song in the current times we are in during this awful pandemic for those in self isolation.
Gary Wright dream weaver- try that one! A slow jam you'll dig it
Been trying to get Jamel to do Can't Find the Judge and Love is Alive for quite a while now.
One of the all time greatest magic mood music songs. 🌌
@ItsMyLife Tx 😄Mood rings are so cool. I actually bought one a couple years ago at a rest stop shop while traveling, but I lost it the next day. Had me feeling very nostalgic though.
Yes! And “Love is Alive!”
@ItsMyLife Tx Not sure
Turning to stone by ELO is an elaborate masterpiece.
And we'll engineered
So many ELO songs are masterpieces! ✌🏻☮️
The voice bridge is the best part, try singing that as fast as they do
ELO is one of the best bands to ever exist and is very underrated. Their work is unique and absolutely stunning. Telephone Line has the most special place in my heart ❤️ I've seen them live last year and it was one of the best concerts I've been to in my life.
I love that you pretty much react to all my favourites 😆 Had to subscribe since I've been watching your videos for the past 2 hours! Much love!
THIS is one of the most beautifully produced songs ELO ever did. EVERYTHING about it is just perfect. Jeff Lynne's vocals here were just beautiful -- full voice, falsetto, the lifts, the falls, etc. And the HARMONIES -- The song, in it's entirety, is just beautiful.
Jamal -- This is back in the 70's -- WAY before the days of cell phone -- People had to get the help of a TELEPHONE OPERATER (usually a female) to help them make a long-distance phone call. It's kind of hard to explain to anyone who wasn't alive back in the day.
This song makes me smile while breaking my heart.
And when you get the chance...
Manfred Mann's Earthband - Blinded by the Light
Bruce Springsteen
American Skin(41Shots)
Dude! This was my JAM. I loved this song! i loved these guys. Always thought the lead singer look like a muppet lol
I appreciate that, unlike some other react channels I've seen, you don't stop the song every 8 seconds and rewind 20. Thank you for doing that.
Jamel_aka_Jamal...
Please do a "reaction" to E.L.O.'s " Can't get it out of my head".
Jeff Lynne is an excellent songwriter and vocalist.... Enjoy the journey down the rabbit hole - E.L.O. has a multitude of hits...
There was an interview with John Lennon and he was asked, if the Beatles had stayed together, who would they be, Lennon replied "Electric Light Orchestra"
A lot of this song is just like a Beatles song. The harmonies are fantastic !
On the other side, if the Beatles had needed another member to stay together it would have been Jeff.
Can't get it out of my head!!AWESOME SONG. AND YOU ARE CORRECT ABOUT TELEPHONE LINE. its pronounced like it looks Eee L oh ELO. FINALLY AFTER MANY MANY YEARS I FINALLY GOT TO SEE THEM IN HOUSTON TX.It was a wonderful gift from my beautiful daughter. PRICELESS
I was privileged to attend the opening show on August 2018 in Oakland, Ca at Oracle Arena. It took them 37 years to get back there and over 30 years since the last time they toured North America. Let me tell you, not only had they not skipped a beat but they were multitudes better than ever. One of the best concerts I have ever seen and they lived up to the name.
Yes!! Yay!! Jamel, please do ELO “Dont bring me down!” You’ll be DANCING for sure!!! Pleeease! ❤️💛🤘🏼✌️
"Strange Magic"
This song came out just before my first break-up - EVER - with my high school sweetheart/college girlfriend. I saw ELO perform this without her at Boston Garden. It was paralyzingly beautiful to hear at that concert. But for years, I found listening to this song to be crushingly painful. I'm so glad that pain wore off because it's one of the most beautiful songs of my lifetime.
Listened to this on the radio back then when I was a teenager ... couldn't get a date and felt so depressed. No mobile phones then just a pay phone when I was making the the call. There were other expenses to deal with and we couldn't afford a house phone. Everything was a treasure ... even friendship. Miss those years.
My favorite band growing up. I graduated in 1980.
P.S. highly recommend playing Mr. Blue Sky ✌😎
I recommend Concerto For A Rainy Day. The (whole) third side of the two-disc vinyl release (that I once - don't ask - called my own… the artwork, OMG the artwork!) is one connected piece, and you really should listen to it in one go. Mr Blue Sky is just the capstone (and the hit… but I'm with Joe Jackson and his "Hit Single" there)
Mr Blue Sky is THE song that got me hooked into ELO!
Wild West Hero, Birmingham Blues, are also great tunes from that double LP "out of the blue."
