In 1974, Jeff Lynne got the greatest thrill from one tune. He never got to enjoy it live again

Jeff Lynne said he was thrilled with how Electric Light Orchestra’s “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” turned out, describing it as his first attempt at a serial, orchestral-style song. Its chart success helped establish ELO among the leading bands of the period, but performing the ambitious material live did not give him the same pleasure.

Lynne recalled that the arrangements were almost impossible to reproduce on stage, so the band used tapes, including Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, for some introductions before playing as a group. He said his producer’s focus kept him from enjoying the performances, even though touring could be fun socially. The experience helps explain why he later gravitated towards studio production and collaborations rather than life on the road.