Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

The first song that introduced me to The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) was 1977’s “Telephone Line”.  When I bought the single, I was completely over the moon by the fact that instead of it being the typical black color, it was a lovely shade of green.  It was like having my very own piece of the Emerald City.  So cool.  After that I learned everything I could about the band that incorporated string arrangements and classical music into their songs.  That led me to their 1974 album, “Eldorado” which has a picture of Dorothy’s ruby red slippers with sparks shooting out at the bad witch’s hands.  Even cooler.  It also has today’s song on it which I adore.

I also adore Jeff Lynne, one of ELO’s founding members who was not only heavily influenced by the Fab Four, he is also responsible for giving the world a virtual Beatles reunion in 1994.  It was Lynne who took previously recorded vocals by John Lennon and overdubbed them with the three surviving members voices to give us “Free As A Bird” and “Real Love”.  For that alone we should all bow at Lynne’s feet.  He also co-founded  The Traveling Wilburys super group with George Harrison.  Let’s also remember that ELO’s music is so good it was one of the only bright spots of the movie, “Xanadu” (along with Gene Kelly’s dance moves, of course).  Lynne may be a multi-talented artist, but given my reverence for words, to me he will always be a man who has written some truly beautiful lyrics.

“Bank job in the city
Robin Hood and William Tell
And Ivanhoe and Lancelot
They don’t envy me
Sitting ’til the sun goes down
In dreams the world keeps going ’round and ’round“.

The oh so cool green  “Telephone Line” single & ELO circa 1977 (R)  Jeff Lynne is fourth man from left.  (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Electric Light Orchestra:  “Can”t Get It Out Of My Head” (1974, written by Jeff Lynne).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.