You are 100% SPOT ON. This is the Elton that I (and the rest of America) fell in love with. The earliest is the best... unfortunately, his voice changed in the late 80's (I could be wrong on the time, but this is just by memory, I have not looked up the exact date) because of vocal cord lesions that had to be removed which changed his voice forever.. not that it's bad, but it's not the same. I am hoping that they hit Madman Across The Water eventually.. I think of all of the songs, it's my fave!
@@rainydaydreamawy Totally agree, liked him when he first came out but after disco hit... just YUCK to all that fell to it. I just couldn't with the whole disco thing. EVER. But Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is incredible... before the huge sellout. ;)
In my opinion, this is Sir Elton John's most beautiful song! Ps. This song scene in the film "Almost Famous" is wonderful. "Almost Famous" is a fantastic film for Rob Squad Movies!!! (You'll LOVE it!)
You went over 4 minutes before taking your first pause, which says a lot about how this song impacted you! Absolutely my favorite Elton John song and an underappreciated classic. This song is so very deep and beautiful with rich layers! Yes, that is a mandolin you're referring to.
With you 100% TrashWerewolf. So good to see J and Amber submerge in the beauty of this song. It’s long been (I think) my fave EJ song of all time - exquisite lyrics and sentiment by Bernie. I first saw Elton live in London in 1974, and lastly in Bristol, England this June 2022. Awesome to see Elton and so many of the same band playing so many of the same songs, as great now as when I was a teen. This one tops ‘em all.
Oh, how I love this song and not just because I’m a New Yorker. Bernie Taupin is a writing genius. “I thank the lord there are people out there like you.”
Omg, I cannot hear this without thinking of the scene from Almost Famous (same for Tiny Dancer.) Such a beautiful, bittersweet song!!! Always gives me chills! I love how your conbination of interpretations, talking about illusions and dreams and not looking up and being buried in what's in front of their faces and not appreciating the vastness of the world... reminded me a little bit of The Matrix 😁 And Almost Famous has GOT to be on your movie list-- a love letter to rock and roll, and y'all have such a wonderful base to be able to truly appreciate the music in it!!! 🥰
Which also ties into Heart, since Nancy Wilson of Heart curated the entire score/soundtrack because she was married to Cameron Crowe for years. She did an incredible track on that soundtrack called Cabin in the Air.
When he's watching her having the tube pushed down her throat, and realizes he loves her. ❤ One of the best movies ever. Such a true reflection of us who grew up in that time. ✌
Agree. "Almost Famous" is made for you. And unlike SNF, you will walk away feeling good about the world. And BTW, the instrument is a Mandolin (you watch Little Stevie play it next to Bruce Springsteen in the "Glory Days" video).
This is from the 1972 album, Honky Château. Bernie Taupin wrote it after his first visit to New York City, where he was shocked to hear gunfire outside his hotel window. At his 60th birthday party at Madison Square Gardens, Elton said this was one of his favorite tunes, which he has performed over a 100 times in concert. Beautiful song with a great story. Great interpretation guys. Great reaction. Buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada ❤️ ❤️ 🇨🇦🇨🇦
It’s a mandolin, Amber. Such a beautiful song. I think you’ll find the album this is from, Honkey Chateau, has a very different sound from his other albums. Almost every song is great. The one you probably already know is Rocket Man. Most all of them are worth a listen. I especially like Amy.
I think thats true of much of his early work. I don"t think Tumbleweed Connection sounded like any other album of his either Evem Don't Shoot Me.... and Madman across the Water are different I think Elton John got into his more formulaic kind of albums somewhere around Yellow Brick Road when he really started pouring out singles. It still had it's moments but he was getting more pop sounding I feel.
I also really liked Caribou after GBYBR, and then Captain Fantastic. There was also the big #1 non-album singles around there with Lucy in the Sky, Pinball Wizard, and Philadelphia Freedom. I had a little revolt starting with Rock of the Westies when his sound changed and of course the band shake-up.
