Red hot. Elton John's 70-75 span is perhaps not quite the heights of Stevie Wonder magic 5 album run of 72-76 or Prince's 79-87, but it's pretty close.
This is one of my favorite Elton John songs. Been listening to it for 50 years and I am still not 100% sure what it is about. It always makes me cry and I don't know why. It just hits me in my heart.
Elton John's album Tumbleweed Connection is incredible. It's my favorite Elton album. I play piano and have a lot of Elton song books. Come Down In Time is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
Love that album!! Had it when it was new, I’m old! Listened to it in high school constantly. Dang, it’s been forever since I heard it and I remembered every word!
@@dabigsqueezy I don’t think so, my memory is selective 😝. I remember buying it after it had been out for awhile. My albums are stored to where I can’t easily access them, but I believe I still have it.
@@collincolston8443 I did not say it is about Levon Helm , Elton stated in an interview he got the inspiration for the name Levon from Levon Helm . Kinda like Levon , " because he liked the name " . Pretty sure Helm never sold balloons, nor lived in a garage by the motorway .
In 1971 Levon did reach # 24 on the US Billboard Hit 100. Maybe not of Eltons biggest commercial successes , but ask his biggest fans Elton’s too 10 songs , Levon more often then not will be on their list .
Eltons vocal is titanic in this one and the string arrangement provides a perfect countermelody, one of my personal favorites. Was pleasantly surprised to see you guys react to this did not expect it! 🔥 Elton made the 70s.
Story is he snookered that song away from Rod Stewart. "I suppose my one famous film role was in Tommy, although it didn’t really involve acting, just trying not to fall over while wearing a pair of four-and-a-half-foot Doc Martens.” He said he rejected the idea of taking the part when it was first offered to him. “They contacted Rod Stewart and I told him to turn it down as well. ‘I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole, dear.’ Then Pete Townshend from the Who rang me and I felt like I couldn’t say no. Rod was absolutely furious: ‘You bitch! You did that on purpose!’ I’ve obviously spent a significant proportion of my life deliberately trying to annoy Rod Stewart - that’s very much the nature of our friendship - but that time it was completely accidental.”
My dad got stationed in Okinawa in 74 and there was one military radio station basically and the day time DJ played Elton all the time- brings back memories
I did my hitch in the 70s too. Military bases and family housing were the hippest places during the Great Recession years. Armed Forces Radio was way cooler than any fly-over states local A.M. radio offering warmed over country-swing and farm reports
Elton John at his best - holy shit what a great song. A song like this is why you listen to music - because it SPEAKS to you. You can FEEL this song in your bones, in your head, but most importantly in your heart. What a joy.😉
Clearly, S tier, guys. Ain't no effing A-! The lyrics were probably referencing the (in)famous Time Magazine cover in 1966, "Is God Dead?" So, not the NYT, but maybe "New York Times" sang better as a lyric. You guys have got to hit the title track to Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy! Every time you do an Elton John song, I suggest it, so I figure you two owe me by now! 🤣
Definitely. Although it was shocking back in the day. Now it's just another day in the live. Plus, it's harder to relate to the protagonist these days.
One of my favs of Elton. Andy is right, this song is an emotional masterpiece. The more you listen, the more feels. Alex is correct as well; Elton's original lineup is one of the best bands and never gets the proper recognition.
The more you listen to this as album, the more you appreciate the album cover. The title song which matches album name is superstellar . Out of the park awesome!!
Back then we didn’t care about the hits as much. It was all about the Album and the better songs that weren’t radio hits so to speak. The best songs were often the songs between the hits. Levon was epic. We all had the album and knew every song. Levon played on repeat. If Levon is a B-Side, then God Bless the B-Side. It’s so different now. We play the hit. You pick an album and I’ll tell you my favorite song off it and it won’t in most cases be the hit. Maybe I’m just contrary. IDK. Great job again boys.
