Electric Light Orchestra - Mission (A World Record) Lyrics






For may days we travelled from a distant place and time,
To reach a place they call the planet Earth,
There was to be a celebration,
On the mission of the sacred heart.

The planet Earth from way up there is beautiful and blue
And floating softly through a rainbow,
But when you touch down things look different here,
At the mission of the sacred heart.

[CHORUS]
Watching all the days roll by
Who are you and who am I?

On a dirty worn-out sidewalk, sits a mother with a baby,
In her vale of tears she sees no rainbow
And someone's singing from a window
In the mission of the sacred heart.

[CHORUS -- repeat]

There's a building on a corner, in a city, in a land,
On a place they call the planet Earth,
My orders are to sit here and watch the world go by,
From the mission of the sacred heart.

[CHORUS -- repeat]





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Electric Light Orchestra Mission (A World Record) Comments
  1. J.... J....

    Como sucede con este álbum , unos de los mejores de la música , cualquiera de sus temas son genialidades.

  2. D.... D....

    Jeff Lynne is other-worldly .Bev Bevan is one of the greatly under-rated drummers of the seventies . The other members of the band are geniuses in their own right .

  3. N.... ....

    In 1984 I bought this album with my own pocket money. I remember playing this track in my bedroom on my record player. My dad came into my room. "Where did you get this from?" (He got me into ELO but we didn't have this album).
    "I bought it, Dad. It's brilliant."
    "That's my boy," he said.
    Love you dad. RIP.

  4. T.... B....

    I lived in Rachel NV(Next door to Area 51) for a few years and would blast this song out into the desert(and at the guards who I knew were watching me) as I camped just outside the perimeter of the base. Got a real X-files vibe doing that at night but it was appropriate for the setting. Love this song.

  5. T.... P....

    Pink Diamond

  6. S.... P....

    I get extremely emotional when the last chorus comes in, "Watching all the days roll by
    / Who are you and who am I? / How's life on Earth?" as the strings carry the melody, the choir swells, great vocal harmonies, with the beat of the drum to lead them on. What a great song, and album.

  7. V.... P....

    The Soundtrack of a fellow lost alien <3

  8. c.... A....

    It's 1978,I have this on 8 track!! I am 16, I listened to this album every day... It is an amazing , amazing album , so brilliant!!

  9. E.... J....

    that bassline is tight af

  10. C.... T....

    One of ELO's greatest songs.

  11. j.... ....

    Scary song for Halloween Boo

  12. D.... S....

    Yo creo que esta es la mejor cancion del disco, por lejos !

  13. G.... V....

    This is Yerffej Ennyl calling you from planet Earth

    For many days, we travelled from a distant place and time
    To reach a place they call the planet Earth
    There was to be a celebration
    On the mission of the sacred heart

    The planet Earth from way up there is beautiful and blue
    And floating softly through a rainbow
    But when you touch down, things look different here
    At the mission of the sacred heart

    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    How's life on Earth?

    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    When all the stars above
    Lay icy fingers down on me
    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    On a dirty worn-out sidewalk, sits a mother with a baby;
    In her vale of tears, she sees no rainbow
    And someone's singing from a window
    In the mission of the sacred heart


    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    How's life on Earth?

    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    And when the stars above
    Lay icy fingers down on me
    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    There's a building on a corner, in a city, in a land
    On a place they call the planet Earth
    My orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
    From the mission of the sacred heart

    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    How's life on Earth?
    What is it worth?

    G.... V....

    Thank you leirbaG Ladiv 👍😊

  14. 6.... ....

    ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  15. S.... K....

    This song foreshadowed the Time album

  16. D.... H....

    24 dislikes in 170,000...pretty good hit rate..........they obviously havent been to planet earth..........

  17. g.... f....

    E.L.O.=eletrical magic.

  18. c.... ....

    People who dont like Elo have never really listened to them. Its as simple as that.

  19. B.... W....

    I was 19 in '76 and I remember quoting the lyrics " how's life on earth? " and now I'm 62 and life's been good.

