I remember being on vacation with my parents in Ohio when it came out. I had to buy the 45 immediately and played it on my Aunt & Uncle's stereo. Of course I bought the album when it came out. I saw him in concert about 6 months later (I think) when he played in Denver. He played songs from Rock of the Westies which hadn't even come out yet. That was my 2nd Rock concert ever. No one will ever live up to that 3 plus hour long concert in my mind. Elton was in Colorado a lot back then. He recorded 3 albums at Caribou Ranch studios up in Nederland above Boulder (now defunct). Glory Days.
I bought all of Elton’s albums when they released in the 70s. I listened to those songs and albums over and over. After all these years, I still remember at least 90% of the lyrics. Great writer, singer, musician, and performer. If only Freddie Mercury had lived as long too.
Overjoyed you chose this song. For many of us, this song hits at a deep level. There is such hope in the song. I pray that anyone who needs help has someone like Sugar Bear. Thank you for your reaction.
After what happened today here in the Chicago area, where people lost their lives just trying to enjoy a parade, well here's to those who were saved from the senseless carnage. RIP to the 6 who didn't make it! Amazing song by Elton.
First time a mass shooting happened in a town I actually visited a few times in the 90s. That's as close as I want to get. Condolences to everyone affected. Keeping hope for the 20+ injured.
@@brooklynbridgealias It's not meant to be political. I'm not preaching about gun rights. It was an emotional experience and this song just affected me.
Thanks for your posting! This album needs to be listened to as a whole. While not exactly a concept album, it is certainly autobiographical and soul baring. Gem, after gem, after gem! The Captain, The Kid, and this amazing collection of musicians are most legendary, and the production on all of EJB albums is essential study for producers and engineers. It could be a whole course! Bernie is such a superb lyricist!
Might have been the only single, but remember this is from the era of ALBUMS. The entire album is outstanding. This was the first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard album chart, keeping Paul McCartney & Wings' "Venus and Mars" album out of the top spot for weeks.
THIS album, IMO, is Elton's BEST album. Autobiographical and brilliant from beginning to glorious end. Check out the title track, "Captain Fantastic..."... or "Curtains." Can't go wrong.
@@personalcheeses8073 this song, yes. But other songs on the album are about Bernie's and Elton's relationship. "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy", for instance.
@@personalcheeses8073 The ALBUM IS autobiographical. ...and even the song... Elton does not sing "Someone saved HIS life tonight." They worked as a pair. To suggest it's not autobiographical is to be pedantic beyond reason.
@@cobbycaputo3332 Amen. But I'd argue even the song... Elton knew he was trying to kill himself and sings in the first person. Autobiographies have co-writers all the time. Bernie obviously knew the back story because Elton TOLD him the back story of his thoughts and feelings.
This is my favorite Elton album, the autobiography written by Bernie of their journey into the music business. I love the entire album, the Deluxe edition includes the whole thing played in concert. The artwork is very good too.
I always forget that this was an earlier song because it reminds me of later works like "I'm Still Standing" and "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues."
I grew up with the music of Elton John & had a lot of his records. He was really big in the 70's-80's. He collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. They were one of the best song writing teams. Bernie wrote the lyrics & Elton supplied the melody. They had so many great hits together such as "Your Song", "Levon", "Honky Cat, "Bennie & The Jets", "Crocodile Rock", "Candle In The Wind", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "The Bitch Is Back", "Island Girl", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" etc.
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM DABNIEL! :) ELTON AND BERNIE AND THIS WAS THE 7TH STRAIGHT MULTI PLATINUM ALBUM DANIEL BETWEEN THAT ( 71-75 ) 5 YEAR WINDOW, HE COULD DO NO WRONG AND HE WAS ON TOP OF THE ROCK WORLD :) NO ROCK BAND EVERRRRR DID SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT'S HOW INSANELY CRAZY GOOD HE WAS. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. AND HAPPYYYY 4TH TO YOU AND YOURS. STAY SAFE
The drama in this song is palpable, without devolving into melodrama. One of Elton and Bernie's greatest numbers, from an excellent album. "Captain Fantastic..." was the first record in history to hit #1 on the sales charts, in its very first week of release. This means that the public was so very hungry for Elton's music that folks ran to the record stores immediately to snap up the album. This, despite the fact that the Elton John band was releasing two and sometimes three albums of new material every year -- so there was no scarcity of new Elton music. On the radio, he regularly had two or three different songs vying with each other for airplay, and every hour of the day and night was filled with Elton's songs, two or three times per hour. And we Never. Got. Bored. or. Tired. of. Him. Incidentally, the second album in history to go straight to #1 on the charts was Elton's follow up to this one, "Rock of the Westies", in 1976. It had some good songs on it but it was the beginning of the end for Elton's brilliance. He had fired his drummer and bassist and replaced them with an okay drummer but an awful, unimaginative, boring and stultifyingly simplistic bassist.