Rolling Stone asked Taupin about the song. He insisted that he has no idea what he intended as the meaning. It was a free-form writing, he said. It was just lines that came out that were interesting.
According to Bernie it absolutely has nothing to do with Levon Helm - he just liked the way the name sounded. In fact, Taupin relates when Helm asked him about it because he was confused what it had to do with him, and Bernie told him what I just told you.
@@milesandmiles62, maybe my remark was misconstrued. The character in the song was named Levon because they both liked the name after meeting Levon Helm, but the song is NOT about Levon Helm.
The song went to #24 and was a staple on classic rock stations. It was on his greatest hits album. I wouldn't call it a lesser song. It's also a really beautiful song.
Everyone seems to forget it was Bernie Taupin who wrote the lyrics. Elton wrote the tunes. You cannot find a better collaboration if you searched for a thousand years.
I've seen Elton John 5 times. He ages like a fine wine. It's pronounced Leevon. One of my favorites. Love you guys. You must react to "All the Girls Love Alice"✌️🌻🌻
Elton John has always been my favorite professional musicians that had never a bad live show and always leave’s his audience wanting more! I have had the pleasure and privilege to witness his work 14 times since 1981 and I have always enjoyed listening to his music!
Tumbleweed connection has always been my fave Elton john album but madman across the water has to be in anyone’s top five. As for the song “Levon” have no real idea what it’s about though it probably isn’t that Levon Helm guy who used to be in The Band.⚛️❤
Haunting gospel sound with the organ and the soaring strings, paired with the delicate gospel piano and his soulful vocals. This song has been giving me goosebumps since I first heard it around age 12 back in 1976.
The incredible strings of Paul Buckmaster, who did the strings on Elton's early albums. Spectacular. And Gus Dudgeon's production work is stellar. Just incredible music!
One of his very best songs. This was on the radio all the time through out the 70s and 80s.
Yeah, this song was everywhere.
Was that in the US? I'm a 62yo Brit and genuinely hadn't heard this before.
@@guymersh3148 I am in the U.S.
@@guymersh3148 Was all over in Canada too.
Thanks to you both 🙂
Elton was fucking red hot in the early 70s... Everything he touched was a classic
To me, his early 70's work was his best.
Sinatra->Elvis->Beatles->Elton->MJ
Red hot.
Elton John's 70-75 span is perhaps not quite the heights of Stevie Wonder magic 5 album run of 72-76 or Prince's 79-87, but it's pretty close.
Amen.
@@bradleyjjohnsonHard agree
That album is a masterpiece.
Yeah
FINALLY!!!!!!
This song is breathtaking in a stadium show with 80,000 people singing every word.
I’ll bet it is !
As many others here have made clear, this is not a "B" side. For many of us it is one of his finest songs
What song are they saying this was the B side to?
Early Elton John is the bomb! His early 70s work is absolutely incredible!
His very best imo! 😊
Right there with ya! I’ve owned Captain Fantastic in album, 8-track, CD and mp3!
This whole album is S tier.
This whole album is amazing. His best work.
Me screaming "It's LEE VON"!!
Yeah, me too.
Lol
I figured that by the time I typed the phonetic pronunciation, they'd hear the word in the song. 😅
Me too!!!
Youngsters😂
This is one of my favorite Elton John songs. Been listening to it for 50 years and I am still not 100% sure what it is about. It always makes me cry and I don't know why. It just hits me in my heart.
If a song can make me cry, I know it's great!
I get goosebumps!
...it gets better like a fine wine .
Each listen I believe I have a morsel of the story.... The passion & soul wins the listener.
Every song on this album is a masterpiece
He was born
A pauper to a pawn
On a Christmas day
When the New York Times
Said ‘god is dead & the war’s begun’
That is so freaking good.
When he says “Jesus wants to … leave Levon far behind .. while Levon slowly dies”, that line rips my heart out.
If ever an album was worthy of full coverage on Patreon, it’s this one.
Captain Fantastic
Thanks guys!! My favorite Elton song!!🤘🔥
One of my favorite ones too!
