Wizzard frontman Roy Wood's 20 Best Songs Revealed: From Psychedelic Roots to Pop Masterpieces
Roy Wood, the enigmatic figure behind Wizzard, a band that burst onto the scene in 1973 with their unique blend of glam rock and psychedelic pop, has a discography that is both fascinating and challenging. From his early days as a member of The Move to his work as a solo artist, Wood's music defies categorization, yet it is undeniably memorable.
20. Ayshea - Farewell (1973)
A collaboration with girlfriend Ayshea Brough, this single showcases Wood's idiosyncratic pop skills and kitchen-sink approach to arrangement, featuring kettle drums and oboe.
19. Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne – Me and You (1989)
Recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra's architects in the late 80s, this track offers a glimpse into what Wizzard might have sounded like if Wood hadn't left ELO.
18. Wizzard – Indiana Rainbow (1976)
This song, recorded for the rejected album Main Street, features a big band-influenced arrangement and a thunderous dancefloor-friendly beat, reminiscent of the disco-swing hybrid of Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.
17. The Move – Brontosaurus (1970)
By the time this single was released, Wood's career was in flux; Jeff Lynne had joined the Move with plans to start ELO, and Wood had started wearing backcombed hair and make-up that prefigured his Wizzard look. The track itself is proto-metal but still packs a great pop melody.
16. Wizzard – Meet Me at the Jailhouse (1973)
This song shifts between heavy riffing and rhythmless free jazz improv, laced with bracingly angular guitar shredding, exemplifying Wood's experimental approach to arrangement.
15. Roy Wood – Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs (1975)
Wood's second solo album, Mustard, is almost as great as its predecessor, Boulders, and features the beautiful Beach Boys-inspired ballad Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs.
14. The Move – Hello Susie (1970)
This song showcases Wood's pop skills, with a charming big band-influenced arrangement on top of a dancefloor-adjacent drumbeat, reminiscent of the disco-swing hybrid of Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.
13. Roy Wood – Songs of Praise (1973)
Written as a potential Eurovision entry for the New Seekers, this song features a perfect blend of melody and lyrics that sum up the wannabe pop star's raison d'être.
12. Wizzard – Rock 'n' Roll Winter (Loony's Tune) (1974)
This song offers a subtle sequel to I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, with a wistful optimism that marks a shift in mood from the festive season.
11. The Move – Wild Tiger Woman (1968)
This single is incredibly exciting and ahead of its time, featuring a dense, wilfully artificial sound and fizzy overheated production.
10. ELO – Look at Me Now (1971)
From the start, Lynne and Wood were pulling ELO in different directions; this track showcases the band's ability to create beautiful pop songs with a classical twist.
9. Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (1973)
This song is both a masterpiece and one of the maddest 70s chart toppers, featuring an utterly euphoric chorus and chaotic sonic maximalism.
8. Roy Wood – Dear Elaine (1973)
By the time this single made the Top 10, Wood had appeared on Top of the Pops in four different guises; it's a beautiful example of his Beach Boys-inspired pop songwriting.
7. The Move – Fire Brigade (1968)
This track is a masterclass in pop songwriting, featuring two and a half minutes of hooks and earworm melodies, showcasing the band's psychedelic roots.
6. Wizzard – Ball Park Incident (1972)
A fantastic song with a raw-throated vocal, this single supersized the 50s rock'n'roll influence that ran through glam.
5. The Move – Blackberry Way (1968)
By now, Wood's inability to stay in one place musically seemed to be wearing on his bandmates; this track showcases the band's shift towards parent-friendly baroque pop.
4. Roy Wood – Forever (1973)
This song is just gorgeous, a loving hybrid of the Beach Boys and Neil Sedaka, featuring a French horn solo and an outro that refuses to end.
3. The Move – I Can Hear the Grass Grow (1967)
This track is an example of Move's psychedelic form, with snarling superiority towards "the people all in line" undercut by the sense that the LSD experience has proved too much.
2. Wizzard – See My Baby Jive (1973)
This single is both a masterpiece and one of the maddest 70s chart tooppers, featuring an utterly euphoric chorus and chaotic sonic maximalism, earning Roy Wood's place as the ultimate super-fan of pop music.
And so we come to the end of this list, with Wizzard frontman Roy Wood's 20 best songs revealed. From psychedelic roots to pop masterpieces, Wood's discography is a testament to his innovative approach and enduring legacy in British popular music.
Roy Wood, the enigmatic figure behind Wizzard, a band that burst onto the scene in 1973 with their unique blend of glam rock and psychedelic pop, has a discography that is both fascinating and challenging. From his early days as a member of The Move to his work as a solo artist, Wood's music defies categorization, yet it is undeniably memorable.
20. Ayshea - Farewell (1973)
A collaboration with girlfriend Ayshea Brough, this single showcases Wood's idiosyncratic pop skills and kitchen-sink approach to arrangement, featuring kettle drums and oboe.
19. Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne – Me and You (1989)
Recorded by the Electric Light Orchestra's architects in the late 80s, this track offers a glimpse into what Wizzard might have sounded like if Wood hadn't left ELO.
18. Wizzard – Indiana Rainbow (1976)
This song, recorded for the rejected album Main Street, features a big band-influenced arrangement and a thunderous dancefloor-friendly beat, reminiscent of the disco-swing hybrid of Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.
17. The Move – Brontosaurus (1970)
By the time this single was released, Wood's career was in flux; Jeff Lynne had joined the Move with plans to start ELO, and Wood had started wearing backcombed hair and make-up that prefigured his Wizzard look. The track itself is proto-metal but still packs a great pop melody.