Slipnoose hanging in my darkest dreams/I’m strangled by your haunted social scene/just a pawn outplayed by a dominating queen…try and unpack THAT one! I love that piano riff too; it grabs you after a verse that just kind of hangs in the air.
Love to see you back. A perfect song. Happy July 4 to y'all. I didn't know that is what the song meant to be. I am sorry for him. But that's what you do best. Showing the music.
🙂👍 I was 17 years old when this was a hit, and had just graduated from high school. I remember thinking about how once again, Elton John releases a more serious introspective single as a follow up to the light and breezy "Philadelphia Freedom." This was one of a batch of albums that made the late spring and early summer of 1975 memorable, including Paul McCartney's "Venus & Mars," Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti," Steely Dan's "Katy Lied," and The Rolling Stones' "Metamorphosis."
Have missed you man. Great choice. I think I read a long time ago in an interview Elton alluded to a lot of drugs in his past and how they affected him mentally. This is autobiographical. So glad he's still with us.
This is one great song that seems to get ignored when you think of the many great songs by Elton. This song gives me chills but also brings back many memories. So happy Daniel that you are featuring this gem and your reaction, kudos dude.
one of my most favourite elton songs!! i'm one of those oddballs that prefer his more melancholy work. i feel elton really finds his voice in these. other top songs for me: "i guess that's why they call it the blues" "sorry seems to be the hardest word" "candle in the wind" (live from australia - far superior to the studio version, for me)
Its my favorite Elton John song.. but through the years I wonder about the woman he was going to marry and what she thought when she heard this song 🤣. Like.. I'm that bad that he would rather die? 😂😂
Hello Daniel, Happy 4th of July my friend ! I'm am so glad you got around to listening to this. I have been requesting this for Months. This is my Favorite song by Elton John by far. Elton John is so damn good !! It's a shame that people focus on him being Gay, because they never give his Great music a chance. And miss out on one of the Greatest Singer/Musician of the 20th Century. Thanks for reacting to it ! Have a Blessed Day Daniel and your Family to. We are Legion ⚡
This was my husband’s ode to me when we first met. His neighbor was trying to set him up with her sister and I happened to drive by and save his life. 32 years later it always reminds us of that night. ❤
I had a drink with Long John Baldry while on a business trip to Ontario in the late '80s. I was at a club and he sat down next to me. I didn't know who he was at the time but he was very friendly and we conversed for a half hour before he excused himself and I discovered that he was the headliner.
Good to see you back in action, my man. This number reflects something of Elton's absolutely convoluted personal life. When Elton (a gay man) married a woman, his friends were flabbergasted. To say the least, the marriage didn't work out. (This number wasn't about that.)
So very happy you finally listened to this magnificent song and learned all about it's back story. One of the pinnacles of Elton and Bernie's songwriting achievements. I always think of it as Elton John's Declaration of Independence. So the fact you uploaded it on the Independence Day the 4th of July put a smile on my face. Love you buddy! TRUE FILM FAN 🎵😁🎵
Its true John Baldry talked him out of marriage and Elton ha a suicide attempt, but Bernie wrote the lyrics, and the real problem with Elton in 1968 was if he got married, he would probably have never achieved world success thus the line *"I'm sleeping with myself tonight, thank God my music's still alive"* I think from Bernie's perspective he looked back on their success and realized, wow, if Long John hadn't talked Reggie (Elton) out of getting married we would all probably still be in the poor house. By the way Elton got his last name from vocalist Long John Baldy and saxophonist Elton Dean, both band members with him in the band Bluesology when his name was Reginald Dwight. They were both shocked when he became famous under the name Elton John (LOL). I don't think its a cry out for not wanting to marry a woman like many infer, he was bisexual after all, he later did marry a woman. I am pretty sure its just Bernie's way of saying by not getting married, that saved our careers. I actually think most people trying to break into the music business back in the day had to also be lucky to hit the big time, it was a very rough business ad music execs took advantage of the kids. For ever success there were a 1000 who failed and got jobs. Heck, Steve Perry got lucky, he had quit trying after he failed, and then out of the blue Journey needed a vocalist because something happened with their guy so it was a match made in heaven. Journey changed from a Progressive type band to what they became known fir big ballads.
