Sweet Talkin' Woman

"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".[4]

"Sweet Talkin' Woman"
Single by Electric Light Orchestra
from the album Out of the Blue
B-side
Released22 September 1978[1][2]
Genre
Length3:47
LabelJet
Songwriter(s)Jeff Lynne
Producer(s)Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology
"Mr. Blue Sky"
(1978)		 "Sweet Talkin' Woman"
(1978)		 "Wild West Hero"
(1978)
Alternative cover
American single sleeve
Audio sample
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The track became the third top ten hit from the LP in the UK, peaking at number 6.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7]

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".[3] Billboard described the song as a "catchy rocker characterized by semi-classical elements."[8] Cash Box said that it has "syncopated harmonies and fullbodied instrumental accompaniments."[9] Record World said that "rock and doo wop mix with ELO's strings and guitars in a busy but melodic way."[10]

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."[11] Stereogum contributor Ryan Reed rated it as ELO's 8th best song, noting the catchy verses and choruses and the intricacy of the songwriting.[12] Reed also suggested that it formed a template for Huey Lewis' 1982 song "Do You Believe In Love."[12]

Chart performance

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[2] Silver 250,000^
United States (RIAA)[23] Gold 500,000‡

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Electric Light Orchestra – Sweet Talkin' Woman" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  2. "British single certifications – ELO – Sweet Talkin' Woman". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  3. Guarisco, Donald A. "Electric Light Orchestra – Sweet Talkin' Woman – Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  4. "Sweet Talkin' Woman by Electric Light Orchestra". Songfacts. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  5. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  6. "Sweet Talkin' Woman by Electric Light Orchestra – Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. 5 August 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  7. "Electric Light Orchestra – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  8. "Billboard's Top Single Picks" (PDF). Billboard. 18 February 1978. p. 79. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  9. "Singles Reviews > Feature Picks" (PDF). Cash Box. 18 February 1978. p. 20. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
  10. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 18 February 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  11. Gallucci, Michael (30 December 2014). "Top 10 Electric Light Orchestra Songs". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
  12. Reed, Ryan (7 January 2016). "The 10 Best ELO Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  13. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  14. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5477a." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Sweet Talking Woman". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  16. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 49, 1978" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  17. "Electric Light Orchestra – Sweet Talkin' Woman" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  18. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending APRIL 22, 1978". Cash Box. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012.
  19. "Record World Singles Chart" (PDF). Record World. 15 April 1978. p. 52. ISSN 0034-1622. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  20. "Top 200 Singles of '78". RPM. Vol. 30, no. 14. Library and Archives Canada. 30 December 1978. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  21. Scaping, Peter, ed. (1979). "Top 200 Singles in 1978". BPI Year Book 1979 (4th ed.). London, England: The British Phonographic Industry Ltd. pp. 186–89. ISBN 0-906154-02-2.
  22. "Top 100 Hits for 1978". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 21 July 2014.
  23. "American single certifications – Electric Light Orchestra – Sweet Talkin' Woman". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
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