[1] Showdown (J.Lynne) - 4:11
[2] Eldorado Overture (J.Lynne) - 2:12
[3] Can't Get It Out of My Head (J.Lynne) - 4:23
[4] Evil Woman (J.Lynne) - 4:17
[5] Strange Magic (J.Lynne) - 4:29
[6] Livin' Thing (J.Lynne) - 5:50
[7] So Fine (J.Lynne) - 3:55
[8] Rockaria (J.Lynne) - 3:14
[9] Sweet Talking Woman (J.Lynne) - 3:47
[10] Turn to Stone (J.Lynne) - 3:47
[11] Mr. Blue Sky (J.Lynne) - 5:04
[12] Don't Bring Me Down (J.Lynne) - 4:02
[13] Shine a Little Love (J.Lynne) - 4:40
[14] Diary of Horace Wimp (J.Lynne) - 4:17
[15] All over the World {from Xanadu} (J.Lynne) - 4:32
[16] Twilight (J.Lynne) - 4:03
[17] Rock & Roll Is King (J.Lynne) - 3:47
[18] Hold on Tight (J.Lynne) - 3:37
[19] Secret Messages (J.Lynne) - 3:04
The 1998 Holland collection Definitive Collection isn't really
definitive, of course - it's the kind of title common to budget-line
discs or European and Asian-only compilations - but it is a good
sampler of ELO's hits all the same, containing 19 songs, including
many, many hits: "Showdown," "Can't Get It out of My Head," "Evil
Woman," "Strange Magic," "Livin' Thing," "Turn to Stone," "Don't Bring
Me Down," and "Rock N' Roll Is King." There are enough absent hits and
album tracks to make this not worth seeking out - especially since the
"Limited Gold Edition" statement on the back of the box does not mean
that this is a remastered, audiophile gold disc - but if it can be
found at a good price, it's a nice sampler for casual fans.
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
Bad dreamer, what's your name
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as through there'll be more pain
There's gonna be a Showdown
And it's rainin' all over the world
It's raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
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
Save me, oh save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a Showdown
And it's rainin' all over the world
It's raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night
Eldorado Overture
The dreamer, the unworken fool,
In dreams, no pain will kiss the brow.
The love of ages fills the head.
The days that linger there in prey of emptiness,
Of burned out dreams.
The minutes calling through the years.
The universal dreamer rises up above his earthly burden.
Journey to the dead of night.
High on a hill in Eldorado
Can't Get It Out Of My Head
Midnight on the water.
I saw the ocean's daughter.
Walking on a wave's chicane,
staring as she called my name.
And I can't get it out of my head,
no, I can't get it out of my head.
Now my old world is gone for dead
'cos I can't get it out of my head.
Breakdown on the shoreline,
can't move, it's an ebbtide.
Morning don't get here till night,
searching for her silver light.
And I can't get it out of my head,
no, I can't get it out of my head.
Now my old world is gone for dead
'cos I can't get it out of my head, no no.
Bank job in the city.
Robin Hood and William Tell and Ivanhoe and Lancelot, they don't envy me.
Sitting till the sun goes down,
in dreams the world keep going round and round.
And I can't get it out of my head,
no, I can't get it out of my head.
Now my old world is gone for dead
'cos I can't get it out of my head, no no.
No, I can't get it out of my head,
no, I can't get it out of my head.
Now my old world is gone for dead
'cos I can't get it out of my head, no no no no.
Evil Woman
You made a fool of me, but them broken dreams have got to end.
Hey woman, you got the blues, cos' you ain't got no one else to use.
There's an open road that leads nowhere, so just make some miles
between here and there.
There's a hole in my head where the rain comes in,
You took my body and played to win,
Ha Ha woman it's a crying shame,
But you ain't got no one else to blame.
Rolled in from another town,
Hit some gold too hot to settle down,
But a fool and his money soon go separate ways,
And you found a fool lyin' in a daze,
Ha Ha woman what you gonna do,
You destroyed all the virtues that the Lord gave you,
It's so good that you're feeling pain,
But you better get yourself on board the very next train.
