Jeff Lynne Song Database - Electric Light Orchestra - Can't Get It Out Of My Head song analysis

Can't Get It Out Of My Head

Electric Light Orchestra -- Can't Get It Out Of My Head

An in-depth song analysis

Record Date: Between February and June, 1974

Record Location: De Lane Lea Studios, London

Written By: Jeff Lynne

Produced By: Jeff Lynne

Engineered By: Dick Plant & Mike Pela

Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar, moog synthesizer), Richard Tandy (piano, moog synthesizer), Hugh McDowell (cello)*, Michael De Albuquerque (bass), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Michael Edwards* (cello), Mik Kaminski* (violin), Louis Clark (orchestra conductor) -- *uncomfirmed

Initially Released On: Eldorado LP album (1974 September — USA — United Artists UA-LA 339-G)

Comments and Observations

Can't Get It Out Of My Head was originally recorded at De Lane Lea Studios in London, UK some time between February and June of 1974, although it was probably quite early in the sessions.

According to Jeff Lynne, it was the first Electric Light Orchestra song to use a full orchestra, although this does seem to contradict other statements from Jeff that Eldorado Overture was the first song with an orchestra. It's probably the case that to Jeff's mind, Eldorado Overture and Can't Get It Out Of My Head are one song, as they fit together very well on the Eldorado album and were performed together for every E.L.O. tour up until the 1981 Time tour. It's not entirely certain if the E.L.O. string players actually performed on the song as during this period of recording, some of the string players parts were simply mixed into the orchestra parts, causing the string players parts to often be indistinguishable amongst the orchestra. According to keyboardist Richard Tandy, the Minimoog keyboard used on the song was multitracked to give it a fuller, harmonic sound.

The song was written in response to Jeff Lynne's father, Phil, being critical of Jeff's songwriting. His father, an avid classical music lover, did not like his Electric Light Orchestra songs, saying, "they've got no tune." To prove to his father that he could write a beautiful classical influenced song, Jeff wrote the rock ballad of Can't Get It Out Of My Head. As Jeff wrote it in the front room of his parent's home in Shard End, Birmingham, one could possibly surmise that Jeff heard his father's comment and almost immediately went to the recording equipment in the front room to record the demo and show up his father. Perhaps this comment even spurred Jeff to use a full orchestra on the album, rather than dubbed together cellos as was done before.

The song was released as a single in England on Warner Brothers records in January 1975 with stock number "K16510" and having an Illusions In G Major on the B-side. In the USA, it's ELO's fifth single release and was released in November 1974, on United Artists records with stock number "XW 573-W" and the same Illusions In G Major on the B-side. It was also released as the second track of side 1 (after Eldorado Overture) on the Eldorado album on September 1974 in the USA and November 1974 in England. Oddly enough, although this song was a top ten hit in the USA, it was never reissued on 7" single in the USA, unlike other non-top ten hits from the USA charts.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head did not chart in the UK at all. It entered the USA Billboard Top 100 chart on December 21, 1974, reached #9 on March 15, 1975, and spent 16 weeks in the chart and entered the Cash Box chart on December 14, 1974 on, reached #14 on March 22, 1975, spending 17 weeks in the chart. It was ELO's third Billboard chart single and was the first top ten hit for the band in the USA, obviously a big success and marking a new era for ELO's popularity. It is intriguing that the song had no movement at all on the UK charts. At the time, E.L.O. was having rising success in the USA and were becoming virtually ignored in their homeland, so perhaps it's not too surprising that the song was not a success in the UK.

There has been some confusion over the years about when exactly the UK single was released with many sources claiming it was June of 1974. That is incorrect and it believed to have been intentionally incorrectly claimed by Pete Frames' Rock Family Trees author as a means to find who has been republishing his material. In any case, a June 1974 date is impossible because by that date the recording of the album had just finished and mixing was probably not yet complete. The The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album had just been released the summer of 1974 in Europe with plans to release it in the UK (which never materialized) and they would not have released two different projects simultaneously. The most obvious evidence that June 1974 is wrong is by the stock number. As stock numbers on Warner Brothers' releases were typically consecutive with respect to the release dates, the release of "K16506" (Graham Central Station's Feel The Need) in early 1975 and "K16497" (Wizzard's Are You Ready To Rock) in late December 1974, that would put ELO's Can't Get It Out Of My Head with "K16510" in early 1975, which would agree with the January 1975 date for the European releases of the song. Note also that although the single is stamped 1974, that is an indication of when the album the song was taken from (Eldorado) was released, not the when the single was released.

