It was because of the geographical distances its various members needed to travel to Birmingham when their band was formed in 1965 that they were named the Move. In 1971, the Move itself moved, in terms of their style, to become the Electric Light Orchestra, a pun on electric lights and light orchestral music (which meant something to them, if to no one else).
The Electric Light Orchestra’s debut album in their new guise was released in the UK in 1972 as The Electric Light Orchestra. The record company’s New York secretary was tasked with ringing London to find out the album’s name, but must have tried out of hours. She left a memo for her boss, who then had it printed as the name of the album, which is why it was relased in the United States as No Answer.
In 1977, the Electric Light Orchestra released a double album, Out Of The Blue, which features the well-loved Concerto For A Rainy Day incorporating Mr Blue Sky. The album also includes today’s song. When you hear it, it doesn’t say that much; it just says it an awful lot. As the lyric itself goes, there’s nothing much else to speak of: It’s Over.
Who it is that the song is addressed to in Jeff Lynne’s case is not quite clear: an erstwhile girlfriend who passed like a ship in the night would be a fair guess. Who it is that Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada was talking about when he said the phrase in a public announcement this past week is somewhat clearer.
The opening panorama chords are the same as play at the end of Mr Blue Sky, but in reverse order.
It’s Over
Written by Jeff Lynne
Performed by Electric Light Orchestra
From their 1977 album Out Of The Blue.
