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Electric Light Orchestra — 10538 Overture
Album: No Answer
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 871









Released: 1971
Length: 5:22
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Did you see your friend crying from his eyes today?
Did you see him run through the streets and far away?
Aah
Did you see him run, did you see him fall?
Did his life flash by at the bedroom door?

Did you hear the news it came across the air today?
Someone has been found on the rocks down in the bay
Ahhh
Did you see him hide, did you see him crawl?
Does his life mean more than it did before?

Did you see that man running through the streets today?
Did you catch his face, was it 10538?
Ahhhh
Comments (170)add comment
 fatcatjb wrote:
I hope this is a very, very short song
 
You tit.
Yes indeed slope...here is wishing you a spectacular 2019
 westslope wrote:
I retain a sentimental attachment.  For new listeners, I can understand the reticence.  

Brave stuff back in the day. 

 

And yes so very Beatlesque but still distinctive.  Even more pompous.  


 
I hope this is a very, very short song
Todd played "Do Ya" again on the recent Utopia tour, introducing it with "let's play some block chords." This seems about the same - and is great.
 Inorgs wrote:
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   

 
Personally I would pay good money to see a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer
 MiracleDrug wrote:
umm..

The Beatles were a major influence on Jeff Lynne. In 1968 while performing with the Idle Race Lynne met The Beatles during the making of The White Album. Years later Lynne admitted, "To be in the same room as the four of them caused me not to sleep for, like, three days". The original aim of ELO was to take up "where the Beatles' I Am The Walrus had left off, and to present it on stage". Indeed, John Lennon had called them the "Sons of the Beatles".

Lynne admitted that he "was very influenced by the Beatles' sound of '68 and '69. That has obviously been a big influence on the way I've looked at songwriting" and said that being compared with The Beatles was the "ultimate compliment".


 
Indeed. And Lynne has certainly carried this production style through the years when collaborating with Harrison in particular (re, When we was Fab) and continues through to the Wilburys. Lynn kind over does it with this "sound". 
But I like it regardless.
The continuation of Beatles with other means.
brilliant
I am the walrus named Prudence living on Penny Lane.
Awful cello section.  Just plodding and heavy without any style.  So my ears say, anyway.  No offence.
This has Beatles and "Tommy" influences all over it.
 mgkiwi wrote:
Can't help singing "Dear Prudence......"

 
{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}{#Yes}
 Inorgs wrote:
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   

 
Very well put. This beautifully worded sentence fits on almost everything from YES also. "Preposterous" would also fit in perfect.
Fortunately 1976 Punk came upon us.
norgs wrote:
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   

  
Let's leave the Trump campaign out of this, shall we?
{#Clap}
 Inorgs wrote:
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   

 
I'd pay good money to see that! WTF is a "skerrick"?

ELO did produce some abysmal turkeys as well as masterpieces, and this gobbles a bit though not intolerably to my ears, though the cello sawing is a bit of an earache.
 Inorgs wrote:
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   

 

What he said.


 Inorgs wrote:
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   

 
Let's leave the Trump campaign out of this, shall we?
Abysmal, indulgent rubbish without a skerrick of wit or intelligence. It has the subtlety of a rhinoceros driving a bulldozer.   
 SugarPig wrote:
I'm all for eclectic instrumentation in rock music, and in the right hands the cello can be transcendant. But to me ELO's string section has always sound draggy and plodding.  Maybe JL intended the strings to sound heavy to keep up with the drums and guitar, but I don't hear any energy in the playing.  It's a great concept, but the execution just doesn't work for me.

 
Agree with your hearing of the strings.  They are pretty bad at the end of this tune.
ABSOLUTE GENIUS!!!{#Bananajam}{#Drummer}{#Bananapiano}{#Boohoo}{#Boohoo}{#Boohoo}{#Guitarist}
This sounds like "Flying" via Faces or the best version Long John Baldry.
I recall an interview with Bev Bevan commenting on punk in general and the Sex Pistols in particular, that they were complete rubbish, trash, shite, and so on. I guess from his POV he just didn't get that ELO (or at least some of the excess they were said to represent) was one of punk's, um, "targets." I always like ELO, but in the end I enjoyed the punks more. A lot to be said for anger, irreverence, and rebellion.
 konakid  wrote:

I've always been partial to "On the Third Day"

 
Eldorado will always have a special place in my heart.
Let's face it the Beatles influenced most every band in some way it seems.NeuroGeek wrote:
Yikes.  Why did I ever think ELO could sing?  Sounds like the Beatles with a bad hangover.

