So Fine (Electric Light Orchestra Song)

So Fine (Electric Light Orchestra Song)

"So Fine" is the title of the fifth track from A New World Record by Electric Light Orchestra.

Recorded in 1976 at Musicland, Munich, this track is peppy and upbeat, contrasting with "Mission (A World Record)", the previous track. It is a typical example of ELO's (at the time) cutting edge use of technology and recording techniques, which would become the conventional sound of pop music within 10 years.

The middle section contains African drums and electronic percussion created by a then state of the art Moog processor, and continues with rising intensity. More and more instruments join in, until the vocal again takes over. As it fades out, it segues into the middle-eastern inspired violin of "Livin' Thing".

The song is unusual for a pop song because it has 11 chords (E C G D A F#m G#m Bm B C#m Am); most pop songs have less than five chords, often as few as three. As a result, this song highlights the depth of Jeff Lynne's compositional prowess.