ELO USA Singles

Electric Light Orchestra - The USA Singles

Comments and Observations

From May 1972 to April 1986, the Electric Light Orchestra released 31 standard singles on the US market. 26 of these charted on the Billboard Top 100 charts, yielding an amassed total of 341 weeks on the charts. Currently, ELO holds the record for having the most Billboard Top 40 hits of any band in US history, without ever hitting the #1 spot. Quite an accomplishment considering that all the songs, other than Roll Over Beethoven were written by bandleader Jeff Lynne. All ELO singles were only ever released in 7" format. By the time that CD singles came on the market, ELO had disbanded.

All A-side songs were taken from the current-at-the-time LPs, including two issues of Showdown. The first 1973 issue of Showdown was taken from the On The Third Day LP and the second 1976 issue was taken from the Olι ELO LP. Many of the songs were uniquely edited, especially those issued before 1979. Most common of the edits were removed intros or early fades, but some had more interesting cuts including whole verses and choruses. This was done presumably to keep the songs short and interesting for radio broadcasts.

The B-side songs were mostly taken from the album tracks of the current-at-the-time album or earlier. Two singles had tracks taken from the European only The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP. And six singles had unique B-sides. As with the A-sides, often the B-sides were uniquely edited. This was presumably done in case the records were flipped by radio stations (which happened in the case of Daybreaker) and to shorten the longer tracks for the 7" single format. It is known that ELO recorded several non-LP songs especially for the B-sides from the On The Third Day to Face The Music albums, with titles such as Give Me Fever and Like A Rat Up A Drain, but these songs were not used and have never been released.

All singles from May 1972 to April 1975 (10538 Overture to Boy Blue) were issued on the United Artists label. Beginning with Evil Woman in October 1975, the Jet Records label was created and the first single under that label was released. From October 1975 to March 1978 (Evil Woman to Sweet Talkin' Woman), all singles were issued under the Jet Records label while still being distributed by United Artists. During this period, the infamous yellow and blue Jet Records label was first used on the Turn To Stone single. Interestingly, during the middle of the promotion for the Out Of The Blue album, Jet Records changed distributors from United Artists to CBS, which meant that the next single, Mr. Blue Sky issued in June of 1978, was the beginning of ELO's records being issued on the Jet Records label and distributed by CBS. (It also meant that all copies of the United Artists versions of Out Of The Blue had to be recalled and the record was redistributed by CBS.) All remaining singles were issued with this arrangement and featured the infamous Jet Records logo with the exception of the Xanadu songs (issued by MCA because of contract requirements) and the final two singles (issued on the CBS Associated label because Jet Records was out of business).

It's unclear if Alright from the 2001 Zoom album could be considered a single. Although a promo CD single was released (with a unique version compared to the album) and it was promoted as the single, it was never officially released to the public for sale as a single in the US market. By this time, actual physical singles were becoming less important to single promotion and many record companies were not issuing them for songs they were promoting. This is probably the case with Alright and although it could probably be considered ELO's 32nd single, it's unclear if it actually qualifies as such. In any case, it failed to crack the Billboard Top 100 at all.

The lines are further blurred about what defines a single as the concept of the downloadable single has emerged and supplanted a physical single. Surrender from the 2006 A New World Record remaster album was a downloadable single simply because it was released slightly before the album. However, once the entire remaster album was released as downloadable, there was nothing to set this "single" apart from the album's non-singles other than how it was marketed. In this context, it's not clear where or if this song really fits, so it is not included here as a single.

Releases

Issue Date
Label & Stock #
A-Side
B-Side
Comments
May 1972 United Artists 50941 10538 Overture
Running Time: 3:56

This song is edited from the No Answer album version and fades immediately following the last chorus.

 The Battle Of Marston Moor (July, 2nd 1644)
Running Time: 6:05

This song is the same as the No Answer version.

 This edit of 10538 Overture has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for 10538 Overture and The Battle Of Marston Moor (July, 2nd 1644)...
February 1973 United Artists UA-XW 173-W Roll Over Beethoven
Running Time: 4:33

This song is edited from full Electric Light Orchestra II album version. It cuts the harmonium intro and the second repetition of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony on the intro. After the drumwhirl, the song goes straight into the 4th repetition of the second theme from Beethoven's 5th Symphony and then into the violin solo part. After the cello solo, the edit goes into the 3rd stanza, and after the 4th stanza direct into the 2nd guitar solo part.

 Queen Of The Hours
Running Time: 3:26

This song is the same as the No Answer version.
* Show/Hide release information for Roll Over Beethoven and Queen Of The Hours...
October 1973 United Artists UA-XW 337-W Showdown
Running Time: 3:54

This song is edited from the On The Third Day album version and fades about eighteen seconds earlier.

