@AirplayBeats reacts to Elton John - Levon Like comment and subscribe patreon.com/user?u=81569817 Airplay Beats 3609 Bradshaw Rd Ste H #337 Sacramento, CA 95827 Www.Airplaybeats.com
Characters are fictional according to Bernie Taupin, but Levon was the son of Alvin Tostig, born as the War (presumably WWIi) was starting. As war generations do, Levon focused on making his money. His son Jesus, born into a rich family business, just wanted to get away from it. Just a beautiful song about fairly typical family generational dynamics. Elton can make anything sound bigger than it is and this song is sonically gorgeous.
They already reacted to BDtM, on my suggestion. It was early in their Elton exploration, and I think they may have been put off by it being so different from later Elton.
Levon epitomizes the songwriting dynamic between Taupin and Elton. No one but Elton could have turned Taupin’s lyrics - which do not seem at all like any song I’ve ever heard - into this masterpiece.
Levon has the best piano intro of any pop song ever, and I think you guys are discovering, track by track, that Madman Across The Water is Elton's masterpiece.
Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements on this album are monumental. Check out Indian Sunset and the transition into Holiday Inn. Not only is it outstanding but does a wonderful job of transitioning from the heartbreak reflected in Indian Sunset into the commercialism of Holiday Inn. Great Album. One of his all-around best
In Susan Black's book Elton John in His Own Words, Elton says of "Levon": "It's about a guy who just gets bored doing the same thing. It's just somebody who gets bored with blowing up balloons and he just wants to get away from it but he can't because it's the family ritual." When Rolling Stone asked Taupin about the song in 2013, he insisted that he has no idea what he intended as the meaning. "It was a free-form writing," he said. "It was just lines that came out that were interesting."
Great lyricists--Taupin, McCartney, Fagen, Paul Simon--say that indirectness and mystery in lyrics is important. Much better having the listener bringing their own interpretation. Taupin loves and emulates classic American western novelists. That sense of raw place.
The most mind blowing thing for me about EJ, is how Bernie Taupin could finish the lyrics of a new song, hand them off to Elton, and the dude sat down and would knock out these brilliant and amazing songs we all know and love, right off the top of hi head, in less than an hour a lot of times...some greats he wrote in 20 minutes! How does THAT work!? The man's musical genius is on another level..
You can be guaranteed everything from Elton will be a huge fantastic production... I'm going to second the "Burn Down the Mission" suggestion.. The piano is magnificent and drives the entire song.
I've been waiting for you guys to do this song. This is definitely my favorite song by EJ. I think the lyrics are very interesting but the delivery here, everything about this recording is perfect. The elegant piano intro, the arrangement, the vocals. But the orchestra was brilliant the vocals and the strings complimented each other beautifully. This album didn't have any top 40 hits but Levon, Tiny Dancer, Madman, Razor Face and Holliday Inn are all first rate. Elton really hit his stride with this album. The performances and production were top level. This era - 1970, 72 and 73 was, in my opinion, the best time for Rock music. So many masterpieces hit at this time.
Dont forget about Rotten Peaches and Indian Sunset now! LOL. Those are also such great deep cuts along with the others you mentioned. Every single song on this album is just SO damn good! It's his best album for me. I've listened to it well over a hundred times at least since it came out.
You two appreciating this song is making me smile ear to ear. I just adore you guys for your ability to see talent!! ❤❤ Do the rest of side 1 from this....do Razor Face!! It's another banger!!
This album and the ones before them are, in my opinion, much better than the commercial stuff, which I also loved....🎉❤P.S. Where to Now, St. Peter? Was a favorite of mine. The entire Tumbleweed Connection album was truly a great album. 🌠
Incredible song both lyrically and musically. A little context: In January 1966, the New York Times ran a piece about the then-new debate about how society was becoming more secular and God was being “written out” of science and stuff like that. The article had the headline, “Religion; ‘God Is Dead’ Debate Widens.” There was a text box on the bottom of the page that said “God is Dead.”
