Mr. Radio
1971 song by Electric Light Orchestra
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"Mr. Radio" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra from their 1971 debut album, The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer in the US).
| "Mr. Radio" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Electric Light Orchestra | |
| from the album The Electric Light Orchestra (No Answer) | |
| Released | 1971 |
| Recorded | 1970 – 1971 |
| Studio | Philips (London) |
| Genre | Baroque pop[1] |
| Length | 5:04 |
| Label | Harvest (UK) United Artists (US) |
| Songwriter | Jeff Lynne |
| Producers | Roy Wood, Jeff Lynne |
Background
The tune is written in a 1920s American style about a man whose wife has left him and his only companion is his radio.[2]
The beginning and the end of the number contains backwards samples of a Mozart symphony, and in the bridge section there is a distantly heard piece of backmasking, with Lynne singing, "Hello, Mr. Radio," which is flipped backwards and augmented with reverberation.[3]
Single version
The song was the scheduled as the second single release from the band's debut album, however it remained unreleased.
The single edit can be found on a 2005 compilation album, Harvest Showdown and on the Harvest Years 1970-1973 compilation.
A remastered version would later appear on the 40th anniversary version of the band's first album.[4]
Personnel
- Jeff Lynne – vocals, piano
- Roy Wood – cello
- Bev Bevan – drums, percussion
- Bill Hunt – french horn
- Steve Woolam – violin
