First listen to Elton John - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time) 

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is another one of Elton John's ethreal masterpieces.

It still amazes me that Bernie Taupin would give Elton the lyrics, and then THIS happened...and, yes, you really do need to react to "Daniel," among many, many others. He's also been around long enough so that you can listen to the original and contrast it to a more recent performance and hear not only how his voice has aged, but how differently he interprets his own songs. Have fun!

The late Dee Murray on bass. One of the greats.

I think the song is a great metaphor for coping with the separation and loneliness some occupations can put you through. Some occupations are like living two different lives, one that is your profession and the other your family life and you can feel like two totally different people in each role. I think any military person who has endured long deployments can understand the metaphorical meaning of this song.

Still waiting for that Elton John reaction for "Daniel" w/your sisters. I don't want to give away the theme of the song to Daniel, but when he does react to it and with both sisters, he'll understand why.

It was a HUGE success, even here in Brazil. I was 6 years old and i still remember ...

What about "Benny And The Jets" Or "Crocodile Rock" Hell all his songs are good!

I always thought that this song was about touring. The endless flights, the hectic schedules, the hotels. Elton hated flying so he would get wasted. Benny and the jets...

"SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT"; "LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS"; "THE BITCH IS BACK"; "SATURDAY NIGHT'S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING"; "PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM"; "SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD"; "DANIEL"; "GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD"; "DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME"; "HONKY CAT"; "BENNIE AND THE JETS"; "CROCODILE ROCK"; "LEVON"; TINY DANCER"; "YOUR SONG"; "PINBALL WIZARD"; "ISLAND GIRL"; "BITE YOUR LIP (Get Up and Dance!)" ~ Most of his big hits from the 1970's are worth reacting to ~ PEACE ~*

One of Elton John's best songs but "tiny dancer" the long version is absolutely the best you need to check it out. That song has been in a few movies that's how good it is. You'll appreciate it more if you don't watch the live version

Yes, yes, yes, “Daniel my brother you are older than me.” Please react to Eltons “Daniel”🎶🎶🎶🎶💕💕💕💕

Yes, David Bowie's "Space Oddity" is very much a companion (and earlier) song with the same themes. Then, years later, Bowie wrote the beautiful "Ashes to Ashes" as a follow up to the same story. All are great and worth your time and reactions.

One of my favorite Elton John Songs is. " I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" but I like everything I've ever heard by him. He is another Icon. ❤

In 1982 my brother and I were due to visit our Dad in West London just before Christmas. We asked him to get 2 tickets to our first rock concert, so he went to the Hammersmith Odeon and picked up tickets for Elton John. We were still at school in our early/mid teens and knew nothing about Elton's music beyond Pinball Wizard and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. We had no idea what to expect. We had tickets to stand at the back of the ground floor, which worked out well because there was a small crowd there freely going to and from the bar all night. In the seats were about four blokes who were shouting "Rocketman" before the show started. So my brother and I were both thinking "This Rocket Mad must be pretty special". After each song we expected these blokes to shut up. "That was a great song, that must have been Rocket Mad" we told each other. But before the next song started they would be shouting for Rocketman again. When Elton did eventually play Rocketman towards the end of the show, but not a closer or an encore, we finally understood. Everyone seemed to be smiling much the same way you did in your reaction. Would be hard not to. And we did not want the song to end either.

Next recommended Elton John song: “Levon”

I found the Captain fantastic LP from back in the day the original it has all the inserts little pamphlets with lyrics a full poster really sweet can't wait to get that down to Daniel....

"Madman Across the Water" is his best album IMO, and maybe his best song.

Elton John, "Greatest Hits" came out in 1974! I still have it on vinyl and love every single song. Just go down the list of songs. "Your Song" and "Daniel" are the first two. 💜💫✌🏼🎵 *Great idea to have your sister's react with you to, "Daniel." 💞

I still love all the little details in this song, from the bass in the intro, the way the acoustic guitar comes in. Then pedal steel, then synth. All very subtle and tastefully done. Any of the albums Elton did from '70 into '76 were all so well produced by Gus Dudgeon with orchestral arrangements by Paul Buckmaster. Also the backing vocals which were always done on the spot by the band members.