 


The live versions of this song are always so much stronger! But it still rocks.
{#Bananajam}
 GTT wrote:
Best ELO song I never heard.

 
same here. that unmistakable Beatles influence.
I always thing this is going to start 'dear prudence' which means I am usually disappointed 
Best ELO song I never heard.
 
I think there are double basses in this as well as violins and cellos. The string players must have l-o-v-e-d rocking out on this.
I agree that this quite likeable song was used very effectively in American Hustle.  That "music video" changes my take on this song.  It's not great by itself, yet it's representative of early '70s FM rock music while falling short of the outstanding and godlike tracks that are usually associated with the period. 
Saw them live in Long Beach, Ca back in 1974. My first (and only) Qualude trip. Passed out on the floor. Not my best moment. I have no idea how the concert went.
honk, honk honk honk honk, honk, honk honk, honk honk... ad infinitum
This song figures prominently in American Hustle, a very good movie in theatres now.  


And Yes, it is on fire....
{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}{#Fire}
Yikes.  Why did I ever think ELO could sing?  Sounds like the Beatles with a bad hangover.
Can't help singing "Dear Prudence......"
 Lazarus wrote:

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 

 
This band was a lot of fun to see in concert. Great memories {#Bananajam}

Everybody in my church loves this song...
 

I retain a sentimental attachment.  For new listeners, I can understand the reticence.  

Brave stuff back in the day. 

 

And yes so very Beatlesque but still distinctive.  Even more pompous.  


 Tana wrote:
Clearly one of the MOST Beatlesque of the ELO catalog. Hello, Sgt. Pepper! See my compilation of Beatlesque songs at https://sites.google.com/site/tanamusicpicks/ which includes ELO's Mr. Blue Sky.
 
Nice compilation.
The more violins and cellos in songs the better...funny how ipad app has no emoticons...i feel like i am gagged...
 yahig wrote:
I was in a record store near Times square in 1970 or 71 and the clerk put this song on,I was sure it was the Beatles.The clerk was sort of coy saying he didn"t have a copy to sell ......yet. The label was handwritten a test press maybe. It sounds like Blue jay way strings with Abbey road guitar,  and those vocals. I was sure it was some snarky John Lennon joke.Wow this song drove me nuts ! A fog upon L.A. /Running through the streets of Paraguay.... Thanks
 
{#Yes}
ELO is one of a fortunately select few bands played on RP that cause me to reliably hit the PSD button. Ghastly, nails-on-chalkboard stuff. Ugh!
great sound, thanks for this as I have not heard this song before, and am an ELO fan.  Reading the posts below, who cares who they sound like, if they put together something that works.  You can't expect everything to be utterly original!!!!
I was in a record store near Times square in 1970 or 71 and the clerk put this song on,I was sure it was the Beatles.The clerk was sort of coy saying he didn"t have a copy to sell ......yet. The label was handwritten a test press maybe. It sounds like Blue jay way strings with Abbey road guitar,  and those vocals. I was sure it was some snarky John Lennon joke.Wow this song drove me nuts ! A fog upon L.A. /Running through the streets of Paraguay.... Thanks
 ajlept wrote:

Sounds like Ozzy snorting Dr. Pepper!

 
Ozzy would still make it sound good somehow
"It's a boy, Mrs. Walker, it's a boy"
I'm all for eclectic instrumentation in rock music, and in the right hands the cello can be transcendant. But to me ELO's string section has always sound draggy and plodding.  Maybe JL intended the strings to sound heavy to keep up with the drums and guitar, but I don't hear any energy in the playing.  It's a great concept, but the execution just doesn't work for me.
Yes!    The cello works fine in Rock.      Lynne is a genius.    Rockaria is my favourite though.

could be Cheap Trick....well kinda {#Ask}

 bindi wrote:
sounds like Ozzy doing St Pepper!
 
Sounds like Ozzy snorting Dr. Pepper!

umm..

The Beatles were a major influence on Jeff Lynne. In 1968 while performing with the Idle Race Lynne met The Beatles during the making of The White Album. Years later Lynne admitted, "To be in the same room as the four of them caused me not to sleep for, like, three days". The original aim of ELO was to take up "where the Beatles' I Am The Walrus had left off, and to present it on stage". Indeed, John Lennon had called them the "Sons of the Beatles".

