My Favorite Elton John Song 

It was Hire purchase Aimee.

My brother came to live with my dad and I when I was a kid. It was the only time I spent with him. I was 9 or 10 and music came uo. I was listening to songs like Disco Duck cuz I was a kid. He sat me down in front of his albums and said listen to these. America's Greatest Hits, Boz Scaggs and Quadrophenia was among them but Elton John's Greatest Hits, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Captain Fantastic changed my musical journey forever. I play guitar today and my favorite covers are still Elton John songs. Just me and an acoustic guitar yet when I play his music I hear the whole piece come alive in my head. Thank You Sir Elton John. Nice work on this Aimee.

Wow wow wow Thank you for this About half way thru I couldn’t stop the tears What a wonderful Thanksgiving message Thank God for Elton and Bernie and for Aimee and for Music! Where would our lives be without music?

I had an “I only really listen mostly to Elton John” phase in high school for about two years, so my favorite is hard to pin down . . . My current favorite is one I just caught myself singing yesterday to myself out of nowhere, “Harmony.”

I know almost nothing about music theory, but I could watch and listen to you break down my favorite songs and talk about the theory within them all day, and tell the backstory behind them. Folks like me sometimes cannot explain why we love a song, but you make me feel like I was always hearing the genius baked into the song. You and your buddy Rick Beato are simply the best. Elton John was my first ever rock concert, in the Auditorium Theater in Chicago. My buddy won second row seats on a radio call-in contest. I still can't pick my favorite song, though.

The Tumbleweed Connection album is just wonderful to me!

Love that you brought up Taupin's weird and wild lyrics. It's one of my favorite things about Elton's songs-- there's real poetry there, and word choices that speak in Taupin's unique voice (just as Elton's piano playing speak in his own). Thanks for continuing to bring brightness throughout 2020 with your music and passion, Aimee! ❤️

Just caught up with this fantastic episode on “someone saved my life tonight”. This is a song I have been listening to (as well as all the rest) since the early 70s. Honestly it wasn’t till you started breaking it down and explaining the detail, I actually had tears in my eyes. It’s just beautifully written played sung....and well done for describing it sooo well. “Tears in my eyes”....I’m flippin 56 🙄😉

"Prima donna, lord. you really should of been there, sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair" What a line! And that holding back on the resolution. Nowhere near as perfect as Mozart could do it but for a pop song, damn!

I always thought it was about Renate, not 'Linda'! How many girlfriends did he have? Yes a great song and, as a longtime EJ fan (since 1971), one of his best ... the enigmatic yet poetic lyric ... the harmonic tension created by the six-four chord with the bassline running up .. never relaxed, never resolved ... the 'vibe' ... the refrain "someone saved , someone saved" etc. a gem !

Wow! So...I didn’t want to watch this video...it’s too long for the time I had to watch...I know this song already... love this song already....blah blah blah... But...I pressed play anyways... I found myself awestruck with yr analysis... Guitar is my instrument... But yr chord breakdown on the piano chart was ... terrific. I saw Long John Baldry play live a few times, and knew of his role in this song. He relocated to Canada, so we had good access to him here in the summers, during folk festival And his entertaining ‘boogie woogie’ classic tune. I’m still in shock that I have profoundly deeper appreciation for a song that I already loved! Thank you so much for making, and sharing this! I’m a new subscriber...there’s nothing so satisfying as discovering a new favourite channel!! 🙏

the roses in the window pane tilted to one side

Hi Aimee, this song is my all time EJ favorite as well. The GYBR and CF&BDC albums are my all time favorite EJ albums. I don't know how many thousands of times I listen to and played this song at the piano. I was 16 when this album came out and I still have the album. I saw EJ live on his final FYBR tour here in Ottawa and when he play this song he started on an F/C chord. Great overhead camera shot put up on the big screen showed his hands to start the song. His voice is now more baritone than tenor. Quite a great live version to hear. Thanks for doing this song review Aimee, take care and stay safe ! JC

Probably my favourite Elton John song. The rit. going into the last chorus is just so powerful. The outro is a masterpiece, with all the different moving lines, and the full band playing... and Dee Murray playing that bassline... just a perfect song, and not one second too long.

