It never ceases to amaze me how many times Rick has added extra dimensions of enjoyment for songs that I thought I knew intimately already. Its like listening to a song in black and white sound, and then Rick comes along and helps you access the whole colour spectrum of sound. There isn't many people that really feel music like Rick does. Love what you do man, its priceless.
Same here. This has long been one of my favorite EJ songs, but it would have never occurred to me how much is going on in it and how intricate it is. Rick, with these analysis vids, is for me supercharging the "appreciation" in "music appreciation". And wow, now I'm also appreciating how long I've been away from EJs music! Time to put on some headphones and indulge.
100%!!! I'm not a musician at all so the level of detail that Rick goes into just opens up a whole new world for me!! Love this song so much, even more now!!
Hello Rick, I’m Paul Buckmaster’s sister! I just came across your video analyzing Tiny Dancer. Thank you so much. I love the way you separate the tracks, showing the complexity of the parts, but when played together it all sounds so unified and perfect. You remind me a little of Paul, his characteristics and personality. He passed away sadly in 2017. He was only 25 when he worked on Madman Across the Water. I miss him dearly. But thank you for this. Kind wishes.
Your brother created some amazing music with Elton John! So grateful for his work on the self-titled album and all the terrific music that followed! Thank you!
I'm 68 years old and am extremely fortunate to have lived in what is arguably the greatest generation of music. Elton John is just one of many great artists that filled our airwaves.
@@atticstattic The fact that so many people - including Beato, here, who inexplicably says it "doesn't matter what he's singing about" - discount or don't mention Taupin, is astonishing to me. The lyrics are literally half of Elton John's songs. Without them, these melodies wouldn't exist, as John composed the music *around* those brilliant words. Taupin was one of the greatest lyricists who's ever lived - and he's chosen to remain mostly anonymous in terms of his personal life. I'm glad that film was made about John's life, as it rightfully made it clear how important Taupin was.
@@redadamearth On the album credits for _Rock of the Westies_ ,Elton wrote something to the effect that he'd be playing in bars if it hadn't been for Bernie
I love how Rick recognizes all the player by name. Drummers. Bass players. Mixers. Engineers. They all are given credit showing the collaborative nature of so much of music.
Those who came after the Beatles benefited from standing on the shoulders of giants, for sure. But I agree: John/Taupin's best 8 -10 songs exceed the average quality of Lennon-McCartney in richness, complexity and sophistication. I'd frankly the same thing about Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, and Steely Dan. The 70s were amazing. On the other hand nobody could crank out catchy, hummable, very pretty melodies like the Beatles could. It's the sheer volume that staggers: close to 100 songs most of us instantly recognize. @@danielecardinali7349
I was around 6-7 years old when my Mom bought Madman Across The Water. She would get high and listen to it into the early morning. I had the lyrics memorized by the age of 8. Tiny Dancer always sounded a little forlorn to me but strangely comforting. When she passed in 2015, I made a video of her life with Tiny Dancer. I just absolutely love this song and miss her so much. ❤
The best guitar I ever owned was an early 70's Strat that had been previously owned by Elton's guitarist Caleb Quaye. Sadly it was stolen a year after I acquired it in 1984 at the club Madame Wong's in Santa Monica. I took my eye off of it for a minute. Gone. Years later I got to be friends with Caleb who remembered the instrument and informed me that it's best that I don't know what tracks he used it on. I had to agree with him. He shared with me a great story about growing up in London in the 60's. Caleb worked for a while for Dick James music, the Beatle's publisher, and among his many tasks was to pick up master tapes from studios so the Dick James company could transcribe the records so that the sheet music could be released at the same time as the album. This one particular time Caleb was summoned to Abbey Road to pick up a master, but instead of heading straight back to the Dick James offices he found his friend Reg Dwight (Elton John) and they took the tape to his house where they listened to it from start to finish. The recording left them speechless. It was Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Wow! I remember picking up the album sleeve while listening back when -early 70s - at a friend's place, eager to learn the names of the players, especially the guitarist as I was a budding player. l'd forgotten Caleb's name 'til I saw it here! I always remembered the era with Davey Johnstone et al, saw 'Yellow Brick Road' in Toronto, '75.
@Ezekiel Plumb Totally agree, I have Pro Tools and use it frequently. Point being the stellar quality of this 50+ yr old recording, and the amazing human musical performances it contains, is stunning considering the technology of the time.
