Electric Light Orchestra – “Do Ya” (1977) Review | I’d Like to Save You for a Rainy Day

Kronomyth 7.3: A do ya do-over.

Do Ya had been a minor hit for The Move in 1972. Jeff Lynne dusted it off and polished it up for A New World Record, giving it a new life. The revamped version of “Do Ya” is dee-licious, engaging your musical salivary glands within the opening moments of those unforgettable chords. There’s probably an interesting list to be made in compiling rock & roll’s greatest guitar openers (“You Really Got Me,” “I Can’t Explain, “Sweet Leaf,” etc.). Or you could make a list of greatest re-recordings by the original artist. (So many lists, so little time or desire to make them…) The B side is Nightrider from their previous album, Face the Music. I’ve never learned the rationale behind ELO’s B sides, which were usually pulled from their preceding albums. In Germany, that album’s Poker was picked instead for the flip.

The Product

A1. Do Ya (Jeff Lynne) (3:45)
B1. Nightrider (Jeff Lynne) (4:22)

German 7-inch single version
A1. Do Ya (Jeff Lynne) (3:45)
B1. Poker (Jeff Lynne) (3:27)

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch single in January 1977 in the US and (United Artists, UA-XW939-Y), Germany (United Artists, 36235AT), Guatemala (United Artists, AC-UA-3460) and Mexico (Jet/United Artists, G-1812) with regional picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1977 in the US (United Artists, XW-939Y) feat. A mono on flip. Reached #24 on the US charts (charted on 2/5/77 for 12 weeks).