Electric Light Orchestra -- Showdown
An in-depth song analysis
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The basic track for Showdown was originally recorded at AIR Studios in the UK in April, 1973 in one take only during sessions comically referred to at the time as the Elizabeth Lister Observatory (E.L.O.) sessions. It is uncertain when the vocals and strings were recorded, although it's very possible it was done the same day. The song is known to have been demoed to the rest of the band in March of that year in a very rough format using just rhythm guitar and rough vocals by Jeff (not using the word "showdown" in the lyrics at all) with Richard Tandy assisting on keyboard. Being just a month later that it was recorded, the band had worked up the song and practiced it well enough to do in one quick take in the studio. Michael De Albuquerque is credited with giving the song its funky bass line, likened to Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine.
Marc Bolan of T. Rex fame was at the session where Showdown was recorded, and played on several ELO tracks at that time, but he did not play on Showdown itself. Instead, Jeff borrowed Marc's 1953 Gibson Firebird guitar to play over the instrumental break.
There appear to be female backing vocals on the song singing the "raining" lyric, but to this day, it's still a mystery who these female backing vocalists are. One theory is that it might be the Jeff himself, using studio tricks to change the pitch on his own voice and emulate female vocals.
Early working titles of the song were Bev's Trousers and All Over The World. Some of these songs have been released on various ELO collections, some using these original working titles and some not. They don't vary much from the released version, having just various parts of the song mixed in or out as Jeff experimented with different mixes. Jeff Lynne was apparently not very pleased with the unauthorized releases of alternate mixes on the Early ELO (1971-1973) collection, which is quite understandable considering that the version of Bev's Trousers on that set has a couple of very poor vocal edits. It's not likely this version will ever be released again, making it quite a rarity.
Despite the release of the first take of the song on the First Light Series: The Lost Planet set, it should be noted that the way ELO recorded, they first recorded the rhythm track (drums, bass, guitar, keyboards), then dubbed on the separately recorded vocals, and finally the strings. The strings at the time of the recording of Showdown were recorded by dubbing the string playing members' takes together multiple times to give the strings a full orchestra type of sound. So what the First Light Series: The Lost Planet set calls "take 1" is actually the first take of the rhythm track, with the first take of the vocals dubbed on, and the dubbed-together string section dubbed on. No undubbed version of the song has ever been released.
The song was the final release in England on Harvest records, being released on September 14, 1973 with stock number "HAR 5077" and having an instrumental version of In Old England Town on the B-side. In the USA, it's ELO's third single release, released as a single in October 1973, on United Artists records with stock number "UA-XW 337-W" and the same instrumental version of In Old England Town on the B-side (although mistitled as In An Old England Town). In the USA, it was also released as the fifth track on the On The Third Day album, the last song on side 1. In the UK, however, after the release of the single, ELO changed record labels and it was not on the On The Third Day album and was still not available on any UK releases of the album until the 2006 remaster CD. There is a clue that at one point it was intended for the UK release of the album because in the lyric section of the original UK album sleeve (Warner Brothers, K56021), there is a large gap where the lyrics to Showdown could easily fit. It's likely that the song was intended for the album all along and not just an add-on to the non-UK releases. A few years later, the song saw a revival when it was rereleased as a single in the USA on July 1976 on United Artists records with stock number "UA-XW 842-Y" with a live version of Daybreaker edited from the European The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album on the B-side. The song was rereleased as a single to promote the newly pressed compilation ELO album, Olé ELO.
Showdown entered the UK chart on October 13, 1973, peaked at #12 on November 3, and spent 8 weeks in the chart. In the USA, it entered the Billboard Top 100 chart on December 1, 1973, reached #53 on February 2, 1974, spending 11 weeks in the chart and entered the Cash Box chart on December 8, 1973 on, reached #51 on February 9. 1974, spending 11 weeks in the chart. It was ELO's second Billboard chart single. It charted again in the USA when it was rereleased to promote Olé ELO. That time it entered the Billboard Top 100 chart on August 7, 1976, reached a peak of #59 on August 28, 1976 and spent 7 weeks on the chart and entered the Cash Box chart on August 21, 1976, reached a peak of #75 on September 11, 1976 and spent 4 weeks on the chart during that run.
On September 28, 1974, John Lennon commented on WNEW-FM, a New York City radio station, that if the Beatles had stayed together, they would sound like ELO on Showdown, calling them the "Son of Beatles." An audio file of this can be heard HERE and a transcription of this is as follows:
"We're gonna play Electric Light Orchestra from last year, Showdown, which I thought was a great record and I was expecting it to be #1 but I don't think UA [United Artists] got their fingers out and pushed it. And it's a nice group -- I call them 'Son of Beatles' -- although they're doing things we never did, obviously. But I remember a statement they made when they first formed was to carry on from where the Beatles left off with Walrus, and they certainly did. And for those people who like to know where licks and things come from, which I do.... this is a beautiful combination of I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye and Lightning Strikes Again [by] Lou Christie, and it's a beautiful job with a little Walrus underneath."This must give great pleasure to Jeff, considering that he is such a big Beatles fan.
One interesting tidbit regarding this song is an often misheard lyric at the end of the fourth verse when Jeff sings the line "it's so real, the suffering." This has long been heard by some as "it's a real submarine." There are conflicting reports as to where this misheard lyric first surfaced. One report says that Del Shannon, who met Jeff in 1974, told him that he thought it was a really cool lyric to sing about a submarine. Another report says that one night on tour when Jeff was ill, Michael De Albuquerque sang the lead vocals in Jeff's place. Michael, having always misheard the lyric, sang it wrong. Whatever the origins of the misheard lyric, Jeff started singing it as "it's a real submarine" on tour soon after, where it can be most noticeably heard on the Zoom Tour Live performance.
Structure and Lyrics
Below is the structure of the fullest, most complete version of the originally released song as available on the standard UK single and USA On The Third Day album.