Elton John was the first concert I ever attended at 13 years old, when he was at his height and really enjoyed seeing him on his farewell tour before the pandemic. This is one of about a dozen (by my count) all-time classics by him. Others I'd put at the top of the heap are ordered by my personal preference: 1.Tiny Dancer, 2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, 3. Daniel, 4. Your Song. 5. Saturday Nights Alright (For Fighting), and 6. Someone Saved My Life Tonight. Also several of his early 70s albums are worthy of full reactions, including Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, and my favorite, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road--the most musically diverse sounding album by a solo artist that I've ever heard.

Glad that Elton is back in the rotation! Yes, Daniel is a great song, but also check out Levon and Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting.

"Rocketman", the movie (2018), a fantastic 70's period piece through the lens of Elton's early superstardom. A song, a film, and an artist for the ages.

One of Elton John's best songs. I always liked his early songs better than the songs he did since - let's say - the late 1980s. You should also react to "Tiny Dancer" as suggested below.

Burn Down the Mission, Honky Cat, Bennie and the Jets, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Tiny Dancer, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters... What a vast and awesome catalog. Dive deep!

I love your reaction to this. The first time I heard it around 73/74 it was the most amazing song and music I had ever heard in my life at that point. Elton John was one of the top 5 artists of the mid 70’s.

A few of my favourite songs from Elton are Ticking, The Ballad of Danny Bailey and Levon.

❤ Elton John. No gimmicks just beautiful lyrics combined with beautiful arrangements. Genius and always feels so good to hear.

So many great songs. I recommend Levon, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, & Madman Across the Water. So many other great ones. I did see him in concert in 2006 or 2007. Still great, playing all the hits.

I highly recommend the movie Rocketman. It's full of his songs though, so I recommend you look up the soundtrack and do whatever reactions you want to the original versions before you hear the actors' covers.

Great album. Recommend Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters.

A very well crafted song. I always thought it was about being a touring rock musician. Rock it man.

Early 70s Elton John... you are in for a treat young man.

This is classic Elton John, I love all of his '70s albums (same with Bowie). For me it's a song about isolation, how people don't understand you. I can relate the to line about science because when I started out in the computer field there were just big mainframes, no PCs or laptops. The magic of Elton's music is him finding the perfect music to put to Bernie's incredible lyrics and singing them to perfection. This one is a favorite of mine but the #1 is 'I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)' which is a song about regret. Regarding 'Layla' you could react to the acoustic version from Eric Clapton's "Unplugged" album. That would make it new for you.

My Father's Gun, Country Comfort, Indian Sunset, Mona Lisa and Hatters, The King Must Die. EJ & BT songs that should be on the top of your list. The Beatles made me love music, Elton made me love piano specifically. Wouldn't be doing what I do without them.

I love Elton John and Rocket Man is a true classic Please do not miss the movie Rocket Man It’s spectacular Check out Levon and I’m Still Standing Great Review

Next song has to be "Your Song" , will make you tear!

You gotta listen to some David Bowie if you haven't listened to him before. He has a lot of songs about space also. I really recommend you to listen to "Space Oddity" and "Life on Mars. His Album:"The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" is one of his many great albums.

Elton John was the largest selling artist of the 1970's, out paced everyone by a very wide margin. Levon and Tiny Dancer are great songs.

Love your reaction, such a great song.

This was in the days of the moon missions. The rocket man is like a trucker, just going to work driving a rocket out in space, lonely & homesick, he doesn't feel like a hero as the people he leaves think, just a Rocket man.

Not only was he a greater writer and musician but man was he a showman. Forget his early costumes but when he would lay on the floor with his head under the piano and he could still play his fast songs with his hands backwards was awesome. Another awesome piano man was Billy Joel.

I think the often overlooked "Where to Now St. Peter?" is among the best John/Taupin compositions. Don't overlook it!

I find it interesting how different artists choose different tools to showcase their music. What would Elton's songs have sounded like if he had chosen guitar instead of piano? What would Tull's songs have sounded like if Ian had never picked up a flute? Impossible to answer, but the success of truly good artists would likely prevail regardless of the tools they use to express it. Maybe in an alternate universe someone called Danyule is now reacting to a composition of "Rocket Man" featuring star guitarist Eltoon Jyne.