Every time Davey Johnstone’s mandolin comes in, I start to cry, and it’s been happening for 50 (gulp!) years. So fortunate to have heard him sing this live on 7/23/22 at MetLife Stadium here in NJ. He announced at the second show at Met Life the next night that it was the last time he would perform it live. That July 23rd performance was very emotional for me. It was the 11th, and possibly the last time I would be seeing him live. The first was July, 1976, a week before I turned 19 and this was a week after I turned 65. (Yes, I cried at other times that night too, but it was so dang hot, you couldn’t tell if I was crying or sweating! 😁).
Bernie would Present Elton with A page full of Lyrics .....and incredibly Elton could straight up produce The Music to mesh with Bernie's Lyrics...... Absolutely Incredible Cheers From Australia
One interpretation of the song: "Elton John wrote almost all of his songs with lyricist Bernie Taupin. “Mona Lisa’s and Mad Hatters” is about the disillusionment Taupin felt while in the big city. How do you feel when reality doesn’t match your high expectations? In this world everyone appears to be super-busy, too busy to know if it is day or night."
Oh I can think of a fair few bad ones (just about anything off the Victim of Love album, for instance), but with a catalogue of his size, there are bound to be some stinkers.
'Levon' - a similar era song and thought provoking. Though my favourite is a 'Indian Sunset' - absolutely brilliant - try not to shed a tear in the that.
“Mona Lisa’s and Mad Hatters” is about the disillusionment Taupin felt while in the big city. How do you feel when reality doesn’t match your high expectations? In this world everyone appears to be super-busy, too busy to know if it is day or night. They might be busy because they are out partying all night or out working and making a lot of money, but their life is defined by its speed. However, there are special people you can meet in the city, and he is thankful for those people and the small amount of joy he has been able to carve out for himself in this world.
I was a small boy (6 yo) when I was introduced to Elton John. I remember making my parents crazy because I’d wake up earlier than everyone and play records and 8 tracks in the family room. An unwelcome wake up you might say. Crocodile Rock at 5 am!!!! Seeing you two makes me remember how this music made me feel and I thank you for that. Your genuine love and enthusiasm for music is evident and I love your reactions.
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom", "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"!!!! Don't let the title scare you off on the second one, starts off slow, then its a banger!
From 1970, starting with "Tumbleweed Connection" to 1976 and "Blue Moves" he had 9 album releases that all went Platinum. When I was 14, I scraped the money together to buy my first album and his latest release, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". A double album treasure chest ! I started buying his previous releases and was blown away by the content on each of them. One great song after another that never made the airwaves. Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters has been a favorite from the first time I heard it.
His earlier albums are just wonderful, it was inevitable l suppose that it couldn't last forever, and his later records were a little bit patchy in comparison. The One and Songs From the West Coast were a couple of albums that captured his early brilliance (IMHO)
Thank you, thank you, OMG, you two are the first I've seen to react to this song. One of my favorites, introduced to me by one of my most influential high school teachers. Thank you! Keep up the good work, keep raising your girls and boy right! Love the channel!
It means so much to finally see people react the same way I did when hearing Elton more than 50 years ago. I always thought his voice and music was magical.
I'm adding my vote for you two to react to Almost Famous. Great script, great direction, great acting and great music. It's basically an autobiographical story about when the director, Cameron Crowe first started writing for Rolling Stone magazine. Elton figures prominently and poignantly in the story.
Wow, one of my favorite Elton John songs.. My favorite Elton songs never made the radio, Indian Sunset, Talking Old Soldiers, Come Down in Time, Blues for Baby and Me, Goodbye, Sweet Painted Lady, I've Seen That Movie Too, My Father's Gun, High Flying Bird. Thanks for the deep cut reaction. Keep going. Talking Old Soldiers is a great song about what veterans go thru during their later years.
I cry everytime I listen to this song. Every time. I cannot explain it. It is a real emotional reaction that you just cannot duplicate. If the song moves me, I cry.