There has long been debate about a line in the opening verse of the song. Is it "walking on a wave's chicane" or "walking on a wave she came"? The lyric sheet issued with the Eldorado album lists it as "chicane" but lyric sheets have often been known to be wrong so can't be entirely trusted. Even watching Jeff's lips as he sings the song doesn't answer the mystery as the lip movement for either lyric is too similar. And then there is the question, what exactly is a "chicane"? It's not a common word so may not show up in your average English dictionary, but it refers to the frothy tip of a cresting wave. Thus, if the woman in the song is walking on a wave's chicane, she is walking upon the top of the waves. Was Jeff being obtuse and using an obscure lyric in his song or was it simply a transcription error by whoever did the original lyric sheet? It's a mystery.

Structure and Lyrics

Below is the structure of the fullest, most complete version of the originally released song as available on the standard issues of the Eldorado album.

-Piano and string intro
-Verse 1
   Midnight on the water
   I saw the ocean's daughter
   Walking on a wave's chicane/wave she came
   Staring as she called my name
-Chorus 1
   And I can't get it out of my head
   No, I can't get it out of my head
   Now my old world is gone for dead
   'Cos I can't get it out of my head
-Verse 2
   Breakdown on the shoreline
   can't move, it's an ebbtide
   Morning don't get here 'til night
   Searching for her silver light
-Chorus 2
   And I can't get it out of my head
   No, I can't get it out of my head
   Now my old world is gone for dead
   'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no
-Instrumental Bridge
   String part
   Minimoog part 1
   Minimoog part 2
   Minimoog part 3
-Verse 3
   Bank job in the city
   Robin Hood and William Tell and Ivanhoe and Lancelot, they don't envy me
   Sitting 'til the sun goes down
   In dreams the world keeps going round and round
-Chorus 3
   And I can't get it out of my head
   No, I can't get it out of my head
   Now my old world is gone for dead
   'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no
-Chorus 4
   No, I can't get it out of my head
   No, I can't get it out of my head
   Now my old world is gone for dead
   'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no no no
-String and choir ending

Variations

There are five known non-live variations of the original Can't Get It Out Of My Head They are:

-Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Standard Release)
-Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited Single Version)
-Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited USA Mono Single Version)
-Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Quadraphonic Mix)
-Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)

The single version simply cuts the whole first chorus, the second verse, and a large portion of the intstrumental bridge. This edited version also has a mono version available on the B-sides of the USA issued promotional single. The version from the 1984 Australian 18 Greatest Hits LP cuts a large portion of the instrumental bridge (but a different portion than the single version. Although the entire Eldorado album is known to have been mixed to quadraphonic sound, it has never been released, nor has it been bootlegged so any differences in it are unknown at this time.

Song Section Lyric/Part Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Standard Release) Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited Single Version)
Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited USA Mono Single Version) Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)

Piano and string intro Piano and string intro YES YES YES

Verse 1 Midnight on the water YES YES YES

I saw the ocean's daughter YES YES YES

Walking on a wave's chicane/wave she came YES YES YES

Staring as she called my name YES YES YES

Chorus 1 And I can't get it out of my head YES - YES

No, I can't get it out of my head YES - YES

Now my old world is gone for dead YES - YES

'Cos I can't get it out of my head YES - YES

Verse 2 Breakdown on the shoreline YES - YES

can't move, it's an ebbtide YES - YES

Morning don't get here 'til night YES - YES

Searching for her silver light YES - YES

Chorus 2 And I can't get it out of my head YES YES YES

No, I can't get it out of my head YES YES YES

Now my old world is gone for dead YES YES YES

'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no YES YES YES

Instrumental Bridge String part YES YES YES

Minimoog part 1 YES - YES, but only the first two seconds before merging with the next minimoog part

Minimoog part 2 YES - YES

Minimoog part 3 YES YES, but you can also hear a snippet of Minimoog part 1 at the beginning -

Verse 3 Bank job in the city YES YES YES

Robin Hood and William Tell and Ivanhoe and Lancelot, they don't envy me YES YES YES