The scene in Almost Famous where they sing this on the bus is one of the most perfect portrayls of what music means, or should mean. Truly uniting people in joy of something beautiful. Too many people just let the music play and don't really listen. Even those of us who truly listen need a Rick to help us hear what we are missing. Your love for the music is infectious amd we appreciate you, sir!
Not only a truly great song but also added so much to a truly great scene in a truly great movie. I had heard this song long before the movie but for me it will always be linked to that movie.
I was in junior high on my first theater date watching Aloha Bobby and Rose. Between the excitement of being there with a new flame and a story about a beautiful girl and a rough dude I was entranced and never forgot the song. Still reminds me of that girl and holding her hand when I hear it.
Fun fact: the C. Bechstein piano used on this song was also used on “Bang A Gong”, “Seven Seas of Rhye”, “You’re So Vain”, “Martha My Dear” and countless other songs that were recorded at Trident Studios.
No kidding? That is crazy---You're So Vain and Martha My Dear? In that same vein, weren't alot of Joni Mitchell and Carole King's hits done on the same piano in that studio in LA? (the name escapes me)
Heard this song a million times. Wasn’t until I sat down to transcribe it one day that I realized the chorus doesn’t hit until around 2:45 into the song. Most modern songs are only that long to begin with. This song is amazing on so many levels. Modern pop music writing isn’t even in the same universe as this masterpiece.
Elton makes it interesting at the beginning and it teases that something bigger is to come. "Unresolved tension" is a term I only heard recently but this song seems full of it.
The entire album, “Madman Across The Water” is absolutely terrific. It has always been my favorite of Elton’s. The title track is so moving and magnificent.
1974, I was nine years old and two of my older sisters had tickets to see Elton John during his original Yellow Brick Road tour. I grew up listening to Elton John, but never saw him live. Fast forward to Nov 2019, I see EJ perform in Charlotte, NC. He played Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding…I was blown away.
That guitar isolated in the beginning, I would never have guessed it belonged to this song. One thing I love about these videos is hearing everything so nicely isolated. It really helps you appreciate how magnificent these compositions are.
@@GhostRider92 Friends with connections who can provide the original stems probably! Or they're songs where the stems are available anyway, like the ones that were in the Rock Band games
@@GhostRider92 In a couple of shots in the video, you can see the software he uses. The different instruments and voice are individual waveforms. Almost looks like a tracker. Example: 6:04
I love the way each instrument enters in staggered fashion the way people arrive at a party; before you know it, the joint's jumping. This is my favourite Elton/Bernie song, after "Harmony". It's more than just a ballad; it's one continuous lump in the throat. And that chorus kicks my a** everytime. Memories of my girl, the '70's, full, happy days together. Songwriters have more power than anybody. True magicians.
It's up there with Bohemian Rhapsody levels for me. I love most of Elton's work but this and 'Rocketman' speak to me on a deep emotional level. Bernie Taupin deserves a hell of a lot of credit too - the lyrics/stories are a huge part of why the songs are so special.
Rocketman is my alltime favorite song. ...like you, it touches me on a emotional level..ever since I heard it as a preteen kid in the 70s, it just spoke to me
@beeemm2578 Its always given me a feeling of melancholy, loneliness, and longing but that's what makes it so special. Anyone can relate to those feelings.
I’d never put my finger on it before Rick pointed it out, but that slight tempo change just before the chorus is one of many beautiful moments in this song.
No click track probably. They played with feel and let the tempo flex when needed. I worked with Rick years ago and he was talking about this and used some AC/DC songs as examples - some of those change 4 or 5 BPM in a couple of measures but you'd never noticed without looking for it because the vibe was right and timing should change in some spots. I try not to use click tracks whenever possible.
I don't know of any other piano player that uses dynamics like he does to get more complexity in his playing. I also notice that he seems to play all the notes of chords at _exactly_ the same time, so close together that it seems like one note. You hear it in Bennie and the Jets for example.
I agree entirely Greg. FFAF is so gorgeously symphonic then the way it transitions into the foot-stomping classic rock piece LLB is at a stratospheric level above most rock music. Have always particularly loved the interplay between the high piano and piping synth work (Gus Dudgeon?) then the way Johnstone's gutsy guitar comes in in the instrumental in LLB. I have always wondered if the above-mentioned synth sound was influenced by Pete Thowsend's unique synth work in the epic song "Won't Get Fooled Again", which synth work had never been done before and which has never been repeated, as far as I am aware.