 In Old England Town (Instrumental)
Running Time: 2:44

This is an original B-side, adapted from the original Electric Light Orchestra II version of In Old England Town (Boogie #2).

 The B-side misprints the title as In An Old England Town.
* Show/Hide release information for Showdown and In Old England Town (Instrumental)...
February 1974 United Artists UA-XW 405-W Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Running Time: 3:25

This song is edited from the On The Third Day album version and fades during the last half of the third chorus.

 Daybreaker
Running Time: 3:33

This song is the same as the On The Third Day version, excluding the 19 second On The Third Day interlude that is attached to the end of the album version.

 This edit of Ma-Ma-Ma Belle has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Ma-Ma-Ma Belle and Daybreaker...
November 1974 United Artists UA-XW 573-W Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Running Time: 3:11

This song is edited from the Eldorado album version. It cuts the second verse, the second chorus and two parts of the moog synthesizer from the instrumental bridge.

 Illusions In G Major
Running Time: 2:38

This song is the same as the Eldorado version.
* Show/Hide release information for Can't Get It Out Of My Head and Illusions In G Major...
April 1975 United Artists UA-XW 634-W Boy Blue
Running Time: 2:54

This song is edited from the Eldorado album version. The orchestra intro is completely cut, and begins with the second guitar intro riff. The first chorus and a piece of the bridge is cut leading into the string theme prior to the spoken part. Everything from the third verse to the sixth verse is cut, as well as the instrumentation between the sixth verse and the fourth chorus.

 Eldorado
Running Time: 4:50

This song is edited from the Eldorado album version and fades shortly following the final chorus thus cutting the instrumental ending.

 These edits of Boy Blue and Eldorado have never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Boy Blue and Eldorado...
October 1975 United Artists UA-XW 729-Y Evil Woman
Running Time: 3:16

This song is edited from the Face The Music album version. It cuts the orchestral intro, the "You made a fool of me..." intro, a small portion of the piano on the intro, two lines from the first verse, a very large portion of the instrumental bridge, and one line from the third verse. It also fades early.

 10538 Overture (Live)
Running Time: 5:23

This song is the same as the European The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album version.

 These edits of Evil Woman and 10538 Overture have never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Evil Woman and 10538 Overture (Live)...
February 1976 United Artists UA-XW 770-Y Strange Magic
Running Time: 3:25

This song is edited from the Face The Music album version. It cuts the orchestral intro, a small portion of the guitar on the intro, and the next to last two choruses.

 New World Rising
Running Time: 4:07

This song is the same as the On The Third Day album version.
* Show/Hide release information for Strange Magic and New World Rising...
July 1976 United Artists UA-XW 842-Y Showdown
Running Time: 3:54

This song is edited from the On The Third Day album version and fades about eighteen seconds earlier.

 Daybreaker (Live)
Running Time: 3:33

This song is edited from the European The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album version. It cuts the spoken intro and part of the instrumentation, beginning with the main melody. It also fades early, cutting the final keyboard notes and drums.

 The edit of Showdown on this single is the same edit used for the 1973 single. This edit of Daybreaker has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Showdown and Daybreaker (Live)...
October 1976 United Artists UA-XW 888-Y Livin' Thing
Running Time: 3:32

This song is the same as the A New World Record album version.

 Ma-Ma-Ma Belle
Running Time: 3:25

This song is edited from the On The Third Day album version and fades during the last half of the third chorus.

 The edit of Ma-Ma-Ma Belle on this single is the same edit used for the 1974 single and has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Livin' Thing and Ma-Ma-Ma Belle...
February 1977 United Artists UA-XW 939-Y Do Ya
Running Time: 3:46

This song is the same as the A New World Record album version.

 Nightrider
Running Time: 4:26

This song is the same as the Face The Music album version.
* Show/Hide release information for Do Ya and Nightrider...
May 1977 United Artists UA-XW 1000 Telephone Line
Running Time: 4:03

This song is edited from the A New World Record album version. It cuts the dialing sound on the intro and it fades early, missing a portion of the second chorus.

 Poor Boy (The Greenwood)
Running Time: 2:58

This song is the same as the Eldorado album version.

 This edit of Telephone Line has never been issued on CD.

This single has two issues both with the same stock number, one on green vinyl and the other on standard black vinyl.
* Show/Hide release information for Telephone Line and Poor Boy (The Greenwood)...
November 1977 Jet / United Artists JT-XW 1099 Turn To Stone
Running Time: 3:48

This song is the same as the Out Of The Blue album version.