As a kid I cried when I heard this. As an adult the song was referenced in my favorite Stephen King book series The Dark Tower. I still cry every time I hear this one.
1975. Elton John ruled the airwaves in the early to mid 1970's, one of those voices when he came on tne radio with a new song you instantly knew it was Elton John. And you knew it would be an instant hit, not matter what the tempo or subject.
a special song for me, spent a brief time in Canada when I was about 4 to 8 yo and my older siblings would put this song on the stereo. I would argue that this has the cleanest drums and snare sound ever recorded. at one point it even sounds like they put a tiny bit of flanger on the drums during one of the fills. great song.
The whole album, where Elton is Captain Fantastic and Bernie is the Brown Dirt Cowboy traces their evolution from struggling collaborators to successful musicians, needs to be heard in its entirety. The closing song "Curtains" is a beautiful expression of platonic love.
I think this is my all time favourite album, everything from writing to performance to production to artwork is outstanding and still sounds tremendous nearly 50 years on.
This song is based on an actual event in Reggies life. The guy that he credits with saving his life was a friend and former band mate long john baldry ie sugar bear.
I’ve probably heard this song a 1000 times since it came. It’s about a woman he was living with and he was depressed about it. Sugar bear was a friend of Elton’s
No one reacts to this, so thank you. It is the closest Elton song to my heart, hearing this for the first time was off a CD my (long ago) partner that I lived with had. It was a toxic relationship that dragged on for six years in my 20's and I couldn't see a way out. The first time I played it and heard this song, it was like taking off a blindfold. I moved out three weeks later and never looked back. Best song ever!
Greatest Elton John album ever. Completely different from any other album he ever made. Each song is perfection. You're probably the first person to give it a try. Thanks. :))
I have also read: This was about Elton almost marrying the wrong person, for the wrong reasons and was “saved”. “ you almost had your hooks in me” “Alter-bound” “hypnotized “ “Sweet freedom whispered in my ears, you’re a butterfly, and butterflies are free to fly. Fly away!” Re-listen with this in mind. Great reaction.
My favorite EJ song, by far. Great reaction. I knew you'd like it. I would like to suggest a song I _KNOW_ you'll love, "Turn Me Loose" by Loverboy. Don't be fooled by the goofy band name. This song rocks. If you decide to do it, make sure you do the original long version (5:42), otherwise, you'll get the edited radio/video version, where the guitar🎸solo is cut out, and that's one of the highlights of the song.😀
GREAT to have you back again Daniel! LOOKING FORWARD to MORE of YOUR EJ/ BT Musical Journey.... love your appreciation and INSIGHTS of each EJ song you REACT to... Peace from a LIFELONG EJ fan in Calgary, Alberta, Canada!
great reaction...this is the first album that debuted at number 1 and he did it again the following year with Rock of the Westies this album is autobiographical the person who saved Elton's life in this song wasn't Bernie(his lyricist),but fellow musician Long John Baldrey...at the time Elton was going to marry this woman who said she was pregnant with his child,but found out she wasn't
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
MASTERPIECE. I'm 59. I Love watching you youngsters enjoying these classics. Thanks and best wishes from North West England.
Loved this album to death when it came out. DAMN Elton John is good
I would say 'was'.
@@Katehowe3010 I’m using “is” in the sense that an artist’s creations are timeless……as in Steinbeck is good, or Michelangelo is good. Capeesh?
@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 I can dig that.
I remember being on vacation with my parents in Ohio when it came out. I had to buy the 45 immediately and played it on my Aunt & Uncle's stereo. Of course I bought the album when it came out. I saw him in concert about 6 months later (I think) when he played in Denver. He played songs from Rock of the Westies which hadn't even come out yet. That was my 2nd Rock concert ever. No one will ever live up to that 3 plus hour long concert in my mind. Elton was in Colorado a lot back then. He recorded 3 albums at Caribou Ranch studios up in Nederland above Boulder (now defunct). Glory Days.