Fully agree… I listen to that often thinking, ‘imagine picking up that new Elton John record, going home and putting it on the turntable and being met with that opening’… what a way to start an album!
Elton is just a superlative freaking talent. So much is said about the writing, as it should happen, but my gosh, his singing right from the start tells about how much he engaged with his own music and purpose. It’s so fully rendered with tone and style. As Mozart said, genius is, above all, the clearest expression of love (which is our best possible form of energy).
Have you seen the rock and roll jeopardy episode with Dave Mustaine from Megadeth? They had a category on Elton John, and Dave cleaned up! You're not the only metalhead that appreciates the genius of Elton.
The musical dynamics of "Tiny Dancer" are astounding. Unusual chords, great tension and drama in the melody, Elton's vocal range is amazing. The musicianship by all concerned is first rate. Perfect marriage of lyric and melody. Back in 1972 "Tiny Dancer" only made #41 on the Billboard chart. Rick puts it into perspective as the song has a slow buildup to the chorus and radio programmers' attention span wanted the 3-minute single. Brilliant, insightful presentation for a classic, gem of a song.
Sorry, but the bass at 5:31 on is sloppy, and now that I noticed this, it is sloppy throughout the song. A well written song with production issues, sorry...
@@petertrast Peter, respectfully, the bass playing by Dave Glover is good. The production by Gus Dudgeon is tip top. Gus also produced Davis Bowie's "Space Oddity". You have every right to your opinion but I'm then curious what you consider a great production then?
@@mastafull Oh so would I. Your statement seems to imply that playing "in time" doesn't occur without "programmed, autotuned and pitch corrected music" there are literally thousands of great songs with near perfect playing that far exceeds the bass line he highlighted. I am not saying it is horrible, just that I am surprised it is one of the relatively few songs he has chosen to talk about in this series. I personally love a laid back groove where the guitars, voice, or other instruments fall behind the beat. This is not that.
When you are this good, you can take as long as you want to get to a chorus. It's becoming apparent to me that many of us loved the songs Rick presents, although we didn't know exactly why. It seems that quality calls out to those who will hear it. It's often said "They don't write songs like that anymore", as if great songs are no longer written. I don't think that's true. They may not be in mainstream music, but they are out there, if you will hear them... :)
They are indeed. Musical talent didn't end a generation ago. If anything there's more talent now than ever. However, the mainstream pop industry is now a factory churning out gunk. Bypass all that and it's not that hard to find great music.
That's a great way to put it. My kids are surprised when I like something new and I will say to them I know good music when I hear it. In saying that give The Mysterines a listen.
I think one of the reasons Elton wrote such interesting melodies is because he had a relatively large vocal range and he used all those notes to soar all over. It's in these older songs like Tiny Dancer, Rocket Man, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
Heard Elton play this live 5 or 6 times over the years, but the scene from Almost Famous often come to mind when I hear it. Saw him on his 1st US tour and no one even knew who he was. Local radio played a song a day or two before the concert. I was 14 and have been a fan ever since.
60 year old guy and I still tear up every time I hear this. There goes the tough guy shield again Elton. Thankyou for being central to the soundtrack of my life.
@@docrockmusic6274 I was lucky enough to see Elton with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra tour of OZ, when his voice was still original. Those strings, when played by an orchestra, highlight how great he is as a composer. He played a final televised national concert at the end of the tour as a thankyou.
@@fhmconsulting4982 omg ur very lucky good sir. Im only 16 i wish to see elton on the final tour but life is too busy. Ive listened to his 2022 shows on yt and he still sounds phenomenal. The 2 year lockdown break rlly helped him.
The song was written in a time long ago before “don’t bore us get to the chorus “ became the norm. It was written to engage us to entertain us and enlighten us. It was a art project not a recipe for cash flow.
Oh, I'm not so sure I agree with that. Elton John's songs, and I DO like them, are nothing but pop sales-oriented songs with chord progressions that are meant to nab you amd not let go. Evidence for this can be that he did the same thing over and over and over - because IT SOLD. It worked. But I get what you were saying. It was sales music, but in a different time. The target market today is different, and so is what the people who TARGET the markets are promoting as popular. You KNOW they push what they want us to like.
So beautiful I cried. And we got the full Beato treatment here, complete with air drums, air guitar and air piano! Thank you Rick for this amazing breakdown of an iconic song. And thank you, Elton and Bernie, for your 50+ years of musical magical masterpieces!
