LEVON..!!! Without a doubt..! Brings back some fond memories of good friend who’s passed on… as many of my friends have.. that’s one of the crappy things about being 67… But I’m not complaining..!! I’ll wait as long as I can..!! LOL..! Hey Otis..! Great video.. as always!👍🏼❤️
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - I love the verse: “I wonder if those changes have left a scar on you, All the burning hoops of fire that you and I passed through”. Great interview!!
When I was in high school it was either "Honkey Cat" or "Rocket Man". I saw Elton touring that album and also 'Goodbye Yellow Brock Road' (with Steeley Dan opening). That to me was when he was at his best. The fame, drugs and whatever else seemed to change him after that and I never quite connected with the music in the same way. But, whenever I watch the scene in 'Almost Famous' where everyone is singing "Tiny Dancer" on the Stillwater bus and I always think that's Elton and Bernie's best song.
Looking forward to reading this article. I love Elton. Especially the 70’s. Have you listened to his album 11-17-70 Side 2. Wow. What a great story about how Elton and Bernie met.
Hmmm I do have 11-17-70 on vinyl. I bought it when I was a kid, probably in 8th grade. I never really listened to it. Guess I'll have to now! I know 99% of his music. The first album I bought was "Don't Shoot Me..." in 1973. I probably have about 40+ Elton John albums!
They were a very unique songwriting team. I can’t think of anyone else that has a songwriter that can write like Bernie did for Elton and make it fit so well.
A staggering amount of high quality output from this Dynamic duo in those classic years! Way too many faves to pick one. In my Nashville years, I lived 2 doors down from Elton's bassist from those classic years, Dee Murray, in Brentwood, which was his last residence. He was a super sweet guy. After his passing, Elton came to Nashville to do a concert and gave all the proceeds to Dee's widow.
Another fantastic installment. Bill, you're a natural storyteller. Please keep doing what you're doing. Otis, thank you for consistently bringing us such interesting and viral content. My hat's off to you (*though probably not as cool as the one you wear . . . ) Favorite Elton song . . . ? Gotta' be b-b-b-b-b-b-Bennie & The Jets. Still have my original 45 rpm single that I bought as an 9 year old, music-loving kid back in 1974. I knew that it was going to be one of my all-time favorite songs then, and still is 48 years later. You know I read it in a magazine . . .
Bennie and the Jets was the only Elton/Bernie song on the jukebox in my neighborhood pizza joint. I can't say it's my favorite...I love them all. Tiny Dancer tugs at my heart.
I remember the first time I heard Elton John, I was driving to work on a construction project. I was on an interstate with an AM radio and one speaker and "This Is Your Song" came on. I know where I was when I heard it. Now I remember a few other great songs that I can remember where I was when I heard it like "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Doctor My Eyes" and "Night Moves". The list is not all that long, it includes some other genres too but I knew the minute I heard the song that it was going to stick with me forever. John Prine's "Paradise" is another. Another great interview with a really interesting guy, you seem to bring out the best in them.
A friend told me that Elton had a record on the top ten at least once a year for 25yrs...... wow! You know his candle will burn out long before the legend ever will. Thanks for video
For me it's Madman Across the Water......not a bad song on the Madman album. I remember being fresh out of high school working a night shift at my local grocery store. Getting to my apartment at 7am after a long night and playing the album over and over again. Otis, thanks for the memories.
Oh, so many. I’d like to have a dollar for every hour I’ve spent trying to decipher EJ song lyrics. Back when cassettes were on the go, if you bought a Greatest Hits, or bargain bin cassette, they didn’t include lyrics. The lyrics to Someone Saved My Life Tonight has some difficult phrases “ paying’ your HP demands forever”, “A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams”, I would have walked head on into the deep end of a river”. Think my favourite is a tie between Elton’s Song and One More Arrow. There are 2 really good songs/videos of his on RUclips. This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore ( Justin Timberlake plays Elton), and I Want Love. Robert Downey Jr is in it. And there is an interview, think it’s called The Red Room, where Elton explains the meaning of Daniel, and talks about his writing process. Thanks to both of you for the Elton discussion.
Hey Otis, Given Elton's guitarist Davey Johnstone's great rocking & crunchy rhythm (& his lead here too), plus all the great musicianship from Elton's incredible piano track to his soaring vocals & the as-usual great 3 part back up harmonies from the guys in the band, it's Funeral for a Friend for me...
Great story! I had seen a special about how these two wrote. Seemed very unique for sure. Great talents both. I had the Yellow Brick Road album on 8 track and literally wore that thing out my freshman year in college!