 Mister Kingdom
Running Time: 5:03

This song is edited from the Eldorado album version, cutting the string intro and fading early.

 This edit of Mister Kingdom has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Turn To Stone and Mister Kingdom...
March 1978 Jet / United Artists JT-XW 1145 Sweet Talkin' Woman
Running Time: 3:41

This song is the basically the same as the Out Of The Blue album version except it actually runs at a slightly faster speed causing it to be ten seconds shorter than the album version.

 Fire On High
Running Time: 4:02

This song is edited from the Face The Music album version, cutting the intro.

 This edit of Sweet Talkin' Woman has never been issued on CD.

This single has two issues both with the same stock number, one on purple vinyl and the other on standard black vinyl.
* Show/Hide release information for Sweet Talkin' Woman and Fire On High...
June 1978 Jet / CBS ZS8 5050 Mr. Blue Sky
Running Time: 3:48

This song is edited from the Out Of The Blue album version. It cuts the rain and radio tuning at the song's beginning and cuts the entire Concerto part at the song’s end.

 One Summer Dream
Running Time: Variable

This song is edited from the Face The Music album version, fading early.

 The actual point of fade on One Summer Dream varies. There appears to be at least six different fades on this single and it's unclear why there is such wide variation. Speculation is that the singles were pressed in different plants or at different times, thus each one had its own "at the plant" fade made. These edits of One Summer Dream have never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Mr. Blue Sky and One Summer Dream...
October 1978 Jet / CBS ZS8 5052 It's Over
Running Time: 3:56

This song is edited from the Out Of The Blue album version, cutting the orchestral intro.

 The Whale
Running Time: 4:58

This song is edited from the Out Of The Blue album version, fading six seconds early.

 This edit of It's Over has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for It's Over and The Whale...
May 1979 Jet / CBS ZS8 5057 Shine A Little Love
Running Time: 4:10

This song is edited from the Discovery album version, cutting the choral intro.

 Jungle
Running Time: 3:52

This song is the same as the Out Of The Blue album version.
* Show/Hide release information for Shine A Little Love and Jungle...
July 1979 Jet / CBS ZS9 5060 Don't Bring Me Down
Running Time: 4:07

This song is the same as the Discovery album version.

 Dreaming Of 4000
Running Time: 5:04

This song is the same as the On The Third Day album version.
* Show/Hide release information for Don't Bring Me Down and Dreaming Of 4000...
October 1979 Jet / CBS ZS9 5064 Confusion
Running Time: 3:43

This song is the same as the Discovery album version.

 Poker
Running Time: 3:32

This song is the same as the Face The Music album version.
* Show/Hide release information for Confusion and Poker...
November 1979 Jet / CBS ZS9 5067 Last Train To London
Running Time: 4:32

This song is the same as the Discovery album version.

 Down Home Town
Running Time: 3:52

This song is edited from the Face The Music album version, with a fade in so that only about half of the backwards Waterfall intro is included.

 This edit of Down Home Town has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Last Train To London and Down Home Town...
May 1980 MCA MCA-41246 I'm Alive
Running Time: 3:45

This song is the same as the Xanadu album version.

 Drum Dreams
Running Time: 3:08

This is an original B-side.

 Drum Dreams has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for I'm Alive and Drum Dreams...
June 1980 MCA MCA-41285 Xanadu
Running Time: 3:29

This song is the same as the Xanadu album version.

 Whenever You're Away From Me by Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly
Running Time: 4:15

This song has no Jeff Lynne involvement.
* Show/Hide release information for Xanadu...
July 1980 MCA MCA-41289 All Over The World
Running Time: 4:03

This song is the same as the Xanadu album version.

 Drum Dreams
Running Time: 3:08

This is an original B-side and the same version that was used on the I'm Alive single.

 Drum Dreams has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for All Over The World and Drum Dreams...
July 1981 Jet / CBS ZS5 02408 Hold On Tight
Running Time: 3:07

This song is edited from the Time album, fading very quickly on the last note as it would lead into Epilogue.

 When Time Stood Still
Running Time: 3:35

This is an original B-side.

 This edit of Hold On Tight has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Hold On Tight and When Time Stood Still...
November 1981 Jet / CBS ZS5 02559 Twilight
Running Time: 3:28

This song is edited from the Time album, fading in and including a small part of Prologue. It also fades just as the song ends and does not include the between song part heard on the Time album.

 Julie Don't Live Here
Running Time: 3:44

This is an original B-side.
* Show/Hide release information for Twilight and Julie Don't Live Here...
January 1982 Jet / CBS ZS5 02693 Rain Is Falling
Running Time: 3:57

This song is edited from the Time album, fading shortly before the merge with From The End Of The World.