CHORUS:REPEAT
Evil woman how you done me wrong,
But now you're tryin' to wail a different song,
Ha Ha funny how you broke me up, you made the wine now you
drink the cup,
I came runnin' every time you cried,
Thought I saw love smilin' in your eyes,
Ha Ha very nice to know, that you ain't got no place left to go.
CHORUS:REPEAT
Strange Magic
You're sailing softly through the sun
in a broken stone age dawn.
You fly so high.
I get a strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.
You're walking meadows in my mind,
making waves across my time,
oh no, oh no.
I get a strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.
Oh, I'm never gonna be the same again,
now I've seen the way it's got to end,
sweet dream, sweet dream.
Strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.
It's magic, it's magic, it's magic.
Strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic.
Strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, what a strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic.
Strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, what a strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic,
you know I got a strange magic,
yeah, I got a strange magic,
oo-o-o-oo, strange magic. (fade)
Strange Magic
You're sailing softly through the sun
in a broken stone age dawn.
You fly so high.
I get a strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.
You're walking meadows in my mind,
making waves across my time,
oh no, oh no.
I get a strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.
Oh, I'm never gonna be the same again,
now I've seen the way it's got to end,
sweet dream, sweet dream.
Strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic.
It's magic, it's magic, it's magic.
Strange magic,
oh, what a strange magic,
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic.
Strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, what a strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic.
Strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, what a strange magic STRANGE MAGIC
oh, it's a strange magic.
Got a strange magic,
got a strange magic,
you know I got a strange magic,
yeah, I got a strange magic,
oo-o-o-oo, strange magic. (fade)
Livin' Thing
Sailin' away on the crest of a wave
It's like magic
Rollin' and ridin' and slippin' & slidin'
It's magic
CHORUS
And you, and your sweet desire,
You took me, higher and higher
It's a livin' thing,
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose.
Making believe this is what you've conceived
From your worst day,
Moving in line when you look back in time
To your first day
CHORUS -- repeat
Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide
Floating downstream,
So let her go don't start spoiling the show
It's a bad dream
CHORUS -- repeat
So Fine
Two drifters on the morning sky,
Two drifters sailing wide and high,
When summer breezes blow across your mind,
With you, I will walk the line.
CHORUS
I want it so fine
I want it so fine
I want it so fine
People walking hand in hand,
Everybody's singing to the band,
I want to be where the stars shine bright,
And hear sweet music on a summer night.
CHORUS -- repeat
Sundowners we'll go on and on,
We'll find the land of the midnight sun,
And when you look you'll see for miles around,
You'll see, the world is in your hand.
CHORUS -- repeat
CHORUS -- repeat
Rockaria!
Just got back from the downtown palais
Where the music was so sweet
It knocked me right back in the alley
I'm ready, yea, yea, yea, I'm ready,
Wo, wo, wo, I'm ready
And I'm really gonna rock tonight.
Sweet little lady sings like a songbird
And she sings the opera like you ain't never heard,
But she ain't ready,
No, no, no, she ain't ready
No, no, no, she ain't ready,
And she ain't gonna rock & roll
CHORUS
She's sweet on Wagner,
I think she'd die for Beethoven,
She loves the way Puccini lays down a tune,
And Verdi's always creeping from her room
Come on I'll show you how to sing the blues
Now baby, come on over you got nothin' to lose,
Are you ready, hey, hey, hey are you ready
Ooh, ooh, ooh, are you ready
I wanna show you how to rock and roll.
Now listen here baby she, said to me
Just, meet me at the opera house at a quarter to three,
'Cos I'm ready, yea, yea, yea, I'm ready,
Woo, hoo, hoo, I'm ready,
I'm gonna show you how to sing the blues.
CHORUS -- repeat
Far, far away the music is playing.
Well we were reelin' and a rockin' all through the night,
Yea we were rockin' at the opera house until the break of light,
And the orchestra were playin' all Chuck Berry's greatest tunes.
And the singers in the chorus all got off on singing blues,
And as the night grew older everybody was as one,
The people on the streets came runnin' in to join in song
Just to hear the opera singer singin' rock & roll so pure,
I thought I saw the mayor there but I wasn't really sure,
But it's alright.
