There has been lots of speculation as to what this song is about, with a popular rumor being that it is an anti-abortion statement. ELO frontman Jeff Lynne has said it is simply about the loss of love, although its initial inspiration was about of food poisoning. He let that slip in a talk with Hi-Fi News & Record Review in 2014. "You'll never be able to listen to it the same again," he said.
"I wouldn't want anyone to think it's about a bad paella on a Spanish holiday."
The song features uncredited vocals by Patti Quatro (sister of Suzi Quatro), Brie Brandt, and Addie Lee, who were all one time members of the female rock group Fanny. According to Suzi Quatro's autobiography the trio sang the "higher and higher" parts.
Lyrics
Sailin' away on the crest of a wave
It's like magic
Oh, rollin' and ridin' and slippin' and slidin'
It's magic
And you, and your sweet desire
You took me higher and higher, baby
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
Making believe this is what you conceived
From your worst day
Moving in line then you look back in time
To the first day
And you, and your sweet desire
Don't you do it, don't you do it
You took me, oh higher and higher, baby
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
Takin' a dive 'cos you can't halt the slide
Floating downstream
So let her go don't start spoiling the show
It's a bad dream
And you, and your sweet desire
You took me higher and higher, baby
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
It's a given thing
What a terrible thing to lose
It's a livin' thing
It's a terrible thing to lose
Songwriters: Jeff Lynne
Livin'thing lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
