To the indie heads amongst you, Elton John may seem a bit naff, like yesterday’s pop star.
And in many ways he is. He hit his zenith in the early 70s with hit after hit after hit. What a fine legacy he and lyricist writing partner Bernie Taupin have left behind.
I saw Elton John once at Wembley Stadium in London in one of those day-long events that also featured sets by Bonnie Raitt and Eric Clapton. His show was a high-octane, action-packed, stampede down memory lane. I was exhausted by the end of it.
There are too many songs to name here and too many memories that go along with each.
If forced to choose a fave song, I’d have to say Benny and the Jets from Yellow Brick Road. If forced to choose a fave album I’d have to say Captain Fantastic. But those are gun-to-head decisions. So much from that period was great.
What’s your fave Elton John tune?
Rocket Man, I have no idea what it’s about, it was just surprisingly easy to play on the piano. The one album I liked was Tumbleweed Connection….I guess that makes me seriously reactionary.
Daniel - but only because of the memories of slow dancing with Sandy Tozer at the Grade 9 dance
Tiny Dancer. So plain and beautiful. And despite my hatred of country music, I do have an awful soft spot for steel guitar. I also really liked his guest appearance in Tommy, with those sunglasses and the 3 foot shoes. Good times
Funeral For a Friend. No question.
Benny and the Jets for me …. but there are some lyrics that still escape me e.g. WHAT is a Mohair Flu?
Levon, for sure.
Without a doubt, Levon wins hands down! Followed shortly thereafter by Tiny Dancer…
Both all time favs…
Tiny Dancer.
I loved Captain Fantastic too, but there were some songs off Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player that were fantastic.
Like Blues for Baby and Me, Daniel, High-Flying Bird … love that album. And Your Song — what a pretty, pretty song.
But I think my all-time favourite Elton John song is Rocketman.
It’s a tossup among Daniel, Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters, and Levon for me. He was a large part of the soundtrack of my youth.
I cannot imagine what TM is going to scalp those tickets for.
Chance, never thought of you as being reactionary. MAybe you don’t care for his music but is that really reactionary?
TagBagger, wonder if sandy thinks of you when she hears DAniel?
Red, yup, Levon for sure
Becks, it has such a haunting sound
Tonardo, Mohair flu! Hahahahaha
Eva, whn I listen to each song, it becomes my fave.
JAcy, it’s so hard to choose. Rocket man is right up there.
Allison, I wonder how you found EJ.
Barbara, it’s a total scam, I couldn’t even get on the website to buy a ticket. I’m so angry.
Bennie and the Jets or The Bitch is Back. Oh how I wish he’d stop making records now. Up until about 1977 he was the bomb, after 1977 not so much.
“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and please everybody, no subtext. I’m talking from a singing and melodic standpoint…as I still pretty much have no idea what John and Taupin where talking about.
“Tiny Dancer” is a close second.
Isn’t it Sir Captain Fantastic?
Most of his songs are pretty good. I never listen to lyrics, so I don’t know what any of the songs are about. Well that is not entirely true…one is about Benny and the Jets.