Been on the radio for 50 years straight.
55yr old song. Still holds its own.
This song still sounds incredibly fresh and brilliant
It is indeed one of his biggest songs.
The lyrics, the vocals, the music. An absolute classic. My favorite Elton John song.
Elton John's album Tumbleweed Connection is incredible. It's my favorite Elton album. I play piano and have a lot of Elton song books. Come Down In Time is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
Probably my favorite Elton record as well.
Come down in time, double top tier!
Mosst say Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I'm glad you agree.
@@Fuphyter and Honky Chateau!
Same here only when I was kid... my dad hated it
Love that album!! Had it when it was new, I’m old! Listened to it in high school constantly. Dang, it’s been forever since I heard it and I remembered every word!
Did you have the real denim edition?
@@dabigsqueezy I don’t think so, my memory is selective 😝. I remember buying it after it had been out for awhile. My albums are stored to where I can’t easily access them, but I believe I still have it.
Another genius song by Elton and Bernie.
Hey guys!!! Excellent choice! Elton has many hidden gems in his music catalogue!
ELTON named the song for Levon Helm from The Band . This has always been a favorite of mine .
Ironically, because he liked the name.
Bernie wrote the words and came up with the title, not Elton.
This song is not about Levon Helm. It is about a veteran of some war whose name happens to be Levon.
@@collincolston8443 I did not say it is about Levon Helm , Elton stated in an interview he got the inspiration for the name Levon from Levon Helm . Kinda like Levon , " because he liked the name " . Pretty sure Helm never sold balloons, nor lived in a garage by the motorway .
Love every song on this album.
One of my favorite Elton songs!
One of Elton's Masterpieces. If you ever saw him live, this was one of the most anticipated songs.
The strings plus piano in the song are just incredible
Elton and his arrangements!
In 1971 Levon did reach # 24 on the US Billboard Hit 100. Maybe not of Eltons biggest commercial successes , but ask his biggest fans Elton’s too 10 songs , Levon more often then not will be on their list .
"Levon" is definitely one of my top 5 favorites by Elton. ❤
1971 - the year that changed music. The list of performers and albums is incredible. Turned 15, this and the rest on the radio.
Same here. I tell people that if I have to be this old to listen to the music of that time back then, it’s been well worth it.
Ohhh, heck yeah. One of his most powerful. He uses a lot of orchestration, which I always appreciated.
I don't know how you could call this a b side. Its one of my favorites and was played all the time on the radio.
Not one his bigger songs??
😆😆😆
You couldn't get away from this song in the 1970's.
A masterpiece. One of his finest.
Elderberry Wine. One of Elton’s favorites but never released as a single. FM stations played it millions of times.
Dudes, that entire record is money. Side one is a masterpiece.
Early Elton was the best Elton
Eltons vocal is titanic in this one and the string arrangement provides a perfect countermelody, one of my personal favorites. Was pleasantly surprised to see you guys react to this did not expect it! 🔥 Elton made the 70s.
You guys really need to do Elton's cover of Pinball Wizard. It's so amazing, even The Who said it was better than theirs.
And I agree with The Who!😂
Damn straight!!
Story is he snookered that song away from Rod Stewart.
"I suppose my one famous film role was in Tommy, although it didn’t really involve acting, just trying not to fall over while wearing a pair of four-and-a-half-foot Doc Martens.”
He said he rejected the idea of taking the part when it was first offered to him. “They contacted Rod Stewart and I told him to turn it down as well. ‘I wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole, dear.’ Then Pete Townshend from the Who rang me and I felt like I couldn’t say no. Rod was absolutely furious: ‘You bitch! You did that on purpose!’ I’ve obviously spent a significant proportion of my life deliberately trying to annoy Rod Stewart - that’s very much the nature of our friendship - but that time it was completely accidental.”
The first time I was blown away by Elton John was watching him perform Pin Ball Wizard in the Tommy movie. That performance is just sick.
