Top 10 Electric Light Orchestra

Their music is characterised by a fusion of pop and classical arrangements with futuristic iconography.

When Jeff Lynne joined Roy Wood's British band the Move in 1970, it was with the condition that the group blend their basic rock moves with classical music, in a nod to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

After recording two final albums with the Move, Lynne and Wood formed the Electric Light Orchestra, realizing Lynne's dream of pairing classical instruments (cello, violin, french horn, oboe, etc.) with meaty rock 'n' roll riffs.

The band's 1971 debut is a clunky attempt to get some footing with this new hybrid. By their fourth album, Wood was long gone and Lynne steered ELO away from the classical pretensions (a drawn-out cover of Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven," originals like "10538 Overture") and toward strings-assisted rock songs with huge pop-radio-ready hooks.

The tracks on our list of the Top 10 Electric Light Orchestra Songs come from the five years in the mid-to-late-'70s when they were one of the most reliable bands on the planet.

Read More: Top 10 Electric Light Orchestra Songs

10. Do Ya (1976)

9. Strange Magic (1975)

8. Sweet Talkin' Woman (1977)

7. Can't Get it Out Of My Head (1974)

6. Telephone Line (1976)

5. Turn To Stone (1977)

4. Don't Bring Me Down (1979)

3. Evil Woman (1975)

2. Livin' Thing (1976)

1. Mr. Blue Sky (1977)