Format 7" single Length 3:32 | Genre Symphonic rock | |
B-side "Fire On High" (UK)
"Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" (US) Released 4 October 1976 (US)
13 November 1976 (UK) Recorded Musicland Studios, Munich; 1976 | ||
"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.
Contents
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. The original single had the bonus of having "Fire On High" on the flip side, a tune that became the band's most popular instrumental piece. The UK version was released in a blue vinyl format.
Jeff Lynne version
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.
Covers
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 and number 26 on the Irish charts.
- Livin' Thing [3:17]
- I'm Living Good [4:00]
- Livin' Thing [3:17]
- Lovin' You [2:53]
- Another Night with the Boys [3:32]
Uses in films
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.