idle race here we go round the lemon tree

[crapple009]

This has a heavier (psychedelic?) sound and feel compared to The Move's more twee-sounding version.

[Marion133]

omg Jeff was so adorable!!!!

[Awamimomo]

Σ:)＜Snare drum sound is very good and sing roy wood cheaper voices so fine!

[lindajeffsgirl1]

According to the book Unexpected Messages, the move had recordrd this song but weren't going to use it. Roy Wood then gave the song to The Idle Race. Then the Move's record company relesed their version which was a hit for them, ovrshadowing this version.

[lindajeffsgirl1]

I cannot get this song out of my head. Why this band never made is a mystery to me

[no1elofaniknow]

Jeff Lynne (far left) at 1:20. I'll bet he had no problem getting the chicks. But why oh why did he grow that caveman beard in 1973????

[john111257]

nice version...

[britfrenir]

Which one is Jeff Lyne. I do not recogise him here. He looks different from how he looked in The Move and The Electric Light Orchrestra.

[britfrenir]

@britfrenir I meant which one is Jeff Lyne?

[no1elofaniknow]

@britfrenir At :30, Jeff Lynne is on the far left in the photo. He's the tallest one. He had his hair all combed down.

[K1SSMYGLASS]

Great song, but do they really have lemon trees in Birmingham?

[Sarahfreckle]

Version by the Idle Race is more psychedelic, Move's version is more pop. Equally good.

[rubyredlipstick71]

Please don't throw daggers at me, but I like Idle Race's version better than The Move. Maybe I'm a bit bias for Jeff Lynne, but it's Jeff Lynne after all. =D

Everything Jeff ever did was brilliant. Roy Wood has a great song, Angel Fingers tho. Thanks

[s2trash]

Jason Crest version for me

[BarnsleyTimelord]

It is actually a Roy Wood song and was the `B' side of `Flowers In The Rain' (1967)

[Signifer82]

Already slightly psychodelic! That was after Beatles' Revolver, right?

[ThomasCross1]

5*****

[kittyprydekissme]

I had no idea the Idle Race did this! That is so weird that they did the same song as the Move, and then later members of both bands combined. So who did the song first?

[no1elofaniknow]

@kittyprydekissme I read somewhere that Jeff Lynne had let Roy Wood use his Bang & Olufson mixer to record this song. Or maybe it was Blackberry Way?

[RockHero1975]

I like this version and the move's version, totally awesome 5*****

[almostsk8ergirl117]

I like this version better than the Moves version

[almostsk8ergirl117]

did idle race originate this song?

[fidelity68]

In the mid 80s we had a bit of a psychedelic revival with Idle Race, The Seeds, Kaleidoscope et al; lovely to find this and to see that other folk still know what it is.  Magic lyrics! Stupid but great.

[artzfactory]

Hi , great song , my pal was the drummer in the idle race - roger spencer  - he`s a great comedian now - he`s a great guy - Ronnie Greene

[MattHatter]

When I first heard The Idle Race's version of this song, I thought this might be similar to what it might sound like if The Ramones covered it!

[elofan567]

Now that id like to hear.

[Elotastic]

I prefer the The Move's version.

[elofan567]

Not sure which i prefer, listen to one and think thats the best then listen to the other and like that one better.