Electric Light Orchestra – Out Of The Blue - 1977
Era durissimo negli anni '70 fare del pop. Potevi scrivere dei piccoli capolavori di semplice genialità, ma la critica "impegnata" dell’epoca con te non aveva pietà: il pubblico, oltre tutto, non gliel'avrebbe mai permesso. Figurati poi in piena epoca punk!
Così, dell’Orchestra della Luce Elettrica proprio era impossibile parlare in termini entusiastici. Cosa che invece avrebbe meritato un disco come questo (in origine doppio, ma singolo in cd).
"Out Of The Blue" è per gli ELO quello che "Pet Sound" è per i Beach Boys (per un attimo ho avuto la tentazione di tirare fuori anche "Sgt Pepper", ma meglio non scatenare cataclismi), tuttavia "Pet Sound" è sempre stato considerato un capolavoro, di "Out Of The Blue" non si è mai parlato più di tanto.
Tuttavia è estremamente raro trovare nella storia del rock (usiamo questo termine nella sua accezione più ampia) un disco che, innanzi tutto, racchiuda una tale quantità di linee melodiche geniali.
Perché, insomma, se la bellezza, la forza, di una canzone sta anche (sarei tentato di dire: soprattutto) nella felicità della sua melodia, almeno una decina di queste 17 canzoni sono capolavori assoluti. Poi vengono gli arrangiamenti brillantissimi e le piccole grandi idee nella produzione.
Per rimanere in ambito pop, in una canzone come "Mr. Blue Sky", solo per citarne una, ci sono più idee che in un intero disco di una qualsiasi boyband degli ultimi 10 anni: non ci vuole poi molto (mi direte) ma è così. Nessun gruppo ha più usato in maniera tanto perfetta le voci (e non c’è boyband - ancora! - che non ci abbia provato), nessuno in maniera tanto funzionale l’orchestra. Jeff Lynn, autore di musiche, testi, arrangiamenti e insomma qualsiasi cosa ascoltiate uscire dalle casse, è in credito (e quanto!) con i soloni e gli sputasentenze del rock: è un genio musicale riconosciuto solo raramente (ascoltate il suo brillantissimo e riconoscibilissimo lavoro in "Cloud Nine" di George Harrison o nel progetto Travelling Wilburys) e a cui il mondo del rock (e il suo pubblico) avrebbe dovuto molto di più. A meno che non conosciate un'altra canzone in grado di sollevare tanta polvere del deserto quanto l’incantevole "Wild West Hero".
Elenco tracce testi e samples
01 Turn to Stone (03:47)
The city streets are empty now
(The lights don't shine no more)
And so the songs are way down low.
(Turnin', turnin', turnin')
A sound that flows into my mind
(The echoes of the daylight)
Of everything that is alive (In my blue world).
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home
I can't go on.
The dying embers of a night
(A fire that slowly fades till dawn)
Still glow upon the wall so bright.
(Turnin', turnin', turnin')
The tired streets that hide away
(From here to everywhere they go)
Roll past my door into the day
(In my blue world).
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home
I can't go on.
Turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone.
Yes I'm turnin' to stone
'Cos you ain't comin' home,
Why ain't you comin' home
If I'm turnin' to stone,
You've been gone for so long
And I can't carry on,
Yes I'm turnin' I'm turnin'
I'm turnin' to stone.
The dancing shadows on the wall
(The two-step in the hall)
Are all I see since you've been gone
(Turnin' turnin' turnin')
Through all I sit here and I wait
(I turn to stone I turn to stone)
You will return again some day
(To my blue world)
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home
I can't go on.
Turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone.
I turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone
Turn to stone, when you comin' home
I can't go on.
Turn to stone, when you are gone
I turn to stone.
04 Across the Border (03:53)
(I've been workin' so hard baby,
Tryin' to get to you
I'm gonna be there soon
Because…)
In the heat of the day
Many miles away when the
Sun is beating down
Upon the main street.
I'll be waitin' at the station,
I gotta move down the line.
They'll be dancin' and singin'
And doin' their thing
And they'll be rockin' and rollin'
Until the day is done
You know I've got to
Make the deadline
I gotta get that southbound train tonight
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
The Mardi Gras
Will be blowing strong
And the people dancing
All across the city,
I'm leaving here tonight,
I gotta move down the line.
I'm gonna catch a ride on the 9:05,
I'm gonna ride the rails
Until we reach the morning,
Maybe three or four
Hundred miles.
I gotta get that southbound train tonight
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
When the wind is blowing
Softly through the streets
Of a little town
And the music's playin',
You're waitin' somewhere
Over the horizon.
I gotta get that southbound train tonight
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
You know I gotta get that
You know I gotta get that
06 Starlight (04:27)
(Starlight callin'
Callin' callin')
Starlight, I hear you
Callin' out to me
(I hear you callin' callin' callin' callin')
Sweet love, rollin'
Across my mind again.