Ahhh Daniel, this was my favourite Elton/ Bernie song as a teenager. I'm 61 now and still love it. To see your reaction made me smile. Keep doing what you're doing. I love seeing your reactions to the music of my youth. We were so lucky to have lived it

Elton John has one of those iconic voices that when you hear it you know exactly who it is. This was a very popluar song when it came out as were many of his songs. You can't go wrong with his music. Candle In The Wind which he first wrote as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe and later made slight changes to it and played it at Princess Diana's funeral is one to react to, also.

This is one of Elton John's classic songs with brilliant lyrics from Bernie Taupin as usual, You MUST go and see 'Rocketman the film. It is brilliant and the reproduction of the songs have been done really well

This was one of my first albums, I was a huge fan! It contains my all time favorite Elton song, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters. I hope you get to react to it even though it's kinda a deep cut. But honestly, Elton at this point, was like the Beatles, Bernie and he could do no wrong...until Caribou, then things started getting wonky....

I love watching you get into the music..you bob your head, and I bet every one of us were bobbing our heads right along with you..Elton John's music was great..the lyrics were on point..what a great reaction to a great singer❤

It is so good to just listen to a song, no ones else views, no preconceived notions...just listen and enjoy it for what it is...standing by itself, this song is a class and will stand the test of time. So unique...always playlist

I'm smiling because this was my Dad's favourite song, and crying because we had it played at his funeral 2 years ago, and it gets me every damn time. Thank you for reacting to this. (I love you Dad❤️)

I had second row center seat tickets to see Elton in 1970 for his Tumbleweed Connection tour in Dallas thanks to my friend Randy King. I was already a fan and had his first two albums released in America but was absolutely blown away by the musicianship and performance that night. There is a live album from that tour called 11-7-70.

The next time anyone younger listens to this song, while listening, try to put yourself in the 70’s. This song is a fantastical musical journey during a simpler time. For entertainment we had 3 TV networks, with few options and everyone had to agree on which show to watch because there were rarely 2 TV’s. If you were an adolescent teen you had TV for entertainment and if you were lucky enough to know someone older, access to a car. Very few options, you literally had to make your own fun. As good as this song is, it was even better when you take into consideration the journey the vocals took the 70’s listener on who were in their small isolated corner of the world.

Another classic of Elton's is the (semi) instrumental "Song For Guy". Elton wrote it as a tribute to a young motorcycle courier for his record label, who was killed in an accident. Although Guy had been working for the label for only six months, Elton had seen enough of Guy to be quite friendly (No, not in THAT way!) and his death really knocked Elton for a six. I have always had a bit of trouble with the speech-song bit in the song though. Officially it is "Life isn't Everything", but I have also heard it as "Life Is A Delicate Thing" and "Life Is A Definite Thing". Oddly, I seem to hear the last one the most when it's played.

Thanks for reacting to the superior studio version instead of the barebones live version that most reactors react to. Now I'd love to see you react to "Madman Across the Water" (studio version), another amazing song from his best album of the same name.

It’s not your name! “Daniel” is a wonderful song, and I highly recommend it for you to react to. Today would be a perfect day for that ;)

“Yellow Brick Road” is his best. Very rich and releases a flood of memories of a time and place in the early 70s.

I bought Honky Chateau in 1972 as probably my first LP as my brother had already bought 'Elton John', 'Tumbleweed Connection' & 'Madman Across the Water'. There are many 'firsts' here: 1) Dee Murray (Bass), Nigel Olsson (Drums) & Davey Johnstone (Guitars) become Elton's backing band, having first been introduced on the previous two albums and but for a short hiatus remain to this day except we have lost the great Dee Murray. 2) Recording is done at Château d'Hérouville in France, where the Grateful Dead & Jethro Tull recorded some of their seminal albums. Elton also recorded his 'Don't Shoot me I'm a Piano Player' & 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' here. 3) A horn section is introduced into Elton & Bernie's work, which was somewhat a departure from the late Paul Buckmaster's fantastic orchestral arrangements in the previous albums. 4) I get my first listen to Jean-Luc Ponty, the acoustic/electric jazz violinist, who is one of my favourite musicians to this day, and my introduction through him to the late Allan Zavod (Keyboards) and late Allan Holdsworth (Guitarist). These 3 musicians you should look into for your own exploration into Jazz fusion. Getting back to 'Rocket Man', the space race of 1969 was certainly in the minds of Bernie and also his contemporary, David Bowie, another musician you should look at who wrote 'Space Oddity'. Elton and David are connected somewhat because Paul Buckmaster did musical arrangements for Bowie as well.