Hi Aimee, another great piece. Your passion of music always shines through. Elton John is such a magnificent composer. Testament to that fact, that so many great songs are NOT about technical complexity, but simply fabulous melody and chord structures. Elton is a master. He is what we call in Britain a ‘national treasure’ - for all his eccentricities, he’s quintessentially English. He’s earned his place as part of our DNA and his songs will live on for ever..

This Lady is the real deal. She can talk about any jazz master or any other genres. I highly recommend to any musician to follow this real lady musician❤️👋🎹 Long live great Elton .

This is a brilliant video Aimee and I'm going to watch it again. So informative.

Thank you for this video and for your awesome channel. You're amazing! I have to admit that my favorite of his songs is "Border Song".

You are a wonderful human being. Thanks for all you gave me, which I will pass to my family.

I discovered Levon a couple weeks ago. I'd never had such an immediate feeling with a song like the one I had with Levon. I was trying to get a glimpse of what surrounded Tiny Dancer and Levon is the next song after TD on that album. I was astonished by Elton's performance,the arrangements, the bass the guitars, the drums (oh my God, the drum fills sound so awesome!) It's so perfect to me. Even what you said about not compromising Bernie's art, I got that feeling there too.

What a great Song love it since 40 Years... Thanks for upload

You articulated why I love this song so beautifully. Thank you 🙏

A good one for sure. That album is indeed 'fantastic' :). The last 2 tracks, We All Fall In Love Sometimes and Curtains are a couple of those EJ/BT gems that no one knows about unless they listen to entire albums. Kind of like I've Seen That Movie Too from YBR. Have a great day.

My absolute favorite song from Sir E. ❤️

You’re voice is super relaxing, it’s really interesting to just listen to you talk about stuff

You look like a musical actor. You're good at playing the piano and singing. I didn't realize the time was passing.

Dear God, Amy. You are amazing. What a brilliant exposition of this song.

thank you, thank you for this. I was enthralled with your insight and musicality to notice, . . .notice a level of listening and understanding of this important song. My ex wife commented on the line "someone saved my life tonight" which helped me appreciate our marital flaws. . .Captain "fantastic"!

lol I’m literally tearing up at your analysis of this song 😅 I love this song.. I’ve heard this album so many times that, hearing somebody else rave on about everything that I love about this song, is making me emotional.. that has to be the highest level of music appreciation.. listening and then actually playing the notes and the chords. I’m a pianist too and my playing has been shaped by Elton John and Billy Joel.. could you do a song analysis of a Billy Joel song too?

Aimee, this is the first of your videos I’ve seen. It came up in my algorithm. When I saw the title, I thought: if I had to pick one, I’d probably say “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”, but let’s face it, there’s no way it’s going to be that. Well . . . just for that, subscribed.

Somehow I skipped over this one when you first put it out a couple of years ago. Just finished it now and really enjoyed your insightful breakdown of both the lyrics and the music. Hope all’s going well with you and the family! 🎶

Oh! Before opening this video I had exactly Someone Saved My Life Tonight and Daniel in my head! Many thanks for the video.

SAVED SAved Saved saved my life tonight

Amazing choice and such a great re-telling of their early history. Beautiful performance and great insights musically and lyrically. Love watching your channel, Aimee.

When the album came out in 1975, I was 11 years old. My evenings were filled with playing canasta with my family to the late hours and we learnt the lyrics by heart for the whole album . I now work in Suicide Prevention. This song has great memories and associations for me. Really love every component of your musical appreciation: the lyrics, the prosody, the harmony, the song structure, the arranging.

Very surprising choice. Thx for the new perspective on that classic. I would have expected Don't Let the Sun/ Funeral for a Friend/ Tiny Dancer ... my go to is Your Song. Thx again ;)

I am going to see him in April! My top three Elton John songs! 1. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 2. Empty Garden 3. Rocketman

What a fantastic video. I love this song too, as so many of us do. Thanks so much for sharing your passion and knowledge and skill.

Captain fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy ,,,was my favourite album growing up !!!!curtains and scarecrow is my favourite

I clicked the video hoping you picked this song!!! 🥰

That piano has a warm delicious tone Aimee . It sounds amazing ❤️ My favorite Elton John songs are 'Daniel' and 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' Also, Dee Murray's playing on 'Daniel' has always been (continues to be) a superlative delight. It's one of the songs that drew me into wanting to learn to play the Bass guitar!