-String, guitar and bass intro
-Cello riff
-Verse 1
She cried to the southern wind
About a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a Showdown
-Cello riff
-Verse 2
Bad dreamer, what's your name
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as though there'll be more pain
There's gonna be a Showdown
-Cello riff
-Chorus 1
And it's rainin' all over the world
It's raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
-Cello riff
-Verse 3
She came to me like a friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a Showdown
-Verse 4
Save me
Oh save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a Showdown
-Cello riff
-Chorus 2
And it's rainin' all over the world
Raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
-Instrumental bridge
guitar and string (20 seconds)
rising guitar and strings with female vocals singing "rainin', rainin'"
flanged string interlude
-Chorus 3
background vocals only: rainin' all over the world
background vocals only: rainin' all over the world
The longest night
-Chorus 4
And it's rainin' all over the world
Raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
-Fade out
You gotta save me girl
When I'm ready to save
Ah, I'm the fool for you
You know I'm ready to die
C'mon and save me
Can't you feel what you're doing to me now
I'm on the run again
Gotta save your soul
Variations
There are ten known non-live variations of the original song Showdown and an original demo. They are:
-March 1973 Demo
-Showdown (Standard Release)
-Showdown (Take 1)
-Bev's Trousers (Showdown - Early Version)
-All Over The World (Showdown - Early Version)
-Showdown (Alternate Early Mix Version)
-Showdown (ADT Mix Version)
-Showdown (Edited USA Single Version)
-Showdown (Edited USA Mono Single Version)
-Showdown (Edited Video Version)
-Showdown (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)
The March 1973 demo is a very raw version of Jeff playing the rhythm guitar of the verses, while mumbling some lyrics that vary from the final release. The Take 1 version is the same as the standard release version, but it uses only the raw, unmixed rhythm and vocal takes as well as the mixed in strings and background vocals. Most interesting about this Take 1 version is that the full lyrics for the third chorus are heard, which is something not heard on any other version. It also does not fade, but continues to when the band finished the take, all while using completely different lyrics than appeared on the final release. The Bev's Trousers, All Over The World and Alternate Early Mix versions are mixes that were done before the final release version, containing slightly more adlibbed vocals, added vocal effects, and missing entirely the female backing vocals and the flanged string interlude from the song's instrumental bridge. The All Over The World version has an added flange effect and the Alternate Early Mix version also has an even stronger flange effect added throughout the song. The ADT Mix Version has been Automatically Double Tracked (ADT), meaning that the song is played with itself, which gives it a slight flange effect. The Edited USA single version (originally available on the UA single #UA-XW337-W) is the same as the standard version except that it fades earlier at the "You know I'm ready to die" lyric. This edited version also has a mono version available on the B-sides of the USA issued promotional single. The edited video version is a bit of an oddity, in that it's the same as the standard single version, but it cuts the first line of the third chorus. It's unclear why this edit is on the video. The version found on the 1984 Australian 18 Greatest Hits LP edited out the first four lines of the ending.
Song Section Lyric/Part Showdown (Standard Release) Showdown (Take 1) Bev's Trousers (Showdown - Early Version) All Over The World (Showdown - Early Version) Showdown (Alternate Early Mix Version) Showdown (ADT Mix Version) Showdown (Edited USA Single Version)
Showdown (Edited USA Mono Single Version)Showdown (Edited Video Version) Showdown (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version) String, guitar and bass intro String, guitar and bass intro YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Cello riff Cello riff YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Verse 1 She cried to the southern wind YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES About a love that was sure to end YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Every dream in her heart was gone YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Headin' for a Showdown YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Cello riff Cello riff YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Verse 2 Bad dreamer, what's your name YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Looks like we're ridin' on the same train YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Looks as though there'll be more pain YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES There's gonna be a Showdown YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Cello riff Cello riff YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Chorus 1 And it's rainin' all over the world plus backing vocals YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES It's raining all over the world plus backing vocals YES YES, but lyric is changed to Can't you see it's raining all over the world YES, but lyric is changed to Can't you see it's raining all over the world YES YES YES YES YES YES Tonight, the longest night YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Cello riff Cello riff YES YES YES, but due to a bad edit, you can hear Jeff start to sing the next lyric, she ca... YES YES YES YES YES YES Verse 3 She came to me like a friend YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES She blew in on a southern wind YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Now my heart is turned to stone again YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES There's gonna be a Showdown YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Verse 4 Save me YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Oh save me YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES It's unreal, the suffering YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES There's gonna be a Showdown YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Cello riff Cello riff YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Chorus 2 And it's a rainin' all over the world plus backing vocals YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Raining all over the world plus backing vocals YES YES, but lyric is changed to Oh, oh, it's raining all over the world YES, but lyric is changed to Oh, oh, it's raining all over the world YES YES YES YES YES YES Tonight, the longest night YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Instrumental Bridge guitar and string (20 seconds) YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES rising guitar and strings with female vocals singing rainin', rainin' YES YES, but missing female backing vocals and has an extra vocal bit with Jeff singing Ah, you gotta save me, yeah, ooh YES, but missing female backing vocals YES, but missing female backing vocals YES, but missing female backing vocals YES, but missing female backing vocals YES YES YES flanged string interlude YES - - - - - YES YES YES Chorus 3 Background vocals only sing rainin' all over the world YES YES, but lead vocals sing And it's rainin' all over the world YES YES YES YES YES - YES Background vocals only sing rainin' all over the world YES YES, but the lead vocals sing Gotta hear me now, it's raining all over the world YES, but the lead vocals sing Gotta hear me now, it's raining all over the world YES YES YES YES YES YES The longest night YES YES, but the full lyric is sang Tonight, the longest night YES YES YES YES YES YES YES Chorus 4 And it's rainin' all over the world plus backing vocals YES YES, but the lyric is I say to you it's rainin' all over the world YES, but the