It always makes me tear up as well. Such a powerfully emotive piece of music. Especially when it was played in the Californication TV show. Totally elevated that episode. Genius.
I recorded this song off the radio onto my walkman and listened to it a hundred times on a bus trip from Portland to Yreka. I could NOT believe what I was listening to, it was SO poignant and complex. It is a joy to hear you break it down and let us listen to its components. It only enhances my admiration of it. Thank you!!!
It's good to know there are still others out there who come from a time when recording off the radio programming was the fastest option to get ahold of a song!
@@DvorahDavida5778 It truly did! The current consumption of music, as if it were cereal off the supermarket shelf, makes it less special. There were those rituals to pick a record off the cabinet and put it on the turntable, or to select a number of tapes preparing for a car trip, which made you really appreciate what you would be listening to. I know I’m sounding like the “old man yells at cloud” meme, but that’s where we are now.
Rick, thank your for showcasing the absolutely greatest melodic song and composition. Episode 113, wow. Tiny Dancer. I grew up in Europe listening to Elton in the seventies and eighties. No wonder it brings me back in time. Your channel is the boss.
Rick - you might be interested to know that this was one of three numbers recorded in just one session. Roger Pope, drummer and bass player Dave Glover were working all day at their day job laying main drainage down in Andover, and they left work early with Roger covered in cement - no time to shower - to get to London to the studio. Roger said that it was hot in the studio and the cement was hardening mixed with the sweat !! lol. Also what a lot of people don't know is that the instrumental parts are not written down in notes and dots for them, the musicians just listen to Elton run through the number and then they add their own artistic interpretation for their instruments, so in fact they all create the number.
that's absolutely mad, and just one more anecdote to add to the fact that you don't need to know how to read music as long as your ear is good enough. although, if you want to be your very best, reading sheet music will get you far
It happens that just today I watched “Rocketman” and I appreciated this and other wonderful pieces much more. When you learn the context behind the song and what happens in the artist’s mind when he composed it, and on top, having Rick showing us all the little details, it’s a real treat.
Be careful thinking you are watching a true story when you are at the cinema... Movies often re-invent and bend facts for entertainment purposes.... Movie makers are telling a story that will sell and engage an audience -- Real lives are a much slower grind and it's not necessarily the truth that you are watching.
Rocketman is a good movie but it is full of many factual innacuracies. It can't be taken at face value. What it gets right is the general feel of Elton's struggle.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. But he and Bernie wrote so many great tunes. Another one that I would love for you to cover is "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters."
Yes. Tiny Dancer and Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters are perhaps (in my estimation) his two best (of many really good John/Taupin) songs. And I am so old I still have the original LPs bought when they first came out.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road makes me feel a range of emotions and stronger emotions than any other song I've ever heard. And Im a musician so Im a guy that naturally feels at least something from every song Ive ever heard so, to say It is not only my favorite Elton John songs, but I think it is one of the best pop/radio songs ever written is really saying something for me.
Listening to Rick break down this song makes me realize how listening to Elton John when I was growing up made me love these elements in other music. Elton is a master! And Rick’s love for music is infectious. Great episode all around.
I feel the same way. I still like Elton but I have never much liked his newer songs. Watching this video and hearing his vocals has stirred up the emotions I recall having with his early music and just how exciting and mysterious the music and the man seemed at the time. All you ever usually knew about a band was on the album cover which is next to nothing so I guess your imagination fills it all in.
@@lms2932 What are a couple of your favorite early Elton songs that may not have been hits? One of my favorites is "What Now St. Peter" though it seems to have a very dark theme.
I was a little kid when this came out.... I was so enthralled with the melody and story. One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Elton songs hands down with Levon. Madman Across the Water is one of the best albums. Watching Rick appreciate and FEEL the music while explaining the notes and chords is such a delight... The man LOVES Music which makes me love music more. NOW I KNOW WHY I LOVE THIS SONG. It is brilliant.
I remember seeing this performed on the Old Grey Whistle Test (UK music programme) with just Elton's vocal and piano and was immediately hit by the power of the song. As someone who until then was a full 'guitar band' person this certainly broadened my musical horizons.
I'd add that anyone in the 60yo to 80yo age group grew up listening to amazingly innovative and timeless music. I don't think we'll ever hear music like this again except on recordings. Thanx, Rick!
I think it’s sad that people think that…there’s great music coming out every day… it just doesn’t sell like the garbage today’s youth enjoy so you need to do a little digging.