  20. I.... B....

    Fabulous musicianship!!!! Jeff Lynne was obviously influenced by The Beatles. Good!!!

  21. G.... V....

    This song is 🔥🔥🔥

  22. L.... W....

    This is their best album!!

    L.... W....

    it really is!!!...and I have listened to ALL ELO stuff...this is sheer class........

  23. j.... ....

    Intro; 'This is Yerffej Ennyl calling you from planet earth' (Jeffrey Lynne backwards)

  24. D.... S....

    What a great album! Aside from those that charted there are many more that could have including this one. Tightrope and So Fine, amazing!

  25. �.... �....

    This song gives me goosebumps

  26. C.... a....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

    C.... a....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction classic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

  27. S.... S....

    I acquired a copy of A New World Record in the spring of 1977, when I was 14. I remember, upon my first audition of the album, how blown away I was by the incredible mix of rock and roll, classical and electronic music. Prior to that point, I'd had very little exposure to classical and electronic music at that stage in my life, so the experience of listening to the album was truly new.

    If I had to sum up the album as a whole, I'd say it was trippy, cinematic, otherworldly and ethereal all at once.

    S.... S....

    Perfectly put sir 😊👍

  28. j.... d....

    Love it

  29. M.... f....

    “My orders are to sit here and watch the world go by...” Can do, Jeff, can do.

  30. J.... F....

    Better than thotiana

  31. R.... F....

    I was today years old when i first heard this song

  32. R.... ....

    I can't stop this song. It is in my head all day every day. I can't sleep. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  33. D.... t....

    Download the Android app 
    to get lyrics to the songs you play

    Mission (A World Record)

    Electric Light Orchestra

    Mission (A World Record) is mostly written from the point of view of alien life forms who have… read more »

     1

    MISSION (A WORLD RECORD) LYRICS

    This is Yerffej Ennyl calling you from planet Earth

    For many days, we travelled from a distant place and time
    To reach a place they call the planet Earth
    There was to be a celebration
    On the mission of the sacred heart

    The planet Earth from way up there is beautiful and blue
    And floating softly through a rainbow
    But when you touch down, things look different here
    At the mission of the sacred heart

    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    How's life on Earth?

    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    When all the stars above
    Lay icy fingers down on me
    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    On a dirty worn-out sidewalk, sits a mother with a baby;
    In her vale of tears, she sees no rainbow
    And someone's singing from a window
    In the mission of the sacred heart


    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    How's life on Earth?

    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    And when the stars above
    Lay icy fingers down on me
    (Living on the Earth, living on the Earth
    Living on the Earth, living on the Earth)

    There's a building on a corner, in a city, in a land
    On a place they call the planet Earth
    My orders are to sit here and watch the world go by
    From the mission of the sacred heart

    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    Watching all the days roll by
    Who are you and who am I?

    How's life on Earth?
    What is it worth?

  34. S.... ....

    this deserves way more views

  35. S.... ....

    Even if nobody can live up to Jeff artistically, you got t applaud anyone who would endeavor to try.

  36. T.... R....

    I listened to this and "Out of the Blue" back to back at the age of 15...I would put on surround sound headphones and melt into the music...I still remember every aspect of the sound and lyrics as though it just happened...chills and goosebumps cover my head down to my toes...

  37. O.... M....

    Muse se inspiró en este disco

  38. G.... V....

    Magical...

  39. G.... M....

    If you paid me to watch a Britney Spears/ Iggy Azalea promo I'd consider it....come to think of it; it'd have to be BIG$$$

  40. R.... W....

    Has a MacArthur Park (Donna Summer) feel to it. Classic stuff!