Elton John, like Carole King and Neil Diamond among others, just wanted to be a songwriter (he suffered from stage-freight which he combatted with the huge glasses and strange get-ups). But he was having trouble getting anyone else to sing them so he was persuaded to sing them himself. And lets not forget the contributions his backing band made. They were integral to their over-all success. Cheers.

At the peak of his prowess. That voice, the runs, the piano. Got a scholarship at The Royal Academy of Music " at 12. Been sober for28years. Terrible addiction problem for years. Knighted by the Queen as "Sir" Elton John. You ain't heard NOTHING yet!!!!!

I think more people are beginning to realise the quality of writing that underpins what way too many people have dismissed over the years as simple pop hits. Can I suggest a full album reaction to ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’ such an amazing fusion of music and lyrics

Love E J! Try Tiny Dancer, Levon, Madman Across The Water.

"Your Song" is what launched Elton and Bernie. Do it in order as it is more rewarding like JT. You see the growth and genius.

Probably one of Elton's most iconic songs along with "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (which is another great one to listen to if you haven't yet). It really is so perfectly constructed. I would recommend "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" as another great song to listen too.

Rick Beato does a good breakdown of the musical elements of this song in one of his "What Makes This Song Great?" videos. Worth checking out.

I see this song's lyrics as a metaphor for what it is like to be a man. It cannot be taken literally. A man who sees his responsibilities to support a family and his work as a separation. He spends much of his time out in the "space" of his duties. It expresses his fear of failure and how sometimes he gets lost. The "Rocket" analogy is the energy that he spends in his efforts. "Burning out his fuse up here alone." It is brilliant.

I think I wore out the Album playing it over and over. Loved all the songs!

Wait till you see the movie. He is a true phenom.

One of those ever-present artists you simply have to respect, even if you aren't too excited about their music. This one is a downright classic without any question. For a similar feel, also listen to "Tiny Dancer". I like Elton's phase were he briefly flirted with disco sounds ("Philadelphia Freedom", and the only later released(re-mixed?) "Are you ready for love?"). And boy did I love "Crocodile Rock" as a kid ;-)

Daniel, you are a star in the making if you are not already there. Yes, you must do " Daniel " by Elton John. Well done once again, I love the way you react and analyze/interpret the music as well as the lyrics. Peace and Love always.

The lyricist, Bernie Taupin, said that this idea sprung from a Ray Bradbury short story about a time when space travel becomes quite an everyday experience for many people. The lines, “And all the science, I don’t understand; it’s just my job, five days a week” is really reflective of the theme of that story. His job is humdrum, but he is lonely and feels misunderstood. (“I’m not the man they think I am at home.”) Who hasn’t felt on occasion that they are “burning out their fuse” at work in some boring job while the world passes them by? There really is no better lyricist than Bernie Taupin. People who think of Elton just as some sort of pop fop have not taken the time to really listen to the music and lyrics.

Man, if you liked Rocket Man you will love Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Burn Down The Mission, 60 Years On, Indian Sunset, Ticking, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Daniel, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Holiday Inn, My Father's Gun, Where To Now St. Peter, Levon, Madman Across the Water, Feel Like A Bullett, Better Off Dead, Madness, Song For Guy (Instrumental) Funeral For a Friend (instrumental), Tonight, Sorry Seems To Be, Simple Life

I first heard this in the UK when it came out as a single in 1972 and it blew me away then. Hearing it again afresh after many years, alongside your reaction, makes me realise what an amazing song this is. I like the variety of music you choose, keep it up

Madman Across the Water, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Your Song, Candle In the Wind, Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me, etc., etc.

That smile and little head nod at 3 min says it all really :-) Great reaction again. Such a classic song.

It's so wonderful seeing you enjoy such beautiful music, you must have an old soul.

Bernie wrote almost all his lyrics . Elton wrote nearly all the music for his songs. I have always loved this too because of the mood that is set by the intricate and clever little musical bits that are laced throughout. I love your comment about how his fears that people will find he is not the man they thought he was, Reminds me of a saying I heard long ago .. " I hope to grow up to be the man my dog thinks I am"

What a great song for you to dissect there was a lot going on here wonderful stuff cannot wait to watch love you

You mentioned you thought it might be about drugs from the opening of the song. Elton John had a long struggle with drugs and alcohol that lasted from early in his career until around 1990. The Rocket Man movie includes part of this. He has many good songs you need to get to when you can Daniel, I'm Still Standing, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Don't Let the Sun go down on me are just a few good ones to start with.