Lynne admitted that he "was very influenced by the Beatles' sound of '68 and '69. That has obviously been a big influence on the way I've looked at songwriting" and said that being compared with The Beatles was the "ultimate compliment".



Clearly one of the MOST Beatlesque of the ELO catalog. Hello, Sgt. Pepper! See my compilation of Beatlesque songs at https://sites.google.com/site/tanamusicpicks/ which includes ELO's Mr. Blue Sky.
who says the cello doesn't belong in rock 'n roll?
ELO....is so underrated...great stuff

much beatles influence?
Cool match of chord progression to the previous Cream song...a lot of early Floyd, too, had that descending bass-line thing going...Keep up the good work, Bill and the RP Team!
 a_genuine_find wrote:
{#Ask}  what's the word I am looking for?  .... 

 
Overblown? no, wait, that'd be a complete understatement...

 finoufk wrote:
ELO is such a great group !  but this song isn't their best , and isn't representative of their work. Please chech the "out of the blue " album or "time" , it's just outstanding !  does someone agree ?  {#Dance}
 
I've always been partial to "On the Third Day"
I'll bet that I'm not the first here to think Weller/Changing Man.

Woul be huge, if the cello player would be much better. Cello is out of tune too much.
ELO is such a great group !  but this song isn't their best , and isn't representative of their work. Please chech the "out of the blue " album or "time" , it's just outstanding !  does someone agree ?  {#Dance}
So weak..Please make it stop.
 a_genuine_find wrote:
{#Ask}  what's the word I am looking for?  ....  {#Think}  Schmaltzy!

 
RIPOFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Pete


{#Ask}  what's the word I am looking for?  ....  {#Think}  Schmaltzy!

Please make it stop.
I used to think Oasis was ripping off the Beatles, now I realize they were ripping off E.L.O. ripping of the Beatles.{#Tongue-out}
Love ELO, but this is not close to my favorite. Just remember what it was like back in 1971.
brings back memories of 8 tracks looping all night long with the headphones on while in dream land . . . heavenly!
 Jalmari wrote:
I think thats exactly what they were trying , to go on where Beatles ended.
 
Yes, but The Beatles knew they should stop before they went over the cliff...these guys just kept driving.


 bindi wrote:
sounds like Ozzy doing St Pepper!
 
I would buy that! {#Cool}
I think thats exactly what they were trying , to go on where Beatles ended.
Please make it STOP!!!!!
 bindi wrote:
sounds like Ozzy doing St Pepper!
 
{#Roflol}

 loopy_in_loudoun wrote:
Ouch!
Maybe it sounded good in 1968 (or whenever), but today it is so painfully derivative of the work of FAR more talented artists (Beatles/George Martin).
 
How on earth is this derivative of the Beatles? ELO had its own very distinctive style and sound, and AFAIK was the first ever pop group to feature violins and cellos in the standard lineup. They may not have been original - what music is? - and they were undoubtedly influenced by the Beatles and many, many others, but they were definitely not a Beatles rip-off band. ELO were highly innovative in their time and their sound is unmistakable.

This is not one of their better numbers, IMO, although it does show their 'classical pretentions' quite well. I personally prefer their fun stuff such as Mr Blue Sky.

Ahhh finally...the overused descending chord progression in repetition...oh wait...there's strings here though...so incredibly cool and innovative....wait...I don't care.
 vandal wrote:
 
  
 I don't know what this emoticon suggests but I think I agree


 Skorokoro wrote:
is that where paul weller picked up the beginning of changing man? {#Rolleyes}
 

Glad someone else thought this too
Ouch!
Maybe it sounded good in 1968 (or whenever), but today it is so painfully derivative of the work of FAR more talented artists (Beatles/George Martin).

Someone requested Badfinger. Now THAT would be more like it... 
I buried Paul bobcat1963 wrote:
beatlesk without the beatles is rather grotesk...

 


oh thank you for making it stop!
Agh. This is awful.
 bindi wrote:
sounds like Ozzy doing St Pepper!
 
{#Lol}

E.L.O. is so cool...maybe we can do some Badfinger as well

beatlesk without the beatles is rather grotesk...

 scottflory wrote:
reminds me of a beatles song... with the lyrics "i know what its like to be sad"...  ?  anyone?
 
She said, she said from Revolver.