I remember being like 6 yrs old, Mom's would take older sis to Kmart to get some clothes. She'd come back with a 45 record of Elton. We'd play it on our little catalog bought record player. We didn't have much in those days but we did have some great music.
So glad you got here. Tumbleweed Connection and Madman are two very special albums from the many successful LP’s throughout his long career. Enjoying your reactions. 👈
This is from my adolescence. We all were spoiled in the 70s with artist's such as Elton John, That's why it's harder for my generation to accept today's music as something valid. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, such as Metallica or U2. Modern Rock Music was pioneered by artist's that existed in the 70s, and has expanded exponentially from that source. The 70s are the greatest decade in Rock history, and if you don't believe me, look it up.
Nothing like Elton in the morning. We need some All the Girls Love Alice or maybe even Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. More Elton please!!!!!!
You're discovering Elton's greatest music--his early 70s work, Elton John through Honky Chateau. Please keep it up, you won't be disappointed--so much better and more soulful than his later better-known albums.
This is one of those Elton John tracks that when you hear it you cry and then you never can get away from that feeling. it's beautifully produced as well
Two other great tracks from this album are 'Madman Across the Water' and 'Indian Sunset'. This is one of Elton's best 5 albums and personally my fav. Others being, 'Tumbleweed Connection', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Honky Chateau' and 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy'. Cheers ✌
Paul Buckmaster arranged those fantastic strings on Levon, and many other early Elton songs. And yes, you nailed it: Elton came out of the womb playing the piano--a true prodigy. As a youth, Elton applied to a music school--the interviewer played a classical piece on the piano, and asked Elton if he could play it. He said yes, played for a while, and stopped. The interviewer asked him why he'd stopped, and he said "Because that's all you played." He didn't know the piece, but immediately played it by ear.
This song always struck me as so sad, even the first time I heard it in the 70s at maybe 11, 12? Caught my ear early on and it’s still a favorite. The strings catch you by surprise and from there it’s just majestic.
Fun Facr Most of all heavy metal artists Love EJ I’m a metal head myself Nothing but Metal and Hard Rock But when I wanna chill Elton is the gateway When you head Bang 24 hours a day our relief sometimes is Sir Elton
Enjoy watching you react to some of my personal favorites by a true legend. This era of Elton actually helped me through some tough times..Brings back memories of having to report for draft physical, pending induction. These were anxious times for high school grads without college options.... Thanks guys.
Elton's got a bunch of albums that are freaking awesome! Give a listen to Burn Down the Mission from Tumbleweed Connection. That song is AMAZING! The combination of Bernie Taupin and Elton John for lyrics and music was pure magic.
"I would always say, this album is his masterpiece! Until the next one came along!" THANK YOU for reacting to this sonic masterpiece from a certified genius on the piano! "Burn Down the Mission"; "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"; "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters"; "The Bitch Is Back". THANK YOU!
Elton's music could be classified as rock/pop, but he draws on many genres for his compositions, of course. Taupin's lyrics are sheer poetry. Thanks for your reaction.
I remember my best friend and me sporting our Elton John t-shirts in the 70s, laying around listening to his music with our big headphones on. He was the best. Hit after hit-he was a machine.
I saw Elton John in Lincoln Center in ‘98. It was a private show for the company I was working for at the time. The greatest thing about it was that it was just him and and a grand piano and he only played the best songs!! Like this song.
Thank you for your reaction to this song! I was in high school when this album came out. One day I was ditching class and found a stray cat at a McDonald's. I brought him home and named him Levon. Best pet I ever had!
One of my favorite albums by Elton. He gets real funky on song Susie on Honky Chateau album ,another amazing album of his❤❤ have a great day my brothers💖💖💖
Would love for you to watch Genesis live ABACAB, (abacab stood for verses, bridge, verse, chorus, ... but it changed but kept Monaco which means nothing so do t waste time figuring itout). Enjoy the live performance
