ELTON JOHN "FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND/LOVE LIES BLEEDING" (reaction) 

Sometimes you have to stand in awe of the genius of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Absolute classic so happy to hear it again. I still hoping someone requests, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters!"

Absolute masterpiece! Elton actually wrote "Funeral for a Friend" with his OWN funeral in mind. The passing of a British knight - Sir Elton. Thanks for your reaction.

I think that Mozart would have fuckin’ _loved_ this: especially the first part! But probably the whole thing. Great reaction! Keep exploring Elton. You won’t be disappointed.

Back when I was going for my degree in music, a friend at school and I formed a band. Since he played keys, he was a huge fan of Billy Joal and Elton John. For our graduation, with me on guitar, we played these songs together and rocked that school to its foundation. 🤘🤘

What I love about this...and Elton from this period, was the band. Songs like this were created in such an odd way. They would live where the studio was located. The Lyricist (Bernie Taupin) would write the lyrics on his own and present them to Elton. Elton would choose a song to work on, and spend about 15 minutes putting a song to music. Then he'd play and sing the song on a piano/keyboard to the band once or twice, and they would plan what they would do for it...with no input from Elton at all. Then off to the studio, they'd mess around for a few minutes, the red light would go on, and they'd just play the song. Usually they'd play 2-4 takes till they got it (sometimes they got it in one take. 'Daniel' was a one-take), and then...move on to the next song. The backing vocals were also the band. They wrote and recorded them on their own, after everything else was done. IMO they were also geniuses. Nigel Olsson on drums/vocals, the late Dee Murray on bass/vocals and Davey Johnstone on guitars/vocals...and the original Elton John Band was Nigel and Dee with Elton, as a trio. Their live album 11-17-70 shows off how amazing they were, in particular live. Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding they decided to play as one thing (they were originally two separate songs), but it was decided to play them back to back, and they were recorded as one 11+ minute song. So this is live playing, and was recorded as it was being created. Elton said that at that time they would be able to write/record/produce on average four songs a day. From 1970-75 he released 9 studio albums, including the double-album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (that counts as one).

Great reaction to a superb song. Originally two separate songs. Funeral for a Friend was what Elton wanted played at his funeral. Love Lies Bleeding compares the end of a relationship to a flower dying. Pure genius

A double album without a single dud on it. A modern day masterpiece.

I saw him last year for the first time EVER! PHENOMENAL musician.

Interesting to note that “Love Lies Bleeding” is a type of flower.

That iteration of the EJB was so tight.

As vast and varied Elton's huge and masterful body of work is, I consider this to truly be his "Magnum Opus."

unrivaled 70's sound production!

The song is not about a death, It is about the end of a long relationship. This is my all time favorite, been listening to it since I was 10 years old in 1974.

Elton opened many shows over the years with this song. The beginning of Funeral for a Friend is arranged as a Dirge.

This sounds as good 50 years later ❤️🔥❤️

THATTTT WAS THE OPENINGGGG TRACK YOU GUYS FOR HIS EPICC (73) DOUBLE LP ( GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD ) 😊

50 years ago. This is Elton proving that he could Progressively Rock with anyone. And 1973 saw the release of this album, of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" and of Genesis, "Selling England by the Pound", two of the best Progressive Rock albums ever, by bands that defined the genre.

I was able to see him live in concert in 1980 something on the 11th row in Houston Texas .He opened with these 2 songs with dry ice fog lifting from the stage then out comes Elton in a huge bunny costume..lol. it was an awesome concert!,

Elton John at his best...I love it!

Classical music of old is just rock and/or heavy metal without electricity

Fun fact: "Love Lies Bleeding" is a variety of red roses. The roses in the window box have tilted to one side... Love Lies Bleeding in my hands". Good old Bernie. Great to stumble across you guys again--perhaps because of Elton John. I don't know how far you have gone into his later catalog, but I consider Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy his last great, classic album. It's worth reacting from beginning to end. Glad you're still with us. I'm a fan. All the best.

This was Elton at the peak of his powers. This was a double album with banger after banger.😅

Does anybody remember KMET in Los Angeles ? This was the last song they played before they changed to dentist-office music in 1986.

I worked at a new wave/classic rock nightclub on Staten Island in the '80s in a huge old art deco theater. This was always the first song when we opened the doors. It filled the big empty space nice and cleaned out the speakers as our guests arrived.

A progressive rock masterwork by Elton John…

The whole album is so freaking good. Songs are exceptional and Gus Dudgeon did awesome producing it.

The first track that got me into Elton. The closest he got to prog rock. Still brilliant after 50 years

Billy cant pound the keys like this guy

My absolutely favorite from Sir Elton is LEVON, which doesn't get much love from reactors. It is on "Madman Across the Water". Greatest Bernie Taupin line ever.

Manchester Belle Vue. I was there at the concert when he released the album. We were rocking from the flagpoles to this. 50 years on and it still sounds great.

Guy’s try the song “Ticking “ by Elton earlier song but subject matter it could have been written last week! His piano is great in this one too!👌🏻

Best song off his best album. It's great when he starts the live show with this. Berzerkely Greek Theatre summer 1983. Only F----n $20🤑😁 IHe recently retired. The reason he is so flashy is because most other lead musicians don't have to sit behind a huge grand piano. He wanted to be noticed.

Right?!!! It’s just superb to me. I always say “why didn’t at least “Love Lies Bleeding” make the radio?” but with all his hits and the way it flows from the end of “Funeral for a Friend” I guess it makes sense. Semi-inspired me to write a play based off this album. (In my head anyway😄) Happy y’all got to hear it!

50 years ago ! 1973 epic double album

Brilliant. The song of a thousand hooks. Thanks for the reaction.

Just watched the empty sky video Psyched for this one! Love you guys

Elton wrote Funeral for a Friend as something that could be played at his funeral.

Elton did prog?! Wish he'd done it more

I am more of a Billy Joel fan but this song is a work of art !

One of my EJ favs

I'm sorry the song about Marilyn Monroe is Candle in the Wind😅😅

My sister's partner passed last week... he loved this cut.....thanks.

Noticed you turning up the volume. This song is best loud!

This song is about Marilyn Monroe😊😊😊😊❤❤❤

Eltons version of Prog

You might l the Rolling Stone 2000 Light Years From Home

Elton won't get more "progressive" than this.

One of the only EJ songs that I can say I *really* like. Most of his stuff is too pop-ish for me.

Aural perfection; if you going to give some aural, make it the best!

More from Liberace. The first half is rock n roll for superficial radio listeners, the second half is him, yet again, taking kudos for Bernie's talent. Wish he'd never took music up and stuck to what he does best, kidney shuffling