lyric is I say to you it's rainin' all over the world and at the same time, but pushed down in the mix, a double track of Jeff sings And it's... over the I say to you lyric YES YES YES YES YES YES Raining all over the world plus backing vocals YES YES, but the lyric is Ah, oh, it's rainin' all over the world YES, but the lyric is Ah, oh, it's rainin' all over the world YES YES YES YES YES YES Tonight, the longest night YES YES YES, but the lyric tonight is double tracked YES YES YES YES YES YES Repeat to fade You gotta save me girl YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES - When I'm ready to save YES YES, but the lyric changed to I'm on the run again YES YES YES YES YES YES - Ah, I'm the fool for you YES YES, but the lyric changed to You gonna please me, girl YES YES YES YES YES YES - You know I'm ready to die YES YES, but the lyric changed to You've seen my soul a'comin' through YES YES YES YES YES YES - C'mon and save me YES YES, but the lyric changed to I know I try and try YES YES YES YES - YES YES Can't you feel what you're doing to me now YES YES, but the lyric changed to And so I get unto you YES YES YES YES - YES YES I'm on the run again YES YES, but the lyric changed to Save me! YES YES YES YES - YES YES Gotta save your soul YES YES, but the lyric changed to You gotta save me girl, ooh YES YES YES YES - YES YES Instrument stops (no fade out) Instrument stops (no fade out) - 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 UK Chart Entry Date: October 13, 1973 29 14 16 12
(November 3, 1973)12
(November 10, 1973)18 23 36 USA Billboard Top 100 Chart Entry Date: December 1, 1973 90 87 84 76 67 61 57 56 55 53
(February 2, 1974)65 USA Cash Box Top 100 Chart Entry Date: December 8, 1973 94 83 76 73 67 64 59 53 52 51
(February 9, 1974)68 Holland Top 40 Chart Entry Date: January 26, 1974 36 28
(February 2, 1974)30 35 Norway Top 10 Chart Entry Date: November ?, 1973 9
(November ?, 1973)9
(?, 1973)* * * USA Billboard Top 100 Chart Entry Date: August 7, 1976 84 74 63 59
(August 28, 1976)68 99 96 USA Cash Box Top 100 Chart Entry Date: August 21, 1976 87 82 78 75
(September 11, 1976)
Releases
Here are all the legitimate USA and UK releases of the song:
March 1973 Demos
- Running Time: 1:06 (approximate)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (Standard Release)
- Running Time: 4:11
- Released On: Showdown 7" single (1973 September 14 — UK — Harvest HAR 5077)
On The Third Day LP album (1973 November — USA — United Artists UA-LA 188-F)
Showdown LP album (1974 — UK — Harvest SHSP 4037)
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)
Showdown 7" single (1977 March — UK — Harvest HAR 5121)
Showdown 12" single (1977 March — UK — Harvest HAR 12-5121)
The Light Shines On LP album (1977 — UK — Harvest SHSM 2015)
Harvest Heritage 20 Greats Various Artists LP album (1977 — UK — SHSM2020)
On The Third Day LP album (1978 — USA — Jet JZ 35525)
Olé ELO LP album (1978 — USA — Jet JZ 35528)
Showdown 7" single (1979 March — UK — Harvest HAR 5179)
Showdown 12" single (1979 March — UK — Harvest 12-HAR 5179)
ELO's Greatest Hits LP album (1979 November — UK — Jet JET LX 525)
Roll Over Beethoven Golden Oldies 7" single (1980 December — USA — Jet/CBS ZS8 5152)
On The Third Day LP album (1980 — USA — Jet PZ 35525)
Olé ELO LP album (1980 — USA — Jet PZ 35528)
First Movement LP album (1986 — UK — Harvest EMS 1128)
First Movement CD album (1987 — UK — EMI CDP 7467132)
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)
A Message From The Country: The Jeff Lynne Years 1968 - 1973 LP album (1989 — UK — Harvest SHSM 2031)
A Message From The Country: The Jeff Lynne Years 1968 - 1973 CD album (1989 — UK — Harvest CDP 7 92585 2)
On The Third Day CD album (1990 — USA — Jet ZK 35525)
Afterglow CD album (1990 June 15 — USA — Epic Associated Z3K 46090)
Early ELO (1971-1973) CD album (1991 — UK — EMI Records Ltd. CDS 79 7471 2)
Roll Over Beethoven Collectables 7" single (1991 — USA — Jet/CBS ZS8 5152)
The Very Best Of The Electric Light Orchestra CD album (1994 — UK — Dino DINCD90)
Strange Magic: The Best Of Electric Light Orchestra CD album (1995 — USA — Legacy/Epic Associated Z2K 64157)
The Gold Collection CD album (1996 — UK — EMI Gold 9 37162 2)
Light Years: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra CD album (1997 — UK — Epic 489039 2)
Harvest Festival Various Artists CD album (1999 August 3 — UK — EMI 07243 521198 20)
Flashback CD album (2000 November 21 — USA — Epic/Legacy E3K 85123)
Flashback CD album (2000 December 11 — UK — Epic/Legacy 500931 2)
The Ultimate Collection CD album (2001 October 22 — UK — Sony Music STVCD126)
ELO 2 Remaster CD album (2003 March 31 — UK — EMI 5 43329 2)
The Collection CD album (2003 — UK — Marks & Spencer MS4800Q)
All Over The World: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra CD album (2005 June 6 — UK — Sony 5201292)
All Over The World: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra CD album (2005 August 2 — USA — Epic/Legacy EK 94489)
The Collection CD album (2006 March 13 — UK — EMI 3 55978 2)
The Harvest Years 1970-1973 CD album (2006 July 31 — UK — EMI 3 60078 2)
On The Third Day Remaster CD album (2006 September 11 — UK — Epic/Legacy 82796942712)
On The Third Day Remaster CD album (2006 September 12 — USA — Legacy EK 94278)Showdown (Take 1)
- Running Time: 4:18
- Released On: The Lost Planet CD album (2003 March 31 — UK — EMI 5 43330 2)
The Harvest Years 1970-1973 CD album (2006 July 31 — UK — EMI 3 60078 2)Bev's Trousers (Showdown - Early Version)
- Running Time: 4:05
- Released On: Early ELO (1971-1973) CD album (1991 — UK — EMI Records Ltd. CDS 79 7471 2)
All Over The World (Showdown - Early Version)
- Running Time: 4:07
- Released On: Early ELO (1971-1973) CD album (1991 — UK — EMI Records Ltd. CDS 79 7471 2)
The Gold Collection CD album (1996 — UK — EMI Gold 9 37162 2)Showdown (Alternate Early Mix Version)
- Running Time: 4:06
- Released On: Early Years CD album (2004 March 1 — UK — EMI 5 92808 2)
Showdown (ADT Mix Version)
- Running Time: 4:05
- Released On: Harvest Showdown CD album (2005 September 5 — UK — EMI 330 2632)
Showdown (Edited USA Single Version)
- Running Time: 3:47
- Released On: Showdown 7" single (1973 October — USA — United Artists UA-XW 337-W)
Showdown 7" single (1976 July — USA — United Artists UA-XW 842-Y)
Roll Over Beethoven Silver Spotlight Series 7" single (1974 August — USA — United Artists UA-XW 513-W)
ELO's Greatest Hits LP album (1979 November — USA — Jet FZ 36310)
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)
ELO's Greatest Hits CD album (1986 — USA — Jet ZK 36310)Showdown (Edited USA Mono Single Version)
- Running Time: 3:47
- Released On: Showdown 7" promo single (1973 October — USA — United Artists UA-XW 337-W)
Showdown (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)
- Running Time: 3:54
- Released On: 18 Greatest Hits LP album (1984 — Australia — K-tel NA 674)
Showdown (Edited Video Version)
- Running Time: 4:01
- Released On: Unreleased (video only)
Showdown (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
- Running Time: 8:23
- Record Date: May 12, 1974
- Record Location: Long Beach Auditorium, California, USA
- Produced By: Jeff Lynne
- Engineered By: Unknown
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Bev Bevan (drums), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Michael De Albuquerque (bass), Mike Edwards (cello), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello)
- Released On: The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach LP album (1974 — Germany — Warner Brothers WB 56058-Z)
Showdown (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
- Running Time: 6:54
- Record Date: May 12, 1974
- Record Location: Long Beach Auditorium, California, USA
- Produced By: Jeff Lynne
- Engineered By: Unknown
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Bev Bevan (drums), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Michael De Albuquerque (bass), Mike Edwards (cello), Mik Kaminski (violin), Hugh McDowell (cello)