This is one of my favorite Elton songs. Just like it. Thanks for reacting to it.
My dad got stationed in Okinawa in 74 and there was one military radio station basically and the day time DJ played Elton all the time- brings back memories
I did my hitch in the 70s too. Military bases and family housing were the hippest places during the Great Recession years. Armed Forces Radio was way cooler than any fly-over states local A.M. radio offering warmed over country-swing and farm reports
Elton John at his best - holy shit what a great song. A song like this is why you listen to music - because it SPEAKS to you. You can FEEL this song in your bones, in your head, but most importantly in your heart. What a joy.😉
Abd your soul❤
One of his best songs and albums.....I was 12 when I got this record....memories!
The album this comes from is in my mind the best Elton John album by far. The title song is simply perfect.
Great album, Elton and Bernie Taupin one of the greatest song writing duo in history . Their first seven albums are unbelievable .
Tumbleweed Connection is my favorite Elton John album.
Elton John was King Midas in the 70s. Everything he sang was gold.
Clearly, S tier, guys. Ain't no effing A-! The lyrics were probably referencing the (in)famous Time Magazine cover in 1966, "Is God Dead?" So, not the NYT, but maybe "New York Times" sang better as a lyric.
You guys have got to hit the title track to Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy! Every time you do an Elton John song, I suggest it, so I figure you two owe me by now! 🤣
1,000x Yes!
My favorite Elton album.
Tearful. Such great times when this came out. People talked to each other. No texting, no cell phones. Love found and lost.
Love Levon, Love Elton. 🧡🍂🍂
Glad you guys got here.
God bless & be safe in the storm!
Bought this album when I was in high school..............a LONG time ago. Thank you, brethren.
You must hear Elton sing "Ticking" it will blow your mind.
Definitely. Although it was shocking back in the day. Now it's just another day in the live. Plus, it's harder to relate to the protagonist these days.
I've been suggesting Ticking for quite some time, but they have yet to give it a spin.
@@MichaelEnglish-m2j the piano work is stunning!
I have included "Ticking" on many of my personal playlists.
One of my all time faves
Your music education continues with one of the greats showing you how it's done!
Outstanding song from a true master. Thanks, guys.
His early recordings are my favorite. Just keep listening and you’ll see why.
Greatest 70s memories from this record!
All about dad/son dynamics
One of my favs of Elton. Andy is right, this song is an emotional masterpiece. The more you listen, the more feels. Alex is correct as well; Elton's original lineup is one of the best bands and never gets the proper recognition.
Bernie Taupins lyrics and Eltons music were the soul of the 70s.
Indian Sunset from that album is excellent. Different vibe.
The more you listen to this as album, the more you appreciate the album cover. The title song which matches album name is superstellar . Out of the park awesome!!
Reminds me of an old friend. Thanks! One of Elton's best!
One of my fav Elton songs. Thx.
This is one of his biggest hits? Hear it on the radio all the time.
A&A, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom"* and "Honky Cat"!!!! * - post this one from your July 6, 2024 livestream reaction.
I listen to honky cat yesterday! And loved it just as much as when it came out. ✌️
Back then we didn’t care about the hits as much. It was all about the Album and the better songs that weren’t radio hits so to speak. The best songs were often the songs between the hits. Levon was epic. We all had the album and knew every song. Levon played on repeat. If Levon is a B-Side, then God Bless the B-Side. It’s so different now. We play the hit. You pick an album and I’ll tell you my favorite song off it and it won’t in most cases be the hit. Maybe I’m just contrary. IDK. Great job again boys.
I think it was a single, along with Tiny Dancer. It didn't chart that high but still got a ton of airplay, even decades later.
I'd love for you guys to check out his full album "Tumbleweed Connection". Zero hits, but ten phenomenal songs.
How can anyone not like Elton John! Bernie Taupin, a deep poet!
I was 13 when it came out, rode my bike to the store and bought it. It was my second album.