@@j.kevvideoproductions.6463 I never knew there was a studio up there! I used to ski up there when I went to CU 1968-70
I bought all of Elton’s albums when they released in the 70s. I listened to those songs and albums over and over. After all these years, I still remember at least 90% of the lyrics. Great writer, singer, musician, and performer. If only Freddie Mercury had lived as long too.
Probably my favorite Elton John song. Cryptic Bernie Taupin lyrics as usual but Elton and the band just bang it out. Very emotional so perfect.
Overjoyed you chose this song. For many of us, this song hits at a deep level. There is such hope in the song. I pray that anyone who needs help has someone like Sugar Bear. Thank you for your reaction.
played this in my car on my 8 track stereo all those years ago! im 70 now but this still sounds fantastic!
Vinyl and 8 track
Incredible song. My fav by Elton. Fav line " Thank God my music's still alive. "
After what happened today here in the Chicago area, where people lost their lives just trying to enjoy a parade, well here's to those who were saved from the senseless carnage. RIP to the 6 who didn't make it! Amazing song by Elton.
Just another day in America 😔
@@RicoBurghFan Unfortunately 😪
First time a mass shooting happened in a town I actually visited a few times in the 90s. That's as close as I want to get. Condolences to everyone affected. Keeping hope for the 20+ injured.
@@bobangell1679 Thank you.
@@brooklynbridgealias It's not meant to be political. I'm not preaching about gun rights. It was an emotional experience and this song just affected me.
Welcome back Daniel.
All-time epic, serious subject matter wrapped in an absolutely majestic wall of sound. You'll hear this 50-100 years from now.
Thanks for your posting! This album needs to be listened to as a whole. While not exactly a concept album, it is certainly autobiographical and soul baring. Gem, after gem, after gem! The Captain, The Kid, and this amazing collection of musicians are most legendary, and the production on all of EJB albums is essential study for producers and engineers. It could be a whole course!
Bernie is such a superb lyricist!
The Drums on this album are incredible. Especially on "Better of Dead"!
@@j.kevvideoproductions.6463 Absolutely! Best, James!
My first tattoo was a butterfly, inspired by this song. I had done it to commemorate my divorce after an abusive marriage.
Glad you escaped. I hope you are well and living your best life. #shimmymob
Might have been the only single, but remember this is from the era of ALBUMS. The entire album is outstanding. This was the first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard album chart, keeping Paul McCartney & Wings' "Venus and Mars" album out of the top spot for weeks.
I've often said the best songs on an ALBUM rarely hits the radio
It may have generated only one single but this album is INCREDIBLE!
Elton always had great musicians backing him up. Great reaction.
This is a perfect album, great from start to finish!
This is such a fantastic song. Elton John is a genius. Thank you for your reaction.
As Elton himself has admitted -- "There is no Elton John without Bernie Taupin". Thank God that fate brought them together.
THIS album, IMO, is Elton's BEST album. Autobiographical and brilliant from beginning to glorious end. Check out the title track, "Captain Fantastic..."... or "Curtains." Can't go wrong.
Not autobiographical. Bernie Taupin’s view of Reg Dwight’s suicide attempt
@@personalcheeses8073 this song, yes. But other songs on the album are about Bernie's and Elton's relationship. "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy", for instance.
I agree, an absolute fantastic album from start to finish
@@personalcheeses8073 The ALBUM IS autobiographical. ...and even the song... Elton does not sing "Someone saved HIS life tonight." They worked as a pair. To suggest it's not autobiographical is to be pedantic beyond reason.
@@cobbycaputo3332 Amen. But I'd argue even the song... Elton knew he was trying to kill himself and sings in the first person. Autobiographies have co-writers all the time. Bernie obviously knew the back story because Elton TOLD him the back story of his thoughts and feelings.
Masterpiece ! His strongest album with this song as its gem….and an awesome artwork
DOMINATING DRUMS
Thanks so much for commenting on one of my favorite singer/songwriters of all time. Have a great 4th!
Burn Down the Mission has always been one of my early favorites of his many great songs.
One of my favorites
Yup. Great song
Ya, there's so many!! 🎹
This is my favorite Elton album, the autobiography written by Bernie of their journey into the music business. I love the entire album, the Deluxe edition includes the whole thing played in concert. The artwork is very good too.