I once heard ELO started as a band that wanted to sound like "I am the Walrus". Listening to this, they almost pulled it off.
I buried George ... I buried George ...
Saw ELO live years ago, and can't figure that they are Beatles wannabees. Very good concert, but this song gives me the creeps. 5
sounds like Ozzy doing St Pepper!
I was about to say this sounds like ELO. Checked and...um....yeah. Very well then. Carry on.
Always did like this track.  One of my favorite ELO tunes.  Quirky, I'd say.(I do like the cello, though!)

I just KNOW we can be the Beatles!  I just KNOW it!  hahahaha!!!  {#Beat}

Jeff Lynn's best work was as a producer after leaving elo.
Fascinating.  Lots of respect for Jeff Lynne as George Harrison's long time collaborator/producer.
Obviously George, and Petty and Dylan and others loved his work in that role.

But while they were out there I always thought of his band as really a thrid or fourth rate Beatle wannabe.

And this - in my ears - was not one of their better efforts.


george martin should have gotten royalties from these guys
                                {#Boohoo}
                       {#Boohoo} {#Guitarist} {#Boohoo}
                                {#Boohoo}
ahhh, the memories. still sounds good to me.

OLE ELO was the first album (actually a cassette) I ever bought. 6th grade. Will never forget it. Sounds a little dated today, but I love it so...{#Hearteyes}

There is a great live version of this song found as a B side of an ELO 45. Never really listen to the A (hit) side, so I can't recall it. Is the mix a little off on this digital remastering? Thanks for playing this, Bill.
Ghastly - I had to switch off!!
 Proclivities wrote:
If someone were to put Roy Wood in a grave, he'd probably be doing more than just "turning" - especially since he's not dead.
 
{#Roflol} Thanks for responding to Stingray's nonsensical gibberish; I guess someone's gotta do it!

 Stingray wrote:
ROY WOOD TURNS IN HIS GRAVE!
TRUE-TRUE NIGHMARE!!!!!

PS
With JEFF LYNNE THE CHEATER!!!!
Rock-Music is another department

 
If someone were to put Roy Wood in a grave, he'd probably be doing more than just "turning" - especially since he's not dead.

reminds me of a beatles song... with the lyrics "i know what its like to be sad"...  ?  anyone?
 peter_james_bond wrote:
While my ears gently bleed....{#Cry}
 
you too?
 Skorokoro wrote:
is that where paul weller picked up the beginning of changing man? {#Rolleyes}
 
Wow...that's spot on.   You're right.

While my ears gently bleed....{#Cry}
Chill dude.

Yes it can grate a bit, especially the endless sawing on the cellos. ;)
No need to get all 24 point about it though. Press mute or skip to a local play list instead. =)
Personally its a 4 from me, and I like ELO.
POSSIBLY THE NASTIEST SONG EVER...!!! ENDLESSLY STUPID!

ROY WOOD TURNS IN HIS GRAVE!
TRUE-TRUE NIGHMARE!!!!!

PS
With JEFF LYNNE THE CHEATER!!!!
Rock-Music is another department

Suddenly I'm about 15 again in darkest West London...boy but this takes me back!

is that where paul weller picked up the beginning of changing man? {#Rolleyes}
Ahhh, love it that I stumbled in here in time to catch this one!
Not my favorite ELO, by any means. The vocals are purely annoying.
 SweTex wrote:
What happened to Roy Wood anyway? Did'nt he die a few years ago?
 
He's still around.  Roy Wood Website.

excellent.
 ick wrote:
I like ELO... but I've always hated this song by them.  The annoying scraping and screeching is just bogus.
 
Like fingers on a chalk board! I picture the ghosts of Mozart, Beethoven and Bach stabbing and slashing the sheet music to this overture 10538 times with violin bows until the shredded bits are so tiny the notes are unrecognizable. Then they high five each other... nice work gentlemen.
Tree_Hugger wrote:
Odd that I thought it was Cheap Trick/Robin Zander at first. Me brain is fading....

No it's not just you.  I had the radio down low and thought "Wow, Bill is playing Downed...."


Interesting. I just realized that Collective Soul's "December" uses the same chord progression.
 mnmrosen wrote:


It was after Black Sabbath, but before the B-52s. {#Rolleyes}
 

{#Roflol}
 dougment wrote:
Was Ozzy Osbourne with ELO before or after Black Sabbath?
 

It was after Black Sabbath, but before the B-52s. {#Rolleyes}