Sitting 'til the sun goes down YES YES YES

In dreams the world keeps going round and round YES YES YES

Chorus 3 And I can't get it out of my head YES YES YES

No, I can't get it out of my head YES YES YES

Now my old world is gone for dead YES YES YES

'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no YES YES YES

Chorus 4 And I can't get it out of my head YES YES YES

No, I can't get it out of my head YES YES YES

Now my old world is gone for dead YES YES YES

'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no no no YES YES YES

String and choir ending String and choir ending YES YES YES

Song Section	Lyric/Part	Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Standard Release)	Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited Single Version) Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited USA Mono Single Version)	Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)
Piano and string intro	Piano and string intro	YES	YES	YES
Verse 1	Midnight on the water	YES	YES	YES
	I saw the ocean's daughter	YES	YES	YES
	Walking on a wave's chicane/wave she came	YES	YES	YES
	Staring as she called my name	YES	YES	YES
Chorus 1	And I can't get it out of my head	YES	-	YES
	No, I can't get it out of my head	YES	-	YES
	Now my old world is gone for dead	YES	-	YES
	'Cos I can't get it out of my head	YES	-	YES
Verse 2	Breakdown on the shoreline	YES	-	YES
	can't move, it's an ebbtide	YES	-	YES
	Morning don't get here 'til night	YES	-	YES
	Searching for her silver light	YES	-	YES
Chorus 2	And I can't get it out of my head	YES	YES	YES
	No, I can't get it out of my head	YES	YES	YES
	Now my old world is gone for dead	YES	YES	YES
	'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no	YES	YES	YES
Instrumental Bridge	String part	YES	YES	YES
	Minimoog part 1	YES	-	YES, but only the first two seconds before merging with the next minimoog part
	Minimoog part 2	YES	-	YES
	Minimoog part 3	YES	YES, but you can also hear a snippet of Minimoog part 1 at the beginning	-
Verse 3	Bank job in the city	YES	YES	YES
	Robin Hood and William Tell and Ivanhoe and Lancelot, they don't envy me	YES	YES	YES
	Sitting 'til the sun goes down	YES	YES	YES
	In dreams the world keeps going round and round	YES	YES	YES
Chorus 3	And I can't get it out of my head	YES	YES	YES
	No, I can't get it out of my head	YES	YES	YES
	Now my old world is gone for dead	YES	YES	YES
	'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no	YES	YES	YES
Chorus 4	And I can't get it out of my head	YES	YES	YES
	No, I can't get it out of my head	YES	YES	YES
	Now my old world is gone for dead	YES	YES	YES
	'Cos I can't get it out of my head, no no no no	YES	YES	YES
String and choir ending	String and choir ending	YES	YES	YES

Music Chart

These are the known statistics for the various country's music charts. If you can fill in the missing information or know of charting information in other countries, please let me know at the email address listed at the bottom of this page.

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 Week 15 Week 16 Week 17

UK Did not chart

USA Billboard Top 100 Chart Entry Date: December 21, 1974 87 76 65 52 41 33 29 23 19 15 11 10 9
(March 15, 1975) 18 36 57

USA Cash Box Top 100 Chart Entry Date: December 14, 1974 85 72 60 51 46 41 35 30 28 24 21 18 16 15 14
(March 22, 1975) 50 79

USA Record World Top 40 Chart Entry Date: [UNKNOWN] Peak of 23
during a run of an unknown number of weeks on the chart
Holland Top 40 Chart Entry Date: March 1, 1975 33 23 19
(March 15, 1975) 20 31

Australia Top 100 Chart Entry Date: September 22, 1975 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Peak at #59 on [UNKNOWN DATE] during a run of 10 weeks on the chart

	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5	Week 6	Week 7	Week 8	Week 9	Week 10	Week 11	Week 12	Week 13	Week 14	Week 15	Week 16	Week 17
UK Did not chart
USA Billboard Top 100 Chart Entry Date: December 21, 1974	87	76	65	52	41	33	29	23	19	15	11	10	9 (March 15, 1975)	18	36	57
USA Cash Box Top 100 Chart Entry Date: December 14, 1974	85	72	60	51	46	41	35	30	28	24	21	18	16	15	14 (March 22, 1975)	50	79
USA Record World Top 40 Chart Entry Date: [UNKNOWN]	Peak of 23 during a run of an unknown number of weeks on the chart
Holland Top 40 Chart Entry Date: March 1, 1975	33	23	19 (March 15, 1975)	20	31
Australia Top 100 Chart Entry Date: September 22, 1975	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	Peak at #59 on [UNKNOWN DATE] during a run of 10 weeks on the chart