Im 16 this dude has taken over my life. Cant stop listening to him. In fact even his modern albums are brilliant. Pure genius he still got it. The union and diving baord are out of this world.
It amazes me how much (at the tender age of 74) I still miss when I listen, re-listen, and re-re-listen to a song. My wife didn't believe I was a "true" musician....I could never make out the words. Everything else, pretty much so, just not words. Love your breakdown of the music....it tells me I have much to learn. Keeo up the excellent work.
“I got to talk to Paul Buckmaster once…” This is what separates and elevates Rick Beato above all else. The Professor’s connections provide insight and convey the authority of “been there, done that, knew them, played it, taught it…was there then and bringing it to you now”.
I always loved the "build" of this song... Starts with just a piano and his voice (and as if that's not enough), then adds a few instruments, then the choir, and the whole string section until you have this HUGE sound towards the end... Excellent choice for WMTSG!
Every time I watch one of your “What Makes This Song Great” I get a totally new perspective of a song I’ve heard hundreds if not thousands of times but never noticed certain aspects of the song before. Thank you Rick.
I could listen to this song for hours, especially the piano! I am 76 years old and have listened to Elton John since the beginning. I have lived during some of the best music ever written. I have been so blessed.🇺🇸
There’s a lot of talent in that song. Well…all of Elton’s songs. ❤ I just love and admire the fact there are so many people and so many instruments being played, and they all come together to form such beautiful music.
The first time I heard this gem was when I was traveling in my parents car heading towards my grandparents home...I was 5 or 6 and I thought...this is the best thing I have ever heard! Music has ruled my life ever since!
I heard this on the radio driving the kids today through a sunny country road, and looked in the rear view mirror to see my young ones grooving. Lovely.
Agreed. I especially like the tension in the chorus with the arpeggiated chords that Rick mentioned. First part they run up, teasing us, then back down. Second time around we get the full run up the keys to the release.
It's amazing that this song didn't even make the top 40 when it was released. It's become more timeless than many of Elton's bigger hits. Madman across the Water the album as a whole is one of Elton's greatest accomplishments.
I write songs as a hobby but when I listen to you especially on this song it makes me feel like giving up. But seriously I learned so much from you, thank you
Well, you need to do the opposite and write songs all day. However, if you notice all of the great rock and pop songs are written by people before they are in their mid-20's. Creativity and brain power are at their peak. But, Tin Pan Alley guys like Rodgers, Kern, Van Heusen, Arlen, Berlin et al. were able to do it to middle age. So, keep at it.
@@danielabilez3619 spot on comment 🎯 It sounds vain, but the most "authentic" songs I've ever heard were initially composed for an audience of 1? It doesn't have to be perfect except for that inner critic...👍
I enjoy all of your videos, Rick. But as a singer, I especially like it when you isolate the vocals. Elton has such a great voice. Absolutely no need for auto-tune! Thank you.
And to think, Elton was going to try to make it as a songwriter because he didn’t think his voice was good enough for performance. He’s actually the only person I know of who didn’t love his voice straight away.
I choose to sing Love Lies Bleeding on karaoke night in an Irish pub here(germany).Somewhat 2000 ish. The dj announced Elton John, title, nobody knew the song, people stared in awe as they were blown away expecting a ballad.. never ever had so much fun on stage killing the audience ! :-)
Just to add. Elton has a genuinely original voice on the piano. The same 88 notes as everyone else with a very different outcome. Not so easy on the piano. Sir Elton is a UK National Treasure.
I dont know what it is about this song, but I just love it soooo much. It just hits me right where I live and it almost makes me cry everytime I hear it...
Saw Elton during the Yellow Brick Road tour. I was sitting there during the opening and started feeling sick. Then I realized I was holding my breath. What a treasure he is.
The way Rick breaks down and separates each section of the song makes you appreciate the song even more. Thank you 😊Rick for showing us what real music is about.
I never noticed this song was over six minutes or that the chorus was delayed. The whole of it is so marvelous. It is a masterclass of building tension and drama through arranging and dynamics. And of course brilliant musicians to pull it off. One day they won't even know how to do this.
My favorite Elton John song is Someone Saved my life tonight. Especially with headphones on. The piano and drums are just incredible. I'm a couple of years older than you but I just love whenever you do a 70's song. Thank you for teaching me to really listen to the music.
