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Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing (Official Video)




There has been lots of speculation as to what this song is about, with a popular rumor being that it is an anti-abortion statement. ELO frontman Jeff Lynne has said it is simply about the loss of love, although its initial inspiration was about of food poisoning. He let that slip in a talk with Hi-Fi News & Record Review in 2014. "You'll never be able to listen to it the same again," he said.

"I wouldn't want anyone to think it's about a bad paella on a Spanish holiday."


The song features uncredited vocals by Patti Quatro (sister of Suzi Quatro), Brie Brandt, and Addie Lee, who were all one time members of the female rock group Fanny. According to Suzi Quatro's autobiography the trio sang the "higher and higher" parts.




Lyrics


Sailin' away on the crest of a wave

It's like magic

Oh, rollin' and ridin' and slippin' and slidin'

It's magic


And you, and your sweet desire

You took me higher and higher, baby

It's a livin' thing

It's a terrible thing to lose

It's a given thing

What a terrible thing to lose


Making believe this is what you conceived

From your worst day

Moving in line then you look back in time

To the first day


And you, and your sweet desire

Don't you do it, don't you do it

You took me, oh higher and higher, baby

It's a livin' thing

It's a terrible thing to lose

It's a given thing

What a terrible thing to lose


Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide

Floating downstream

So let her go don't start spoiling the show

It's a bad dream


And you, and your sweet desire

You took me higher and higher, baby

It's a livin' thing

It's a terrible thing to lose

It's a given thing

What a terrible thing to lose


It's a livin' thing

It's a terrible thing to lose



Songwriters: Jeff Lynne

Livin'thing lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave





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