 Another Heart Breaks
Running Time: 3:50

This song is the same as the Time album version.
* Show/Hide release information for Rain Is Falling and Another Heart Breaks...
June 1983 Jet / CBS ZS4 03964 Rock 'N' Roll Is King
Running Time: 3:08

This song is Unique. It is basically the same as the Secret Messages album version but it cuts the between song segment attached to the beginning of the track. Unlike the album version, the final guitar note rings for about six seconds before the final fade and does not include the cross fade into the Secret Messages Outro. Presumably, this is how the song would have normally ended on side three of the original double Secret Messages LP.

 After All
Running Time: 2:26

This is an original B-side.
* Show/Hide release information for Rock 'N' Roll Is King and After All...
September 1983 Jet / CBS ZS4 04130 Four Little Diamonds
Running Time: 3:58

This song is edited from the Secret Messages album, cutting the count in intro.

 Letter From Spain
Running Time: 2:52

This song is the same as on the Secret Messages album.

 This edit of Four Little Diamonds has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Four Little Diamonds and Letter From Spain...
October 1983 Jet / CBS ZS4 04208 Stranger
Running Time: 4:18

This song cuts the keyboard and laughter effects from the song’s intro.

 Train Of Gold
Running Time: 4:06

This song is edited from the Secret Messages album, cutting most of the "cheep, cheep" intro, fading in so that only three seconds worth is heard before the guitar part begins the song.

 These edits of Stranger and Train Of Gold have never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Stranger and Train Of Gold...
February 1986 CBS Associated ZS4 05766 Calling America
Running Time: 3:27

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.

 Caught In A Trap
Running Time: 3:45

This is an original B-side.
* Show/Hide release information for Calling America and Caught In A Trap...
April 1986 CBS Associated ZS4 05892 So Serious
Running Time: 2:44

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.

 Endless Lies
Running Time: 3:00

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.
* Show/Hide release information for So Serious and Endless Lies...

Promos

All 31 original singles also had promotional singles released. These promotional singles (commonly known as "promos") are often referred to as white label promos because at least one side has a completely white background. These promos were designed for use by radio stations, thus many had slight variations in the edits or versions compared to the commercial single. All promos have the same song on both sides of the single, but often there are slight variations in the two versions. All promos up to Shine A Little Love with the exception of It's Over had a stereo version of the A-side on one side and a mono version of the A-side on the other. The mono side was used by AM stations because for most of the 1970s, AM radio could only broadcast in mono. Roll Over Beethoven had two promo singles, both with the same stock number. Of these two promos, the first contains the standard single version (both stereo and mono) and the other contains and even shorter version that is cut to only 3:45 (both mono and stereo). It's Over and Hold On Tight both had the regular stereo A-side on one side and a slightly edited intro of the same song (in stereo) on the other side. All promo singles from Don't Bring Me Down and later (including the MCA singles) have the same stereo song on both sides of the record with the exclusion of the aforementioned Hold On Tight promo.

In addition to the standard 7" single promos, some songs also featured some interesting 12" promo singles. In 1977, Livin' Thing was released as a blue vinyl one-sided 12" promo that was packaged in a plain white sleeve with a blue stamp of "New ELO" only. In 1980, a very rare 10" picture disc of Xanadu was released. Beginning in 1981 with Hold On Tight, most (although not all) ELO singles were also released as 12" promos.

Issue Date
Label & Stock #
A-Side
B-Side
Comments
1972 to 1978 United Artists Evil Woman (stereo)
 Evil Woman (mono)
 This is a sample of a typical United Artists issue white label promo. All stock numbers are the same as the original non-promo issue. All versions are the same as their regular A-side single. Both Telephone Line and Sweet Talkin' Woman promos were released on both black and colored vinyl.
These versions of 10538 Overture to Sweet Talkin' Woman

All A-sides have the same versions as their commercial release A-sides. All B-sides are mono mix downs of the A-side edits.
1978 to 1986 CBS/Jet and CBS Associated Don't Bring Me Down
 Don't Bring Me Down
 This is a sample of a typical CBS/Jet issue white label promo. All stock numbers are the same as the original non-promo issue. All versions are the same as their regular A-side single counterpart except It's Over and Hold On Tight.
These versions of Mr. Blue Sky to So Serious

All A-sides and B-sides have the same versions as their commercial release A-sides except for the following. B-sides for Mr. Blue Sky and Shine A Little Love are mono mix downs of the A-side edits. B-sides for It's Over and Hold On Tight are distinct edits (described below).
1973 United Artists UA XW-173-W Roll Over Beethoven (stereo)
Running Time: 3:45

This song is the same as the 4:32 single version, but with even more cuts. It is missing more guitar and piano instrumentation after the first chorus. Half of the third verse and parts of the third chorus are also cut.