(You roll across my mind)
I want you, yes, I do,
I need you, yes, I do.
And then you run -
You gotta stop
Foolin' around
Keep your feet
On the ground little girl,
And starlight will shine
All around little girl
(Starlight callin')
Starlight, your eyes are
Lookin' out so far away,
(I hear you callin' callin' callin', callin')
Constellation in the sky,
Is smiling down on me
I wonder, wonder why
(I wonder, wonder why)
I can feel you're so real,
I can see you're so near.
And then you run -
You gotta stop
Foolin' around
Keep your feet
On the ground little girl,
And starlight will shine
All around little girl
You had me all
Summer long, little girl
Moon glow, come light
The way up to my window
(I hear you callin' callin' callin' callin')
As you roll across the night
Don't tell nobody
That I told you so
I need you, yes, I do,
I need you, yes, I do.
And then you run -
You gotta stop
Foolin' around
Keep your feet
On the ground little girl,
And starlight will shine
All around little girl
You had me all
Summer long, little girl
(It's no good at all)
Starlight, your eyes
Are lookin' down on me
So far away
Starlight, your eyes
Are lookin' down on me
So far away…
[Fading]
Starlight, your eyes
Are lookin' down on me
So far away
Starlight, your eyes
Are lookin' down on me
So far away
Starlight, your eyes
Are lookin' down on me
So far away
07 Jungle (03:52)
I was standing in the jungle
I was feeling alright
Mmhmm, mmhmm
I was wandering in the darkness
In the middle of the night
Mmhmm, mmhmm
The moon began to shine
I saw a clearing ahead
Mmhmm, mmhmm
But what's that going on
I think I'm outta my head
Mmhmm, mmhmm
Chooka chooka hoo la ley
Looka looka koo la ley
A hundred animals were
Gathered round this night
Mmhmm, mmhmm
And they were singin' out
A lovely song under
The pale moonlight
Mmhmm, mmhmm
I stood and stared for quite a while
Then a lion sang to me and smiled
'Come join us if you so desire.
They sang:
Chooka chooka hoo la ley (That's what they sang)
Looka looka koo la ley
Chooka chooka hoo la ley (That's what they sang)
Looka looka koo la ley
I said now please explain
The meaning of this song you sing,
Mmhmm, mmhmm
Wondrous is our great blue ship
That sails around the mighty sun
And joy to everyone that rides along
They sang:
Chooka chooka hoo la ley (That's what they sang)
Looka looka koo la ley
And they danced.
Pretty soon I knew the tune
And we sat and sang under the moon
And the jungle rang
In joyful harmony
They sang:
Chooka chooka hoo la ley (That's what they sang)
Looka looka koo la ley
Chooka chooka hoo la ley (That's what they sang)
Looka looka koo la ley
Wondrous is our great blue ship
That sails around the mighty sun
And joy to everyone that rides along.
08 Believe Me Now (01:21)
[Echoing]
Can you hear me?
I love you.
Believe me now
I could never say goodbye
Don't leave me now
Believe me now.
09 Steppin' Out (04:39)
Pack up all your things,
We're gonna be leavin'
Sooner than I thought,
Take the things you bought,
Clouds are gathering.
Say goodbye to all your friends,
We're gonna be sorry.
For a while, that's how it goes
But then again who knows
About the rain.
I'm steppin' out, I'm moving on,
I'm gonna see the world,
Like a rolling stone,
Steppin' out,
I'm gonna be somebody
Ooh I'm steppin' out.
Did you hear what he said?
He said they sold me down the river
They thought I thought I was a fool,
They said the rain would fall
What did they know?
Then I saw your face,
Heard the song that
You were singin',
Though I thought I knew the words,
The tune was quite absurd
And out of key.
Doo dah dah dee.
I'm steppin' out, I'm moving on,
I'm gonna see the world,
Like a rolling stone,
Steppin' out,
I'm gonna be somebody
Ooh I'm steppin' out.
I'm steppin' out, I'm steppin' out
I'm steppin' out, I'm steppin' out
I'm steppin' out, I'm steppin' out
I'm steppin' out, I'm steppin' out
I'm steppin' out, I'm steppin' out
I'm steppin' out, I'm steppin' out
Steppin' out
Steppin' out
Steppin' out.
Don't know where I'm going,
Gonna see the world,
Gonna be somebody
Don't know where I'm going
I'm just steppin' out,
I'm steppin' out
I'm steppin' out.
11 Big Wheels (05:08)
I've been thinkin' it over,
So many times they say
You got it made
They never understand
The answer lies within
Your soul 'cos
No-one know which side
The coin will fall
Big wheels turnin'
Baby I know,
(Or not at all)
Big wheels turnin',
Baby I know
(Or not at all)
Big wheels turnin', turnin'.