“And I thank the Lord, there’s people out there like you…” is such a beautiful, heart-felt and heartwarming sentiment. And it applies to both of you, Jay and Amber, because you are both such beautiful people, with such beautiful souls, that you share with us, 3 times, every day…
Bernie is the lyric man and Elton is the music man. They were different because usually Bernie would write the lyrics and then Elton would put it to music. Arguably the best writing team ever. Holy Moses, can we get them to react to "The Border Song?" I'm a big fan of Elton's piano ballads.
I could ever can pick a favorite Elton John song but this one has a magical quality that draws you in. Taupin's lyrics and Elton's musical genius align beautifully in this song.
First of all, what an extrodinary analysis you guys did on this one. This side of Elton John feels like a warm blanket of sound around me. The best news is that is so much more to explore with Elton.
I think you would love "Where to now St. Peter", and "Burn Down the Mission", both are from his Tumbleweed Connection album. Some call it his country cowboy album.
I saw Sir Elton 2 weekends ago for his final concert in Arlington, Texas. My husband and I took 3 of our 4 kids and soaked in all that wonderful music!! His final song was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road with him appearing to turn and walk away down the road. I couldn’t help but cry and I’ll never forget the experience!! ❤😢
My first Elton John concert was in 1976, and I've seen him live over a dozen times since. Thank God that fate brought Elton and Bernie together as a songwriting team. Their music has been such an integral part of my entire life. There are no words . . .
You sound like me.. my first was during the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour in 1973 or 1974 and I have seen him around a dozen times myself... I have to say that I stopped buying albums in the mid 80s.. I think Bernie was not writing for him during that time, but I have to say that he is one of my all time favorite artists nonetheless (although and please, don't come for me but my least favorite is Philadelphia Freedom.. but I know it's special to him.. I think it's for Billie Jean King, if I am not mistaken but the comment section can correct me if I'm wrong.. good to know there are other super fans like myself out there!
Funeral for a friend/love lies breathing, best song ever. An outstanding piece that encompasses a variety of musical changes throught the piece. A bit lengthy, but we'll worth it.
Best concert out of all the concerts I've been to was Sir Elton John, it was just him and his piano, no band, no backup singers, just him, the amount of talent that man has to be able to perform like that was simply amazing to watch and experience, seeing him again next month for his final tour, can't wait.
I saw him do a solo show in 1977 at the Santa Barbara Bowl (which looks a lot like the Hollywood Bowl and has perfect acoustics) with just his piano. On the more rocking songs he had a guy come out and play percussion, but most of the show it was just him. In ‘77 his voice was still magnificent, and he could easily hit every high note. It was my first concert at age 10, and it kind of ruined me for other concerts, because it was so hard to top it.
mate, I saw Elton in London ‘74 on the first Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour - and this year for the last time in Bristol, England for the Farewell YBR tour. Absolutely perfect. Be sure to take something to dry your eyes with! 😢
It's a Mandolin- and yes, it's beautiful. Elton John's ability to to create such beautiful music will always mystify and enchant me-loved his music since I first heard it. SO glad you chose this relatively deep cut. Another amazing song you should check out is Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding- it's a masterpiece!
John came into view publicly with these great soft ballads, with an equal level of lyrical punch. He had an incredible run with his album releases in the early mid 70's. He had an incredible consecutive run with six albums, from '72-'76 that reached no. 1. That's off the charts.
Elton John is known for his hits by most people. However, the real gems are elsewhere. Try 'Indian Sunset' (always makes me cry), 'Come Down in time' and 'my father's gun' to see another side. This one is a wonderful composition. There was a wonderful interpretation of this by Maren Morris at a tribute concert to Elton where he was present. That's worth a listen too.
It's an ode to NYC and the people. The city that never sleeps. They can't see the sky for the buildings. Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters are a contrast of the people who live there. Heart does an amazing cover ✌️💜🎶
MY GODDDDDD, WHAT MADE YOU GUYS DO THIS ONE??? 😊 SUCH A GREAT GREAT SONG, OF COURSE I'M BIAS AND ALWAYS HAVE BEEN WHEN IT COMES TO THE ROCKETMAN YOU GUYS!!! 😊THIS IS FROM HIS MULTI PLATINUM GEM ( HONKY CHATEAU ) WOWWWWW!
