Mr. Blue Sky: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra

Background

Jeff Lynne told Rolling Stone magazine that the idea came from him listening to the original Electric Light Orchestra recordings, and thinking that he could produce a better result having since had a long career as a record producer. Lynne decided to re-record a number of songs from scratch, and began with "Mr. Blue Sky". He told Rolling Stone that "I enjoyed doing that a lot, and when I listened back to it and compared it to the old one, I really liked it much better." It was suggested by his manager that Lynne record a few more versions of Electric Light Orchestra songs, the results being recordings of "Evil Woman" and "Strange Magic". Lynne also liked these versions, so he continued by producing a full album of re-recordings.

Release and content

The album features all new recordings of some of the group's hits, as well as two bonus tracks: a new song, "Point of No Return", and a live recording of "Twilight" on Japanese releases. The album debuted at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart and at number 2 on the UK Top 40 Independent Albums Chart, then also at number 118 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart, at number 29 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and at number 46 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart.

Track listing

All songs written, produced and performed by Jeff Lynne.

1. "Mr. Blue Sky" – 3:44
2. "Evil Woman" – 4:30
3. "Strange Magic" – 3:53
4. "Don't Bring Me Down" – 4:01
5. "Turn to Stone" – 3:46
6. "Showdown" – 4:16
7. "Telephone Line" – 4:30
8. "Livin' Thing" – 3:42
9. "Do Ya" – 3:56
10. "Can't Get It Out of My Head" – 4:35
11. "10538 Overture" (40th anniversary version) – 4:44
12. "Point of No Return" – 3:14

13. "Twilight" (Live) – 3:40
14. Live from CBS Television City, 2001

14. "Ma-Ma-Ma Belle" – 3:52
15. "Rockaria!" – 3:13
16. "Steppin' Out" – 3:23
17. "Can't Get It Out of My Head" – 4:11

Personnel

Personnel per album booklet:

Chart performance