Powerful and just love that wall of sound.
I always forget that this was an earlier song because it reminds me of later works like "I'm Still Standing" and "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues."
This is one of my favorite EJ songs! Right behind Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Hope you had a nice 4th of July!
An absolutely great tune by Elton is Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. Great song. It'll blow you away.
Dave Hentshel's ARP 2500 on Funeral for a Friend was my first introduction to the synthesizer. Been obsessed ever since!
Best, Robert!
He'a actually already done it--and loved it, of course.
one of my favorite Elton John songs. Thanks for the reaction.
Reginald Dwight. The man with the strange American accent. Good artist with a fake vocal delivery!
I grew up with the music of Elton John & had a lot of his records. He was really big in the 70's-80's. He collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. They were one of the best song writing teams. Bernie wrote the lyrics & Elton supplied the melody. They had so many great hits together such as "Your Song", "Levon", "Honky Cat, "Bennie & The Jets", "Crocodile Rock", "Candle In The Wind", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "The Bitch Is Back", "Island Girl", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" etc.
This is my personal favorite Elton John song. Thanks!
I love it when i see a young people loving my music from my time ❤😊
Thank God his music's still alive!
LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, GREAT AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM DABNIEL! :) ELTON AND BERNIE AND THIS WAS THE 7TH STRAIGHT MULTI PLATINUM ALBUM DANIEL BETWEEN THAT ( 71-75 ) 5 YEAR WINDOW, HE COULD DO NO WRONG AND HE WAS ON TOP OF THE ROCK WORLD :) NO ROCK BAND EVERRRRR DID SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THAT'S HOW INSANELY CRAZY GOOD HE WAS. HOPE YOU ENJOY IT. AND HAPPYYYY 4TH TO YOU AND YOURS. STAY SAFE
The drama in this song is palpable, without devolving into melodrama. One of Elton and Bernie's greatest numbers, from an excellent album. "Captain Fantastic..." was the first record in history to hit #1 on the sales charts, in its very first week of release. This means that the public was so very hungry for Elton's music that folks ran to the record stores immediately to snap up the album. This, despite the fact that the Elton John band was releasing two and sometimes three albums of new material every year -- so there was no scarcity of new Elton music. On the radio, he regularly had two or three different songs vying with each other for airplay, and every hour of the day and night was filled with Elton's songs, two or three times per hour. And we Never. Got. Bored. or. Tired. of. Him.
Incidentally, the second album in history to go straight to #1 on the charts was Elton's follow up to this one, "Rock of the Westies", in 1976. It had some good songs on it but it was the beginning of the end for Elton's brilliance. He had fired his drummer and bassist and replaced them with an okay drummer but an awful, unimaginative, boring and stultifyingly simplistic bassist.
The man is brilliant as a song writer and singer he is one in a million
Great reaction, Daniel. It's such a powerful song, I'm glad you liked it. I love the piano and backup vocals as well, and the drumming is awesome.
Slipnoose hanging in my darkest dreams/I’m strangled by your haunted social scene/just a pawn outplayed by a dominating queen…try and unpack THAT one! I love that piano riff too; it grabs you after a verse that just kind of hangs in the air.
Endless beutifull soulful music he has many more 😊
Thank you Daniel, for reacting to and liking the music of the genius Elton John.
This was my favorite song by Elton and my favorite album of his. Elton also said it was his favorite!
My wife had the album. Love Elton. So talented.
My absolute favorite Elton John song!!!
So many great songs from Elton - this being one of them.
Excellent job. This song is sooooon deep and personal. He rarely delved into his personal demons.
This song is more than a clinical review bro... it goes deeper into peoples souls. You wont understand it, until you understand it.
Elton John was huge in the 70's. As big as Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull.
Love to see you back. A perfect song. Happy July 4 to y'all. I didn't know that is what the song meant to be. I am sorry for him. But that's what you do best. Showing the music.
Meaningful song...love the vibe, it feel good after all these years.
Great piano Warms the ❤️. 🎶🎤
Ahhh. I see you've discovered Sir Elton. Jolly good. Carry on mate. 😁
Masterpiece, like so many others of Elton John. I saw him way back in the day in KC. He put on a Royals uniform.
My fav of all time !!!
I love the production of this song..that echoey, deep resonance.
