Livin' Thing
Eló Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Sailin' away on the crest of a wave
It's like magic
Rollin' and ridin' and slippin' and slidin'
It's magic

And you, and your sweet desire
You took me higher and higher
It's a livin' thing

It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose

Making believe this is what you conceived
From your worst day
Moving in line then you look back in time
To your first day

And you, and your sweet desire
You took me higher and higher
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose

Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide
floating downstream
So let her go Don't start spoiling the show
It's a bad dream

And you, and your sweet desire
You took me higher and higher
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose

It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of the song ‘Livin’ Thing’ by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are quite intriguing, with the verses painting a vivid picture of being swept away by the magic and whimsy of life. The opening lines of “Sailing away on the crest of a wave, it’s like magic, rollin’ and ridin’ and slippin’ and slidin’, it’s magic” evoke a sense of being caught up in a moment of pure exhilaration, where one feels like they are riding the waves of life with ease. This feeling is further emphasized in the chorus, where the lyrics “It’s a livin’ thing, It’s a terrible thing to lose, It’s a given thing, What a terrible thing to lose” underscore the fragility of life and the importance of living it fully.

The second verse of the song changes the tone slightly, moving away from the idea of indulging in the moment and onto the concept of self-reflection. The lyrics “Making believe this is what you conceived, from your worst day, moving in line then you look back in time, to your first day” encourage the listener to take stock of their life and reflect on the choices they have made. The chorus is repeated again, but this time with a sense of urgency and a warning against taking life for granted.

The final verse of the song is somewhat of a resolution, with the lyrics “Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide, floating downstream, so let her go, don't start spoiling the show, it's a bad dream” suggesting that sometimes we must let go of control and allow life to take its course. This idea is further reinforced in the chorus, which acts as a cautionary tale against taking life for granted, and reminds us that life is a precious gift that can be taken away at any moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Sailin' away on the crest of a wave
Starting anew with hope and confidence

It's like magic
Feeling powerful and unstoppable

Rollin' and ridin' and slippin' and slidin'
Experiencing both the ups and downs of life

It's magic
Feeling a sense of wonder and amazement

And you, and your sweet desire
Addressing a specific person who has a strong passion

You took me higher and higher
Helping to achieve a sense of elation

It's a livin' thing
Life is full of liveliness, possibility, and potential

It's a terrible thing to lose
Losing something that made life so full is painful

It's a given thing
Life is expected to provide both good and bad moments

What a terrible thing to lose
Reiterating the pain of losing something special

Making believe this is what you conceived
Fooling oneself into thinking something is what they imagined

From your worst day
This belief comes from a low point in life

Moving in line then you look back in time
Reflecting on the journey of life and how far one has come

To your first day
Thinking back to the very beginning of life

Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide
Giving up and letting life take its course

Floating downstream
Allowing oneself to be carried by life's current

So let her go
Letting go of something that cannot be held onto

Don't start spoiling the show
Life is a performance meant to be enjoyed, not ruined

It's a bad dream
Thinking negatively about a situation

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JEFF LYNNE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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