- Released On: The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) LP album (1985 — UK — Epic EPC 32700)
The Night The Light Went On (In Long Beach) CD album (1998 — UK — Epic 491103 2)Showdown (Eldorado Tour)
- Running Time: 4:47 (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)
Showdown (Winterland February 14, 1976)
- Running Time: 4:47
- Record Date: 1976
- Record Location: Winterland Arena, San Francisco, USA
- 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)Showdown (London June 20, 1976)
- Running Time: 5:08
- 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)
Showdown (Portsmouth June 22, 1976)
- Running Time: 4:45
- 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)
Showdown (A New World Record Tour)
- Running Time: 4:51 (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)
Showdown (Wembley 1978)
- Running Time: 3:13
- Record Date: June, 1978
- Record Location: Wembley Empire Pool, London, UK
- 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: ELO - Live In Concert VHS videotape (1980 — UK — V.C.L. Z159G)
ELO - Live In Concert Beta videotape (1980 — UK — V.C.L. Unknown)
Electric Light Orchestra - Live At Wembley VHS videotape (1980 — USA — MGM/CBS Home Video CV40021)
Electric Light Orchestra - Live At Wembley Beta videotape (1980 — USA — MGM/CBS Home Video CB40021)
ELO - Live In Concert laserdisc (1981 — UK — CBS/Fox 7021-70)
Electric Light Orchestra - Live At Wembley CED laserdisc (1981 September 1 — USA — CBS/Fox CD 100021)
ELO - Live In Concert VHS videotape (1984 — UK — CBS/Fox 7021-50)
ELO - Live In Concert Beta videotape (1984 — UK — CBS/Fox Unknown)
ELO - Live In Concert VHS videotape (1985 — UK — vocals Communications 2739-50)
Live At Wembley - The Out Of The Blue Tour VHS videotape (1989 — UK — Castle Hendring CASH5036)
Live At Wembley '78 CD album (1998 March 28 — UK — Eagle Records EAMCD0039)
Live At Wembley '78 CD album (1998 September 8 — USA — Cleopatra CLP0353)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley VHS videotape (1998 — UK — Eagle Rock ERE 058)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley / Discovery VHS videotape (1998 December 8 — USA — Image Entertainment ID4561ER)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley / Discovery DVD (1999 January 19 — USA — Image Entertainment ID4562ERDVD)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley / Discovery DVD (2000 June 16 — UK — Eagle Rock Entertainment EREDV 058)
The Complete ELO Live Collection CD album (2000 October 3 — USA — Cleopatra CLP0932)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley / Discovery DVD (2004 October 5 — USA — Eagle Vision 801213008292)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley DVD (2006 March 20 — UK — Eagle Vision EREDV556)
Out Of The Blue Tour - Live At Wembley DVD (2006 June 27 — USA — Eagle Vision USA 801213303793)Showdown (Time Tour)
- Running Time: 1:52 (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)
Showdown (Balance Of Power Tour)
- Running Time: 1:52 (approximate)
- Record Date: 1986
- Record Location: Unknown
- Produced By: Jeff Lynne
- Engineered By: Unknown
- Performed By: Jeff Lynne (vocals, guitar), Bev Bevan (drums), Richard Tandy (keyboards), Mik Kaminski (violin), Louis Clark (string keyboards), Dave Morgan (guitar, keyboards), Martin Smith (bass)
- Released On: Unreleased (bootlegged)
Showdown (New York City, April 20, 2001)
- Running Time: Unknown
- 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
Showdown (May 2001)
- Running Time: 4:42
- 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)
Tours
Showdown was played on all tours following its release.
The performances that have seen official release are two versions from the On The Third Day tour (both variations of the Long Beach concert), three versions from the Face The Music tour (from London, Winterland and Portsmouth), one version from the Out Of The Blue tour (Wembley), and one version from the PBS performance for the aborted Zoom tour. It's interesting to note that the Long Beach performance was greatly extended with additional guitar solos, but the two releases (the original LP and the remastered CD) have been edited very differently from one another making them both quite unique.
Performances of Showdown from the Eldorado, A New World Record, Time and Balance Of Power 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 1 minute and fifty seconds, cutting the third and fourth verses and the second and third choruses before blending into Ma-Ma-Ma Belle. The performance during the brief Balance Of Power tour was also abbreviated, blending in from the end of 10538 Overture, cutting the third and fourth verses and the second and third choruses before blending into Sweet Talkin' Woman.
Pictures
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| UK vinyl single * Harvest Records * HAR 5077 | USA vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW 337-W | USA On The Third Day album * United Artists * UA-LA 188-F | UK vinyl 12" single * Harvest * PSLP 213 | UK vinyl 12" single * Harvest * 12 HAR 5179 |
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | ||||
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| UK promo vinyl single * Harvest * HAR 5179 | USA vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW 513-W | USA vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW 842-Y | USA vinyl single * Golden Oldies Jet * CBS ZS8 5152 | USA vinyl single * Collectables Jet * CBS ZS8 5152 |
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| Australia vinyl single * Harvest * HAR-11357 | Australia vinyl single * Harvest * HAR-10326 | Belgium vinyl single * Harvest * 4C 006-05 458 | Canada vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW337-W | Canada vinyl single * United Artists * UA-XW842-Y |
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | |||
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| Chile vinyl single (Roll Over Beethoven) * EMI * MSOD-8915 | East Germany vinyl EP * Amiga * 5 56 085 | France vinyl single * Harvest * 2C 006-05.458 | Germany vinyl single * Harvest * 1C 006-05 458 | Germany vinyl single * Harvest * 1C 006-06 855 |
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jerry Palovick | |
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| Holland vinyl single * EMI * 1A 006-06855 | Holland vinyl 12" single * Harvest * 5C K052Z-06855 | Holland vinyl single (pink) * Harvest * 5C 006-05 458 | Holland vinyl single (light blue) * Harvest * 5C 006-05 458 | Holland vinyl single (dark blue) * Harvest * 5C 006-05 458 |
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock |
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| Italy vinyl single * Harvest/EMI * 3C006-05458 | Italy vinyl single * Harvest * 3C 000-70014 | Japan vinyl single * Odeon * EOR-10450 | New Zealand vinyl single * Harvest * HAR 5077 | Peru vinyl single * Odeon * 01.01.211 |
| Image used with kind permission of Bill Carter | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock |
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| Portugal vinyl single * Stateside * 8E 006-05 458 MF | Singapore vinyl single * Harvest * HAR 5077 | South Africa vinyl single * Harvest * HARJ 5077 | Sweden vinyl single * Harvest * HAR 5077 | Thailand vinyl EP * 4 Track * FT.127 |
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock |
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| Thailand vinyl EP * Royalsound * TKR 166 | Thailand vinyl EP * Cashbox * KS-245 | Thailand vinyl EP * ? * FS2 | Thailand vinyl EP * ? * ? | Thailand vinyl EP * Cashbox * ? |
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock |
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| Thailand vinyl EP * Cashbox * ? | Venezuela vinyl single (promo) * Harvest * HAR 710 | Yugoslavia vinyl single * Harvest Jugotron * SHAR-88706 | ||
| Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock | Image used with kind permission of Jon Lock |
Cover Versions
The Orchestra from live performances (2000s)
Use in movies and TV Programs
Sheet Music
Sheet music as published in the USA.
