Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
December 30th, 2020
Jeff Lynne celebrates his birthday today (December 30), and while it’s no secret that Lynne has written and produced for countless artists, sometimes it’s easy to forget just how many artists and projects where he’s credited.
In his honor, here’s just a handful of songs you may have forgotten were written or co-written by the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
Featured on the last album recorded by Orbison, this hit was also co-written by Tom Petty, who along with Lynne, Orbison, Bob Dylan and George Harrison made up the supergroup The Traveling Wilburys.
Lynne, of course, co-wrote/co-produced Petty’s smash debut solo album 'Full Moon Fever' released in 1989. Frankly, it’s difficult to pick just one song to represent that entire album. It is absolutely packed with incredible tracks!
This one might be a surprise for most, but after a quick listen to the first minute of this song, and anyone with half a clue will hear ELO’s “Evil Woman” sampled.
The first thought most have when thinking of 'Xanadu' is Olivia Newton-John, followed by Gene Kelly, but half of the film’s soundtrack (five songs) were written by Lynne and recorded by ELO, including the super catchy “I’m Alive.”
Featured on Wilson's first solo album, “Let It Shine” is one of the few tracks on this release that didn’t feature a songwriting credit from Wilson’s then therapist Eugene Landy.