🙂👍 I was 17 years old when this was a hit, and had just graduated from high school. I remember thinking about how once again, Elton John releases a more serious introspective single as a follow up to the light and breezy "Philadelphia Freedom." This was one of a batch of albums that made the late spring and early summer of 1975 memorable, including Paul McCartney's "Venus & Mars," Led Zeppelin's "Physical Graffiti," Steely Dan's "Katy Lied," and The Rolling Stones' "Metamorphosis."
Have missed you man. Great choice. I think I read a long time ago in an interview Elton alluded to a lot of drugs in his past and how they affected him mentally. This is autobiographical. So glad he's still with us.
great, great record.
it makes me happy to see young musicians dig the really amazing classics.
This is one great song that seems to get ignored when you think of the many great songs by Elton. This song gives me chills but also brings back many memories. So happy Daniel that you are featuring this gem and your reaction, kudos dude.
one of my most favourite elton songs!! i'm one of those oddballs that prefer his more melancholy work. i feel elton really finds his voice in these.
other top songs for me:
"i guess that's why they call it the blues"
"sorry seems to be the hardest word"
"candle in the wind" (live from australia - far superior to the studio version, for me)
Amoreena from "Tumbleweed".
“Ticking” from Caribou
He was on a talk show one time and referred to the oven incident as pitiful cry for help
Its my favorite Elton John song.. but through the years I wonder about the woman he was going to marry and what she thought when she heard this song 🤣. Like.. I'm that bad that he would rather die? 😂😂
It’s 4 o’clock in the morning. DAMN IT!
I know just how he feels.
A great album!
Hello Daniel, Happy 4th of July my friend !
I'm am so glad you got around to listening to this.
I have been requesting this for Months.
This is my Favorite song by Elton John by far.
Elton John is so damn good !!
It's a shame that people focus on him being Gay, because they never give his Great music a chance.
And miss out on one of the Greatest Singer/Musician of the 20th Century.
Thanks for reacting to it !
Have a Blessed Day Daniel and your Family to.
We are Legion ⚡
This was pure genius!!!
Jesus those drums sound good.
This was my husband’s ode to me when we first met. His neighbor was trying to set him up with her sister and I happened to drive by and save his life. 32 years later it always reminds us of that night. ❤
I had a drink with Long John Baldry while on a business trip to Ontario in the late '80s. I was at a club and he sat down next to me. I didn't know who he was at the time but he was very friendly and we conversed for a half hour before he excused himself and I discovered that he was the headliner.
Good to see you back in action, my man. This number reflects something of Elton's absolutely convoluted personal life. When Elton (a gay man) married a woman, his friends were flabbergasted. To say the least, the marriage didn't work out. (This number wasn't about that.)
So very happy you finally listened to this magnificent song and learned all about it's back story. One of the pinnacles of Elton and Bernie's songwriting achievements. I always think of it as Elton John's Declaration of Independence. So the fact you uploaded it on the Independence Day the 4th of July put a smile on my face. Love you buddy! TRUE FILM FAN 🎵😁🎵
Beautifully majestic...
Its true John Baldry talked him out of marriage and Elton ha a suicide attempt, but Bernie wrote the lyrics, and the real problem with Elton in 1968 was if he got married, he would probably have never achieved world success thus the line *"I'm sleeping with myself tonight, thank God my music's still alive"* I think from Bernie's perspective he looked back on their success and realized, wow, if Long John hadn't talked Reggie (Elton) out of getting married we would all probably still be in the poor house. By the way Elton got his last name from vocalist Long John Baldy and saxophonist Elton Dean, both band members with him in the band Bluesology when his name was Reginald Dwight. They were both shocked when he became famous under the name Elton John (LOL).
I don't think its a cry out for not wanting to marry a woman like many infer, he was bisexual after all, he later did marry a woman. I am pretty sure its just Bernie's way of saying by not getting married, that saved our careers. I actually think most people trying to break into the music business back in the day had to also be lucky to hit the big time, it was a very rough business ad music execs took advantage of the kids. For ever success there were a 1000 who failed and got jobs. Heck, Steve Perry got lucky, he had quit trying after he failed, and then out of the blue Journey needed a vocalist because something happened with their guy so it was a match made in heaven. Journey changed from a Progressive type band to what they became known fir big ballads.
