171: We Slip, We Stumble

171. "All Fall Down" by Electric Light Orchestra Part II [iTunes? Surprisingly, Yes]
When it comes to "hidden gem" songs, this was one of the hiddenest. (The hideyest? The hiddeneyest?) As far as I knew, this song was never released as a single and never released on an album. Instead, a video of this song was tacked on to the end of a VHS/DVD of the band Electric Light Orchestra Part II live in concert.

In other words, in order to know this song even existed, you would have to be such a major nerd fan of ELO that you had not only heard of ELO Part II, but you actually paid money to own a recording of a bunch of former ELO members and their ELO-wannabe friends performing old ELO songs in concert! (I am that nerd!)

[Quick explanation: ELO Part II is a group formed after the breakup of ELO featuring former members of the group and a few other replacements. (I'll explain in more detail when I finally get around to writing the "Brief (Ha!) History of the Electric Light Orchestra and the ELO Family Tree of Musicians."]

But, a quick iTunes search shows me that the song is now available there. And, of course, with the advent of YouTube any old fool can hear this song and watch the video. (You can be that old fool! See: ELO Part II: All Fall Down) The video itself is pretty unremarkable, but I think the song is great. Singer/songwriter Eric Troyer (a veteran studio session player who sang back-up on Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl," among many other things) has a great voice.

I like the lyrics, too. It's a nice little song about how nobody is perfect. "We slip, we stumble, and we all fall down." (It reminds me a little of Billy Joel's "You're Only Human.")

COMING UP NEXT: Investigating the disappearance of a Louisiana sheriff.