So much of Elton's early albums feature brilliant production, song-writing and masterful playing and singing. For 1971 (one year after his first important album), it's important to remember that these arrangements were absolutely cutting edge. His 1970 self titled album with Paul Buckmaster string arrangements, made people sit up and really take notice as the style of arranging and production was so intimate compared to what else was in the charts at the time (think Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, David Bowie etc. etc.)
@@BifMcAwesome Yes, it's really good too. I love all of the early albums all the way up to and including Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The song writing both from Bernie and Elton is quite fantastic. Also amazing the amount of material they produced in those 2-3 years.
Buckmaster and Dudgeon were heavily involved with Soace Oddity. In fact Rick Wakeman played organ on a track on the madman album as well as mellotron on Bowie Space Oddity and there were a number of other musicians who worked with both musicians, that is to say David Bowie and Elton John
That sequence in Almost Famous where they sing this on the tour bus to cheer up their lead singer was a really special moment. Such a beautiful song so well delivered. The way the song builds up to the chorus is really special, like he knew it was something special.
This takes me back to my 14th birthday when I was given a cassette player by my parents. I can't remember how I was able to obtain the Caribou cassette tape but it was my first introduction to Elton John. I must have played that cassette a thousand times. I've been a life long fan of Elton ever since. One time I was dating a woman and we were standing in her living room and she put on the LP Don't shoot me I'm only the Piano player. It blew my mind that she knew the words to Texan Love Song. We sang it together. One of the most intimate times in my life. Thank you for the video Rick. Awesome as always.
Nobody did piano chords like Elton. Early Elton is a goldmine of wonderful songs. The perfect collaboration of his melodies and bernies lyrics plus the backing harmonies of davey, dee and nigel. Perfection
Although I'm a generation Z guy, actually I was born in wrong decade as my favourite music comes from 70s/80s and my all time favourite artist is Elton John. It trully made my day watching you vibing to Elton John's Tiny Dancer...
I love how you break down the complexity of every song and the enthusiasm you possess doing it. It is so enjoyable to watch and listen to. I’m addicted ha ha
One of my all time favourites, and it also appears in one of my favourite films, "Almost Famous". The band sings along to it on the tour bus after a heavy night.
There's a great story in Elton's memoir about the recording of the Madman album--they completed it in just four days. They'd actually booked five, but the night before recording sessions were to begin, Paul Buckmaster stayed up to finish writing the arrangements... and spilled a bottle of ink over the only copy of the score. He wrote the entire score again. In 24 hours.
I have to say I am not a musician and I really don’t under the complexities of the music but I really enjoy Rick breaking down these songs and his enthusiasm for all music
Rick, what a great breakdown. Back in those rich days when this music was coming out, nobody was "waiting for the chorus", (except A&R guys - thoughts&prayers) because everything before and after it was just so damn good.
The song wasn't a hit initially. It wasn't released in the UK as a single and "only" reached 41 in the US. For Elton John's reps, that was considered a failure based on the success of 'Friends' and 'Your Song,' and 'Levon' making it the first song released in the US not to hit the top 40 since Border Song in 1970. It didn't make it to Gold status as a single until 2005 and then went platinum in 2011. It sold better in those 6 years than it had in the previous 30 years combined due to digital sales. Is it a GREAT song? Yes. Great doesn't mean successful. A ton of these songs Rick does aren't the most financially rewarding for artists. He did Bohemian Rhapsody for Queen - which is probably their greatest song, is extremely long for a pop song, doesn't even HAVE a chorus, and didn't even hit number 1 in the US when it first came out - but Another One Bites the Dust (a 3 minute diddy) was their best selling single up until a decade or so ago just like Elton John. You could do that with probably half of the 100+ videos that Rick picks I'm sure. Don't think audiences or A&R are much different today than they were in the 70s. They were releasing bubble gum 2 minute jams back then, too. Get to the hook was as much a theme then as it is today. Elton John simply had enough clout after Your Song to push past it.
What can I add that hasn’t already been said? Yet another heartfelt, incredible, educational, ‘puts a smile on your face’ analysis by the great RB! Please don’t ever stop making these videos!
From the point of view of a music lover with very little musical knowledge or aptitude: watching these is like hanging out in the basement with your cool uncle. Rick gets so much joy out of great musicianship, and he spreads the enthusiasm and shares the wealth of knowledge he has. I've loved Elton since 1970 and now I love him even more. And I love you, Rick Beato!
Tiny Dancer was the first song of Elton's I ever heard. My sister brought the record home when it came out. It always deepens my love of music to have Rick's insights and analysis.