  41. M.... ....

    I heard many notes who were in previous songs ... Steppin out and one other song but i can't remember which one ! You know he said : "and when all the stars above lay hazy fingers down on me" you know what I mean ? Great Band I only discovered it 1 week ago i've listened already 4 albums. (the first song that i've heard was on an advertising on TV in France mr blue sky's and it pretty ruined this song for me i can't stand watching advertising. The movie guardian of the galaxy make me enjoy this song a bit much)

  42. C.... ....

    The first time I knew about this song, I loved it. Time after, one dear familiar was sick in the hospital. I were everyday here to have a little time with she and every journey I heared this song until she died. Going to the funeral, this songs also were here.
    My mission is to see you again, R.I.P.

  43. W.... W....

    Guess I have to get the subscription (obnoxious ads) ..The golden age of Youtube is over

  44. M.... P....

    There's a building on a corner in a city in a land on a place they call the planet Earth. My orders are to sit here and watch the world go by in the Mission of the Sacred Heart.

    M.... P....

    watching all the days roll by - who are you and who am I?

    M.... P....

    Miranda Pickles I've been in a couple of organisations where I've felt exactly like this!!

    M.... P....

    armageddon2419 Love the strings accompaniment to this bit - brings me out in goosebumps every time.

  45. M.... P....

    I really love this song...

    M.... P....

    a new world record was the first rock album I owned. I was in 7th grade in 1976, had a black T shirt with ELO in a lightbulb logo and an afro. 💡

  46. M.... C....

    Pijani Powietrzem - Labirynt ;D

  47. p.... z....

    Polanie

    p.... z....

    Polanie

    p.... z....

    Polanie

  48. L.... W....

    Do you remember where you were when you heard this album for the first time?

    L.... W....

    Un amigo acababa de comprar un equipo completo de música en el verano del 77, el mismo en el que habían lanzado como sencillo Living Thing, de este disco, que resultó un bombazo mundial. Pasamos más de una tarde en su habitación oyendo y saboreando el disco

    L.... W....

    Lisa Westerburg Having a wank.

    L.... W....

    about half a year ago in my college dorm trying to find new music to listen to lol

    L.... W....

    I was 14 years old, sitting in the living room of the house I was then living in and listening to the album on the brand-new stereo system my parents had bought a month earlier and using the headphones that came with the stereo. What a magical experience it was.

    L.... W....

    Months ago, I had bought the record and heard this song. And I got the record because of telephone line, but this sonngg

  49. 4.... ....

    This is easily in my top 5 albums. Is it me or is ELO the most underated band of the 20th century...

    4.... ....

    42awww they were highly rated for many years so dunno

    4.... ....

    Who underrated them, they were one of the most successful bands on the planet!?

    4.... ....

    its in mine as well...sheer class.........

    4.... ....

    Certainly, not underrated. In 1978 They were voted Britain's number one band. A new world record sold over 5 million copies. Probably more now.

    4.... ....

    Oh, but they are, Sir!

  50. R.... L....

    It's rare a song or composer can connect with your inner soul... Jeff Lynne is one of the few amazing talents to do that through ELO. Goosebumps listening to this is an understatement- Who are you and who am I is the never-ending question.

    R.... L....

    You said it all...an absolute masterpiece of a song

    R.... L....

    Yes... That is THE question and ELO are a gift that speaks from the place where the answer resides 😊

  51. t.... B....

    Thanks you tube, for appropriately putting the Shawn Mendes ad in between songs (let alone putting in ad in between 3 of 4 songs in general)..... I really get the musical connection there. smfh

  52. C.... B....

    For some reason, this song reminds me of Sing for Absolution (Muse).

    C.... B....

    I think it's the other way round. Lol

  53. t.... ....

    Please check out my cover version of this song.... I hope I did it justice https://youtu.be/-Ahwtw_6LvE

  54. K.... ....

    I'm noticing only one dislike on each ELO that I hadn't noticed weeks ago, I think someone just went to do this. applicably!~ This doesn't really count then :P

  55. e.... ....

    A New World Record was the first ELO album I heard. I've loved them ever since.

    e.... ....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

    e.... ....

    Back then; I didn't feel the subtle anger in TELEPHONE LINE
    All grown up; it makes a lot more sense

    e.... ....

