Elo Kiddies
Encyclopedia
"ELO Kiddies" is a glam
-style song written by Rick Nielsen
and originally released by Cheap Trick
on the 1977 album Cheap Trick
. It was released as a single twice, in 1977 as an A-side backed by "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace" and in 1979, as the B-side the live "Ain't That a Shame
" from Cheap Trick at Budokan. Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine
commented on the song's "thumping Gary Glitter
perversion." Charles Young of Rolling Stone Magazine regarded both "ELO Kiddies" and "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace" among the standout songs of the Cheap Trick album.
It is a powerful song, driven by Bun E. Carlos
' pounding the drums, Nielsen playing power chords on the guitar. The sardonic lyrics include several double entendre
s and the song has been interpreted in multiple ways, even by members of the band. The most basic meaning is as a "hello, goodbye" story. Nielsen viewed the song as being about the "real maniacs from nuclear power plants." Another interpretation is that the song expresses a "cynical view of education." Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, who considers this song one of his favorites, interpreted the song as telling kids to "go out and have fun and go nuts and go completely wild," but that even deeper is that the kids need to do this fast before they get older and have ulcers headaches. Basically, Carlos sums up his view of the song's message as "let's have fun, but better have it now." Even the song's title is a play on words, since the "Elo" could simply mean "hello," or it could be "ELO," implying the song borrows ideas from the Electric Light Orchestra
. Author Steve Taylor has noted that the song is "vaguely autobiographical" and that it recognizes the band's admiration of Electric Light Orchestra founder Roy Wood
.
Cheap Trick filmed a promotional video of the song, directed by Chuck Lashon, in which the band performed the song while mugging for the cameras. "Elo Kiddies" has been released on a number of live and compilation albums since its original release, including Budokan II and other anniversary editions of Cheap Trick at Budokan, Sex, America, Cheap Trick
and The Essential Cheap Trick
.
The song has been covered by White Flag
on their 2002 album History is Fiction. It was also covered by Crash Kelly on both their 2003 album Penny Pills and on their 2008 album Love You Electric.
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
-style song written by Rick Nielsen
Rick Nielsen
-External links:* * *...
and originally released by Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
on the 1977 album Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick (1977 album)
Cheap Trick is the first studio album released in 1977 by the American rock band Cheap Trick. It was their debut album for Epic Records, produced by Jack Douglas.- Overview :...
. It was released as a single twice, in 1977 as an A-side backed by "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace" and in 1979, as the B-side the live "Ain't That a Shame
Ain't That a Shame
"Ain't That a Shame" is a song recorded by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew, in New Orleans, Louisiana, for Imperial Records and released in 1955. It was previously recorded in 1901 by Silas Leachman. The recording was a hit for Domino, eventually selling a million copies. It reached #1 on the...
" from Cheap Trick at Budokan. Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
commented on the song's "thumping Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is an English former glam rock singer-songwriter and musician.Glitter first came to prominence in the glam rock era of the early 1970s...
perversion." Charles Young of Rolling Stone Magazine regarded both "ELO Kiddies" and "Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace" among the standout songs of the Cheap Trick album.
It is a powerful song, driven by Bun E. Carlos
Bun E. Carlos
Bun E. Carlos, born Brad Carlson, June 12, 1951, is the primary drummer for American rock band Cheap Trick. He is the band's chief setlister and archivist, and maintains recordings of all the band's shows, some of which have been released under the name 'Bun E's Bootlegs'.Carlos is left-handed, but...
' pounding the drums, Nielsen playing power chords on the guitar. The sardonic lyrics include several double entendre
Double entendre
A double entendre or adianoeta is a figure of speech in which a spoken phrase is devised to be understood in either of two ways. Often the first meaning is straightforward, while the second meaning is less so: often risqué or ironic....
s and the song has been interpreted in multiple ways, even by members of the band. The most basic meaning is as a "hello, goodbye" story. Nielsen viewed the song as being about the "real maniacs from nuclear power plants." Another interpretation is that the song expresses a "cynical view of education." Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, who considers this song one of his favorites, interpreted the song as telling kids to "go out and have fun and go nuts and go completely wild," but that even deeper is that the kids need to do this fast before they get older and have ulcers headaches. Basically, Carlos sums up his view of the song's message as "let's have fun, but better have it now." Even the song's title is a play on words, since the "Elo" could simply mean "hello," or it could be "ELO," implying the song borrows ideas from the Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra
Electric Light Orchestra were a British rock group from Birmingham who released eleven studio albums between 1971 and 1986 and another album in 2001. ELO were formed to accommodate Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne's desire to create modern rock and pop songs with classical overtones...
. Author Steve Taylor has noted that the song is "vaguely autobiographical" and that it recognizes the band's admiration of Electric Light Orchestra founder Roy Wood
Roy Wood
Roy Adrian Wood is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He was particularly successful in the 1960s and 1970s as member and co-founder of the bands The Move, Electric Light Orchestra, and Wizzard. As a songwriter, he contributed a number of hits to the repertoire of these bands.-Career:Wood...
.
Cheap Trick filmed a promotional video of the song, directed by Chuck Lashon, in which the band performed the song while mugging for the cameras. "Elo Kiddies" has been released on a number of live and compilation albums since its original release, including Budokan II and other anniversary editions of Cheap Trick at Budokan, Sex, America, Cheap Trick
Sex, America, Cheap Trick
Sex, America, Cheap Trick is a 1996 box set by the rock band Cheap Trick. It includes 17 previously unreleased songs, as well as the band's biggest hits...
and The Essential Cheap Trick
The Essential Cheap Trick
The Essential Cheap Trick is the fourth compilation album by Cheap Trick, and part of Sony BMG's The Essential series. It contains at least one song from every album up to Special One , except the commercial failure The Doctor...
.
The song has been covered by White Flag
White Flag (band)
White Flag is an American punk rock band currently based in Los Angeles. Their current lineup consists of frontman Pat Fear , Mike Mess , Jello B. Afro , and Trace Element . All of these members have been in the band since 1982, though many have rotated in and out...
on their 2002 album History is Fiction. It was also covered by Crash Kelly on both their 2003 album Penny Pills and on their 2008 album Love You Electric.