This song is amazing. The chords he uses the vocal melody, the tone of his voice. Legendary stuff.

You really are good at what you do! I’m always impressed, regardless of my suggestions here and there. ☺️

It put a smile on my face to see you smile so much to this great music. :D

Beautiful song from a once in a generation artist. Thanks Daniel.

You really can't go wrong with Elton. He was just a giant hit machine with the help of his lyricist. Some of the more awesome songs are Tiny Dancer, Levon, Yellow Brick Road, Philadelphia Freedom, Crocodile Rock and Daniel.

I've been watching a bunch of your reactions, and I have to say that you have such a thoughtful approach to your lyrical analysis. I concur with everyone here in the comment section that have suggested you should seriously consider listening to "Daniel" with your siblings. Keep on doing what you're doing!

I love this song and Daniel of course ... both of these songs "kill me" and make me sad... but it is a catharsis and I feel better when its done. Great video! Thank You...

Yep, Ray Bradbury's short story "Rocket man". I enjoyed your dive into the lyrics. Slice of life, a slice of this person's experience of his life. I think you effectively covered it. Keen.

Great to watch your reaction Daniel.

I heard a story by a radio DJ who "looped" the "(and) I Think it's Going to Be a Long Long Time" part so it repeated over and over toward the end of the song. Then he locked the radio station door, and let it play. I think someone had to break down the door. Imagine that :)

hello from Canada, love that you are checking out the music I grew up to,,,,ENJOY!!

One of my favorite songs by Elton John.

It’s like I know you from somewhere. They you appreciate music and your expressions (like raising your arms and closing your eyes) just like me! Love, Lu

Elton s one of the greatest tunesmiths of all time. Without a doubt!

Totally unrelated to the review...just got struck by the idea that you are exactly like Hiccupp from How to Train Your Dragon...look, voice, attitude. Anyone else? Back to the music...glad you enjoy Elton John...Such a variety of songs, for every mood. Been listening since I was in grade 7...1977! Never gets old.

Great song and lyrics

As Elton said himself, for that period of 1970-75, he could do no wrong. Other songs that are up there with Rocket Man and Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding : Madman Across The Water, The King Must Die, Where To Now St-Peter, Ticking....

After I moved to the UK, as my hubby knew I wanted to see Elton John all my life, missed 2 chances of him and Billy Joel Back to Back grand pianos, due to family crisis, it was summer of 2010 my hubby surprised me with tickets to see him finally!:) Outside venue, very festival atmosphere ..with families though, and one of the best concerts I've heard, when a person/band is as good or better than studio albums. he puts on a hell of a show, and if your mum wants you to see his life story Rocket with her, go for it..you will LOVE learning more about the personality behind the music, and I would recommend you look for "real/authenticated" docu/movies about other bands, Queen is another I would recommend until my last breath, and I still watch older interviews, docus, stories of bands, as so much more is behind just a 'song' and I fell like you get that, and why you are so good at what you do. Love always from across the pond, XXX ladybudd

This is my favourite Elton John song,, Kate Bush does an interesting cover of this which I love.

The backing vocals give this song so much atmosphere. Wouldn't be the same without it.

There is a song on his album that I think you will really love. I don't remember the name, but it is about the arrival a new child in his family, and how grateful to his parents he is for this great gift they have given him. It's a beautiful song and your relationship with your family reminds me of it. The song is "The Greatest Discovery" on his second album "Elton John"

So nice to listen to your review. I just watched "Rocket Man" the other night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Elton John does a beautiful job of stirring the soul and making music feel personal. This particular song seems more like a metaphor to me. I, too, greatly enjoy the "outer space" concept (and the gorgeous instrumentation) but I also think it's tied to feelings of alienation with respect to being gay. Elton John married a woman he cared about, just not on a physical level. This is not uncommon for individuals that lack supportive families. There's so many things to admire about Elton but one thing that's truly fascinating is his (nearly telepathic) musical relationship with Bernie and his ability to transform lyrics. These two are special together and most certainly connected on a spiritual level. Thank you for your continued insightful reviews.