THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

970-Electric Light Orchestra-Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle.

1974-Number 22 single.

Best Bit-At 2.27. In the UK they are affectionately known as the ‘ELO,’ in the States they are called ‘The English guys with the big fiddles.’

In 1970 Roy Wood (see also best songs 821-575 and 239) of the English Rock band ‘The Move’ wanted to create a band that incorporated violins, cellos, string basses, horns, and woodwind, in order to give his music a ‘Classical sound,’ taking Rock music in the direction to ‘Pick up where the Beatles left off.’ Together with Bev Bevan, and Jeff Lynne (see also best songs 769 and 25) who were also both members of ‘The Move,’ they created ‘The Electric Light Orchestra,’ dropping the ‘The’ on the release of their third studio Album in 1973. In 1972 following the release of their self titled debut Album, Roy Wood left the group in order to form ‘Wizzard,’ since then Jeff Lynne has been the driving force behind the Electric Light Orchestra, writing and producing nearly all of their output.

In total there has been 15 different members of the ‘ELO’ come and go, with Jeff Lynne being the groups one constant. The six official members who played on ‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle,’ and it’s parent Album ”On the Third Day’ were Jeff Lynne, (vocals, and guitars) Bev Bevan, (drums) Richard Tandy, (clavinet, and electric piano) Mike de Albuquerque, (bass) Mike Edwards, (1948-2010) (cello) and Mik Kaminski (violin.) Richard Tandy joined the ‘ELO’ in 1972, and along with Jeff Lynne they are the only two remaining band members. Bev Bevan who was a member between 1970-1983, and then again between 1985-1986, was born Beverley Bevan on November 25th, 1944, in Birmingham, England. He joined ‘The Move’ in 1966, then went on to form the ‘ELO’ in 1970, where he remained the groups drummer until 1983, when he then replaced Bill Ward in Black Sabbath (see also best songs 814) for their touring commitments. In 1988 while the ‘ELO’ were on ‘hiatus,’ Bevan approached Lynne about recording another Album, and when Lynne declined, Bevan formed ‘ELO Part 2,’ who would record two studio Albums in 1991, and 1994, then in 1999 Bevan left that project, and sold the rights to the ‘ELO’ name to Jeff Lynne, who once again formed the band and released their 12th studio Album ‘Zoom’ in 2001, but due to poor sales, and also poor ticket sales for a planned tour, Lynne once again put the band on hiatus. In 2014 Lynne and Tandy reunited for a charity ‘Children in Need’ performance, which led to a renewed interest in the band, and at the time of writing they remain active.

‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle’ was the second of two singles released from the Electric Light Orchestra’s third studio Album ‘On the Third Day,’ from November 1973, and was written and produced by Jeff Lynne. ‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle’ which only reached Number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, was re-issued in the UK in 1978, as part of a four track extended play promotion, featuring three other songs, including the lead track ‘Can’t Get It Out of My Head,’ the ‘EP’ went on to make Number 34 in the UK. ‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle’ features Marc Bolan (1947-1977) (see also best songs 790-386 and 67) playing twin lead guitar on the track alongside Jeff Lynne, Bolan also appears on ‘Dreaming of 4000,’ and ‘Everyone’s Born to Die,’ also on the ‘On the Third Day’ Album. There is also more than a little controversy as to where Jeff Lynne got the idea for the guitar riff on ‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle from, as it bares an uncanny similarity to Mott the Hoople’s 1972, Ian Hunter (see also best songs 661 and 334) penned song ‘Jerkin’ Crocus.’ (well worth taking a listen to.)

So now to the difficult bit, what is ‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle’ really about? It has been suggested that the girls strange name ‘Ma-Ma-Ma-Belle’ could be Lynne paying homage to his biggest inspiration, the ‘Beatles,’ and their 1965 song ‘Michelle.’ I have read where it is also suggested that the song is about a pimp in prison reassuring a prostitute whom he has great affection for, that all will be well. In all probability it is just a simple love song hidden away under all those complicated lyrics. I suppose the only way to find the songs true meaning is to ask Jeff himself.

‘There’s one thing that’s on my mind, and that’s getting hold of you before I serve my time. I gotta keep on, with my heavy load, till I see you come a-strollin’ down that open road.’