[Steely Tom]

I had the feeling that they stepped into the vacuum that was created when the Beatles broke up in 1971. It was just a matter of timing.

Remember, a lot of kids were really affected by the vanishing of the Beatles. It had such an “end of an era” feel to it at the time. ELO may have seen it as an opportunity.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Maybe so.

[Charles Martel]

Jeff Lynne was actually present at some of the Beatles' recording sessions. It was no accident when he turned up in later projects with Ringo and George, such as The Traveling Wilburys.

As for this particular song, it is best appreciated along with the entire side of that LP (collectively titled "Concerto For A Rainy Day").

[WhoisAlanGreenspan?]

Not many days ago someone posted here at FR something about poco Harum A whiter shade of paleMy live in Denmark 2006 youtube link is pretty good I thought.

That was also a fun memory like Mr. Blue Sky. I've always regarded ELO and Poco Harem as similar, never a huge fan of either, maybe Beatles chasers but I appreciated what they did. In the same camp of my more favored English bands like Emerson Lake & Palmer, Yes, Genesis, Gentle Giant, and King Crimson, (not in any particular order).