"Holiday Inn" is another hidden gem on this album, one of the great albums of the 70s. I loved this album when it came out.
This is no B-side. Just brilliant.
Rolling Stone asked Taupin about the song. He insisted that he has no idea what he intended as the meaning. It was a free-form writing, he said. It was just lines that came out that were interesting.
The first shipment of Madman came with a 20 page photo book including lyrics inside the album. It was well presented and very special.
They used to play this on my local rock radio station as a Christmas song. Love your reaction! ☮️
For Halloween
1)Alice Cooper- Billion Dollar Babies( 73) 🔥
With Donovan
2) For election week
Elected (73) 🔥
For election week, they should listen to Funky President from James Brown.
@WilliamTheMovieFan
Always down with the Funk. Though Elected is a bit more connected to the election.
For Halloween-Bloodrock-D.O.A.
@gpxo11
A Lost gem for sure, but Billion Dollar Babies is S- Tier !!
According to Bernie Taupin, Levon in this song is named after Levon Helm from The Band.
According to Bernie it absolutely has nothing to do with Levon Helm - he just liked the way the name sounded. In fact, Taupin relates when Helm asked him about it because he was confused what it had to do with him, and Bernie told him what I just told you.
Robbie Robertson, in last book, confirmed Elton and Bernie liked the name Levon, but the song isn’t about Helm.
@@milesandmiles62, maybe my remark was misconstrued. The character in the song was named Levon because they both liked the name after meeting Levon Helm, but the song is NOT about Levon Helm.
OUTSTANDING!!! LETS GO!!!
Double S tier.
How about "Honky Cat" next? Killer piano and horns groove.
Madman Across the Water is still the best one. 😋
"Levon" My favorite Elton song ever
The song went to #24 and was a staple on classic rock stations. It was on his greatest hits album. I wouldn't call it a lesser song. It's also a really beautiful song.
Everyone seems to forget it was Bernie Taupin who wrote the lyrics. Elton wrote the tunes. You cannot find a better collaboration if you searched for a thousand years.
@@TheSwicker316 Lennon/ McCartney? Just a thought.🙂
@@JsscRchlDrsyI thought the same thing.
@@terriannzanco2115 😉
Garcia/Hunter. Everyone else is playing for runner up.
I've seen Elton John 5 times. He ages like a fine wine. It's pronounced Leevon. One of my favorites. Love you guys. You must react to "All the Girls Love Alice"✌️🌻🌻
Love this song so much. More EJ - never less.
What a warm sounding record too❤
Elton John has always been my favorite professional musicians that had never a bad live show and always leave’s his audience wanting more! I have had the pleasure and privilege to witness his work 14 times since 1981 and I have always enjoyed listening to his music!
Definitely listen to the entire album. Find a comfortable chair, beverage of your choice and enjoy.
My father surprised my sister and me with tickets to an EJ concert when he first broke through in US-early 70s It was stupendous!
This album is a complete masterpiece. S all the way!
Where to go next time with Elton? Anywhere!
Everything EJ touches turned to gold during the 70s and 80s.
A musical treasure ❤
Tumbleweed connection has always been my fave Elton john album but madman across the water has to be in anyone’s top five. As for the song “Levon” have no real idea what it’s about though it probably isn’t that Levon Helm guy who used to be in The Band.⚛️❤
Elton said in an interview he did name the character Levon in honor of Levon Helm .
Great reaction! This is my all time favorite Elton song ✌️
this is my favorite Elton John song
Love that u guys appreciate and acknowledge greatness. As great as your reactions we anticipate! Thank you.
Haunting gospel sound with the organ and the soaring strings, paired with the delicate gospel piano and his soulful vocals. This song has been giving me goosebumps since I first heard it around age 12 back in 1976.
This was actually a very big hit.
The incredible strings of Paul Buckmaster, who did the strings on Elton's early albums. Spectacular. And Gus Dudgeon's production work is stellar. Just incredible music!
Nice call out!