Releases

Here are all the known USA and UK releases of the song:

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Standard Release)

Running Time: 4:21
Released On: Eldorado LP album (1974 September — USA — United Artists UA-LA 339-G)
Eldorado LP album (1974 November — UK — Warner Brothers K 56090)
Olé ELO LP album (1976 June — UK — Jet/Polydor JET LP 19)
Olé ELO LP album (1976 June — USA — United Artists UA-LA 630-G)
Eldorado LP album (1977 — UK — Jet/United Artists UAG 30092)
Joyride LP album (1977 — UK — United Artists/Jet UAG 30 129)
Joyride LP album (1977 — USA — United Artists/Jet UA-LA 784-H)
Eldorado LP album (1978 — UK — Jet JETLP 203)
Three Light Years LP album (1978 — UK — Jet JET BX1)
Eldorado LP album (1978 — USA — Jet JZ 35526)
Olé ELO LP album (1978 — USA — Jet JZ 35528)
The ELO EP EP (1978 December 9 — UK — Jet JET ELO 1)
ELO's Greatest Hits LP album (1979 November — UK — Jet JET LX 525)
ELO's Greatest Hits LP album (1979 November — USA — Jet FZ 36310)
Eldorado LP album (1980 — USA — Jet PZ 35526)
Olé ELO LP album (1980 — USA — Jet PZ 35528)
ELO's Greatest Hits LP album (1980 — USA — Jet PZ 36310)
ELO's Greatest Hits Half Speed Mastered LP album (1980 — USA — Jet HZ 36310)
The Best Of ELO LP album (1981 — UK — Tellydisc TELLY 7)
Eldorado LP album (1986 — UK — Jet JET LP 32397)
ELO's Greatest Hits CD album (1986 — USA — Jet ZK 36310)
Eldorado CD album (1987 — USA — Jet ZK 35526)
ELO's Greatest Hits LP album (1988 — UK — Epic 450357 1)
ELO's Greatest Hits CD album (1988 — UK — Epic 450357 2)
Olé ELO CD album (1988 — USA — Jet ZK 35528)
The Very Best Of The Electric Light Orchestra CD album (1989 — UK — Telstar TCD 2370)
Afterglow CD album (1990 June 15 — USA — Epic Associated Z3K 46090)
ELO Classics CD album (1990 — USA — CBS Special Products A 21583)
Eldorado 24KT Gold CD album (1993 — USA — DCC Compact Classics GZS 1041)
Strange Magic: The Best Of Electric Light Orchestra CD album (1995 — USA — Legacy/Epic Associated Z2K 64157)
Flashback CD album (2000 November 21 — USA — Epic/Legacy E3K 85123)
Flashback CD album (2000 December 11 — UK — Epic/Legacy 500931 2)
Eldorado CD album (2001 June 11 — UK — Epic 5019042)
Eldorado CD album (2001 June 12 — USA — Epic/Legacy EK 85419)
The Essential Electric Light Orchestra CD album (2003 April 1 — USA — Epic/Legacy EK 89072)
ELO Classics CD album (2007 October 9 — USA — KRB Music Companies KRB7045-2)
Ticket To The Moon - The Very Best Of The Electric Light Orchestra Volume 2 CD album (2007 October 15 — UK — Sony/BMG 88697 17993 2)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited Single Version)

Running Time: 3:07
Released On: Can't Get It Out Of My Head 7" single (1974 November — USA — United Artists UA-XW 573-W)
Can't Get It Out Of My Head 7" single (1975 January — UK — Warner Brothers K 16510)
Light Years: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra CD album (1997 — UK — Epic 489039 2)
The Ultimate Collection CD album (2001 October 22 — UK — Sony Music STVCD126)
The Collection CD album (2003 — UK — Marks & Spencer MS4800Q)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited USA Mono Single Version)

Running Time: 3:07
Released On: Can't Get It Out Of My Head 7" promo single (1974 November — USA — United Artists UA-XW 573-W)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Quadraphonic Mix)

Running Time: Unknown
Released On: Unreleased

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)

