Slow Dance With Electric Light Orchestra 5 Best Slow Songs

Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) carved their own path in the music world. They seamlessly blended elements of rock and classical music, captivating audiences with their unique sound. Their ability to cross over to the pop charts solidified their place as a musical force.

ELO, led by the ever-talented Jeff Lynne, excelled in crafting emotionally charged ballads. Picking just five of their best slow songs was no easy feat, but the journey through their impressive catalog was a delightful one.

Let’s dive into our picks for the top five ELO slow songs that will have you swaying and swooning in no time.

5. “Getting to the Point” (Secret Messages, 1986)

ELO’s final studio album before their unofficial disbandment was Secret Messages in 1986. While commercially not as successful as their previous works, it showcased Jeff Lynne’s songwriting prowess with a collection of strong songs, albeit with a more contemporary pop/rock sound compared to their earlier classical-infused works.

One standout track is “Getting to the Point,” a powerful ballad that masterfully blends pop sensibilities with soaring vocals, reaching impressive emotional depth.

4. “Wild West Hero” (Out of the Blue, 1977)

ELO’s ambitious double album Out of the Blue boasts several strong contenders for this list, including melancholic ballads like “Stepping Out”, “It’s Over”, and “Big Wheels”. However, “Wild West Hero” rises above with its unique narrative.

This song, a recurring theme for Lynne, tells the story of an ordinary man yearning for a life filled with adventure and romance. Filled with catchy hooks and subtle Western flourishes, it builds to a powerful climax with Lynne’s emphatic repetition of the refrain.

3. “21st Century Man” (Time, 1981)

Jeff Lynne took a bold step with ELO’s 1981 album Time, crafting a second full-fledged concept album after their successful Eldorado in 1974. Though the narrative can be intricate at times, Time masterfully conveys the emotions of a man unwillingly thrust into the future.

The stunning ballad “21st Century Man” lays bare the protagonist’s loneliness, particularly in a breathtaking moment where the celestial orchestration fades, leaving a powerful a cappella section that offers a glimmer of hope for his return: “You stepped out of a dream believing everything was gone / Return with what you’ve learned, they’ll kiss the ground you walk upon”.

2. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” (Eldorado, 1974)

Inspired by his father’s dismissal of their early music, Lynne penned a defiant response with ELO’s 1974 concept album Eldorado. The album aimed to transcend expectations and challenge the boundaries of rock, and nowhere is this more evident than in the opening ballad “Can’t Get It Out of My Head”.

This emotional track sets the stage for the album’s narrative, following an ordinary man seeking escape from the mundane through vivid dreamscapes. It beautifully captures the bittersweet contrast between the fantastical world and the inevitable return to reality, accentuated by soaring strings and poignant harmonies in the chorus.

1. “Telephone Line” (A New World Record, 1976)

ELO’s 1976 album A New World Record showcases their peak creative power, with every song a testament to their musical prowess. The undisputed crown jewel of the album, and arguably one of the greatest rock ballads ever written, is “Telephone Line”. This ingenious track breaks free from the traditional verse-chorus structure, weaving two distinct pre-choruses into its unforgettable refrain.

However, the true brilliance lies in the lyrical mastery of Lynne. The song takes listeners on a captivating journey through the protagonist’s emotional turmoil, masterfully portraying the various stages of grief he experiences – all without him ever making a single phone call. The narrative unfolds solely from his perspective, leaving listeners captivated by the unspoken longing and unspoken words.