Nightrider (song)
"Nightrider" is a song from Electric Light Orchestra's (ELO) album Face the Music.
"Nightrider" | ||||
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Single by Electric Light Orchestra | ||||
from the album Face the Music | ||||
A-side | "Do Ya" | |||
B-side | "Daybreaker" (Live) | |||
Released | 19 March 1976 (UK) February 1977 (US) | |||
Recorded | 1975, Musicland Studios, Munich, Germany | |||
Genre | Art rock | |||
Length | 4:25 (Album version) 3:45 (UK single edit) | |||
Label | Jet (UK) Jet/United Artists (US) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jeff Lynne | |||
Producer(s) | Jeff Lynne | |||
Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology | ||||
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Face the Music track listing | ||||
8 tracks
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The song's title is a titular tip of the hat to Lynne's first major band, The Nightriders. This was the third single released from the album after "Evil Woman", in 1976. The B-side on the single was a live version of "Daybreaker" taken from the 1974 live album The Night the Light Went On in Long Beach.[1] Despite ELO's rising popularity, the song failed to chart. The song was also included as the B-side on the US hit single "Do Ya".[2]
Between 3:16 and 3:19, the song features a string crescendo which was reused (played backwards, from 2:40 to 2:44) on another of the album's tracks, "Evil Woman".
"I took the high string part of Nightrider that climbs up to a climax, and used it backwards in Evil Woman as a big effect. I was amazed when it slotted in seamlessly." - Jeff Lynne (Face the Music remaster liner notes)
During live performances, Jeff Lynne and Kelly Groucutt would swap vocals during the song.
Personnel
- Jeff Lynne - lead vocals, guitars
- Bev Bevan - drums, backing vocals
- Richard Tandy - piano, moog synthesizer
- Kelly Groucutt - bass, lead and backing vocals
- Mik Kaminski - violin
- Hugh McDowell - cello
- Melvyn Gale - cello
Additional musicians
- Jeff Lynne, Richard Tandy and Louis Clark - orchestral and choral arrangements
- Louis Clark - orchestra conductor
References
- "Electric Light Orchestra - Nightrider (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
- "Electric Light Orchestra - Do Ya (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 7 March 2013.