Madman Across The Water - Elton John | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

1971 I was as a sophomore in high school when this album came out. This album is epic. They don’t make music like this anymore and never will. I’m so glad to see two young men experiencing this music.

He wasn't struggling to hit the high notes, he was trying to add emotion in certain parts, which I loved.

My favorite Elton John album. His voice was so raw back then. I think this was some of his most purely artistic work.

This album and Tumbleweed connection are a must listen.

This is one of my favorite Elton John arrangements.

This is arguably one of his all time best albums. My favourite song on it and much lesser known gem is Indian Sunset. A classic!

I can’t believe you’re finally reacting this song. Unbelievable song. Before he went Pop. Early Elton is incredible.

I think the vocal frailty was very much on purpose-demonstrating the disintegrating psyche of the narrator. Prime EJ era-4th album release in a little more than a year and a half. An incredibly fertile period matched by few artists ever. You are the best musical reactors by far, gents! Thanks for allowing us to re-live music that meant so much growing up ❤

One of the best rock or pop song ever with incredible arrangement of this full orchestra and Elton’s unbelievable vocals. An S if there ever was one! This is not a song, it is an experience!❤

My favorite Elton song I've been requesting for years. What an amazing and powerful arrangement.

The entire album is pure perfection. I read an interview with EJ and he thought that his voice was awful for the album. Interesting. The hard core EJ fans, me among them, revere this album, along with Tumbleweed Connection. Both are absolute masterpieces. In fact, he put out a 5 or 6 album run that is nearly unrivaled. ps...this is S Tier

If you don't hit the entire album, than *Levon* is an essential EJ listen from this. The second single released after "Tiny Dancer" from the album, and actually a much bigger success on the chart at the time. A&A, I appreciate the respect for the music you react to as demonstrated by your thoughtful comments on what you hear via just a first-time listen.

This song gives a sense of place and story like no other from Elton. A masterful synergy of lyrics and melody. " the ground goes always down but I need more". "Are the nightmares black or on the windows painted?" Elton's melody and arrangement so capture what the song is about. A visit by family to a member suffering mental illness and "Madness". This is an S tier song to me

This is Elton in the middle of an impossibly great series of albums. Each one solid from front to back. Thank god for Elton John and that he never quit during his early struggles.

What an unexpected surprise! A Tuesday reaction and it it's Elton! So glad you both liked it so much. For next Elton you do, I suggest "Daniel". Also, please do "Rock On" by David Essex, 1973.

This album is a masterpiece. I purchased this album in 1971 at age 11 believe it or not. It was my first album purchase no doubt because of Tiny Dancer. However, as I listened to it over and over again, I came to appreciate each and every song. Back in the day, albums were meant to be listened to as a suite. 45's had their place (garage, classroom) but not for the serious listener. These deeply metaphoric bluesy songs were sung with such angst it's hard to imagine any listener not being moved by them. Hat's off to Bernie Taupin for his brilliant lyrics.

If you ever want to check out another version of this song one day with a lot of guitar sauce, check out the bonus track from Tumbleweed Connection. Mick Ronson is amazing!

Sitting cross-legged on the floor in my bedroom listening to this album over and over again--I was 13yrs.old and it was the first album I ever bought; not my sisters records--mine. There isn't a bad track on the entire LP.

As a teenager I had a great 8-track stereo - headphones - and I would lay in my bed at night and listen to music. I had Madman Across the Water - and must have listened to it a thousand times. Still sounds good to me today - 45+ years later.

"Where to now St. Peter" on Tumbleweed Connection. A truly great performance .

I still have this album I got in 1972 with my first order from the Columbia Record Club! I have been going through my old albums and this is one that is still in fantastic shape. Such a classic album and my favorite by Elton.

Great song! I saw him in the early ‘70s when I was still in high school - it might have been my first concert - in Baltimore and he opened with this song in the dark. It was amazing. The dark, the minor key, the mystery. I’ll never forget it. P.S. There were a few notes that were out of his range. No big deal. He did that a lot.

Such a good song. This era of Elton and Bernie was so good. Few could be considered in this same class. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is another example.

Love his early work so much. The lyrics are so powerful in early work. Doing this album A thru B is a journey worth taking.....not a bad track on it.

This is one of those albums you want to do a full-album reaction. So many good tunes came from this album. The Elton John/Bernie Taupin combo was on fire writing and composing this album!

Elton John’s phrasing is impeccable. I truly don’t think anyone does it better.

This is just about the apex of Elton as an early ‘70s sensitive singer/songwriter. After this album, it truly was a shock to hear him move toward pop stardom with “Honky Cat” and then “Crocodile Rock.” And if you love the Paul Buckmaster strings (he’s also all over “Nilsson Schmilsson” and the great early Carly Simon records), you need to hear “Sixty Years On” from his American debut, and the lost soundtrack hit, “Friends.”

What a DAMN GOOD tune this one is.

This is my favorite string arrangement. The way the cellos and violins still makes the hair on my arms stand up... Great song

This is my FAVORITE Elton John song! The arrangement is just awesome.

This entire album is great.

I've never heard this before. That was great.

Burn Down the Mission is another good Elton John cut.

My 2nd favorite EJ album, right behind Tumbleweed Connection. And no , the cover does not suck.. it was a product of the times. The denim embroidery cover also vaguely alludes to the the lyrics in "Tiny Dancer"-- Blue Jean Baby, L.A. Lady, seamstress for the band.

Berney Taupin and Elton John were one of the best writing duos of the day . His band was absolutely amazing. PK

I'm the one who requested this song. Thanks guys! It's a different one for him. You'll have to listen to the version on Tumbleweed Connection, great 🎸 solo. The 1971, BBC , live version is S tier, 10min long. Young EJ. Glad you did this one 1st. Album cover...Denim was really a big deal... 😊

Amazing song amazing album. Still in my regular vinyl rotation 50 years later.

“Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted”….such a deep line!

FINALLY! I have been after you guys to hit this for over a year now. I've paused it so I don't know about your formal reaction but I am going out on a limb to say that I know you both are going to be BLOWN AWAY.... it is by far my favorite Elton tune... THIS represents the Elton that I grew up with and fell in love with (with Bernie's lyrics, of course)... Elton's musical composition is bar none some of the best in the business. His early stuff (such as the Elton John album, Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across the Water, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player, and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (from the end of the world to your town) are his best (I forgot to add Yellow Brick Road)... I can't wait to hear your reactions. Great channel.. all the love guys from an old lady (about to be 63), who loves good music and I get excited when young whippersnappers like you discover it for the first time! Take care and be safe.

So much genius went into this song. The ebb and flow that runs throughout the song is incredible. It’s not always a gentle ebb and flow. It’s chaotic at times like you’re in a boat in rough waters trying to keep from being thrown overboard. It’s just executed brilliantly. Also check out the Tumbleweed Connection version and the live BBC version that has saucy freestyle jazz breaks!

I've been waiting for this one, this is honestly one of my favorite songs and albums. It gripping on first listen, but the more you listen the richer it gets. After this album, I knew Elton was a genius and I was looking forward to listening to whatever he put out, I was not disappointed.😁

This and "Tumbleweed Connection" are Elton's two finest albums.

One of Elton and Bernie's darkest songs. The dark, brooding madness of a madman. Superb.

This is definitely one of his best. Everything about it is perfect. Elton John rules my playlist.

Elton John's first six albums are some of the greatest music ever made , he and Bernie Taupin were one the greatest song writing teams in music . I have to also add the fact, he has kept most of his original band members over decades . That is why his sound is so consistent. Great musicians !

Gentleman, this is one of those songs that is so complex and hits so hard at first listen, it's almost impossible to fully grasp it's magnificence all at once. You'll find it gets better and better and better every time you hear it. As for vocals.. in rock as in jazz or blues, often imperfection only adds to its overall emotion feeling and perfection. Everything about this song is as good as it gets. It was not unusual for him to perform this live with a full orchestra or string section on occasion. "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?"

At the time of its release this was Elton John's best album...and that's saying a lot. So many great/iconic songs.

Just about my favorite Elton John song. And the album is stellar. Hope you guys love it-song just started, so I’ll wait and see. The album before this, Tumbleweed Connection, has Amoreena, and Burn Down the Mission. Two more favorites. This was 1970. Madman was 1971.

I've been a huge Elton fan since I was in the first grade in the 70s. What I like is that the big hits are great (Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Rocket Man, Your Song, Bennie and the Jets) but he also has so many other songs that are just as good and maybe even better (Burn Down the Mission, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Where to Now St. Peter?, All the Girls Love Alice, this one).

I just think he's a genius for so many reasons. Strictly as a piano player, he's amazing. Then we add singer and performer. This particular song, however, is a great example of his incredible abilities as arranger/composer.

This is the next album you have to hit next from him. Fantastic album.

My favorite line from the song, "Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?". This is Elton at the top of his game and the height of his song composition.

These early works are my favorites. ‘Come Down In Time’ is another fine one from this album. This album and Tumbleweed Connection are my personal favorites. ❤

Actually my favorite Elton album. Andy if you like this mood, this needs a full album review. Levon, Holiday Inn, Indian Sunset (one of Bernies all time best lyrics) and the haunting Goodbye at the end. To me it's a masterwork. I play it front to back. I don't skip a thing. This is an album. And before he became the legend he is.

He worked on this song for a long time, and there are a few versions you can look for. Genius.

Brilliant song Elton in the seventies was pure magic.

This is up there as one of my favorites, always has been. Recently though, the live version of Burn Down the Mission has come super close to supplanting it. I appreciate that song way more now than I did as a teenager

So glad you guys finally hit this. Such a great song on all levels. The “Madman Across the Water” is Richard Nixon btw. Fantastic album start to finish. Definitely give songs off Tumbleweed Connection a listen. Burn Down the Mission is a killer tune, as is Come Down in Time and Son of Your Father. Incredible work. Gotta give props to Gus Dudgeon, producer on all of Elton’s 70s albums. He wrapped the songs in productions that gave them variety and uniqueness that is unparalleled. He also produced David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”. Amazing sound.

For me, this IS Elton & his band at the top of their game.... including Bernie on lyrics. I'm sure there's a good story behind this song... as it brings the listener through "rough seas" . The light acoustic guitar invites us in for the ride and the violins carry us....with lyrics setting the mood. Almost 'S' tier...but A+ is very much a good choice in HIS catalogue. Thanks for the reaction!!

This makes me want to listen to the Live in Australia version of this song, which I have. 🙂

I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this album start to finish just kicked back in the dark. it's a masterpiece. It doesn't get any better than old school Elton John.

This is my favorite Elton John song just because it's so different from most other things he has done. Thank you for giving it a listen. Hopefully some other people were able to hear it for the first time and enjoy it as well. The song is so much better than the album cover!

This is a great example of how the musicians chose what they played, the engineer and producer knew how to place the instruments and the artist structuring the song and melody such that there is 'air' in the song which inflates and expands the sonic landscape.

Love this song. Thanks. All most gotta remember when this came out, long time ago. Elton understands the importance of arrangements, better than anyone. Not many rockers get to age so well. Thanks again.

THIS IZ E J BEST SONG!! the passion of his voice is unequaled

Just when I felt as though I had heard enough of this song, another wave grabbed and carried me back deeply into it. Elton John is a genius and his music is so unique and beautiful. This song has the ebb and flow of the ocean and I love the peace it offers.

This is my favorite Elton John song. It has a haunting quality to it and brings me back to the days I first heard it when I was 17. Great song pick!

This whole album is amazing. My favorite Elton album.

This is in my Top 10 album list. Bernie and Elton knocked this whole album into the stratosphere. The arrangements are superb. Thanks fellas.

I love everything about this record: the lyrics, the singing, the band, but especially the “lead” strings, accompanying the song, and then taking a turn as a “solo” instrument, slashing away, and setting exactly the right mood. This is S tier in my book.

Elton was so huge in my childhood his music was everywhere. It's like going back on a wonderful time capsule listening to this

A&A, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Honky Cat"!! You should post your reaction to "Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting" from the album review in June.

Some of the coolest string arrangements I've ever heard on a rock record. Incredibly conversational.

Probably in my top 5 Elton John songs. Glad you guys liked it!

Oh my God I’ve been waiting for somebody to react to this. Elton John’s great early work often, like this song, take you out of time and place and create their own reality. My first exposure to Elton was the album 11-17-70 as a senior in high school. He blew everyone away. Pure genius.

A powerful song in every sense of the word. One of the best words to use to describe this masterpiece of a song and the whole dang record as well.

Every song on this album still plays rent-free in my head almost every day. Back in the day, it was the orchestration that always got to me. Another track from the same album, "Indian Sunset", has lots of it as well.

Not just one of my favorite EJ songs, but one of my favorite songs period. The instrumentation and mood of the song are perfect.

One of the best all time album covers. He sang that with anger, the anger of a man in an asylum, that’s what your picking up on. His in laws coming to visit? The lyrics say that emotion so well. Very very in-depth song. The battle of the insane mind and the angry heart.

Play Burn down the Mission (Tumble Weed Connection). Elton John

Those Paul Buckmaster orchestrations are FIYAH! Elton did some of his best early work with Paul and Gus Dudgeon producing.

Tragically underrated album. The prduction is top notch. One song flows into the other, seamlessly...

I always felt that the discordant and erratic string section mirrored the inner workings of the madman. The lines are frenetic and chaotic at first like someone who can’t put their thoughts together or the mind isn’t at ease but then the strings slowly come down to a softer, lilting flow and that’s the madman coming out of his delirium, even if just for a moment. Such a brilliant, brilliant song.

Great song, great vocals and a great breakdown by you guys. Also a solid rating. Well done!! Waiting on The Caves of Altimira, Royal Scam(title track) Pretzel Logic(title track) Gaucho(title track) as well as Babylon Sisters, Glamour Profession, Haitian Divorce, Time out of Mind, Third World Man. All great Steely Dan songs. Have a good day and a great life...

This thing has given me chills for 50 years - and I've never sat down with Bernie's poetry to see if I can figure out what it means. Just a great tune, very well executed.

One of the greatest songs! Been listening to this since I was a little girl! My kinda Elton. He’s not struggling there’s tons of songs where he sounds like this! Do anything off of Tumbleweed Connection! ✌🏻☀️

This entire album is so phenomenal, it deserves a full album reaction on Patreon. Haven't heard your ratings yet, but this song and album will always be an S Tier to me, easily.

Andy is right on the album cover .. there an alternate arrangement of this song on a box set that uses heavier guitar that I like as well. One of my favorite EJ songs for sure … thanks guys!

Yes! I've been waiting for this one, it's one of his best for sure. Next I recommend Someone Saved My Life Tonight, super deep song and also one of his best.

This might be one of my favorite EJ songs. So much passion! Bruce Hornsby did a fabulous cover you might want to listen to while Elton's version is still fresh in your head. ☮💜

Elton singing on TALKING OLD SOLDIERS also demonstrates how he used his voice so well.

Top 5 of all Elton for me. This is my fave EJ album.

Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. No, I’m not talking about Alex and Andy… …I’m talking about a song that is an Elton deep cut banger from what is arguably his best album (with the same title as the song). Yes, I think it is arguable better than GYBR. Arguably, it’s not even the best song on the album, but it experiments with fusing country, rock and pop before that was a thing. The guitar sound is so exquisite that Davey Johnston should’ve kissed the producer full on the lips. The song rises and falls captivating you each time. The brilliant melody and lyrics define the personal and artistic history of John and Taupin’s musical journey up to the point of recording.

To me this is the best Elton. I’ve loved this since first hearing it.

The live version on his Live in Austraila album with full orchestra is really good too

The whole album is a masterpiece

This song is a masterpiece and definitely my favourite Elton John song. Great reaction.

Great song off one of his best albums. Now that you heard the album original, you should hear the extended studio version with Mick Ronson from David Bowie's Spiders From Mars on lead guitar, that version is utterly legendary, well worth searching for. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎹🎶

The brilliance of Elton John an amazing artist

I think the album cover is cool. This was an early 70's release when blue jeans were at their coolest. The embroidered song titles are great.