Magic 1980 Song

Electric Light Orchestra

In the last couple of years I've begun to appreciate this song much more than my pre-adolescent self did when it was topping US charts in 1980. I keep playing it over and over, as if against my own will, blissfully enveloped in it's warm, hypnotic glow. Hmm, this is what must be playing while floating on a cloud in some heavenly afterlife. Or perhaps this was the mythical siren song that lured all those hapless sailors to their deaths. (and oddly, the lyrics work in either context) Credit for "Magic"'s magic is mostly due to writer and producer John Farrar. But Livvy brings her A-game to the vocals, and has never sounded more angelic, at moments even reminding me of Liz Fraser. In fact, if you squint a little bit this could almost pass as a Cocteau Twins track. This is that very special piece of pop fluff that transcends it's intended purpose as disposable radio product and ends up hitting something deep and timeless.