Sweet Talkin' Woman
WHERE DID YOU GO?
I was searchin' SEARCHIN' on a one-way street,
I was hopin' HOPIN' for a chance to meet.
I was waitin' for the operator on the line.
SHE'S GONE SO LONG What can I do?
WHERE COULD SHE BE? No no no,
don't know what I'm gonna do,
I gotta get back to you.
You gotta slow down SLOW DOWN sweet talkin' woman SLOW DOWN
You got me runnin' RUN RUN you got me searchin'.
Hold on HOLD ON sweet talkin' lover HOLD ON
It's so sad if that's the way it's over.
I was WALKIN' many days go by,
I was thinkin' THINKIN' 'bout the lonely nights.
Communication breakdown all around.
SHE'S GONE SO LONG What can I do?
WHERE COULD SHE BE? No no no,
don't know what I'm gonna do,
I gotta get back to you.
You gotta slow down SLOW DOWN sweet talkin' woman SLOW DOWN
You got me runnin' RUN RUN you got me searchin'.
Hold on HOLD ON sweet talkin' lover HOLD ON
It's so sad if that's the way it's over.
I've been livin' LIVIN' on a dead end street,
I've been askin' ASKIN' KINDLY everybody I meet.
Insufficient data coming through.
SHE'S GONE SO LONG What can I do?
WHERE COULD SHE BE? No no no,
don't know what I'm gonna do,
I gotta get back to you.
Oh, slow down SLOW DOWN sweet talkin' woman SLOW DOWN
You got me runnin' RUN RUN you got me searchin'.
Hold on HOLD ON sweet talkin' lover HOLD ON
It's so sad if that's the way it's over.
Slow down SLOW DOWN sweet talkin' woman SLOW DOWN
You got me runnin', you got me searchin'.
Hold on HOLD ON sweet talkin' lover HOLD ON
It's so sad if that's the way it's over.
Slow down SLOW DOWN sweet talkin' woman SLOW DOWN
You got me runnin', you got me searchin'.
Hold on HOLD ON sweet talkin' lover HOLD ON
It's so sad if that's the way it's over. (repeat & fade out)
Turn To Stone
The city streets are empty now THE LIGHTS DON'T SHINE NO MORE
and so the songs are way down low TURNING TURNING TURNING
A sound that flows into my mind THE ECHOES OF THE DAYLIGHT
of everything that is alive IN MY BLUE WORLD
I turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Turn to stone when you comin' home, I can't go on.
The dying embers of the night A FIRE THAT SLOWLY FADES TILL DAWN
still glow upon the wall so bright BURNING BURNING BURNING
The tired streets that hide away FROM HERE TO EVERYWHERE THEY GO
roll past my door into the day IN MY BLUE WORLD
I turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Turn to stone when you comin' home, I can't go on.
Turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Yes, I'm turnin' to stone 'cos you ain't comin' home.
Why you ain't comin' home if I'm turnin' to stone?
You've been gone for so long and I can't carry on,
yes, I'm turnin', I'm turnin', I'm turnin' to stone.
The dancing shadows on the wall THE TWO-STEP IN THE HALL
are all I see since you've been gone TURNING TURNING TURNING
Through all I sit here and I wait I TURN TO STONE I TURN TO STONE
You will return again some day TO MY BLUE WORLD
I turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Turn to stone when you comin' home, I can't go on.
Turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
I turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Turn to stone when you comin' home, I can't go on.
Turn to stone when you are gone, I turn to stone.
Mr. Blue Sky
Sun is shinin' in the sky,
There ain't a cloud in sight
It's stopped rainin'
Everybody's in a play
And don't you know
It's a beautiful new day.
Runnin' down the avenue,
See how the sun shines brightly
In the city on the streets
Where once was pity,
Mr. Blue Sky is living here today.
CHORUS
Mr. Blue Sky, please tell us why,
You had to hide away
For so long where did we go wrong.
Hey there Mr. Blue
We're so pleased to be with you
Look around see what you do,
Everybody smiles at you.
