"Can't Get It Out of My Head" is a song written by Jeff Lynne and originally recorded by

Electric Light Orchestra The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan. Their music is characterised by a fusion of pop, classical a ...

(also known as ELO). First released on the band's fourth album '' Eldorado'' in September 1974, the song is the second track on the album and follows " Eldorado Overture". The song was released in November the same year as a single. The song became the band's first top 10 single in the United States, reaching number 9, and helped boost public awareness of the band in the U.S.; however, back in the UK the single and LP failed to chart. In 1978, it was included as the lead song on the four-track '' The ELO EP'' (UK release), reaching number 34 on the UK charts. The song has appeared on many ELO compilation albums.

Background

Lynne wrote "Can't Get It Out of My Head" partially in response to his father's criticism that the previous songs he wrote didn't have any tune. Lynne wanted to show that he could write a song with a beautiful melody. Lynne has stated that the lyrics "were about a man who was dreaming, sees this vision of loveliness and wakes up and finds that he's actually a clerk working in a bank" and so won't be able to act on this dream.

Critical reception

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'' said that "Jeff Lynne and company brew up a brilliant batch of hook melody strains from the last decade of ballads into one fresh triumph." AllMusic's Mike DeGagne said the song would become "one of Electric Light Orchestra's most beautiful ballads" thanks to "the rich backdrop of strings (especially cello) and the steady, delicate cymbal taps that enhance the song's charm", adding: "there's an honest simplicity built around the dynamics of the relaxed rhythm and it's this enchanting air, mixed with the storybook lyrics and poetic wonderment of the song that carries the listener away, even if they're indecipherable at times", considering the song as "the band's best example of this recipe implemented toward a slower style". ''Classic Rock History'' critic Brian Kachejian rated it as ELO's 10th best song, calling it a "sentimental grooving ballad." ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' critic Michael Gallucci rated it as ELO's 9th best song. ''

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'' contributor Ryan Reed rated it as ELO's 4th best song.

Personnel

Credits adapted from "Can't Get It Out of My Head" liner notes. Electric Light Orchestra * Jeff Lynne –

lead vocals The lead vocalist in popular music is typically the member of a group or band whose voice is the most prominent melody in a performance where multiple voices may be heard. The lead singer sets their voice against the accompaniment parts of t ...

, guitar,

Moog synthesizer The Moog synthesizer is a modular synthesizer developed by the American engineer Robert Moog. Moog debuted it in 1964, and Moog's company R. A. Moog Co. (later known as Moog Music) produced numerous models from 1965 to 1981, and again from 20 ...

arrangement In music, an arrangement is a musical adaptation of an existing composition. Differences from the original composition may include reharmonization, melodic paraphrasing, orchestration, or formal development. Arranging differs from orches ...

s * Richard Tandy – piano, Moog synthesizer, arrangements * Michael De Albuquerque –

bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

* Bev Bevan –

drums A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...

, percussion * Michael Edwards – cello * Mik Kaminski – violin * Hugh McDowell – cello Additional musicians * Louis Clark –

orchestra conducting Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance, such as an orchestral or choral concert. It has been defined as "the art of directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers by the use of gesture." The primary duti ...

, arrangements Production * Jeff Lynne – production * Dick Plant – engineering * Mike Pela – engineering * Kenny Denton – engineering assistance * John Richards – engineering assistance Recording * Recorded at De Lane Lea Studios, London.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Jeff Lynne versions

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. In 2012, as part of the concert from his home studio, Live From Bungalow Palace, Lynne performed an acoustic version of the song with longtime ELO pianist Richard Tandy.

References

External links

In-depth Song Analysis
at the Jeff Lynne Song Database (jefflynnesongs.com)
List of "Can't Get It Out of My Head" cover versions with YouTube & Spotify links
at SecondHandSongs.com {{authority control 1974 songs 1974 singles Electric Light Orchestra songs Song recordings produced by Jeff Lynne Songs written by Jeff Lynne Velvet Revolver songs British soft rock songs United Artists Records singles Warner Records singles