Sheet music as published in the UK.
Please note that because this is published and copyrighted material, the full sheet music cannot be shown here.
Promotional Videos and TV Performances
There was a promotional video made of Showdown that features the band playing the song on the banks of the Thames river. This video was a lip synched performance of the single version of the song, although the song was slightly edited, cutting the first line of the third chorus. The video has never been commercially released.
Televised performances of the song will be documented at length at a future date. Performances are known to include a performance on the UK's Top Of The Pops program broadcast on October 11, 1973 with Kenny Everett hosting and Germany's Szene 74 program broadcast some time in 1974.
Quotations
This page is intended to be a complete record of information on the Electric Light Orchestra song Showdown. If you notice any errors or omissions, please contact me at elofan@juno.com and let me know. I strive for accuracy.March 1973 Demos
"ELO were touring so much during [the early 1970s] that rehearsals for new material were done during soundchecks or backstage while support bands were playing. One such illuminating backstage encounter from March 1973 survives on a recently discovered mono cassette tape. With just a guitar and one keyboard, Jeff and Richard are heard demoing to the rest of the group, embryonic, guide-vocal versions of Auntie, Bev's Trousers No. 7, Daybreaker, Everyone's Born To Die and two further songs that were never recorded. A week later, Jeff had written the lyrics and taken the band into AIR to record the songs."
Rob Caiger (2002 - liner notes for ELO 2 remaster CD)"[The March 1973 demos on mono tape were] on CD 2 [of the First Light Series: ELO 2 set entitled The Lost Planet] until Jeff asked us to remove it. It is a fascinating document of a band at work, plus there's two songs on there which have never been released in any form."
Rob Caiger (April 1, 2003 - Showdown mailing list)"A tour during March 1973 to promote ELO 2 took up so much time that Lynne had to demo his new material to the group during soundchecks or while support bands were on-stage. Early versions of new songs such as Theme From A Glass Table (Daybreaker) and I'm Only Dreaming (Dreaming Of 4000) were already being performed live though Lynne could not wait to get the band back into the studio."
Rob Caiger (September 11 2006 - On The Third Day remaster liner notes)
Showdown (Standard Release)
This song was originally released as a single only and was not put on the UK version of On The Third Day. However, in the US, it was released on On The Third Day. There is a "single version" of this song that turns up on various collections, however since the song was originally issued as a single only, the single and album (On The Third Day) versions are one and the same. An edited version of the song did turn up, though, on the original USA pressed UA single."Who has Jeff Lynne been listening to now? On the first coupla [sic] hearings, I didn't rate Showdown too highly but stick with it, brethen, it's a grower. The production and the arrangement are excellent, very black sounding, and Jeff Lynne has obviously been listening to someone pretty good. Shimmering strings tap the ball off the centre-spot and are most admirably deployed throughout, not dominating but adding emphasis and punctuation to the side, Jeff even contrives to sing black and the whitest things about Showdown are a crisp guitar break and a group of ladies who go 'raining, raining' in spots. The beat, as we reviewing johnnies are so fond of saying, doesn't let up for a moment. The Pig was put in mind of I Heard It Through The Grapevine, and I dare say she's right. Even if it doesn't do too well in this country it should lay them on their ears in the Americas. 9/10 to Jeff and the Boys."
John Peel (January, 1974 - Disc)"Jeff Lynne and the ELO thunder back into action with menacing strings and anguished vocals. Add a funky back-beat and a catchy hook phrase and you have-- a chart buster. That's my theory and it may just work. The riff nags at the brain and causes a rush of blood to the head, an itch in the soles of the feet and bloodshot eyes."
Author Unknown (1973 - Sounds)"On one track, Raining All Over The World (Showdown) [sic] - a strong contender as ELO's next single - the following guitars were played: a 1951 Les Paul; a 1953 Gibson Firebird belonging to Marc Bolan; a 1973 Shaftesbury; a 1963 Strat and a Yamaha Acoustic; plus a custom-built Gibson played by studio engineer Denny Bridges, who used to be in the Third Ear Band. Quite a mixture. And on Marc Bolan's guitar, used on the solo on Showdown? Jeff Lynne: 'The Firebird is really great. Marc's been playing on a few sessions for us and he's come on stage for a blow. The Firebird is a funny looking thing and it makes a weird hard sound. It lacks sustain but it doesn't sound like any other guitar I've played.'"
Author Unknown (1973 - Sounds article entitled: Jeff Lynne Putting On The Style)"Nowadays, a large amount of [Michael De Albuquerque's] musical make-up is still soul orientated, a fact reflected in both his solo single Do Right and ELO's present hit, Showdown. The soul influence is so strong in the latter that critics have accused it of being too similar to Marvin Gaye's classic Tamla hit Heard It Through The Grapevine. [Michael De Albuquerque says,] 'Oddly enough when I had my first ever rehearsal with the group, the piece that gelled between us was Grapevine. But if people complain about the similarity between our single and Marvin Gaye's, I don't take any notice, because really, everything sounds similar. Obviously we've used the same notes but the rhythm is quite different. Anyone whose interested in the musical side of things could put our single on and know that there are different things happening in the bass and in the overall arrangement. We all love soul music in the group but with a difference, because we use strings as an integral part of the piece rather than as an additive, which is what the soul people do. It perhaps doesn't sound very different on the single, but if you ever hear an LP you'll know what I mean.'"
Beverley Legge (1973 - Source Unknown, article entitled Putting Life Into Light found in website only expanded liner notes for ELO 2 remaster CD)"Showdown applies [ELO's] formula of thematic eclecticism to pop music (instead of classical), pulling riffs from I Heard It Through the Grapevine, an early John Mayall song called All Your Love, and even Del Shannon's Stranger In Town. It's a heavily produced, commercial record on a par with Stories' Brother Louie, and the extra effort shows. It stands out [amongst other songs from the On The Third Day album], like a refugee from some apocryphal ELO album containing ten such blockbuster tracks."
Greg Shaw (January 31, 1974 Rolling Stone #153)"We're gonna play Electric Light Orchestra from last year, Showdown, which I thought was a great record and I was expecting it to be #1 but I don't think UA [United Artists] got their fingers out and pushed it. And it's a nice group -- I call them 'Son of Beatles' -- although they're doing things we never did, obviously. But I remember a statement they made when they first formed was to carry on from where the Beatles left off with Walrus, and they certainly did. And for those people who like to know where licks and things come from, which I do.... this is a beautiful combination of I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye and Lightning Strikes Again [by] Lou Christie, and it's a beautiful job with a little Walrus underneath."
John Lennon (September 28, 1974 - WNEW-FM Radio, New York City)"A standout track which became one of ELO's first single successes. The 3rd Day [sic] album, released in late '73, lodges ELO's image in the public's mind with strong critical acclaim coupled with positive reaction at the concert level. Takes us one step further to... Ma-Ma-Ma Belle."