    It was my first ELO album too. I always identified with the sad, lonely alien sitting and watching the world go by.

  56. Z.... S....

    Planet Earth is blue, and there's nothing I can do

    Z.... S....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

  57. T.... ....

    This song should have always been the main theme song for some space movie does anybody else agree?

    T.... ....

    It's too sad/somber. "when you touch down things look different here" Maybe the movie would be of a future human coming home after thousands of years, too see that the humans remaining have turned his world into a dump. (Oh wait we already have)

    T.... ....

    Great Name

  58. D.... Y....

    I was 8 years old when this album came out . My dad bought this album back in 1976. I would sit on the veranda, outside the house, underneath the open living room window enjoying my Dad play this. I could sing softly (and loudly) to myself to each and every tune. Wonderful childhood, fantastic songs that I can still recall word for word 40 years later. I have tried in vain over my lifetime to find another album that is as good, or better than this one. Am still searching !

    D.... Y....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

  59. D.... C....

    Jeff, all indications are that New World Record was timely, music being a universal reality, you were born to turn the key, to unlock at precisely the right moment in time, the juxtaposition of time in reality, to cross meanings with your music, the unfolding of your Divine Destiny, this planet's spiritual upliftment, note by note, time-to-time, Love to you Jeff, for all your good works, still inspiring to -the-nines

    D.... C....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

    D.... C....

    That's right.

  60. D.... W....

    Almost 23 thousand plays... 0 dislikes.. Enough said.

    D.... W....

    Sadly, someone that doesn't have soul disliked.

    D.... W....

    @Philippe Rossel Probably just to piss me off.. They know the truth though lol

    D.... W....

    so true

    D.... W....

    299 likes , 4 dislikes. I liked.

    D.... W....

    I’m thumbing it up, half because I should, half in spite of the ones who have thumbed it down.

  61. B.... C....

    i think jeff lynne really reached a peak with this album. after "out of the blue" things were different. this being the last song on side 1 made it really special. the strings,the funky '70's keyboards,the vocals,the hamonies,the choir. wow ! that's a lot of stuff in there ! and it all works so effortlessly. good job jeff. a masterpiece.

    B.... C....

    They went from ELO to Alien rock

    B.... C....

    obviously you havent listened to balance of power

    B.... C....

    I just listened to it...I miss the strings, but it does have some catchy tunes

    B.... C....

    The best ELO record bar none! Nothing previous or afterwards comes anywhere close to it!

  62. E.... S....

    I have loved elo since I first bought one of their records whilst at high school sweet talking woman since then have listed to every single record they made and still do in fact nearly every night I go to sleep listening to them so relaxing I just love them

    E.... S....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

  63. b.... ....

    this song is epic... this song is heavenly ... people are stupid for letting this slip by

    b.... ....

    +bleebloe Not everyone let it slip by :)

    b.... ....

    bleebloe I wouldn't say stupid

    b.... ....

    I guess this beautiful and in swing key song is hardly influenced by " Raumpatrouille Orion " (A german science fiction TV series - 1966) soundtrack by Peter Thomas Sound Orchestra and the danish science fiction clasic movie "Journey to the Seventh Planet ( 1962 ) ´s love theme .

    b.... ....

    This is one of the less recognize songs on the album. But nonetheless one of the best. Another Jeff Lynne extravaganza.

  64. C.... ....

    Before watching this video, I was forced to watch a vevo advertisement, promoting a music video for Britney spears & iggy azalea.

    Know your audience YouTube...

    C.... ....

    Laurie Croad so just download the audio

    C.... ....

    Get an ad blocker, JFC.

    C.... ....

    @Josh Gellis ok boomer

    C.... ....

    @Josh Gellis Something tells me you like Elvis but are unaware of his scandals.

    C.... ....

    How else are “they” gonna get any views -wink-

  65. M.... Y....

    Increíble

  66. A.... ....

    This is one of my favorite depressing songs, about an alien posted to Earth, alone and with no hope for the future.