ELO has a LOT of great songs to choose from! Thank you for reacting to them. Check out, "Strange Magic", "Don't Bring Me Down", or "Turn to Stone". 😊
Oh how I can’t wait for “Dont bring me down!” He’s gonna be cuttin’ a rug!!
My favorite part of the song: Dooh-Wah! Doobie doobie Wah! It's SO 1950's... such intricate vocals!
ELO was in a class of its own! Genius songwriter!
This came out in the Mid 70's! So NO! No E mails were being sent Back then!! How bout, Turned to Stone, or my Fav. "Sweet talkin Woman"!!🎶
No voice mail either...or even the now primitive “answering machine”!!
@@christinehaworth7446 always loved It's a Living Thing the most but those are also awesome
No way. TIGHTROPE. Best Lynne track ever.
@@Drchainsaw77 when you're right, you're right
ALSO!!! If you end up liking ELO- you will love he Alan Parson's Project.
This band was the very first I ever saw. At the Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS. I think I was 17 at the time. And they were awesome. Soon after I also saw Heart and The Eagles(twice each), and both were great, but ELO was the best concert I ever saw. Those guys on the cellos in their long white tuxedoes and that great voice and harmonies, all sharing a stage that was revealed in a cloud of smoke at the start when the space ship opened up revealing all this along with 2 white grand pianos. What?!! awesome! And for the time, it was high tech, they used lasers that spelled out lyrics in mid air. I always loved this band and I am a guy. none of my male friends would admit to liking this group. their loss. I knew they were special though. I knew they would last. and today you cannot turn around without hearing one of ELOs songs in a movie or commercial or something. My main love is classic rock, and ELO Is certainly not that, but they are phenomenal.
Genius Jeff Lynne, I’m glad you are here at the junction of ELO. Enjoy! ELO was progressive,classical, eclectic mix of music. Jeff Lynne is yet another of England’s gems.🎶❤️
There was no such thing as voice mail when this song was created. I love that you seemed to almost be speechless.... Jeff Lynne is a living legend, singer, song writer, producer, artist. No other like him! ❤️🙌❤️
Wrong answer! Maybe you didn't have one 😉
"EVIL WOMAN" THAT SONG IS INCREDIBLE
Sadly, pre-voicemail. Hence the heartbreak. He's calling through an operator (very long time ago.)
This is my dad's music and man I hold on to it so breatiful I love it" i look in to the ski"
I love the "reaction" on your face when you figure out that you have heard the song before somewhere!
Wasn't no voice mail, no answering machines, cellphones, text messages,or hand held computers back when this song came out. No wonder our generation's music was so much better, less distractions, more time. Wilburys.
Agreed.
that's why I love walking down memory lane with these twenty-year-olds because they just have no clue what life was like back then it was ten times better the anticipation of is she going to call me was just the best and then when the phone rang and your sister answers it! And then all the teasing began bc a girl was calling.
Great times.
AMEN TO THAT !!
Well... there is song great music out now, like MGMT, Tame Impala, Gorillaz, and many more.
We didn't even have call waiting! I don't think kids today understand just how much has changed in the last 50 years. When I graduated high school in 84, it would take a truck to carry everything a we now have in a cell phone. Think about it, you would have to pack; a tv, vcr, vcr tapes, camera, video camera, stereo, records and tapes, guital tuner, calculator, video game consul, files, photo albums, word processor, dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, tons of books, maps, stamps, envelopes, pens, paper, file cabinets, clock, calendars, charge card machine, answering machine. . . Oh yeah, a big ass phone. That's not even considering the plethora of things I left of or hadn't even been invented yet. Before you kids start feeling all superior remember, it was my generation that got tired of lugging all that crap around and invented the tech that you enjoy.
spot on. i miss it and i cling to people who remember the world before.
Jeff Lynn is a musical genius. So cool seeing your reaction to this classic joint.
You have to watch the live version from Wembley that was filmed a few years back. Absolutely blows away the studio version.
ELO "Magic", "I'm Alive" and "Don't Walk Away" all from the movie Xanadu.
I’ve been addicted to that soundtrack since literally 1980 when I was like 10 years old. “I’m Alive” and “The Fall” are on my workout playlist.
Great soundtrack!
Timeless fantastic soundtrack!
Jamel you gotta do " I'm Alive" you'll have so much fun!
Wasn't "All Over the World" from the same movie?
@ Greg Steele Yes it is 😀
It was briefly featured in Billy Madison.
"Man, I'm glad I called that guy"
Haha I looked for this response first before posting. I'm putting my lipstick on now 💋💄💋.
I think of that scene every time I hear this 😂😂
@@NikkieTwix me too! 🤣
Lmao that movie is gold along with this song too!!