Running Time: 4:07
Released On: 18 Greatest Hits LP album (1984 — Australia — K-tel NA 674)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Eldorado Tour)

Running Time: 4:13 (approximate)
Record Date: February to April 1975
Record Location: Unknown
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (guitar), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (piano, moog synthesizer), Kelly Groucutt (bass), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale* (cello) --*unconfirmed
Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Winterland February 14, 1976)

Running Time: 3:56
Record Date: 1976
Record Location: Winterland Arena, San Francisco, USA
Written By: Jeff Lynne
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (guitar, vocals), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (piano, moog synthesizer, guitar, clavinet), Kelly Groucutt (bass, vocals), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello)
Released On: Live At Winterland '76 CD album (1998 April 13 — UK — Eagle Records EAMCD038)
Live At Winterland '76 CD album (1998 September 29 — USA — Cleopatra CLP0354)
The Complete ELO Live Collection CD album (2000 October 3 — USA — Cleopatra CLP0932)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (London June 20, 1976)

Running Time: 3:53
Record Date: June 20, 1976
Record Location: New Victoria Theatre, London, UK
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (guitar), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (piano, moog synthesizer, guitar, clavinet), Kelly Groucutt (bass), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello)
Released On: Fusion Concert - Live In London VHS videotape (1990 — UK — Pickwick PTR 2152)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Portsmouth June 22, 1976)

Running Time: 4:01
Record Date: June 22, 1976
Record Location: The Portsmouth Guildhall, UK
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (guitar, vocals), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (piano, moog synthesizer, guitar, clavinet), Kelly Groucutt (bass, vocals), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello)
Released On: Live At The BBC CD album (1999 — UK — Eagle Records EAMCD097)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (A New World Record Tour)

Running Time: 4:06 (approximate)
Record Date: January to April 1977
Record Location: Unknown
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (piano, moog synthesizer), Kelly Groucutt (bass), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello)
Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Out Of The Blue Tour)

Running Time: 4:12 (approximate)
Record Date: 1978
Record Location: Various
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Kelly Groucutt (bass), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello), Melvyn Gale (cello), Jake Commander [hidden on stage] (backing vocals, guitar)
Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Time Tour)

Running Time: 2:18 (approximate)
Record Date: October 1981 to May 1982
Record Location: Unknown (live only)
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Bev Bevan (drums, percussion), Richard Tandy (piano, synthesizer, electric piano), Kelly Groucutt (bass), Mik Kaminski (violin, synthesizer), Louis Clark (string synthesizer), Dave Morgan (acoustic guitar, vocoder)
Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (New York City, April 20, 2001)

Running Time: 5:14 (approximate)
Record Date: April 20, 2001
Record Location: New York City, New York
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Rosie Vela (backup vocals), Marc Mann (keyboards, guitar), Gregg Bissonette (drums), Matt Bissonette (bass), Peggy Baldwin (cello), Nancy Stein-Ross (cello)
Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (May 2001)

Running Time: 4:33
Record Date: May 23 or 24, 2001
Record Location: Stage 36 at CBS Television City, Los Angeles, California, USA
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Rosie Vela (backup vocals), Marc Mann (keyboards, guitar), Gregg Bissonette (drums), Matt Bissonette (bass), Peggy Baldwin (cello), Sarah O'Brien (cello)
Released On: Zoom Tour Live VHS videotape (2001 November 5 — UK — Aviva International B00005Q5ME)
Zoom Tour Live DVD (2001 November 13 — USA — Image Entertainment ID1334DDDVD)
Zoom Tour Live VHS videotape (2001 November 13 — USA — Image Entertainment ID1333DD)
Zoom Tour Live DVD (2003 July 28 — UK — Sony BMG 74321 89860 9)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Live Acoustic Version)

Running Time: 2:30
Record Date: June 6, 2001
Record Location: Rockline studios, Los Angeles, USA
Produced By: Jeff Lynne
Engineered By: Unknown
Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, acoustic guitar)
Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)

Tours

Can't Get It Out Of My Head was played on all tours following its release except the brief Balance Of Power tour.

The live performances that have seen official release are three versions from the Face The Music tour (from Winterland, London and Portsmouth) and one version from the PBS performance for the aborted Zoom tour. All of the Face The Music performances were part of a larger Eldorado Suite, between Eldorado Overture and Illusions In G Major.