 Roll Over Beethoven (mono)
Running Time: 3:45

This song is the same as the stereo A-side except it is mono.

 This is the shortest known edit of Roll Over Beethoven.
* Show/Hide release information for Roll Over Beethoven ...
1978 Jet/CBS ZS8 5052 It's Over (long version)
Running Time: 3:56

This song is edited from the Out Of The Blue album version, cutting the orchestral intro.

 It's Over (short version)
Running Time: 3:36

This song is edited from the Out Of The Blue album version, cutting the orchestral intro and next to last chorus.

 The longer version is the same version as the regular It's Over single A-side.
* Show/Hide release information for It's Over...
1981 Jet/CBS ZS5 02408 Hold On Tight (long version)
Running Time: 3:07

This song is edited from the Time album, fading very quickly on the last note as it would lead into Epilogue.

 Hold On Tight (short version)
Running Time: 3:00

This song is edited from the Time album, cutting the guitar intro (starting directly with the piano) and fading very quickly on the last note as it would lead into Epilogue.

 The longer version is the same version as the regular Hold On Tight single A-side.
* Show/Hide release information for Hold On Tight...
1977 Jet SP-137 Livin' Thing
Running Time: 3:32

This song is the same as the A New World Record album version.
This record has no B-side.
 This is a one-sided, 12" promo single only on blue vinyl.
* Show/Hide release information for Livin' Thing...
1980 MCA MCA-10384 Xanadu
Running Time: 3:29

This song is the same as the Xanadu album version.

 Xanadu
Running Time: 3:29

This song is the same as the Xanadu album version.

 This promotional 10" picture disc is extremely rare. The same track plays on both sides
* Show/Hide release information for Xanadu...
1981 CBS/Jet AS 1252 Hold On Tight
Running Time: 3:08

This song is edited from the Time album, fading very quickly on the last note as it would lead into Epilogue.

 Time Pre-Release Montage
Running Time: 13:26

This is a montage of approximately a minute of each song from the Time album (excluding Prologue and Epilogue) in the order that they appear on the album. Each song is faded in and faded out, back to back to each other.

 This is a 12" single promo. The version of Hold On Tight is the same version as the regular single A-side. The unique B-side has never been issued on CD.
* Show/Hide release information for Hold On Tight and Time Pre-Release Montage...
1981 CBS/Jet AS 1319 Twilight
Running Time: 3:28

This song is edited from the Time album, fading in and including a small part of Prologue. It also fades just as the song ends and does not include the between song part heard on the Time album.

 Julie Don't Live Here
Running Time: 3:44

This is an original B-side.

 This is a 12" single promo and the versions of the songs on this single are the same as the standard 7" single.
* Show/Hide release information for Twilight and Julie Don't Live Here...
1983 CBS/Jet AS 1724 Rock 'N' Roll Is King
Running Time: 3:08

This song is edited from the Secret Messages album, cutting the between song segment attached to the beginning of the track and it fading quickly as the song ends and the Secret Messages Outro begins.

 Quiet Riot's Cum On Feel The Noize
Running Time: [UNKNOWN]

This song has no Jeff Lynne involvement.

 This is a 12" single promo. In an interesting cross-promotion, ELO and Quiet Riot (both Jet Records artists) are on the same promo record.
* Show/Hide release information for Rock 'N' Roll Is King...
1983 CBS/Jet AS 1736 Four Little Diamonds
Running Time: 4:05

This song is the same as the Secret Messages album version.

 Secret Messages Intro / Secret Messages
Running Time: 4:43

These songs are edited from the Secret Messages album, fading very quickly on the closing vocals and cutting the morse code ending.

 This is a 12" single promo. It's interesting to note that this contains the full album version of Four Little Diamonds rather than the single version and both the Secret Messages Intro and Secret Messages. The Secret Messages Intro is not credited on the single.
* Show/Hide release information for Four Little Diamonds and Secret Messages Intro/Secret Messages...
1986 CBS Associated ZAS 2254 Calling America
Running Time: 3:27

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.

 Calling America
Running Time: 3:27

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.

 This is a 12" single promo with the same song on both sides.
* Show/Hide release information for Calling America...
1986 CBS Associated ZAS 2321 So Serious
Running Time: 2:44

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.

 So Serious
Running Time: 2:44

This song is the same as on the Balance Of Power album.

 This is a 12" single promo with the same song on both sides.
* Show/Hide release information for So Serious...