: Realising the original lyrics weren't relatable, Lynne rewrote them in about 30 minutes to be about the loss of love . He has since clarified that the "livin' thing" is simply love itself—something beautiful and vital that is a "terrible thing to lose". Misinterpretations and Urban Legends
: Some speculate it refers to the death of a former bandmate, though there is no official confirmation of this. The Official Video Style Electric Light Orchestra - Livin' Thing (Official Video)
: Lynne once joked that the lyrics were inspired by a bad holiday meal in Spain. He famously remarked, "I wouldn't want anyone to think it's about a bad paella on a Spanish holiday," but admitted the physical feeling influenced the song's early stages. : Realising the original lyrics weren't relatable, Lynne
The "story" behind official video is primarily centered on the song's unexpected inspiration and the various interpretations that have followed it since its 1976 release. The True Inspiration The Official Video Style : Lynne once joked