Author Unknown (June 1976 - liner notes for Olé ELO album)"On the early songs like Showdown and Ma Ma Belle [sic] ('73) we were still trying to find our way musically, but I can still listen to these tracks and smile and think how important they seemed at the time, even though at some of our shows we outnumbered the audience!"
Jeff Lynne (November 1979 ELO's Greatest Hits)"Having exorcised the over-seriousness from the E.L.O.'s music, allowing the strength of the songs to shine through the arrangements, Jeff was then able to steer his own course to megastardom, the no. 12 single Showdown being their final Harvest release before moving to Jet Records, barely recognisable as the work of the band which, less than two years earlier, had attempted to transcend the limitations of pop attitude."
Paul Cox (1986 - liner notes for First Movement)"Lynne's remarkable facility for catchy melodies and unforgettable hooks produced [the British hit single] the funky-going-on-disco Showdown complete with a cutting Lynne guitar solo and a false ending..."
Ira Robbins (1990 liner notes for Afterglow)"Showdown is for many the starting point for their interest in ELO in general and Jeff Lynne in particular. A pop classic, it came close to the Top 10 in the UK singles chart and the Top 50 in the US. [...] This CD also provides the unique opportunity to hear the progress of a hit-- from Showdown's first incarnation as Bev's Trousers (a working title?) through All Over The World, and finally to Showdown. The titles, by the way, are those written on the tape box."
John Tobler (1991 liner notes for Early ELO (1971-1973))"One week [after April 10, 1973] E.L.O. had another recording session for Harvest to record Showdown and Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (working titles were Bev's Trousers and Auntie). Marc Bolan [of T. Rex fame] joined in and played electric guitar on those tracks. He wasn't credited on any sleeves, because it was very difficult in those days to play together with friends who were signed to another record company. Companies gave no courtesy or no permission, and thus many related works had to be done incognito. [...] The United Artists version of On The Third Day included Showdown as additional track, whereas the song was missing on the Warner Brothers issue. Probably Warner and Harvest disagreed about the royalties."
Patrik Guttenbacher, Marc Haines, & Alexander von Petersdorff (1996 Unexpected Messages)"Without question Showdown [is my favorite track that I recorded with ELO]. I thought that Showdown was the only exception to the pieces that I had been saying, that had been a little disappointing from Jeff in my period. I thought Showdown was a masterpiece, so I'm glad to have been at least on one, that I think stands out with the rest, actually I still think it's maybe one of the best two or three that ELO have ever done, despite the fact that it's that early. And the band I've got at the moment, which is a bunch of crack musicians, and not crap, crack (laughter), and for instance, they also rate Showdown so it's a sort of track that really stands up on its own in my opinion; it didn't fit into concepts, did it it was a good stand out bluesy piece, with orchestration I think, put in a nice place, that bit (Mike sings:- der, der, der der, der, der, derrrr) the instrumental break there is a beautiful bit of orchestration that really fits within the rock format. I don't [know why it wasn't put on an album]. It was recorded as a single, and On The Third Day was made as a concept album."
Michael De Albuquerque (August 18, 1998 - King Of The Universe #6)"I also love the big slow-motion bowling scene with Bill Murray and Woody Harrelson in [the film] Kingpin that featured Showdown. Brilliant. [...] John Lennon said on the radio how much he liked this one!"
Jeff Lynne (2000 - Flashback)"I kept trying different styles all the time and the Showdown one was trying to do like an R&B type thing, which suited the cellos, y'know, and I... It's like using these strings that were there, in different ways, y'know. Sometimes in a, like psuedo classical way and sometimes in a... trying to do a soulful way."
Jeff Lynne (June 2 & 9, 2001 - Mr. Blue Sky: The Jeff Lynne Story 2001 BBC 2 Radio show)"For their next album, On The Third Day, Jeff eased off on the bombast and delivered stirring rock songs like Ma-Ma-Ma Belle (one of rock's greatest opening riffs) and Showdown.'That was the first title I was focused enough to write a pop song without trying to be fancy and weird,' he says. 'I always remember the mastering guy at EMI saying, That's a touch of class, that is. This technical guy who'd been doing it for years liked the sound of it, and that gave me confidence.'"
Jim Irvin (August, 2001 - The Bullring Variations article in Mojo)"...Sessions for the third album were begun at AIR Studios on 1 April 1973. Future hit and final EMI single release, Showdown, was initially recorded under the working title Bev's Trousers No. 7. The song later proved to be a favourite of John Lennon's and a popular departure into R&B (with cellos) for the band. During these sessions, Marc Bolan was also in the studio, recording material. The UK superstar and chart phenomenon was a friend of Jeff's from his Idle Race days and accepted an invitation to play guitar on three ELO tracks. Marc also lent Jeff his 1953 Gibson Firebird for Showdown's guitar solo... [...] Showdown was Jeff Lynne's first self-composed worldwide hit single and ELO's final release for EMI on 14 September 1973. It reached no. 12 in the UK charts and no. 42 in America on United Artists (where it also later appeared as part of the new On The Third Day album). The original promotional film, featuring an ELO performance on the banks of the River Thames, survives in EMI's archive."
Rob Caiger (2002 - liner notes for ELO 2 remaster CD)
Editor's note: Showdown did not reach #42 on the US charts, it only reached #53. It was Roll Over Beethoven that reached #42."I'd become friends with Marc Bolan when I was with the Idle Race. We used to play at the same places now and again. When we were recording ELO 2 at Air Studios in Oxford Circus, in the next studio was Marc Bolan. He used to pop into our sessions for a bit of a jam and a few laughs. I think Marc played on three songs, Ma-Ma-Belle [sic], Dreaming of 4000 & Everyone's Born [sic] etc. I played his Gibson Firebird on the solo of Showdown."
Jeff Lynne (2002 - liner notes for ELO 2 remaster CD)"ELO wasn't a dictatorship as some critics have described, it was great fun, especially for those that could contribute to the songs Jeff had written. If he felt it was a good idea, it could stay, though ELO was very strictly Jeff's concept. He knew what he wanted but didn't limit the expression of the players. We all contributed to our parts - it wasn't dictated to us note by note. I know Richard contributed a lot, I did, Wilf contributed some critical things. Jeff would have told us what sort of atmosphere he was trying to create and imagery. For example, Wilf made some very important contributions to Roll Over Beethoven and Showdown, some delicious chords. I came up with the bass part to Showdown, which I'm very proud of. I thought as a piece of white rhythm and blues, Showdown stands to this present day as a great track. Love it!"