A junior in high school, perusing the record bins, I saw an album design, all in denim. It was, of course, Madman Across The Water. I had never heard of Elton John. I bought it because I liked the album cover design. It remains my all time favorite Elton John album, and one of my favorite albums of all time.
Come Down In Time. Tiny Dancer, Mona Lisa, Levon & Your Song come close, but I keep coming back to that song. There's just something really haunting about it.
Elton was always a little too "pop" for my tastes, especially when he became such a massive superstar. But "Madman"... wow, man; that tune kills me. I have spent hours upon hour's listening to it, and I still never tire of it. Brandi Carlisle did a bang up cover version of it in the not too distant past, and I love her version too.
Capt fantastic album as a whole, i cant seperate anything, that record is so personal and special. and theres a great live performance of the whole record bouncin around youtube w/Skunk baxter on guitar with them. that was right after he fired everyone and started the whole new band pretty much. As for Honkey Chateau, another amazing record that holds another special place for me. Working some years ago for Jean Luc Ponty, he imparted a few tales from those days and nights at that castle. Such a magical time
Madman Across the Water is my favorite Album and might also be my favorite song. Levon is a great tune too. Tiny Dancer is, of course, one of the greatest songs in his collection too.
Your Song or Someone saved my life tonight. They are probably the best songs written in my opinion, with Someone Saved my Life being real about Saving Elton John's life. Tiny Dancer is probably third on my list.
Not sure what song to pick as a favorite. Nowadays, Madman is my favorite EJ album but I wasn't aware of it when it first came out. Don't Shoot Me was the first one I had at the time it was released. For some reason, I was thinking Captain Fantastic was a double album....but wrong! Rock of the Westies was the last album I paid much attention to. An amazing talent...and Bernie as well. Looking forward to hearing more of Bill's work on this.
great story on Reggie D.......Im an old Detroit kid, so forgive my bias but, I will put Bob Seger's Live Bullet up there with best double album ever......
Almost anything from Tumbleweed - his paean to The Band. Never seen Elton live (tho I've certainly had opportunity), in part because I've never been interested in seeing him do his "hits", which I've played to death. Always waited for him to do the tour he once mused about - a b-sides tour sans mega hits. Still waiting.
I am more an album oriented person, the only one that i really like is TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, he was very prolific in the early 70s, so, there is too much filler on his albums. I may be wrong, but that's my taste
My first album was Blue Cheer's Inside Outside. Elton's songs had great stories but all had similar music accompanies. His music is predictable, just him with his great voice a piano,and a great story.
Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter. A great songwriting team where one provided the lyrics, the other put them to music. Hunter didn't play as a member of The Dead, but he would often tour with them. (I see now that they have already been mentioned in a comment.)
The only other non band-member lyricist I can think of is Robert Hunter, of early Grateful Dead fame, but he wasn't nearly as prolific. It's difficult to pick a favourite Elton song but I have a particular affection for Bennie & The Jets as it reminds me of great times. You know some really interesting people Otis!
Music talent judged by sight is deaf and dumb. A benefit of recorded music is that it is not time dependent for it to be recognized. Think of the many blues and classic country singers who were not popular at first pass.
![Elton John & Bernie Taupin • Interview (A 40-Year Collaboration) • 2006 [RITY Archive]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fELDV1evtxo/mqdefault.jpg)
What's your favorite Elton John song?
Toss up between Levon and Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters...Yellow Brick Road was a song track of my early teen years.
Tiny Dancer / picking a favorite is tough, there's so many
LEVON..!!! Without a doubt..! Brings back some fond memories of good friend who’s passed on… as many of my friends have.. that’s one of the crappy things about being 67… But I’m not complaining..!! I’ll wait as long as I can..!! LOL..!
Hey Otis..! Great video.. as always!👍🏼❤️
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - I love the verse: “I wonder if those changes have left a scar on you, All the burning hoops of fire that you and I passed through”. Great interview!!
Madman Across The Water, not even close. Such a great song, especially the unreleased version with Mick Ronson on guitar.
I'm a big fan of Elton since childhood, but Bernie never gets the credit he deserves!
Bernie Taupin is one of the greatest lyricist ever!
When I was in high school it was either "Honkey Cat" or "Rocket Man". I saw Elton touring that album and also 'Goodbye Yellow Brock Road' (with Steeley Dan opening). That to me was when he was at his best. The fame, drugs and whatever else seemed to change him after that and I never quite connected with the music in the same way. But, whenever I watch the scene in 'Almost Famous' where everyone is singing "Tiny Dancer" on the Stillwater bus and I always think that's Elton and Bernie's best song.
You're right Rick, Tiny Dancer was awesome, when I saw him in 1984 he opened the show with it. Great performance from a fantastic showman.