Hey you with the pretty face,
Welcome to the human race
A celebration Mr. Blue Sky's
Up there waitin' and today
Is the day we've waited for
CHORUS:REPEAT
Mr. Blue you did it right,
But soon comes Mr. Night,
Creepin' over, now his
Hand is on your shoulder,
Never mind I'll remember you this way.
CHORUS:REPEAT
Don't Bring Me Down
You got me runnin' goin' out of my mind,
You got me thinkin' that I'm wastin' my time.
Don't bring me down,no no no no no,
I'll tell you once more before I get off the floor
Don't bring me down.
You wanna stay out with your fancy friends.
I'm tellin' you it's go to be the end,
Don't bring me down,no no no no no no no no,
I'll tell you once more before I get off the floor
Don't bring me down.
Don't bring me down,grroosss
Don't bring me down,grroosss
Don't bring me down,grroosss
Don't bring me down.
What happend to the girl I used to known,
You let your mind out somewhere down the road,
Don't bring me down,no no no no no,
I'll tell you once more before I get off the floor
Don't bring me down.
You're always talkin' 'bout your crazy nights,
One of these days you're gonna get it right.
Don't bring me down,no no no no no,
I'll tell you once more before I get off the floor
Don't bring me down.
Don't bring me down,grroosss
Don't bring me down,grroosss
Don't bring me down,grroosss
Don't bring me down.
You're lookin' good just like a snake in the grass,
One of these days you're gonna break your glass.
Don't bring me down,no no no no no no no no,
I'll tell you once more before I get off the floor
Don't bring me down.
You got me shakin' got me runnin' away
You get me crawlin' up to you everyday,
Don't bring me down,no no no no no,
I'll tell you once more before I get off the floor
Don't bring me down.
Shine A Little Love
Although the things you've done I wouldn't criticize.
I guess you had your way.
You see I gotta make you understand.
I know it sounds a foolish thing to say.
But it don't matter baby 'cos' today's another day.
CHORUS
You shine a little love on my life
You shine a little love on my life
You shine a little love on my life and let me see.
Remember,tonight we're gonna run till dawn
Remember,tonight we're gonna say.
We'll never stop we got a good thing goin' on.
I know you've heard it all before.
But I really need you darlin' every day I need you more.
Repeat Chorus
Can you understand.(Yes I understand) Can you feel it's right.
(I know it is) Will you be the same.(I'll do it all again).
It's been a year now and it's getting so much better.
You came home without a word.
Though everybody said you'll soon forget her.
Thay couldn't see and they just didn't understand.
And lookin' in the mirror there were fools at either hand.
Can you understand.(Yes I understand) Can you feel it's right.
(I know it is) Will you be the same.(I'll do it all again).
How many days had I been waiting there to tell you.
I really can't believe.
We're walkin' out into the world tonight.
We'll do it all again until the break of light.
And the feelin' in your heart will soon be shinin' in your eyes
Repeat Chorus
The Diary Of Horace Wimp
Monday:Late again,today,he'd be in trouble though
he'd say he was sorry,he'd have to hurry out the bus.
Tuesday:Horace was so sad,he'd never had a girl that he
could care for,and if he was late once more,he'd be out.
CHORUS
Don't be afraid,just knock on the door,
Well he just stood there mumblin' and fumblin'.
Then a voice from above said--
"Horace Wimp,this is your life,
Go out and find yourself a wife.
Make a stand and be a man,
And you will have a great life plan."
Wednesday:Horace met a girl,she was small and she
was very pretty,he thought he was in love,he was afraid.
Thursday:Asks her for a date,the cafe down the street
tomorrow evening,his head was reeling,
when she said "Yes O.K."
Repeat Chorus
Friday:Horace,this is it,he asks the girl if maybe they
could marry,when she says "gladly." Horace cries.
Sunday:Everybody's at the church,when Horace
rushes in and says "Now here come my wife,
for the rest of my life." and she did.
