Friday Night Videos

Just when you were getting comfortable with my ye-ye kick, along comes a curve ball to shake things up. "Rockaria!" has long been one of my favorite songs by Electric Light Orchestra, second only, perhaps, to their orchestral version of "Roll Over Beethoven." Clearly, these two are cut from the same cloth. So imagine my delight to discover the existence of a 70s-era music video for the song. It's not terribly sophisticated as far as cinematography and direction goes, but it's still pretty loopy, regardless. And I must confess, even separated by all the intervening years, I'm still a bit terrified of Jeff Lynne's hair.

Previously on Friday Night Videos... Gillian Hills.

Now Playing: Electric Light Orchestra Eldorado
Chicken Ranch Central

Friday Night Videos

I love the Electric Light Orchestra, Jeff Lynne's afro and all, but if Earth, Wind and Fire ever had their wardrobe stolen, I suspect I know where it ended up. See for yourself: "Livin' Thing".

Previously on Friday Night Videos... Billy Ocean.

Now Playing: Electric Light Orchestra Afterglow
Chicken Ranch Central

Friday Night Videos

I really, really love Electric Light Orchestra. The disco stuff, not so much, but even there I like what Jeff Lynne & company did more than most other disco bands. That's neither here nor there. Today's video is the catchy "Hold on Tight." The song itself is kinda nuts, with random French verses thrown in because, presumably, Lynne couldn't come up with any additional English lyrics and just translated what he already had. But the video itself? Utterly nuts. Random pastiches of various film tropes--most of which are thuddingly obvious to the viewer--thrown together in a nonsensical manner that conveys the message that the band said "screw it." There's no attempt to make any sense or tie the imagery in with the actual music. They simply blew a bunch of money on a screwy, three-minute joke.

Previously on Friday Night Videos... Flight of the Conchords.

Now Playing:
Chicken Ranch Central

Friday Night Videos

Lots of strife in the world today. I have nothing profound, but thought I'd contribute a little pick-me-up courtesy of Electric Light Orchestra's "Don't Bring Me Down." Dig that crazy hair!

Previously on Friday Night Videos... Billy Joel.

Now Playing: Electric Light Orchestra Afterglow
Chicken Ranch Central

Friday Night Videos

With the bizarre recent death of former Electric Light Orchestra cellist Mike Edwards this week, it seems only fitting to feature ELO on this week's installment of Friday Night Videos. "Showdown" is one of the early hits Edwards played on, and you can see him in this video, along with fellow cellist Colin Walker and Jeff Lynne's scary "Wild Man of the Mountain" hair.



Previously on Friday Night Videos... C+C Music Factory.

Now Playing: ELO Afterglow