Michael De Albuquerque (2002 - website only expanded liner notes for ELO 2 remaster CD)"The UK music paper, Sounds, were [sic] allowed into the ELO sessions at AIR Studios, then situated four floors above Oxford Circus in London, to talk guitars with Jeff. On the Bev's Trousers No.7 session [which was an early working title for Showdown], a number of guitars were used: a 1951 Les Paul and a 1953 Gibson Firebird belonging to Marc Bolan; a 1973 Shaftsbury; a 1963 Strat and a Yamaha Acoustic, plus studio engineer Denny Bridges (previous in the Third Ear Band) on a custom-built Gibson. Quite a mixture! Jeff commented: 'The Firebird is really great. Marc's been playing on a few sessions for us and he's come on stage for a blow. The Firebird is a funny looking thing and it makes a weird hard sound. It lacks sustain but it doesn't sound like any other guitar I've played.' [...] John Lennon spoke very favourably of the song when he reviewed and played it on a New York radio station, even referring to ELO as 'son of Beatles.' With similar excellent reviews from music critics and fans, Showdown became a big hit when released on 14 September 1973 (Harvest HAR 5077). It has remained a permanent fixture in ELO's live repertoire ever since."
Author Unknown (March 31, 2003 - liner notes for The Lost Planet)"Showdown was Jeff Lynne's first self-composed worldwide hit single. John Lennon famously introduced Showdown on a New York radio station as one of his favourite songs, describing ELO as 'son of Beatles'. [...] ELO songs are featured in current TV programmes, film soundtracks and ad campaigns throughout the UK and USA: [amongst them] Showdown used by the BBC for the World Darts Championships (!) etc. [...] John Lennon commented on a New York radio show how much he liked Showdown and ELO (dubbing them 'son of Beatles') - and so did the record-buying public. The track, released in October 1973, was the first Jeff Lynne-penned song to achieve chart success in both the UK and USA. [...] Marc [Bolan] also lent Jeff his 1953 Gibson Firebird for hit single Showdown's guitar solo "
Author Unknown (March 31, 2003 - website only expanded liner notes for ELO 2 remaster CD)"Showdown is the property of Harvest Records which is why it was excluded from the UK LP [of On The Third Day]."
Rob Caiger (April 3, 2003 - Showdown mailing list)"ELO had to wait until they returned to the UK before releasing [their] new single Showdown. A radical departure in the way the song combined Tamla Motown rhythms with strings, Showdown was the first Jeff Lynne-penned song to achieve chart success in both the UK and USA. John Lennon even commented on air how much he liked the song while guest presenting a New York radio show. Though ELO's third album On The Third Day was originally recorded for EMI, Showdown became the band's final release for the label. [After several alternate mixes, ELO] finally settled on the more well-known and incredibly popular released version. Showdown became Jeff Lynne's first self-composed worldwide hit single and ELO's final release for EMI in September 1973."
Rob Caiger (March 2004 - liner notes for Early Years album)"The track listing [for All Over The World: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra] was also modified following Jeff's instructions and Showdown, Ma-Ma-Ma Belle, and Xanadu (Flashback version) [were] added."
Rob Caiger (May 28, 2005 - Showdown mailing list)"I've got a tape of John [Lennon] back when he was doing a DJ spot in New York. 'And I love that song Showdown,' he said, 'That's my favorite. I thought that'd be number one, but UA never got their finger out.' And it was so amazing to hear that, y'know, from John Lennon. And he liked it. He thought it was great."
Jeff Lynne (July 5, 2005 - Face The Music: The Story of the Electric Light Orchestra BBC 2 Radio show)"But they were always Jeff's songs and arrangements, members of the band were not bringing their own songs or creative vision to ELO. There may have been instances where something suggested itself as part of the song Jeff presented (such as Mike's bass line in Showdown) but it was only because the song was there in the first place. Jeff would work arrangements out or with Richard (and using Showdown as an example) suggest 'T-Rex chords' (prior to Marc being involved) - which you can hear and Mike worked around and came up with a bass part. It stayed because Jeff thought it worthy enough to be included in his song. But there's plenty of stuff that didn't..."
Rob Caiger (July 20, 2005 - Showdown mailing list)"Drawing on Jeff Lynne's soul and Tamla influences, [Showdown] drew praise from none other than John Lennon plus Charlie Gillett and other critics at the time for the change of direction and a feel similar to Marvin Gaye's I Heard It Through The Grapevine. Candi Staton later had some US success with a cover version."
John Van der Kiste (September 5, 2005 - Harvest Showdown review on ftmusic.com)"Marc [Bolan] didn't play on Showdown - Jeff used Marc's guitar for that track."
Rob Caiger (October 3, 2005 - Showdown mailing list)"The first song I played on was Showdown..."
Mik Kaminski (November 17, 2005 - The Northern Echo)"Following the first of many successful and popular tours of America, ELO achieved a third UK and USA hit single with Showdown. Hugely popular, the classic ELO single was a particular favourite of John Lennon. It was also the last recording the group made for Harvest Records..."
Rob Caiger (March 13, 2006 - liner notes for The Collection)"I used [Marc Bolan's] guitar, his Firebird, on the solo of Showdown. He had really thick strings on it and that really hurt to play! [...] I kept trying different styles all the time and Showdown ws like an R 'n' B type thing which suited the cellos. It was using the strings that were there in different ways. Sometimes in a psuedo-classical way and sometimes in a soulful way. I think that's why you couldn't put us in a progressive rock thing because it tunes and all. We weren't really allowed to be a pop group but you could be this weird thing that no one knew what it was."
Jeff Lynne (July 31 2006 - The Harvest Years 1970-1973 liner notes)"Showdown was ELO's final release for Harvest before the group's move to new label Warner Bros and release of On The Third Day (followed by subsequent moves to Jet and then Epic records). Hugely popular and a favourite to this day, the classic ELO song was particularly admired by John Lennon, who dubbed the group 'son of Beatles' live on a New York radio station after he had played the single. A big hit in both America and Great Britain during September 1973, it also heralded a new direction in Lynne's songwriting."
Rob Caiger (July 31 2006 - The Harvest Years 1970-1973 liner notes)"Showdown is my favorite track on here."
Jeff Lynne (September 11 2006 - On The Third Day remaster liner notes)"With Lynne producing, six songs were quickly recorded: Bev's Trousers no.7 (Showdown), In The Hole Of The Mounted Parrot (stage favourite In The Hall Of The Mountain King), Daybreaker, Dreaming Of 4000, Auntie (Ma-Ma-Ma Belle) and Everyone's Born To Die). In The Hall Of The Mountain King was considered as a follow-up to Roll Over Beethoven but rather than risk being labeled as a covers band, the next ELO single [Showdown] was a radical departure. Jeff Lynne:'I'd get this thing going in my mind, this tune which didn't sound like the ELO at all. But eventually it grew into Showdown which sounded more like a black American record... What I'm trying to get into now, and what we are getting into on stage a bit, is sort of Motown rhythms with classical strings as well.' Hosting a radio show in New York, John Lennon enthusiastically explained how much he enjoyed Showdown and ELO, dubbing them 'son of Beatles.' The record-buying public on both sides of the Atlantic agreed and the track, backed up with a promotional video filmed on the banks of the River Thames, became the first Jeff Lynne-penned song to achieve major chart success in both the U.K. and U.S.A."
