"Livin' Thing" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and performed by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). It appears on ELO's 1976 album, A New World Record. Patti Quatro, Brie Brandt, both of Fanny, and Addie Lee sang uncredited vocals, particularly the 'higher and higher' parts.[1]
In August 2006, "Livin' Thing" was named by the UK's Q as the number 1 'Guilty Pleasure' single of all time – a list designed to celebrate 'uncool' but excellent records, and which received considerable publicity.[2] The original single had the bonus of having "Fire On High" on the flip side, a song that became the band's most popular instrumental piece. The UK version was released in a blue vinyl format.
The song has appeared on the soundtrack to the 1997 film, Boogie Nights, the 2005 film Tjenare Kungen, the 2007 film, Chaos Theory, and the 2011 film Hunky Dory.
Contents[]
Chart positions[edit][]
| Chart (1976-1977) | Peak
Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 2 |
| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[4] | 3 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[5] | 8 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles[6] | 8 |
| France (SNEP) | 5 |
| Germany (Media Control AG)[7] | 5 |
| Irish Singles Chart[8] | 6 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[9] | 6 |
| Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[10] | 4 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] | 4 |
| South African Singles Chart[12] | 1 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[13] | 17 |
| UK (Official Charts Company)[14] | 4 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[15] | 13 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 Singles | 10 |
| US Record World Singles[16] | 10 |
| US Billboard Year-End | 77 |
| American Top 40 Year-End | 79 |
Jeff Lynne version[edit][]
| "Livin' Thing" | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Electric Light Orchestra from the album Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra | |||
| Released | 8 October 2012 (UK)
9 October 2012 (US) | ||
| Recorded | 2001–2012 Bungalow Palace | ||
| Length | 3:42 | ||
| Label | Frontiers | ||
| Writer | Jeff Lynne | ||
| Producer | Jeff Lynne | ||
| Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra track listing | |||
| |||
Jeff Lynne re-recorded the song in his own home studio. It was released in a compilation album with other re-recorded ELO songs, under the ELO name.[17]
Covers[edit][]
In 2004, The Beautiful South covered the track for their covers album Golddiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs. It reached number 24 on the UK charts.[18]
- Livin' Thing – CD1 (Sony Music UK; 6753711)
- Livin' Thing [3:17]
- I'm Living Good [4:00]
- Livin' Thing – CD2 (Sony Music UK; 6753712)
- Livin' Thing [3:17]
- Lovin' You [2:53]
- Another Night with the Boys [3:32]