Amazing..... a review channel covering the least known music from Elton that true fans hear all the time! Thanks for reviewing music that wasn't a commercial "hit". 😘
I've been listening to this song for decades and you two figured out the meaning before the song was over. i've never understood what it was about, I just really loved the song. Harmony is another great EJ tune.
I thought it was really moving watching Jay close his eyes and shake his head in disbelief when the mandolin first came in. Seeing that kind of emotion really brings you into the family of Elton fans. We felt that too…it literally strums your heart. Davey Jones (who played it) dropped that into the recording in a single take. And yes Bernie writes all the lyrics, Elton writes the music - never together. They wrote and recorded Honky Chateau in just two weeks!
This is one of my favorite Elton John songs. In case you are interested, you can find a live cover of this by Nancy Wilson of Heart from their 2002 Live in Seattle concert. Nancy is a huge EJ fan and she does a lovely job with this song.
Love your reactions guys. Elton John is one of my favs ever, this ballad it's a masterpiece. Pleeeaaase do 'I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That', one of his best uptempo hits from the 80s.
I am sixty five years old and I started listening to Sir Elton John when I was a young teenager. I have listened to a lot of songs and music 🎶.He is to me the greatest singer ever.
“Ticking” off of the Caribou Album. Given what going on in the country with guns and senseless violence this might be Elton’s most meaningful song. It’s riveting and the piano playing is possessed. Unforgettable to me.
This is one of my all time favorite songs period, not just Elton songs. It's also about being in NYC because the skyscrapers block the sky so you don't know what time it is. Spanish Harkem ad the subway are parts of New York City. Try his song, "Where to Now St. Peter?" Or "Amoreena."
THIS is the Elton of my youth! Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters is up there but my all time favorite and one I think that you definitely need to hit in order to grasp Elton's talent for arranging music is Madman Across The Water (Studio Version)... it is beautiful and haunting. I have not watched the video yet, but I know you are going to love it. Love you guys!! and I want to say that the instrument I think you are referring to is the mandolin maybe? It gets you in the feels for sure!
That's it, Jay. And, there's compassion in the music and lyrics for those who cannot see . That Piano Man! Thanks. Haven't listened to this in a long time.
@@michaellynch9550 I think so. They had Almost famous on one their Patreon Polls (which lost to Romancing the Stone) so I suggested three songs to them from the soundtrack, before they react to the movie. This one, River by Joni and America by Simon and Garfunkel. So maybe, just maybe they’ll be reacting to it soon.
This song is a favorite of mine.Thank you for reacting to it. Yes Bernie Taupin is Elton John's lyricist. He writes the words and Elton provides the music. I have an affinity to Elton John's 1970s music as I grew up listening to it. My older sisters were very much into EJ, so his music was always playing around the house. Some suggestions for his earlier tunes, Take Me to the Pilot, Border Song, Madman Across the Water, Levon, Daniel and Harmony are just a few. Also Elton and Bernie did all the music for a little known movie in the 1970s called Friends. Nothing to do with the later TV series. A couple songs I'd like to suggest are the title track Friends and Michelle's Song.
Pretty sure you will both love this one, Elton John - Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding. His piano playing is exceptional, the orchestra accompaniment is beautiful. (Live at Earl’s Court, London)
Hey guys, another terrific reaction from a humble legend. For another extraordinary song from EJ, listen to Madman Across the Water, from the album of the same name. MIND BLOWING 😳
I fail anybody not to be moved by this song. Extremely underrated. Absolute genius. There's a really good 1972 live version of this too. If you think this song is good please listen to Indian Sunset. ❤
You put Sir in front of Elton John’s name because he was awarded the title by Queen Elizabeth II. Terrific review, the lyrics of Bernie Taupin and the mastery of Elton’s arrangements are like magic…. The lyrics to this song are so beautiful. You haven’t even gotten to my favourite Elton John songs, except for candle in the wind. Waiting for reviews on: *Levon (his best song) *Someone Saved My Life Tonight *Don’t Let The Sun Go Down *The One ….you won’t be disappointed