Rob Caiger (September 11 2006 - On The Third Day remaster liner notes)
Showdown (Take 1)
This is pretty much the same as the released single version, except it is missing all the female backing vocals and the extra string bit that runs from [2:40] to [2:50]. Also, there are additional vocal flourishes throughout the last chorus and the song's repeating ending. It does not fade, but rather falls apart as the band simply stops playing."The sound of Bev's Trousers No.7 was radiating around AIR London's Studios as Record Mirror journalist Val Mabbs wandered in to find a group of the ELO listening to a playback of newly recorded tracks. In April 1973, the song was known only by its working title but the pistachio [sic] of sound was already building into one of ELO's most popular hits. Jeff Lynne explained: 'What I'm trying to get into now, and what we are getting into on stage a bit, is sort of a Tamla rhythms with classical strings as well, because when you've got a really good song it's got to come out rhythmically good as well as melodically-- it was melodic enough before, but no balls behind it. No light and shade-- just cellos scrapping [sic] away all the time."
Author Unknown (March 31, 2003 - liner notes for The Lost Planet)
Bev's Trousers (Showdown - Early Version)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it is a slightly different instrumentation. There is a tiny bit from the original song (in which a small crescendo of strings occurs right at the end of the instrumental bridge) that is missing. There are also some effects added to the vocals. There's also additional vocals added in various parts, mainly Jeff Lynne adlibbing extra bits to the chorus. Jeff Lynne was apparently not very pleased with the unauthoriazed releases of alternate mixes on the Early ELO (1971-1973) collection, which is quite understandable considering that the version of Bev's Trousers on that set has a couple of very poor vocal edits. It's not likely this version will ever be released again, making it quite a rarity."This CD also provides the unique opportunity to hear the progress of a hit-- from Showdown's first incarnation as Bev's Trousers (a working title?) through All Over The World, and finally to Showdown. The titles, by the way, are those written on the tape box."
John Tobler (1991 liner notes for Early ELO (1971-1973))"[The early version of Ma-Ma-Ma Belle and Showdown] on Early ELO (which sadly I didn't have any control over at the time) were trial early stereo mixes, prepared by Jeff from the [original] multitracks in 1973."
Rob Caiger (April 1, 2003 - Showdown mailing list)
All Over The World (Showdown - Early Version)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it is a slightly different instrumentation. There is a tiny bit from the original song (in which a small crescendo of strings occurs right at the end of the instrumental bridge) is missing. There are also some effects added to the vocals."This CD also provides the unique opportunity to hear the progress of a hit-- from Showdown's first incarnation as Bev's Trousers (a working title?) through All Over The World, and finally to Showdown. The titles, by the way, are those written on the tape box."
John Tobler (1991 liner notes for Early ELO (1971-1973))"[The early version of Ma-Ma-Ma Belle and Showdown] on Early ELO (which sadly I didn't have any control over at the time) were trial early stereo mixes, prepared by Jeff from the [original] multitracks in 1973."
Rob Caiger (April 1, 2003 - Showdown mailing list)
Showdown (Alternate Early Mix Version)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it has cut the small crescendo of strings that occurs right at the end of the instrumental bridge and the female backing vocals over the song's bridge. Most noticeable, though, is that flange effects are put on the song throughout the entire track."Showdown is a version that no one has heard before - an experimental mix by Jeff using phasing. Sounds great!"
Rob Caiger (January 3, 2004 - Showdown mailing list)"The 'Alternate Early Mix' of Showdown is barely indistinguishable from the track that appeared on ELO's Greatest Hits in 1979."
Richard Warburton (February 21, 2004 - Birmingham Post)"The unreleased alternate version of Showdown shows Lynne not afraid to experiment with different production effects."
Rob Caiger (March 2004 - liner notes for Early Years album)
Showdown (ADT Mix Version)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it has cuts the small crescendo of strings that occurs right at the end of the instrumental bridge and the female backing vocals over the song's bridge. Most noticeable, though, is that it has been Automatically Double Tracked (ADT), such that it has a slight flanging effect throughout the entire track."[ADT means] Automated (or automatic) double track, usually applied to the vocals. No more studio versions of Showdown - this is the last one."
Rob Caiger (August 10, 2005 - Unexpected Messages mailing list)"The ADT (automated double-tracked) version of their third and last Harvest single, Showdown (a No. 9 hit in September 1973) [is released on the Harvest Showdown collection]."
John Van der Kiste (September 5, 2005 - Harvest Showdown review on ftmusic.com)
Showdown (Edited USA Single Version)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it has an early fade. It was originally issued only on the USA pressed UA single, stock # UA-XW337-W. However it later turned up on the 1979 release of ELO's Greatest Hits in the USA.
Showdown (Edited USA Mono Single Version)
This is a mono version of the USA single version of Showdown.
Showdown (Edited Video Version)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it simply cuts the first line of the third chorus.
Showdown (Edited 18 Greatest Hits LP Version)
This version, found on the Australian 18 Greatest Hits LP from 1984, differs from the original single version in that it cuts the first four lines of the ending, beginning at the "C'mon and save me" line.
Showdown (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
The difference between this version and the original single version is that it simply cuts the first line of the third chorus.
Showdown (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
From [3:55] to the end of the song, there is an extended guitar/keyboard/violin instrumental jam that was previously heard on the ELO II tour as the last part of From The Sun To The World (Boogie #1) that was released on the E.L.O. Live at the BBC CD. The original performance of this song is over 10 minutes long and remains unreleased.
Showdown (Remix Version) (Long Beach May 12, 1974)
This remix version of Showdown is different from the original 1974 The Night The Light Went On In Long Beach album in that a minute and a half of keyboard, guitar and violin solo is cut. The cut is from [4:46] to [6:25] from the original mix. The sound is mixed to better sound quality.
Showdown (Eldorado Tour)
Showdown (Winterland February 14, 1976)
Showdown (London June 20, 1976)
Showdown (Portsmouth June 22, 1976)
Showdown (A New World Record Tour)
Showdown (Wembley 1978)
Showdown (Time Tour)
Showdown (Balance Of Power Tour)
Showdown (New York City, April 20, 2001)
Showdown (May 2001)
Listen closely. Instead of singing "it's so real, the suffering" on the second verse, Jeff Lynne sings "It's a real submarine." This is the lyric sung by former ELO bassist Michael De Albuquerque, who didn't know all the right lyrics when he had to sing it on some 1974 tour dates after Jeff Lynne took ill and could not sing it. Reports also exist that Jeff sings this because Del Shannon had once told Jeff, when they worked together, that he always thought those were the words, and he thought 'real submarine' sounded so cool. Not sure why Jeff did it on this 2001 version, but it's an interesting fact that he intentionally missung his own song.
Robert Porter
July 2008