I'm Alive (Electric Light Orchestra song)

"I'm Alive" is a song by the Electric Light Orchestra (ELO), released as a single in May 1980. It is featured in a sequence near the beginning of the feature film Xanadu. The song also appears on the soundtrack album Xanadu.

"I'm Alive"
Single by Electric Light Orchestra
from the album Xanadu
B-side	"Drum Dreams"
Released	16 May 1980[1]
Recorded	1980
Studio	Musicland, Munich, Germany
Genre	Pop
Length	3:45
Label	Jet (UK) MCA (US)
Songwriter(s)	Jeff Lynne
Producer(s)	Jeff Lynne
Electric Light Orchestra singles chronology
"Confusion" / "Last Train to London" (1980) "I'm Alive" (1980) "Xanadu" (1980)

Background

In the film the song is heard as the Muses emerge from a graffiti-like portrait; Olivia Newton-John, playing Kira (Terpsichore), emerges last. The film's version of the song contains a fairly lengthy instrumental introduction, a small segment of which is used for the album version.^{[citation needed]}

The single's B-side, "Drum Dreams", is also featured in the film at the beginning of the Xanadu nightclub grand opening scene and segues into the movie title song. "Drum Dreams" was also used as the B-side of the "All Over the World" single.

Reception

Cash Box said that it has "adept movement from electronically treated vocals to Lynne's lead".^[2] Record World said that "keyboard magic abounds with a Beatlesque melody line & heavenly falsetto choruses".^[3]

Personnel

• Jeff Lynne - lead and backing vocals, electric guitars, keyboards, synthesizers
• Bev Bevan - drums, percussion
• Richard Tandy - pianos, synthesizers, keyboards
• Kelly Groucutt - bass guitar, backing vocals
• Louis Clark - strings

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1980) Peak position Australia Kent Music Report[4] 27 Canadian RPM Top Singles[5] 10 Canada RPM Adult Contemporary[6] 15 Dutch GfK chart[7] 38 French SNEP Singles Chart 9 German Media Control Singles Chart[8] 16 Irish Singles Chart[9] 10 Italy[10] 24 New Zealand Singles Chart[11] 32 Norwegian Singles Chart[12] 3 South Africa (Springbok)[13] 9 UK Singles Chart[14] 20 US Billboard Hot 100[15] 16 US Billboard Adult Contemporary[16] 48 US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[17] 14 US Record World Singles[18] 14 US Radio & Records (R&R)[19][20] 12

Year-end charts Chart (1980) Rank Italy (FIMI) 84 US Opus 80

Certifications

Country	Certifications (sales thresholds)
US (RIAA)[21]	Gold

References

1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 44.
2. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. May 24, 1980. p. 21. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
3. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. May 24, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
4. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
5. "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 26, 1980" (PDF).
6. "RPM Top 50 AC - August 23, 1980" (PDF).
7. "dutchcharts.nl - Electric Light Orchestra - I'm Alive" (in Dutch). Retrieved November 28, 2009.
8. "charts.de - Electric Light Orchestra". charts.de. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
9. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Archived from the original on June 2, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2013. Enter Electric Light Orchestra in the Search by Artist field, then click Search.
10. "Electric Light Orchestra - I'm Alive". Retrieved January 27, 2022.
11. "Electric Light Orchestra - I'm Alive". Retrieved November 28, 2009.
12. "norwegiancharts.com - Electric Light Orchestra - I'm Alive". Retrieved November 28, 2009.
13. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1969 - 1989 Acts (E)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
14. "Electric Light Orchestra". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
15. "Electric Light Orchestra - Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
16. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 79.
17. "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles". cashboxmagazine.com. July 19, 1980. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
18. Hawtin, Steve. "Song artist 171 - Electric Light Orchestra". Tsort.info. Retrieved May 2, 2013.
19. "ELO". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
20. "Charts". Wweb.uta.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
21. "Electric Light Orchestra > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved November 28, 2009.