Performances of Can't Get It Out Of My Head from the Eldorado, A New World Record, Out Of The Blue and Time tours have not been officially released, although they have been bootlegged from various sources. It should also be noted that the version of the song performed during the Time tour was part of a hits medley, so only included 2 minutes and 18 seconds, blending in from Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, cutting everything after the instrumental bridge part of the song, and then blending into Strange Magic on the US leg of the tour and Wild West Hero on the European leg of the tour.

Pictures

UK vinyl single * Warners * K 16510
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock USA vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW573-X USA Eldorado album * United Artists * UA-LA339-G UK The ELO EP EP * Jet * Jet ELO 1 UK vinyl single * Jet * Jet ELO 1 JB
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Argentina vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 32.299
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Argentina vinyl single promo * Warner Brothers * 32.299
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Argentina vinyl single promo * Epic * Epic DEP-139
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Australia vinyl single * Warner Brothers * WB-6399
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Belgium vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 16510
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Brazil vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 3-01-101-060
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Canada vinyl single * United Artists * UAXW 573-X Canada vinyl single * Columbia * C4-1028 France vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 16 510 Germany vinyl single * Warner Brothers * wB 16 510

Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Holland vinyl single * Warner Brothers * WB 16-510
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Japan vinyl single * Warner Brothers * P-1373W
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Mexico vinyl single * Warner Brothers * G-1462
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock New Zealand vinyl single * Warner Brothers * B 6399
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Russia flexi-disc single * Budkon * 2728

Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Spain vinyl single * warner Brothers * 45-1184 Thailand vinyl single * 4-Track * FT-186
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Thailand vinyl single * Royal Sound * TKR-255
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock Thailand vinyl single * Top Teen Talent * F-024
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Cover Versions

Cover Versions:One Hundred Ton And A Feather on their Can't Get It Out Of My Head single (1976)
OrKestra during live performances from 1987 to 1991
Silent Rage on their Don't Touch Me There album (1989) under the title of Can't Get Her Out Of My Head.
Jonathan King on his Butterfly That Stamped album (1989)
Electric Light Orchestra Part II on their Electric Light Orchestra - Greatest Hits Live album (1992)
Clifters on their Pirum Kaumis Nainen album (1992) [retitled as Kahta naista ei voi rakastaa]
Fountains of Wayne on their Sink To The Bottom single (1997) and Out Of State Plates album (2005)
Electric Light Orchestra Part II on their One Night - Live in Australia album (1997)
Dirk Blanchart from an unknown source (1998) [retitled as Ik krijg je maar niet uit mijn hoofd]
Carl Rusk on his Blue Period album (2000)
Doug Powell on the Lynne Me Your Ears tribute album (2001)
Jayhawks on their The American Git's Favorite Cheese album (2002)
Sun Flower Orchestra during a live tribute concert (October 2003)
P. Hux on his Homemade Spaceship: The Music Of ELO Performed By P. Hux album (5/2005)
Silverwood Quartet on their The Classic Rock Album album (2005)
Jody Raffoul during the live setlist (2006)
John Lee Hardee on his Fortune Cookies Part II album (2006)
John Paul White on the The O.C. Mix 6: Covering Our Tracks album (2006)
Sound Of The Blue Heart on their Beauty? album (2006)
Velvet Revolver on their Libertad album (7/2007)
Creedsight on their Hide The Sunlight From Your Eyes album (2007)
Jonathan King on his Earth To King album (2007) under the title I Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Teresa Ennis on her Space CD album (2007)
Band Vagon on their MySpace page (2008)

The Orchestra from live performances (2000s)

Use in Movies and TV Programs

Used in the Film or TV Program: Joyride (1977)

Sheet Music

Sheet music for this song is unavailable at this time.

Promotional Videos and TV Performances

There was a promotional video made of Can't Get It Out Of My Head that features the band playing in a small room. The video starts with showing the exterior of a farm house, giving the impression that that's where the band is playing. This video was a lip synched performance of the single version of the song. The video has never been commercially released.

Televised performances of the song will be documented at length at a future date. Performances might include a performance on the USA's Midnight Special program broadcast some time in 1974 or 1975.