Met Elton's Drummer Nigel Olsen in Nashville back years ago. When I was Recording some songs Nigel was totally Awesome to talk with..
Looking forward to reading this article. I love Elton. Especially the 70’s. Have you listened to his album 11-17-70
Side 2. Wow.
What a great story about how Elton and Bernie met.
My favorite album , no guitar
Hmmm I do have 11-17-70 on vinyl. I bought it when I was a kid, probably in 8th grade. I never really listened to it. Guess I'll have to now! I know 99% of his music. The first album I bought was "Don't Shoot Me..." in 1973. I probably have about 40+ Elton John albums!
@@RubyPepper415 I think if you give it a listen it’ll be a journey. Just a trio. Completely amazing in our book.
Great story, love hearing how how they started and collaborated!
They were a very unique songwriting team. I can’t think of anyone else that has a songwriter that can write like Bernie did for Elton and make it fit so well.
Your installments are just freaking great Otis. Great treat for my Tuesday
A staggering amount of high quality output from this Dynamic duo in those classic years! Way too many faves to pick one. In my Nashville years, I lived 2 doors down from Elton's bassist from those classic years, Dee Murray, in Brentwood, which was his last residence. He was a super sweet guy. After his passing, Elton came to Nashville to do a concert and gave all the proceeds to Dee's widow.
Dee Murray was my favorite bassist for years. I have a hunch that he was an inspiration to many a fledgling bass player back in the 70’s!
Another wonderful story!!! Love em all!! “ i shit you not”🔥😎
Another fantastic installment. Bill, you're a natural storyteller. Please keep doing what you're doing. Otis, thank you for consistently bringing us such interesting and viral content. My hat's off to you (*though probably not as cool as the one you wear . . . ) Favorite Elton song . . . ? Gotta' be b-b-b-b-b-b-Bennie & The Jets. Still have my original 45 rpm single that I bought as an 9 year old, music-loving kid back in 1974. I knew that it was going to be one of my all-time favorite songs then, and still is 48 years later. You know I read it in a magazine . . .
Bennie and the Jets was the only Elton/Bernie song on the jukebox in my neighborhood pizza joint. I can't say it's my favorite...I love them all. Tiny Dancer tugs at my heart.
I remember the first time I heard Elton John, I was driving to work on a construction project. I was on an interstate with an AM radio and one speaker and "This Is Your Song" came on. I know where I was when I heard it. Now I remember a few other great songs that I can remember where I was when I heard it like "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Doctor My Eyes" and "Night Moves". The list is not all that long, it includes some other genres too but I knew the minute I heard the song that it was going to stick with me forever. John Prine's "Paradise" is another. Another great interview with a really interesting guy, you seem to bring out the best in them.
I love classic rock magazine. Truly. Great read. Can't wait for Bill's story.
A friend told me that Elton had a record on the top ten at least once a year for 25yrs...... wow! You know his candle will burn out long before the legend ever will. Thanks for video
A record in the top 40 for 33 years
For me it's Madman Across the Water......not a bad song on the Madman album. I remember being fresh out of high school working a night shift at my local grocery store. Getting to my apartment at 7am after a long night and playing the album over and over again. Otis, thanks for the memories.
Oh, so many. I’d like to have a dollar for every hour I’ve spent trying to decipher EJ song lyrics. Back when cassettes were on the go, if you bought a Greatest Hits, or bargain bin cassette, they didn’t include lyrics. The lyrics to Someone Saved My Life Tonight has some difficult phrases “ paying’ your HP demands forever”, “A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams”, I would have walked head on into the deep end of a river”.
Think my favourite is a tie between Elton’s Song and One More Arrow.
There are 2 really good songs/videos of his on RUclips. This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore ( Justin Timberlake plays Elton), and I Want Love. Robert Downey Jr is in it.
And there is an interview, think it’s called The Red Room, where Elton explains the meaning of Daniel, and talks about his writing process.
Thanks to both of you for the Elton discussion.
Hey Otis, Given Elton's guitarist Davey Johnstone's great rocking & crunchy rhythm (& his lead here too), plus all the great musicianship from Elton's incredible piano track to his soaring vocals & the as-usual great 3 part back up harmonies from the guys in the band, it's Funeral for a Friend for me...
Mona Lisa's and Madhatters is my sentimental favorite. Your Song is the best. Yellow Brick is his masterpiece. Hi Bill!
Great story! I had seen a special about how these two wrote. Seemed very unique for sure. Great talents both. I had the Yellow Brick Road album on 8 track and literally wore that thing out my freshman year in college!