16. Wizzard – Meet Me at the Jailhouse (1973)
This song shifts between heavy riffing and rhythmless free jazz improv, laced with bracingly angular guitar shredding, exemplifying Wood's experimental approach to arrangement.
15. Roy Wood – Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs (1975)
Wood's second solo album, Mustard, is almost as great as its predecessor, Boulders, and features the beautiful Beach Boys-inspired ballad Why Does Such a Pretty Girl Sing Those Sad Songs.
14. The Move – Hello Susie (1970)
This song showcases Wood's pop skills, with a charming big band-influenced arrangement on top of a dancefloor-adjacent drumbeat, reminiscent of the disco-swing hybrid of Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band.
13. Roy Wood – Songs of Praise (1973)
Written as a potential Eurovision entry for the New Seekers, this song features a perfect blend of melody and lyrics that sum up the wannabe pop star's raison d'être.
12. Wizzard – Rock 'n' Roll Winter (Loony's Tune) (1974)
This song offers a subtle sequel to I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, with a wistful optimism that marks a shift in mood from the festive season.
11. The Move – Wild Tiger Woman (1968)
This single is incredibly exciting and ahead of its time, featuring a dense, wilfully artificial sound and fizzy overheated production.
10. ELO – Look at Me Now (1971)
From the start, Lynne and Wood were pulling ELO in different directions; this track showcases the band's ability to create beautiful pop songs with a classical twist.
9. Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday (1973)
This song is both a masterpiece and one of the maddest 70s chart toppers, featuring an utterly euphoric chorus and chaotic sonic maximalism.
8. Roy Wood – Dear Elaine (1973)
By the time this single made the Top 10, Wood had appeared on Top of the Pops in four different guises; it's a beautiful example of his Beach Boys-inspired pop songwriting.
7. The Move – Fire Brigade (1968)
This track is a masterclass in pop songwriting, featuring two and a half minutes of hooks and earworm melodies, showcasing the band's psychedelic roots.
6. Wizzard – Ball Park Incident (1972)
A fantastic song with a raw-throated vocal, this single supersized the 50s rock'n'roll influence that ran through glam.
5. The Move – Blackberry Way (1968)
By now, Wood's inability to stay in one place musically seemed to be wearing on his bandmates; this track showcases the band's shift towards parent-friendly baroque pop.
4. Roy Wood – Forever (1973)
This song is just gorgeous, a loving hybrid of the Beach Boys and Neil Sedaka, featuring a French horn solo and an outro that refuses to end.
3. The Move – I Can Hear the Grass Grow (1967)
This track is an example of Move's psychedelic form, with snarling superiority towards "the people all in line" undercut by the sense that the LSD experience has proved too much.
2. Wizzard – See My Baby Jive (1973)
This single is both a masterpiece and one of the maddest 70s chart tooppers, featuring an utterly euphoric chorus and chaotic sonic maximalism, earning Roy Wood's place as the ultimate super-fan of pop music.
And so we come to the end of this list, with Wizzard frontman Roy Wood's 20 best songs revealed. From psychedelic roots to pop masterpieces, Wood's discography is a testament to his innovative approach and enduring legacy in British popular music.
he was literally the ultimate super fan of pop music! i mean, songs like see my baby jive & rock n roll winter are just so catchy and iconic 
20 best songs revealed? that's a tall order but i think they got it pretty right 
especially with his solo stuff like forever which is just gorgeous 
I'm loving this list! The fact that Wizzard has such a vast and diverse discography is just mind-blowing 
Roy Wood's experimentation with different sounds and styles throughout his career is really inspiring 
From the psychedelic vibes of "The Move" to the pop masterpieces like "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", this list is giving me all the feels 
Roy Wood was a genius, man... he blended all these different styles together like nobody's business. And Ayshea - what's up with that collaboration? Sounds like some crazy kitchen-sink vibes going on 
. But for real, "Meet Me at the Jailhouse" is like, totally trippy 
.
but hey i guess that's why we gotta keep pushing for their recognition 
so who else is still listening to "see my baby jive" at 3 am in the morning? 
also, who else remembers those crazy wizzard songs like "rock 'n' roll winter" and "i wish it could be christmas everyday"? 
, where artists were constantly pushing boundaries and questioning the status quo 
. Just like Roy Wood defied categorization with his unique blend of glam rock and psychedelic pop, our current politicians are struggling to define their own identities and values 
.
. The Move's "Blackberry Way" (1968) reminds us that even in uncertain times, we should strive for a sense of direction and unity 
. We need policymakers who are willing to think outside the box and challenge conventional wisdom 
.
. By exploring the intersections between creativity and leadership, we can create a brighter future for all 
️ Roy Wood's unique sound is all over this list, from "Wild Tiger Woman" (which still gets me pumped up!) to "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" - what a wild ride! 
i love how roy wood's solo work gets more attention now 
he always had the talent but was overshadowed by eLO 
.
. What's your favorite track from this list?
does anyone know where i can stream their music online? 
.
I love how some of these tracks showcase Roy Wood's experimental side - like "Meet Me at the Jailhouse" 
. And have you noticed how Wood's songwriting skills just keep getting better and better as he goes along? Like, he starts off with this rough-around-the-edges energy in The Move, but then he finds his groove (literally) with Wizzard! 
Like, have you listened to "Meet Me at the Jailhouse" ?? It's like, experimental genius or what?! And don't even get me started on "Rock 'n' Roll Winter (Loony's Tune)" 
. And Roy Wood's solo stuff is incredible too - he's got that Beach Boys vibe down pat 
. Can't wait to dig through some more 70s classics...