Sweet Talkin' Woman
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Sweet Talkin' Woman
| cover = Sweet Talkin' Woman.png
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Electric Light Orchestra
| album = Out of the Blue
| B-side =
- "Bluebird Is Dead" (UK)
- "Fire On High" (US)
| released = 22 September 1978
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 3:47
| label = Jet
| writer = Jeff Lynne
| producer = Jeff Lynne
| prev_title = Mr. Blue Sky
| prev_year = 1978
| next_title = Wild West Hero
| next_year = 1978
| misc = {{Extra album cover
| header = Alternative cover
| type = single
| cover = Sweet Talkin' Woman - ELO.jpg
| border =
| alt =
| caption = American single sleeve
}}{{Audio sample
| type = single
| file = Electric Light Orchestra - Sweet Talkin' Woman.ogg
}}
}}
"Sweet Talkin' Woman" is a 1978 single by Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) from the album Out of the Blue (1977). Its original title was "Dead End Street", but it was changed during recording. Some words that survived from that version can be heard in the opening of the third verse, "I've been livin' on a dead end street".{{cite web|title= Sweet Talkin' Woman by Electric Light Orchestra |website= Songfacts |access-date= 21 July 2014 |url= http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=17265}}
The track became the third top ten hit from the LP in the UK, peaking at number 6. As a novelty, initial copies of the 12-inch and 7-inch single formats were pressed in transparent purple vinyl. "Sweet Talkin’ Woman" is written in the key of C major.{{cite web|title= Sweet Talkin' Woman by Electric Light Orchestra – Digital Sheet Music |website= Musicnotes.com |date= 5 August 2008 |access-date= 3 June 2021 |url= https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0067098}}
The version released in the United States was 10 seconds shorter than its British counterpart due to a slightly faster mix. In the US, it reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Critical reception
AllMusic's Donald A. Guarisco said "Sweet Talkin' Woman" was "their first real step into the disco sound [...] a string-laden pop tune whose dance-friendly edge helped it become a disco-era hit", attributing its disco sound to "Bev Bevan's steady drum work lays down a dance-friendly rhythm as pounding piano lines, delirous bursts of swirling strings, and endlessly overdubbed backing vocals mesh seamlessly to form an ornate but driving funhouse of pop hooks".{{cite web|first= Donald A. |last= Guarisco |title= Electric Light Orchestra – Sweet Talkin' Woman – Song Review |publisher= AllMusic |access-date= 26 January 2020 |url= https://www.allmusic.com/song/sweet-talkin-woman-mt0005618091}} Billboard described the song as a "catchy rocker characterized by semi-classical elements."{{cite magazine|title= Billboard's Top Single Picks |magazine= Billboard |date= 18 February 1978 |access-date= 9 July 2020 |page= 79 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-02-18.pdf}} Cash Box said that it has "syncopated harmonies and fullbodied instrumental accompaniments."{{cite magazine|title= Singles Reviews > Feature Picks |magazine= Cash Box |page= 20 |date= 18 February 1978 |access-date= 26 December 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1978/CB-1978-02-18.pdf}} Record World said that "rock and doo wop mix with ELO's strings and guitars in a busy but melodic way."{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=February 18, 1978|accessdate=2023-02-15|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/78/Record-World-1978-02-18.pdf}}
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it ELO's 6th best song, saying that it has a "one-of-a-kind chorus" and that it is "one of ELO's greatest group performances."{{cite web|title=Top 10 Electric Light Orchestra Songs | url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/elo-songs|author=Gallucci, Michael|accessdate=2022-06-04|date=30 December 2014|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock}} Stereogum contributor Ryan Reed rated it as ELO's 8th best song, noting the catchy verses and choruses and the intricacy of the songwriting.{{cite web|title=The 10 Best ELO Songs|date=7 January 2016|last=Reed|first=Ryan|accessdate=2023-05-03|publisher=Stereogum|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1850258/the-10-best-elo-songs/lists/}} Reed also suggested that it formed a template for Huey Lewis' 1982 song "Do You Believe In Love."
Chart performance
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Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|artist=ELO|title=Sweet Talkin' Woman|award=Silver|relyear=1978|certyear=1978|id=6422-1604-1|access-date=28 April 2021|refname="BPI"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=single|artist=Electric Light Orchestra|title=Sweet Talkin' Woman|award=Gold|relyear=1977|certyear=2021|digital=true|access-date=28 April 2021}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/electric-light-orchestra/sweet-talkin-woman Lyrics of this song]
- [http://www.jefflynnesongs.com/sweettalkinwoman/ In-depth song analysis] at the Jeff Lynne Song Database
- {{YouTube|NNjrBUzXDJk|Electric Light Orchestra - Sweet Talkin' Woman}}
{{Electric Light Orchestra singles}}
Category:Electric Light Orchestra songs