A junior in high school, perusing the record bins, I saw an album design, all in denim. It was, of course, Madman Across The Water. I had never heard of Elton John. I bought it because I liked the album cover design. It remains my all time favorite Elton John album, and one of my favorite albums of all time.
Come Down In Time. Tiny Dancer, Mona Lisa, Levon & Your Song come close, but I keep coming back to that song. There's just something really haunting about it.
Elton was always a little too "pop" for my tastes, especially when he became such a massive superstar. But "Madman"... wow, man; that tune kills me. I have spent hours upon hour's listening to it, and I still never tire of it. Brandi Carlisle did a bang up cover version of it in the not too distant past, and I love her version too.
I was hoping this was longer
Capt fantastic album as a whole, i cant seperate anything, that record is so personal and special. and theres a great live performance of the whole record bouncin around youtube w/Skunk baxter on guitar with them. that was right after he fired everyone and started the whole new band pretty much. As for Honkey Chateau, another amazing record that holds another special place for me. Working some years ago for Jean Luc Ponty, he imparted a few tales from those days and nights at that castle. Such a magical time
Madman Across the Water is my favorite Album and might also be my favorite song. Levon is a great tune too. Tiny Dancer is, of course, one of the greatest songs in his collection too.
Just heard "Tiny Dancer" the other day. Just reminds me of many fond memories of old LA. ....the Boulevard it's not that bad.
Very Cool. Awesome Thankyou. Thinking of Family so "Daniel"
Wonderful video! Bill's narrative here really evokes the song "Holiday Inn" off of Madman Across the Water.
Your Song or Someone saved my life tonight. They are probably the best songs written in my opinion, with Someone Saved my Life being real about Saving Elton John's life. Tiny Dancer is probably third on my list.
Not sure what song to pick as a favorite. Nowadays, Madman is my favorite EJ album but I wasn't aware of it when it first came out. Don't Shoot Me was the first one I had at the time it was released. For some reason, I was thinking Captain Fantastic was a double album....but wrong! Rock of the Westies was the last album I paid much attention to. An amazing talent...and Bernie as well. Looking forward to hearing more of Bill's work on this.
I can recommend the 800 page Captain Fantastic book highly! So entertaining!
great story on Reggie D.......Im an old Detroit kid, so forgive my bias but, I will put Bob Seger's Live Bullet up there with best double album ever......
Candle In The Wind. Hands down.
I have much more respect for Bernie after this video
'Burn Down the Mission' was on Tumbleweed Connection I think..that whole album really
I had no idea Elton had a long time collaborator on his songs.
So many…I’d have say Funeral for a friend/Love…
"Texan Love Song"
When it comes to those that would call themselves a Lyricist...Bernie Taupin is a bad, bad man.
Madman Across The Border has been my fav EJ song and album since it came out ☮️💜🎶☕
Have you heard Brandi Carlile’s cover of Madman? Fantastic.
@@Caperhere I have not , but thanks for the rec , I will .
@@Caperhere I have and I agree! Elton was a YUGE influence on BC
Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting.
Almost anything from Tumbleweed - his paean to The Band. Never seen Elton live (tho I've certainly had opportunity), in part because I've never been interested in seeing him do his "hits", which I've played to death. Always waited for him to do the tour he once mused about - a b-sides tour sans mega hits. Still waiting.
Brownie Mcghee and Sonny Terry worked together for decade's as well
Amoreena
Bernie taupin is from Lincolnshire not Bournemouth
Funeral
Self-Taught? No. He had a tutor and he studied in the Royal Academy of Music.
I am more an album oriented person, the only one that i really like is TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, he was very prolific in the early 70s, so, there is too much filler on his albums. I may be wrong, but that's my taste
My first album was Blue Cheer's Inside Outside. Elton's songs had great stories but all had similar music accompanies. His music is predictable, just him with his great voice a piano,and a great story.
ELTON JOHNS GOLDEN PERIOD ENDED AFTER GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD. HE NEVER REACHED THE HEIGHTS OF THE 1970-1973 PERIOD AGAIN.
Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter. A great songwriting team where one provided the lyrics, the other put them to music. Hunter didn't play as a member of The Dead, but he would often tour with them. (I see now that they have already been mentioned in a comment.)
The only other non band-member lyricist I can think of is Robert Hunter, of early Grateful Dead fame, but he wasn't nearly as prolific. It's difficult to pick a favourite Elton song but I have a particular affection for Bennie & The Jets as it reminds me of great times. You know some really interesting people Otis!
Music talent judged by sight is deaf and dumb.
A benefit of recorded music is that it is not time dependent for it to be recognized. Think of the many blues and classic country singers who were not popular at first pass.
Best double album? Sorry, Quadrophenia, hands down.