Quotations

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Standard Release)
"Can't Get It Out Of My Head is an immediate favorite, vaguely suggestive of the Kinks, with a lush, irresistibly pretty melody."
Ken Barnes (January 2, 1975 Rolling Stone #177)
"The last single, Can't Get It Out Of My Head, just died over here [in England], rolled over and died."
Jeff Lynne (1975 - transcribed from an interview of unknown origin)
"Our first top 20 record..."
Author Unknown (June 1976 - liner notes for Olé ELO album)
"Can't Get It Out Of My Head ('74) was the first song on which we used a 30-piece string section playing along with us. Previously we had used just our 2 cellos and 1 violin and kept overdubbing them for weeks to try and get a bigger sound. This song was from (and still is) the album Eldorado, which earned us our first gold disc in the U.S.A."
Jeff Lynne (November 1979 ELO's Greatest Hits)
"That was the beauty of the seventies, y'know. Whatever I gave 'em, they said, 'Oh, thanks. That's great.' Y'know, it wasn't like, 'Oh, we don't hear a single.' It was always like, 'Oh, this is cool stuff.' But they did hear a single on [the Eldorado album], 105..., uh, Can't Get It Out Of Me Head [sic], and, uh, they put that out there and it did actually get into the Top 40. So it made a lot more people aware of us."
Jeff Lynne (circa late 1990s or early 2000s - Off The Record interview with Uncle Joe Benson)
"I wrote this in the front room of me mom and dad's house, in Birmingham, and I did have a good feeling about it."
Jeff Lynne (2000 - Flashback)
"All the songs on [the Eldorado] album were recorded at the old De Lane Lea studios in Wembley, London, right next to the Stadium."
Jeff Lynne (2001 - Eldorado Remaster)
"An old sausage of a number."
Jeff Lynne (June 6, 2001 - Rockline)
"Yes, I thought there was something special [about Can't Get It Out Of My Head], um, I think because you had like a hypnotic sort of feel to it and was quite repetitive as well. But it was still have lots of melody. [sic] And I was very pleased because just prior to that, me dad-- y'know, we were having an argument about something-- and he said, uh, 'that's the trouble with your tunes.' I says, 'what is?' And he said, 'they got no bloody tune.' [Laughs] So I said, 'I'll show you the tune, then.' And that's how I wrote, um, that one-- this tune-- showing him I could write a tune."
Jeff Lynne (June 24, 2001 - Off The Record interview with Joe Benson)
"The utterly swoonsome ballad Can't Get It Out Of My Head, the equally lamentful Laredo Tornado and the cantering Poor Boy all wouldn't disgrace Lennon & McCartney"
Martin Aston (2001 - Q Magazine, Eldorado album review)
"'Me dad said, The trouble with your tunes is that they've got no tunes,' laughs Jeff. 'I was a bit upset by that, but then I thought, He's right, you know. I'm not doing myself justice. That made me write Eldorado - I'll show you, I'll write something with a tune in it. And that included Can't Get It Out Of My Head, which became a big hit in America.'"
Jim Irvin (August, 2001 - The Bullring Variations article in Mojo)
"...It took a 40-piece orchestra and 30-person choir to achieve the dream. The effort and expense were worth it, if only because it produced the aptly titled Can't Get It Out Of My Head, their first US Top 10."
Jaan Uhelszki (April 1 2003 liner notes for The Essential Electric Light Orchestra)
"The [keyboard on the original Can't Get It Out Of My Head] was done with a MiniMoog, multitracked many times."
Richard Tandy (March 20, 2004 - Showdown mailing list)
"[Can't Get It Out Of My Head] was just like a go at a real serial kind of orchestral work. And I'd never done one of those before and I was really thrilled with the way I came out."
Jeff Lynne (July 5, 2005 - Face The Music: The Story of the Electric Light Orchestra BBC 2 Radio show)
"This collection doesn't include Can't Get It Out Of My Head or Roll Over Beethoven or 10538 Overture, which might make some question why it's called The Very Best of ELO."
Angela Pancella (July 2005 - Playback St. Louis review of All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra)
"...where in God's name does a label get the nerve to call a collection the 'Very Best Of' ELO without Can't Get It Out of My Head"?"
Ed Masley (August 4, 2005 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette review of All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra)
"Only two reasonable complaints can be lodged: the baffling omission of choice slow jam "Can't Get It Out of My Head", and the pointless just-barely-two-discs length."
Rob Mitchum (August 8, 2005 - Pitchfork Media All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra review)
"Although the recently issued compilation All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra contains many of ELO's biggest hits, it differs from its predecessor The Essential Electric Light Orchestra in that it forsakes several vital singles (Can't Get It Out of My Head and Do Ya) in favor of lesser known material."
John Metzger (August 2005 - The Music Box Volume 12, #8)
"Only two tracks— the pillow-soft Can't Get It Out of My Head and the Wagner-ian new wave of Twilight— didn't hold up with repeat listens. "
Andrew Gaerig (October 27, 2005 - Stylus online magazine's On First Listen article)
"The realisation of the classic ELO sound was the beginning of Top 10 single chart success in America and the first time Lynne had recorded with a 30-piece orchestra and choir: 'This is the way I've always wanted the group to sound-- what I was aiming for in the first place. It's the first time it's actually sounded like an Electric Light ORCHESTRA.'"
Rob Caiger (October 2007 - liner notes for Ticket To The Moon - The Very Best Of The Electric Light Orchestra Volume 2)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited Single Version)
The difference between this version and the Eldorado version is that it's missing the whole firsr chorus, the second verse and a large portion of the intstrumental bridge.
"The first single taken from the [Eldorado] album was Can't Get It Out Of My Head which was once again edited: The Continental European version only left out five seconds of the bridge, whereas the UK version left out the first chorus and second verse and edited the bridge even more than the European [version]. The US version was the same as the UK but with the longer European bridge. Confused?"
Patrik Guttenbacher, Marc Haines, & Alexander von Petersdorff (1996 Unexpected Messages)
Editor's note: It has since been confirmed that these comments about various edits of the song are incorrect. There is only one single version of the song and it is the same edit used in the UK, USA and worldwide.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited USA Mono Single Version)
This is a mono version of the USA single version of Can't Get It Out Of My Head.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Quadraphonic Mix)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)
This version, found on the Australian 18 Greatest Hits LP from 1984, differs from the original Eldorado version in that it cuts most of the first minimoog part and the third minimoog part in the instrumental bridge.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Eldorado Tour)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Winterland February 14, 1976)
The Live At Winterland '76 labels this song as Eldorado Suite (Including Can't Get It Out Of My Head), which runs [13:14] and includes several Eldorado songs other than this one.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (London June 20, 1976)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Portsmouth June 22, 1976)
The E.L.O. Live at the BBC CD incorrectly lists this song title as Eldorado and merges it with Eldorado Overture as one track.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (A New World Record Tour)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Out Of The Blue Tour)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Time Tour)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (New York City, April 20, 2001)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (May 2001)
"[The keyboards used on Can't Get It Out Of My Head in] 2001 was a Kurtzweil, as part of a midi set up, with a Roland RS5, and a Roland Juno."
Richard Tandy (March 20, 2004 - Showdown mailing list)

