Album: Secret Messages (1983)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of ELO's lesser-known songs, but it's a favorite among their hardcore fans. It's a rather sad song about someone who's well-meaning and idealistic, but keeps running into obstacles. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA

Comments: 6

  • Bruce H from WapakI loved "Secret Mrssages" I thought it was well produced. I really don't agree with the naysayers. Just as good as Discovery and Balance of Power.
  • Mp from Sebring FloridaAnother of Lynne's songs with nonsense lyrics. The whole album sounds like he didn't want to be there (which apparently he didn't) and the songs show it.
  • Don from Sevierville, TnPaul McCartney & Wings also recorded a song titled "Bluebird" on their "Band On The Run" album. Later, Jeff Lynne worked with Paul McCartney on Paul's 1997 album, "Flaming Pie", which would be Paul's last vocal album release while his first wife, Linda, was still alive.
  • Alan from Joliet, IlThis will blow your minds, but the album Secret Messages was originally planned as a double. You can find many of the out-takes in the box set Afterglow. I think the out-takes were hit-and-miss--half were better than the LP release, and half were worse. But this and "Four Little Diamonds" are worth the purchase of the CD; treat the other tracks as an interesting mess.
  • Gary from Chandler, AzWell produced and performed. Very bouyant sounding and pleasant melody.
  • Ed from Canton, OhIt is sad this song and this album did not have more success. I guess there was no recovery from DISCOvery.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."