Beatles Forever
Encyclopedia
"Beatles Forever" is a song recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
in 1983, intended for the album Secret Messages
. When the album was cut from a planned two-disc set to a single LP, "Beatles Forever" was abandoned — and somewhat abruptly, given that it had previously been cited as the likely lead-off single from the intended double LP. It currently remains the only "lost" track from the original Secret Messages album not to appear later as an official bonus track or part of a compilation. However, the chorus part of "Beatles Forever" was used by Jeff Lynne
on his "Video!" solo single.
Acetates
of Secret Messages are known to exist in the format of the originally-intended double album. At an ELO Fan Club Convention, "Beatles Forever" was played as a treat for fans under strict conditions concerning the presence of recording equipment. These conditions were evidently not strict enough, and a recording was made (somewhat ironically) using a portable video camera. This bootleg recording was subsequently made available as an MP3
download, with predictably low sound quality given the source, format, and date of the recording.
The track seemed unlikely to ever be given an official release, one likely explanation for which centers around some of Lynne's later involvements as a producer, first with George Harrison
and then with subsequently-released Beatles material; Lynne, now having had the opportunity to work closely with the subjects of the song (The Beatles and its members), may have later felt somewhat embarrassed by the track.
However, a statement from the official ELO mailing list indicates the song m,ay ultimately be released as part of a 2CD Secret Messages set:
"Nothing can be released without Jeff Lynne's approval but there currently is a proposal for a 2-CD Deluxe Collectors Edition of Secret Messages which includes the original unreleased 2-LP version (including "Beatles Forever"), the released 1-LP version and more. As with all the Legacy 1st edition remasters from 2001 (Eldorado
, Discovery
, Time
, Secret Messages) there are full proposals in with SonyBMG for upgraded 2-CD Deluxe Collectors Editions. I'll let you all know how that goes..."
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
in 1983, intended for the album Secret Messages
Secret Messages
Secret Messages is an album by Electric Light Orchestra, released in 1983 through Jet Records. It would be the last ELO album to feature bassist Kelly Groucutt, conductor Louis Clark and real stringed instruments...
. When the album was cut from a planned two-disc set to a single LP, "Beatles Forever" was abandoned — and somewhat abruptly, given that it had previously been cited as the likely lead-off single from the intended double LP. It currently remains the only "lost" track from the original Secret Messages album not to appear later as an official bonus track or part of a compilation. However, the chorus part of "Beatles Forever" was used by Jeff Lynne
Jeff Lynne
Jeffrey "Jeff" Lynne is an English songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer who gained fame as the leader and sole constant member of Electric Light Orchestra and was a co-founder and member of The Traveling Wilburys together with George Harrison, Bob...
on his "Video!" solo single.
Acetates
Acetate disc
An acetate disc, also known as a test acetate, dubplate , lacquer , transcription disc or instantaneous disc...
of Secret Messages are known to exist in the format of the originally-intended double album. At an ELO Fan Club Convention, "Beatles Forever" was played as a treat for fans under strict conditions concerning the presence of recording equipment. These conditions were evidently not strict enough, and a recording was made (somewhat ironically) using a portable video camera. This bootleg recording was subsequently made available as an MP3
MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
download, with predictably low sound quality given the source, format, and date of the recording.
The track seemed unlikely to ever be given an official release, one likely explanation for which centers around some of Lynne's later involvements as a producer, first with George Harrison
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
and then with subsequently-released Beatles material; Lynne, now having had the opportunity to work closely with the subjects of the song (The Beatles and its members), may have later felt somewhat embarrassed by the track.
However, a statement from the official ELO mailing list indicates the song m,ay ultimately be released as part of a 2CD Secret Messages set:
"Nothing can be released without Jeff Lynne's approval but there currently is a proposal for a 2-CD Deluxe Collectors Edition of Secret Messages which includes the original unreleased 2-LP version (including "Beatles Forever"), the released 1-LP version and more. As with all the Legacy 1st edition remasters from 2001 (Eldorado
Eldorado (Electric Light Orchestra album)
Eldorado - A Symphony By The Electric Light Orchestra is the fourth studio album by the Electric Light Orchestra, released in 1974.-Concept:...
, Discovery
Discovery (Electric Light Orchestra album)
Discovery is a 1979 album by Electric Light Orchestra.-History:Discovery was the band's first No. 1 album in the UK, entering the chart at that position and staying there for five weeks...
, Time
Time (Electric Light Orchestra album)
Time is a concept album by Electric Light Orchestra released in 1981 through Jet Records. The album tells the story, through its songs and lyrics, about a man from the 1980's finding himself in the year 2095 and trying to come to terms with being unable to return and adjusting to his new...
, Secret Messages) there are full proposals in with SonyBMG for upgraded 2-CD Deluxe Collectors Editions. I'll let you all know how that goes..."