In the stormy and rainy month of April, I’m sure many of us are sick of the bad weather, but also realize that this is the precursor to the beautiful weather of Wisconsin spring. I feel like no other piece of music better demonstrates this feeling than a portion of Electric Light Orchestra’s masterpiece 1977 double album Out of the Blue, called the “Concerto for a Rainy Day”.
Electric Light Orchestra (Typically abbreviated as “ELO”) is an English rock band formed back in 1970 in Birmingham England by Jeff Lynne, Ron Wood, and Bev Bevan. A heavily Beatles influenced band, it was intended by the members to continue where the Beatles left off in the early 70’s. Despite its obvious Beatles influences, the band has a very unique and distinct sound, often combining traditional classic rock with full orchestra, choir, and electronic music.
For the sake of this article however, I’d like to focus on one great bit of one of their greatest albums, Out of the Blue. ELO’s most famous and recognizable song Mr. Blue Sky is featured on this album, but many people may be surprised to learn that this song is part of a larger medley located on the third side of the album, lasting for a total of 18 minutes and 48 seconds. This medley Concerto for a Rainy Day was written by Jeff Lynne during a period of terrible weather as he wrote the entire album in Switzerland.
The Concerto starts with the track “Standing in the Rain”. Opening with a peaceful, simple melody, sounds of thunder and rain can be heard throughout the rising crescendo of the strings. Evolving into a harrowing tune of foreboding danger, the strings provide ample tension throughout the piece. A brief calmness takes over the song with the choir joining in, possibly representing a break in the rainfall. However, as the vocals come in the tense atmosphere regains the focus of the song. The song’s focus is on a man who, despite trying to act better, is unfortunately caught in a terrible rainstorm and just wants to go home.
“I’m standing in the rain, Doing my thing, I’m trying my best, what does it bring? I’m standing in the rain, getting soaking wet, I’m doing my best, but what does it get?”
Ending “Standing in the Rain,” a brief transition plays of a beautiful peaceful interlude with an electronic voice, although I can’t quite tell what it’s saying. This motif reappears later on the ending of the side’s last song.
The next track “Big Wheels” is a slower ballad contrasting the excitement of “Standing in the Rain.” Utilizing electronic music as well as the choir and strings again, it all adds up to a beautiful calming tune. I interpret this tune as someone dealing with the loss of someone they loved throughout their life. The “Big Wheels” mentioned represent the ever turning wheels of time. Particularly, the narrator recalls seeing their loved one on dark rainy nights. I also believe that this song can represent the introspection that many of us feel throughout our lives that time is passing us by.
“I remember the dead of night, a lonely light that shines upon the window, I see it all so clear, the tenderness, the silent tears. Out here in the pouring rain through cold, dark waiting days I see you standing there, I see the big wheels turnin’, never ending, on and on they go.”
Next up is “Summer and Lightning”, opening with a powerful rain and thunder sound as well as acoustic guitar. Wasting no time, the drums and vocals kick in quickly. A much happier and upbeat tune, the chorus revolves around the joy that comes with the return of the summer, taking what could be seen as a negative and terrifying phenomenon like lightning, and realizing that it in turn brings the beauty and warmth of the summer. I think this is a great song to listen to on a rainy day as the name of the suite implies, it makes you remember that good weather is always around the corner.
I especially love the bassy break towards the end of the track. It sort of reminds me of the other track on Out of the Blue, “Jungle”.
“Here it comes again (summer and lightning). It’s all around me (summer and lightning). It must be magic (summer and lightning). Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
As this song fades out, it is overtaken by rain sound effects and the sound of a radio. Tuning to just the weather station, the concerto’s focal point finally comes.
Mr. Blue Sky is by far the band’s most famous song, and for good reason. Its relentlessly upbeat attitude is the perfect conclusion to the suite. Opening with the words, “Good morning! Today’s weather calls for blue skies,” the iconic piano chords begin with the drums joining in.
Listening to this song, it can’t help but put you in a good mood. From the fantastic guitar solo, to the use of a fire extinguisher as a sort of cowbell sound, the extremely catchy chorus and the choir all form together to create an unforgettable song.
This song also has a great animated music video if you’d like to watch.
Ending with a fast drum beat and crescendoing choir and orchestra, the motif back from “Standing in the Rain” rejoins the piece. Standing perfectly alone as its own song, the context in which it was written further elevates the song’s greatness as a dramatic and beautiful conclusion to the album’s third side.
“Hey there, Mr. Blue, We’re so pleased to be with you. Look around, see what you do Everybody smiles at you!”
I would recommend listening to this entire album. There’s so many other great tracks like “Turn to Stone”, “Sweet Talkin’ Woman”, “Night in the City”, “Starlight”, “Jungle”, “Sweet is the Night”, “Birmingham Blues” and more. ELO’s discography is vast and I’d also heavily recommend listening to their 1979 disco-inspired Discovery album, as well as A New World Record from 1976. ELO is touring for their final American tour this year, so if interested, make sure to buy tickets. The shows are in September and nearby cities include St. Paul and Chicago.
So, if you’re ever feeling down this spring through the rainy weather, consider listening to Concerto for a Rainy Day. It may just give you the kick you need.
