10538 Overture - 7" Edit

This was the first song ELO recorded and released. When Jeff Lynne wrote it, he was in a band called The Move. This prompted some members of The Move to go ahead with plans to create a new band with string instruments called The Electric Light Orchestra.

Lynne wanted the lyrics to be about a man who had a number rather than a name.

1053 was the serial number of the desk Lynne used to write this. They added the 8 and included the word "Overture" to make it clear they were an orchestra.