Repeat Chorus
All Over The World
Everybody all around the world, gotta tell you what I just heard
There's gonna be a party all over the world
I got a message on the radio, but where it came from I don't really know
And I heard these voices calling all over the world
Chorus:
All over the world, everybody got the word
Everybody everywhere is gonna feel tonight
Everybody walkin' down the street, everybody movin' to the beat
They're gonna get hot down in the U.S.A. (New York, Detroit, L.A.)
We're gonna take a trip across the sea, everybody come along with me
We're gonna hit the night down in gay Pareee
chorus
(Instrumental break)
London, Hamburg, Paris, Rome, Rio, Hong Kong, Tokyo
L.A., New York, Amsterdam, Monte Carlo, Shard End and
chorus
Everybody all around the world, gotta tell you what I just heard
Everybody walkin' down the street, I know a place where we all can meet
Everybody gonna have a good time, everybody will shine till the daylight
chorus
All over the world, everybody got the word (repeats 3x)
Twilight
The visions dancing in my mind
The early dawn, the shades of time
Twilight crawling through my windowpane
Am I awake or do I dream?
The strangest pictures I have seen
Night is day and twilight's gone away
With your head held high and your scarlet lies
You came down to me from the open skies
It's either real or it's a dream
There's nothing that is in between...
CHORUS:
Twilight, I only meant to stay awhile
Twilight, I gave you time to steal my mind
Away from me.
Across the night I saw your face
You disappeared without a trace
You brought me here, but can you take me back?
Inside the image of your light
That now is day and once was night
You lead me here and then you go away.
REPEAT CHORUS
(You brought me here, but can you take me back again?)
With your head held high and your scarlet lies
You came down to me from the open skies
REPEAT CHORUS
Twilight, I only meant to stay awhile
Twilight, I only meant to stay awhile
Twilight, Twilight, Twilight, Twilight.
Rock 'N' Roll Is King
Listen everybody let me tell you 'bout the rock 'n' roll
Feel that rhythm and it's really gonna thrill your soul
She said come along with me, to a land of make believe
She said rock 'n' roll is king
She loves that rock 'n' roll and she plays it all night long
That's all she ever tells me when I call her on the telephone
She says feel that jumpin' beat, and git up on your feet
She says rock 'n' roll is king
Chorus: Oh let those guitars play
Play for me play for me
Oh let that song ring out
That's how it's meant to be
It rolls like a train that's comin' on down the track
She rolled over Beethoven and she gave Tchaikovsky back
She loves that drivin' beat, she goes dancin' on down the street
She said rock 'n' roll is king
Chorus
When she comes around and I'm listenin' to the radio
She says you can't do that 'cause all I wanna do is rock 'n' roll
Now here I'm gonna stay where that music starts to play
She says rock 'n' roll is king
Hold On Tight
Hold on tight to your dream
Hold on tight to your dream
When you see your ship go sailing
When you feel your heart is breaking
Hold tight to your dream.
It's a long time to be gone
Time just rolls on and on
When you need a shoulder to cry on
When you get so sick of trying
Just hold tight to your dream
CHORUS:
When you get so down that you can't get up
And you want so much but you're all out of luck
When you're so downhearted and misunderstood
Just over & over & over you could
Accroches-toi a ton reve
Accroches-toi a ton reve
Quand tu vois ton bateau partir
Quand tu sents -- ton coeur se briser
Accroches-toi a ton reve.
REPEAT CHORUS:
Hold on tight to your dream
Hold on tight to your dream
When you see the shadows falling
When you hear that cold wind calling
Hold on tight to your dream.
Oh, yeah
Hold on tight to your dream
Yeah, hold on tight...
To your dream.
Secret Messages
A moving stream of information
That is floating on the wind
The secrets never end
And now they call,
They sing, they play, they dance
For you, from out of the blue,
What can you do?
Chorus: the secret messages are calling to me endlessly
They call to me across the air
The messages across the atmosphere
They whisper in your ear, they're calling everywhere
Where words cascade like rainbows tumbling from the sky
Then I'll be there, I'll be there
When messages will call to you their secrets all around
Without a sound, they're all around
Chorus
Those secret messages that spill into the air from far away
So far away
A flowing river of illusion running with confusion
Never gone - it goes on and on