As a kid I cried when I heard this. As an adult the song was referenced in my favorite Stephen King book series The Dark Tower. I still cry every time I hear this one.
1975. Elton John ruled the airwaves in the early to mid 1970's, one of those voices when he came on tne radio with a new song you instantly knew it was Elton John. And you knew it would be an instant hit, not matter what the tempo or subject.
Very, very few songs really affect me. I'm 57 years old. This one still 'gets me to the bone' every single time.
It’s a very evocative song. If it’s any consolation, I’m 58. 👍
You're back reacting!! Love your music! But your reactions are unique. 🙂
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Rocket Man, and Love Lies Bleeding In My Hands. Killer piano jams.
Welcome back! Happy 4th of July!!!! Looking forward to more awesome content!!!!!!
The plate reverb on this album was amazing.
It made the drums sound next level, especially the ride cymbals for some reason.
One of my favorite drum sounds, near perfect - and Nigel is such a great vocalist too!! Best to you!
Love this album. Love this song. Thanks Daniel.
See you back I was getting scared cannot wait to watch this one! Love you
Always seems like this song is overlooked but a great song don’t know why it doesn’t get the respect it deserves. Great thanks
a special song for me, spent a brief time in Canada when I was about 4 to 8 yo and my older siblings would put this song on the stereo. I would argue that this has the cleanest drums and snare sound ever recorded. at one point it even sounds like they put a tiny bit of flanger on the drums during one of the fills. great song.
we also listened to this song in our basement, which was also the rumpus room, which was a "little room downstairs".
The whole album, where Elton is Captain Fantastic and Bernie is the Brown Dirt Cowboy traces their evolution from struggling collaborators to successful musicians, needs to be heard in its entirety. The closing song "Curtains" is a beautiful expression of platonic love.
Nice reaction and lyric dive Daniel. Good to have you back.
I think this is my all time favourite album, everything from writing to performance to production to artwork is outstanding and still sounds tremendous nearly 50 years on.
One of elton's best!
His original band was INCREDIBLE!
This song is based on an actual event in Reggies life. The guy that he credits with saving his life was a friend and former band mate long john baldry ie sugar bear.
I’ve probably heard this song a 1000 times since it came. It’s about a woman he was living with and he was depressed about it. Sugar bear was a friend of Elton’s
First record I bought new with my own money. Still love it. Curtains is a real sleeper.
Love your reaction and your analysis of the lyrics.
Thank you! ❤️
No one reacts to this, so thank you. It is the closest Elton song to my heart, hearing this for the first time was off a CD my (long ago) partner that I lived with had. It was a toxic relationship that dragged on for six years in my 20's and I couldn't see a way out. The first time I played it and heard this song, it was like taking off a blindfold. I moved out three weeks later and never looked back. Best song ever!
Greatest Elton John album ever. Completely different from any other album he ever made. Each song is perfection. You're probably the first person to give it a try. Thanks. :))
I have also read:
This was about Elton almost marrying the wrong person, for the wrong reasons and was “saved”.
“ you almost had your hooks in me” “Alter-bound” “hypnotized “
“Sweet freedom whispered in my ears, you’re a butterfly, and butterflies are free to fly. Fly away!”
Re-listen with this in mind.
Great reaction.
My favorite EJ song, by far. Great reaction. I knew you'd like it. I would like to suggest a song I _KNOW_ you'll love, "Turn Me Loose" by Loverboy. Don't be fooled by the goofy band name. This song rocks. If you decide to do it, make sure you do the original long version (5:42), otherwise, you'll get the edited radio/video version, where the guitar🎸solo is cut out, and that's one of the highlights of the song.😀
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY, DANIEL. 🎉💥🇺🇸
The last best album from Elton IMO
LOVE IT!
GREAT to have you back again Daniel! LOOKING FORWARD to MORE of YOUR EJ/ BT Musical Journey.... love your appreciation and INSIGHTS of each EJ song you REACT to... Peace from a LIFELONG EJ fan in Calgary, Alberta, Canada!
"Curtains" off this album is way underrated, excellent drumming in this also
great reaction...this is the first album that debuted at number 1 and he did it again the following year with Rock of the Westies
this album is autobiographical
the person who saved Elton's life in this song wasn't Bernie(his lyricist),but fellow musician Long John Baldrey...at the time Elton was going to marry this woman who said she was pregnant with his child,but found out she wasn't