Can't Get It Out Of My Head (Live Acoustic Version)
This song is performed live on radio with only an acoustic guitar accompaniment.

Can't Get It Out Of My Head

elofan@juno.com

Robert Porter
July 2008


UK vinyl single * Warners * K 16510 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	USA vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW573-X	USA Eldorado album * United Artists * UA-LA339-G	UK The ELO EP EP * Jet * Jet ELO 1	UK vinyl single * Jet * Jet ELO 1 JB Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock

Argentina vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 32.299 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Argentina vinyl single promo * Warner Brothers * 32.299 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Argentina vinyl single promo * Epic * Epic DEP-139 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Australia vinyl single * Warner Brothers * WB-6399 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Belgium vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 16510 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock
			Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock
Brazil vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 3-01-101-060 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Canada vinyl single * United Artists * UAXW 573-X	Canada vinyl single * Columbia * C4-1028	France vinyl single * Warner Brothers * 16 510	Germany vinyl single * Warner Brothers * wB 16 510
				Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock
Holland vinyl single * Warner Brothers * WB 16-510 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Japan vinyl single * Warner Brothers * P-1373W Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Mexico vinyl single * Warner Brothers * G-1462 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	New Zealand vinyl single * Warner Brothers * B 6399 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Russia flexi-disc single * Budkon * 2728
Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock
Spain vinyl single * warner Brothers * 45-1184	Thailand vinyl single * 4-Track * FT-186 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Thailand vinyl single * Royal Sound * TKR-255 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock	Thailand vinyl single * Top Teen Talent * F-024 Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock