@AirplayBeats reacts to Elton John - Tiny Dancer Like comment and subscribe patreon.com/user?u=81569817 Airplay Beats 3609 Bradshaw Rd Ste H #337 Sacramento, CA 95827 Www.Airplaybeats.com
But like most of us who lived it, I think we sort of took it for granted. We had THE best music coming at us from EVERY direction and, while we were very much into it, we just didn’t realize what we were living through. God I wish the world could’ve just stopped right there !!!
Elton was awarded a scholarship at age 11 to the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was asked in an interview how he could have a top 25 record every year for 25 years. He replied, “I write hymns. Everyone loves hymns. Everyone loves hymns.”
Cameron Crowe is a crazy rock and roll guy. 2 iconic movies about his life (Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Almost Famous) and then of course the hit movies he wrote (chief among them being Jerry Maguire). Legend. They should absolutely watch Almost Famous. The basis of the fictional band was the Allman Brothers. Crowe landed a ABB interview for his first cover story for Rolling Stone magazine at age 16. At the end of the tour Gregg asked for all the interview tapes back thinking Cameron was an undercover cop. Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.
The lyrics are by Bernie Taupin, Elton’s writing partner. The song is about Bernie’s girlfriend and future wife (you’ll marry a music man). It also describes the LA scene of the early 70’s, Elton’s debut at the Troubadour on the Sunset Strip (the boulevard is not that bad…) The song is fantastic and one of my favorites.
It also turned into a kind of omage to the the other wives and girlfriends of the band as they realized the things Taupin was writing about his wife truly applied all around. I love the descriptions of the 70's LA scene in general.
And I saw that show in the Columbus, OH stadium that we in the area affectionately called "The Shoe". I went to that show with my parents, and it was a sing along night, one of those shows both generations knew every word to every song that was played! Still one of my favorite concert experiences to this day.
The song is a huge part in the movie Almost Famous. The scene in the movie where this comes in just perfect. It really is the feeling of living through those years (70s) of such incredible music and the way it brought people together. We could use another musical revelation in this country like that again. You should definitely check out the film.
Hi guys! They say who she is in the song in the line, "seamstress for the band " She made the band's outfits! Check out Elton John's amazing array of on-stage get-ups throughout his career.
1974, I'm in a little Italian pizza place in San Francisco to eat before going over to Oakland to watch Bob Dylan at the Colosseum. Tiny Dancer came on over the speakers. When I remember the day I saw Dylan play, the memory of Elton John singing Tiny Dancer always comes to mind first. And I'm a Dylan freak! Beautiful song.
He tells you who she is in the first couple lines. “Seamstress for the Band”, written by lyricist Bernie Taupin about his wife Maxine, who also did all the needlework for art of the album cover/sleeve . On the road on one of his first tours of America. There’s a great tune on the same album called, “Holiday Inn”, which continues the road/touring theme.
Sir Elton was the King of Pop in the 70s. Check out his songs "Levon", "Burn Down the Mission", "Take Me To the Pilot", "Have Mercy On the Criminal" and "Daniel". On a side note, you guys should do a reaction to the song "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" by Traffic. Great jam.
He and Billy Joel are epic pianists. Bernie Taupin writes his lyrics while Billy does his own so always respected that a bit more...hard to top this song
Billy Joel is hugely talented as a songwriter and his career is testament to that. It’s true that Elton doesn’t write lyrics but he’s a masterful composer and melody writer. It’s hard to imagine the lyrics of Tiny Dancer without Elton’s music. Lots of old time songwriting partners wrote like Elton and Bernie Taupin where one write the lyrics and the other the music.
I love when a song knocks y’all sideways. The chorus is one of the biggest sing alongs that I can think of for drunken nights, parties, anything. To really experience the fun, watch the scene in “Almost Famous” when they sing along with this. It’s just beautiful and encapsulates the joy and uplifting power of music to bring us together. ❤
Bought this when it came out. Cost $3.99, paid with my babysitting money. ($1.00hr) His best album. Played it for ten yrs. Wore it out. One of the few albums you could play through each side and every song was gold.
I love the way you two make me so much more appreciative of music I grew up with and loved along. Though I don't have the music verbage down pat as I am just a music listener and have no knowledge of bridges, hooks ect I still feel like I am learning to love these songs so much more thanks to you guys. Thanks for the reaction!
The thing I love about him is that he may be this big "Queen", Rockstar, but read an interview and you see that he is totally down to earth, and not afraid to say what he thinks.
I think one of the reasons I've loved this music since the 70s and my teen years, is because of how "soulful" it is. That, and the mixing. You can hear every instrument. What an amazing composition. I so appreciate your comments on these songs. Thanks guys!!
You found the masterpiece and your lives will never be the same. I’m 59 and Tiny Dancer still touches my soul. Elton John and a select few other bands from that era are the Picassos and Michelangelos of music.
Same here. And I remember so many of my older cousins and the neighborhood kids saying I was too young to get it. I got it! And I was around to listen to plenty more stellar hits on the radio concerts, new albums, new tours. It's my turn to tell the youngsters they really missed out!
You have to see the superb movie, Almost Famous. Set in the 70s, a kid lying about his age tours with a band to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine. The music is top notch, and it's oh, so satisfying.
This was all over the radio when I was a little kid. It's kinda crazy, but we grew up back then taking music like this for granted because the hits just kept coming with new classics nearly every month if not every week. How lucky we were...
This is their fourth studio album released in 1971 and this was Elton John's first "prog. rock" album. This album "Madman Across The Water" contains nine tracks each of which were composed and performed by John and the lyrics were written by songwriter and partner Bernie Taupin, along with "YES" keyboardist Rick Wakeman who plays a Hammond organ on two songs. There were two singles released from this album this one you listened to and here's the second, if interested. "Elton John - Levon (1971) Live at the BBC Studios" --the album was certified Gold in 1972 and followed up to be Platinum in 1998 by the RIAA. This has been really fun, and I thank you for sharing. peace out, bro.
Pure masterpiece, one of the best of the best Elton John songs! We've been singing along with this on the radio since the 70s, screaming the chorus. How lucky we were to have this kind of music.
Check out Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters 🔥🔥🔥 Also, please check out Empty Garden (hey, hey Johnny) which was his tribute to his friend John Lennon after he was so tragically taken from us ❤
My mom had everything he did and as a young kid with an uncle as a Radio Shack big wig and we had modified bad ass stuff with killer headphones and a system the whole town could ENJOY and wore his albums out. Saw him 3 times, and that guy rocks!
You guys crack me up, my friend and I were exactly like this back in college. We'd sit around listening to whatever new obsession we'd just gotten hip to and there a thousand times when we'd suddenly hit each other with that, "Did you hear that? Are you effing kidding me?" glance. There are few things better than art when it moves and surprises you.
Great reaction guys. Elton always surprises. Who puts a slide guitar with orchestral instruments?! Elton....that's who! I highly recommend "Tell Me When the Whistle Blows" for a bluesy feel.
The strings on this album, and on this song especially are so amazing. They are sprinkled in, in all the right places and they just add so much richness to the song(s). This is my favorite EJ album, Yellow Brick Road, then Capt Fantastic. That period from his 1st album through Capt Fantastic were jaw dropping examples of his best writing, his most inhuman musical talent and genius during that period. Those are the albums that made him the legend that he is.
The album before this one is called "Tumbleweed Connection", some of Bernie Taupins most evocative lyrics. First heard "Your Song" when it came out in 1970, we just knew we had witnessed the emergence of a major talent. 50 years of music later, and Reg Dwight (his real name) can stll kill a piano..
You guys are so entertaining watching and listening to your reactions! Madman Across The Water has one of the best first sides of an album in music history!
Elton was and is worth every penny he ever made..If you grew up in the 70's Elton John has a song for everyone's life at certain times in our past..Now these young folks can appreciate this Man's music .
From Songfacts... The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's writing partner, and were inspired by Taupin's first trip to America. John and Taupin are from England, and Madman Across The Water was the first album they wrote after spending time in the US. Taupin and John spent a lot of time together in the '70s; Bernie traveled with the band and would usually stand by the soundboard during shows. The "blue jean baby, LA Lady, seamstress for the band" sure sounds it's Maxine Feibelmann, who was Bernie Taupin's girlfriend when he wrote the song and who became his first wife in 1971. She traveled with the band on their early tours, often sewing together the costumes and fixing their clothes. Plus, on the Madman Across The Water album, it says, "With love to Maxine" under the credits for this song. Elton John even said at one point that Bernie wrote it about his girlfriend. Well, Taupin says that the song is not about Maxine. Here's the story he tells: "We came to California in the fall of 1970, and sunshine radiated from the populace. I was trying to capture the spirit of that time, encapsulated by the women we met - especially at the clothes stores up and down the Strip in LA. They were free spirits, sexy in hip-huggers and lacy blouses, and very ethereal, the way they moved. So different from what I'd been used to in England. And they all wanted to sew patches on your jeans. They'd mother you and sleep with you - it was the perfect Oedipal complex." Taupin adds that the "tiny" was poetic license, although these women were all petite. And "Tiny Dancer" sounds a lot better than "Small Dancer" or "Little Dancer." This song ripened into one of Elton John's classics, but it didn't even crack the Top 40 when it was released, peaking at #41 in America in 1972. In the UK and most other territories, it wasn't released as a single. Its chart failure has a lot to do with its 6:12 running time, making it too long for many radio stations. Also, Elton was only on the precipice of stardom at the time, his biggest hit being "Your Song" at #8. Part of the song's enduring popularity owes to how it was never overplayed - when it comes on the radio, it seems special. The Madman Across The Water album was much more heavily produced than Elton's first three. It was one of his first songs with a lush string section arranged by Paul Buckmaster, who arranged the stings on many of Elton's albums as well as songs by The Rolling Stones, Train, and Leonard Cohen. Ron Cornelius, who played guitar on Cohen's album Songs Of Love And Hate, told us: "Buckmaster is a wonderful string arranger, he's just one of these guys who can make an orchestra talk. In other words, if the strings aren't saying something, it ain't on the record." Ten different backup vocalists are credited on this track, including bass player Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson, both of whom became played on many of Elton's later recordings, but not on this one: session man David Glover played bass and Roger Pope was on drums. Other backup vocalists include songwriter Roger Cook ("Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" by The Hollies) and the duo Sue & Sunny (Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie). Additional personnel are: Davey Johnstone - acoustic guitar Caleb Quaye - electric guitar B. J. Cole - steel guitar
Elton is a masterful composer and melody writer. His music was played on black R&B stations in the 70s. Bennie and the Jets and Philadelphia Freedom were staples on black stations. He was the first white pop start to appear on Soul Train. The second one was David Bowie.
You guys and every single person born after 1990 would LOVE to have live in the 70's. I am Soooooooo Blessed and Grateful for not only growing up as a young kid through my high school years (class of 1989) but also as a musician (pianist / percussionist) and played these wonderful songs you are exploring now... Better late than never! This was Elton at his best. He collaborated with Tupin on so many hits. The song Mad Hatters and Mona Lisa is one OUTSTANDING song. The albums Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, this album you're listening to now, Captain Fantastic, Tumbleweed Connection, Honky Chateau, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player are classic authentic Elton John days. A MUST dive into if you want to really understand and appreciate the mastery of the music of the 70's.
Of all the things I've accomplished in my life, being a teenager and growing up in the 70's with all the music at that time, is an accomplishment I would gladly do all over again. Old school class of 77...
This song is about Bernie Taupin's (Elton's lyricist) future wife. She actually was a dancer and sewed costumes for the band. He's also referring to the L.A. music scene in the early 70's. Always one of my favorites.
Early Elton John albums had a certain Je ne sais quoi (special feeling quality), that reached out and touched people's hearts and emotions. That difference you hear then is less prevalent in much of today's hits. Different times, different feelings. Great job bringing the Madman Across The Water tunes to light for so many of your fans. Great job; we appreciate your hard work.
What a great album ! I was lucky to have a beautiful older sister who would be given albums like that one by guys who wanted to score points with her. She wasn’t even much of a music fan, so all those classic 70’s albums became mine by default as they stacked up next to our living room stereo.
PS. "Tiny Dancer" is Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin's wife, who he met on their first trip to LA, where they were blown away by the beauty and freedom. This is a love song to his wife. "Piano man, he makes his stand, in the auditorium "Looking on, she sings the songs, the words she knows, the tunes she hum" Yes, early Elton is like nothing else, and soulful and brilliant.
Elton John was a child prodigy on piano, awarded a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 11. In the 60's he was in a rhythm and blues band called Bluesology. Heavily influenced by R&B and gospel music. I know he played piano and sang backup for a few Motown groups as well, including the Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle. Along with "Madman Across the Water" he released 4 albums in a 1-year period, 1970-71. Elton John is the REAL DEAL.
I have been lucky enough to see Elton live on stage a few times over the years and believe me when I say that he is even better in concert! Im so glad you opened the door to the brilliant pairing of Bernie and Elton and their amazing catalogue.
Do you guys know anything about Bernie Taupin and Elton John. Bernie Taupin would send Lyrics to Elton John, and Elton would put it to music. hit after hit after hit......Two geniuses
EJ and his team were hitting on all cylinders during this period. One would be hard pressed to match his first 5-7 albums. His sound was so incredibly unique at the time. A British singer with a bluesy, soulful, country sound was fresh. This album is a masterpiece, though I have to go with Tumbleweed Connection as my favorite. In fact, I have TC on right now as I am typing this. I enjoy your videos.
Tumbleweed Connection is my favorite EJ album (though it’s close). His eponymous album & Honky Chateau are up there too, but you really can’t go wrong with anything from ‘70-‘76.
I would love to watch an several hours long interview with both Bernie & Elton at the table, describing songs and the process in which they were created. The back and forth and the inspirations that went into each song. I've enjoyed Elton since i was a kid, I'm 62 and one of my first record albums was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I was 12. Please, please someone make this masterful collaboration duo sit down and have this conversation for all of posterity.