Save it for a rainy day
For when the cold wind blows
Just to see how they run
I thought they'd know,
I tried my best
All I could do
But somehow it was not
Enough for you.
Big wheels turnin'
Baby I know,
(Or not at all)
Big wheels turnin', (no, no, no)
Baby I know (no, no, no)
Big wheels turnin', turnin', turnin', turnin', turnin'.
I remember the dead of night,
A lonely light that shines
Upon the window.
I see it all so clear
The tenderness the silent tears
Out here in the pouring rain
Through cold dark waiting days
I see you standing there
I see the big wheels turnin'
Never endin' on and on they go.
I think I'm goin' home,
I think I'm gonna have to start again
It's rather sad,
Because I've looked around
Can't seem to find
Whatever's always rollin'
Through my mind
Big wheels turnin'
Baby I know,
(Through my mind)
Big wheels turnin',
Baby I know
Big wheels turnin', turnin', turnin', turnin', turnin'.
I remember the dead of night,
A lonely light that shines
Upon the window.
I see it all so clear
The tenderness the silent tears
Out here in the pouring rain
Through cold dark waiting days
I see you standing there
I see the big wheels turnin'
Never endin' on and on they go.
[Vocoded]
Big Wheels
Big Wheels
12 Summer and Lightning (04:10)
I have waited, for your love
For so long, how do I go on,
I have told you, so many times,
It's no good,
You're treatin' me so wrong.
Out there so far away, (so far away)
Above the sky will say
For you,
Here it comes again
It's all around me
It must be magic
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I can see you (I see you), in my mind (in my mind),
The lost time (losin' time), that you're savin',
I could reach out (I reach out), and touch you (touchin' you),
What can I do (what can I do),
The sun ain't shinin'
Out there so far away,
Above the sky will say
For you, only for you,
Here it comes again
(Summer and lightning)
It's all around me
(Summer and lightning)
It must be magic
(Summer and lightning)
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Hear it comes again
I can feel it, feel it, feel it, feel it
[Echo] You, you, you
Here it comes again
(Summer and lightning)
It's all around me
(Summer and lightning)
It must be magic
(Summer and lightning)
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[Fading]
oh, here it comes again
(Summer and lightning)
I can feel it
(Summer and lightning)
It's all around me
(Summer and lightning)
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
(Summer and lightning)
13 Mr. Blue Sky (05:06)
[Radio announcer (spoken)] ''Warning! Todays forecast calls for blue skies.''
Sun is shinin' in the sky,
There ain't a cloud in sight
It's stopped rainin'
Everybody's in a play
And don't you know,
It's a beautiful new day.
Runnin' down the avenue,
See how the sun shines brightly
In the city on the streets
Where once was pity,
Mr. Blue Sky is living here today.
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why,
You had to hide away
For so long (so long) where did we go wrong.
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why,
You had to hide away
For so long (so long) where did we go wrong.
Hey you with the pretty face,
Welcome to the human race
A celebration Mr. Blue Sky's
Up there waitin' and today
Is the day we've waited for
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why,
You had to hide away
For so long (so long) where did we go wrong.
Hey there Mr. Blue,
We're so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do,
Everybody smiles at you
Hey there Mr. Blue,
We're so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do,
Everybody smiles at you
[Vocoded] Mr. Blue Sky, Mr. Blue Sky, Mr. Blue Sky
Mr. Blue you did it right,
But soon comes Mr. Night,
Creepin' over, now his
Hand is on your shoulder,
Never mind I'll remember you this, I'll remember you this way.
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why,
You had to hide away
For so long (so long) where did we go wrong.
Hey there Mr. Blue (Sky),
We're so pleased to be with you (Sky)
Look around see what you do (Blue),
Everybody smiles at you
[Vocoded]
Please turn me over
17 Wild West Hero (04:41)
Wish I was, a wild west hero.
Sometimes I look up high
And then I think there might,
Just be a better life
Away from all we know
That's where I wanna go
Out on the wild side,
And I wish I was
Oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero.
Ride the range all the day,
Till the first fading light
Be with my western girl
Round the fire oh so bright
I'd be the Indians' friend
Let them live to be free
Ridin' into the sunset
I wish I could be.
I'd ride the desert sands
And through the prairie lands,
Tryin' to do what's right,
The folks would come to me,
They'd say we need you here.
I'd stay there for the night,
Oh I wish I was
Oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero
Ride the range all the day,
Till the first fading light
Be with my western girl
Round the fire oh so bright
I'd be the Indians' friend
Let them live to be free
Ridin' into the sunset
I wish I could be.
Oh I wish I was
Oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero
I wish I was
Oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero
Oh I wish I was
Oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero
Wish I was
Oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero
Wish I was, oh-oh-oh-oh, a wild west hero
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