I Loved this band, Worked at Walmart just a few years back and played thier music in the music section all the time, drove the guy who worked there nuts I played it so much but he let me. this group is so good and harmony is amazing and the sound. They said their concerns were amazing
I grew up listening to ELO on vinyl from my parents record collection. Mostly jazz and broadway, but they had ELO and Hendrix. Thoroughly enjoying every video. Keep it going. There's so much more out there. It would take 100 lifetimes to listen to all the great music in this world. And one day I hope one of my requests gets through to you. Since we've had to spend so very much time at home during the last few months, your videos have kept a smile not only on my face, but also my 11 year old daughter and 9 year old son. Peace!
Jeff Lynne is a musical genius, I have loved him just about my whole life. To many songs to list, but please check out the The Traveling Wilburys, you wont be sorry.
You’re so right, Jeff Lynne is brilliant. Telephone Line was one of the first 45s I ever bought as a kid. It’s one of my favorite songs ever and I love all ELO.
My Dads favorite artist was Roy Orbison and mine was Jeff Lynne. Mind blown when I found out they were connected.
ELO is a super group! Jeff Lynne fabulous...don’t give up!
Awesome!! One of my all-time favourite bands!!! Jeff Lynne is a genius!! So much cred!!
ELO is a beautiful, epic, amazing rabbit hole!! I really hope they’re regulars on the channel!!
Do Ya, Rockaria! (An official video reaction would be amazing for this one!), Last Train To London, Turn To Stone, Tightrope... I could add loads more.
Thanks so much, Jamel!! This made my day!! ❤️ Stay well & safe!!! My favourite reactor hands down!!! 🙌🏻❤️👏🏻💯
❤️ from 🇨🇦
Rock infused with orchestral arrangements clearly ahead of their time.
Kerri Beaton so great!
Runamuck93 OMG, yes!!! Well ahead of their time!
Yet, ELO/Lynne seem underrated to me... not that it means much (like the Grammys), but, they weren’t inducted into the R&RHoF until *2017!!* Which is unbelievable when you think about Jeff’s accomplishments! Aside from ELO, he’s produced some outstanding work for other MAJOR artists as well as written/co-written a plethora of hits (Tom Petty alone, some of his best work!).
It’s fantastic to see such love for them in the comments!!
I grew up on ELO & passed them on to my own kids, who love them as well.😊
JOEL LIEBLER They really are!! I especially enjoy when Jeff had the boys in the band with him back in the day... such gifted musicians who rocked those strings (keyboards, pianos, drums, bass, etc..., lol)!!
When you actually contemplate how many phenomenal songs they’ve recorded, unlike anyone else except for a couple of “Beatle-esque” sounding hits, it’s quite mind blowing!
I just adore them.☺️
One of the finest bands around.
Woefully underappreciated.
I love this song. In the late 80s, ELO did a song with a similar theme, "Calling America."
Oh, Jamel, you magnificent bastard! I can only smile when you remind me how rapidly technology has changed our lives over the course of mine! There was no voice mail, email, or answering machines when this song was released in 1977. If the party you tried to reach did not 'pick up' the phone and speak with you, you just didn't communicate with them. You could direct dial persons who lived within your local area, but 'long-distance' calls had to be routed through a long-distance operator. And the charges for making such a call were pretty steep! If the person you called was not within earshot of their phone you didn't reach them and, if you weren't at the location of your home phone, you had to use a 'public phone' and pay with coins - phone cards didn't exist either. I sure miss those days - we all had more leisure time and the pace was less stressful!
This band had about 20 huge hits. "Can't Get It Out Of My Head" is fantastic.
Bruh when he drops the “Robin Hood and William Tell, Ivanhoe and Lancelot I just about lost it. Shit hit so hard
“Sweet talkin woman” I think is their best..channel sounds great as always my friend keep up the good work👍🏼
Amen to that!
Peach
Run run, to STW. Then "Evil Woman".
@@Jay.McCarty yeah Jamal...hit up some Sweet Talkin' Woman
DAMN! ALL of their songs are PERFECT!!❤
The part of the song that you were talking about at the end is in a scene from Billy Madison. It’s the part where Adam Sandler calls Steve Buschemi to apologize for bullying him in high school. Steve forgives him, hangs up, and then puts lipstick on while reminiscing
The feeling, the sorrow in that voice. Truly one of the saddest songs ever!
We didn't have answering machines back then. He says " I'll tell you everything if you would just pipick up that phone "
his voice brought me so many memories, so many great songs from that band and that voice. i saw him doing the george harrison tribute with the song "while my guitar gently weeps" and it hit me like a slap. i have to hear more ELO!!