Electric Light Orchestra: Living Thing Meaning

Living Thing Lyrics

Sailin away on the crest of a wave
Its like magic
Rollin and ridin and slippin & slidin
Its magic

Chorus
And you, and your sweet pussay,
Don't ya do it. Don't ya do it.
You took me, higher and higher
Its a livin thing,
Its a terrible...

1.  

   anonymous

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   May 19th, 5:52pm report

   
   

   I believe this song to be about Steve Woolam, original violinist of the ELO, who committed suicide after recording of the very first ELO album was completed. He jumped to his death after his relationships with a woman and another founding member of the band, Roy Wood, fell apart. Listen to the song again... every lyric could apply to a story of a person who fell in love, lost that love, then decided to take their own life in the manner which this gentleman did. An extremely powerful song inspired by deep personal experiences. Listen to Eldorado and Hold on Tight too... same message.

   
   
   
   

2.  

   anonymous

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   Jan 29th, 2016 1:12am report

   
   

   I was I was told it was about abortion… Which led me while listening to the song to look to this website :-)

   
   
   
   

3.  

   anonymous

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   Aug 13th, 2014 8:44pm report

   
   

   Our local radio station played this song the day Robin Williams died and it seemed to fit perfectly.
   
   Security image? I don't see no stinkin' security image.

   
   
   
   

4.  

   anonymous

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   Apr 24th, 2014 4:40pm report

   
   

   How could Jeff's girlfriend be pregnant with Jeff? Jeff already has a mother, and for most of us we only get born once.

   
   
   
   

5.  

   anonymous

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   Mar 10th, 2013 3:54am report

   
   

   I think its about the decline in the quality of pies, pasties and sausage rolls. The line " .... on the crest of a wave..." is when you first realise you're hooked on the taste of the pastry, "...slipping and sliding" refers to the individuals need or fear of getting a crook serve: you know one of those tasteless overheated, dried out pastries that you wish you hadn't purchased. The line "... get a life" appears no where in this song but is a wonderful piece of advice for those of you , who waste yours spending time worrying about the A B A B rhyming method in poetry and pop songs.

   
   
   
   

6.  

   anonymous

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   Dec 22nd, 2012 12:31pm report

   
   

   Its about the concept of real life and the actual bond between two individuals, your mind, hence your heart, LOVE, is a terrible thing to lose. When they state, im taking a dive they mean like love, its a challenge, not giving up, how it requires two to complete anything, its a living thing, your mind, heart, its a given thing, its so simple, love is natural and to deny something as such would be a gruesomely devastating concept

   
   
   
   

7.  

   HipsterForLife

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   Apr 5th, 2012 4:14am report

   
   

   Everyone it's about whales, how whaling should be banned.

   This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
   
   
   
   

8.  

   anonymous

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   Apr 3rd, 2012 4:43am report

   
   

   The song is too upbeat to be about anything dark...Obviously it is about the thrill of falling in love and the fear of losing it.

   
   
   
   

9.  

   anonymous

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   Dec 12th, 2011 12:22am report

   
   

   Anybody who states this is an anti-abortion/anti-choice song is an idiot. Jeff himself explained this was written about love.

   
   
   
   

10.  

    anonymous

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    Nov 28th, 2011 11:46am report

    
    

    In Australia in the early 2000's the song was use as part of a government campaign for environmental awareness to help save Australia's ecosystems. It fits very well to "A terrible thing to lose". I always think of the fragile planet we live on and what we are doing to it when i hear this song.

    
    
    
    

11.  

    anonymous

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    Sep 22nd, 2011 9:34pm report

    
    

    He's in love with a married woman.

    
    
    
    

12.  

    anonymous

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    Jun 23rd, 2011 6:29am report

    
    

    This song is a reflection on the seductive and fleeting nature of love.

    
    
    
    

13.  

    anonymous

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    Jun 13th, 2011 6:07am report

    
    

    It is telling you not to do abortion hence "what a terrible thing to lose" (a baby) ...... "It's a given thing" (a baby) ...."believe this is what you've conceived from your worst day" (suggesting the person is thinking about abortion)
    
    This song, like every person with a brain, says to not do abortion. Abortion is killing babies. Every human has the right to life.

    
    
    
    

14.  

    anonymous

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    Apr 5th, 2011 4:24pm report

    
    

    Sounds like addiction to me.

    
    
    
    

15.  

    anonymous

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    Mar 4th, 2011 3:22am report

    
    

    It is about abortion and the loss of a life