Elton John said this songs chord structure was very much influenced by Brian Wilson

Wow .. just seeing this video. I have studied Elton John music for 40 years now and love his/Bernie's work. You just elevated this song to something above Platinum if there is such a thing. Your love and passion for music is intoxicating. Thanks for the awesome videos.

Surprised how much I enjoyed this. Keep singing Aimee.

My favorite also. Thank you.

Yes Aimee, Nick Fletcher is right it is actually 'Hire Purchase" and was the act of buying a product over a set peroid of years, usually 3-4 or 5 years and eventually owning the product after you had paid probably 4 or 5 times its shelf value. And having lived through the sixties, Long John Baldry was a legendary figure in the music industry, a giant of a man both physically and musically. On a personal note, I really enjoy your jazz theory video logs and your passion for music and infectious spirit. Hope you and your family are covid safe and it hasn't affected your life too restrictively.

Thanks Aimee, great choice and a great analysis! I really enjoyed this. By the way, if you would like to enjoy hearing how good Dee Murray was on Bass, then take a listen to his playing on 'Take Me To The Pilot' on the album 17-11-70!

OH my freakin' word! My heart is bursting! I just watched that live video in Central Park. At this moment I am a huge goosebump!!

Really enjoyed your comments about the story and theory behind this brilliant song.

Aimee, I loved seeing your expressions and heartfelt enthusiasm for the song. Elton John Ruled the 70s! When I hear his songs, they take me back to a specific place in my life. Whenever I hear a Really good song like this, it’s like time stops for a moment and my whole being is encapsulated in the song that I’m hearing. All of his 70’s hits are great, but Don’t go breaking my heart just does it for me. Wooo - Whooo! And nobody knows it. You knocked it outta the park again Aimee. I’m looking forward to more great stuff in this series. ❤❤❤

HP is indeed lease to buy, but having 'a lot on HP' is also kinda slang for having lots of debt in general.

A truly brilliant song.

Elton John is my favorite musician. Of all the music I've heard that's made my life better, his had the most impact on me. I have recurring dreams about meeting him, but I'll have to settle on seeing him live. I so enjoyed your video on this piece; it's certainly one of my favorites of his. I remember how fascinated I was with just the piano intro, those piano octave in the bass, and how his voice sounded in the chorus. It was so strange and haunting. One of my favorite moments in the song is how the background vocals fall off after "dominating queen." I can't think of any other song that does this stuff. It captures the hopelessness and desperation of his situation at the time; if there was one song that should have been in Rocket Man, it's this one. Thanks so much for this! What a joy to hear you take us through it.

I love Elton John. I love the way you zone in here on some of the most impactful emotional chord and melody movements, tied in with the lyrics. It's a really unique song - Good choice!

Very nice Amie..totally enjoyed your take and enthusiasm on this song..SO ENTERTAINING!

i love this song

Aimee, thanks for this video. I was asked to play this song solo piano and I had trouble with it. I also thought it felt unresolved and I had a hard time keeping the key center in my head. It was so helpful to hear you explain it. Makes me want to play it again now that I understand it better. Also, I really appreciate that you shared the back story of the song. Speaking from experience, it's really hard (and sad) to believe that you need to push away such a big part of who you are just to fit in. And it turns out, you really can't. I love that you brought this to light in such a sweet and understanding way. You really are a wonderful person and I'm so grateful that we met.

I always appreciate your work. As an old muscian I appreciate the theory analysis. Moreso your innate musical intelligent. Lucky hubby.

Yes! My fave too!

Great song ,I like how you broke down every part of this song,even lyrics,good job.

It's wonderful that such a good jazz musician shows her respect for one of the most beautiful Elton John songs. I find this way very sympathetic and you can see from her enthusiasm how much she loves the song..thanks...I will share it in the Elton John online group on Facebook and hope that's ok...best wishes

This is memorizing! Thank you!

( Your Mom's painting always gets this humble bumble ) Your introspective, musical, intellectual, deconstruction-reconstruction connectiveness with relatable emotions, seven minutes with tasty fills, and insight about Artists (LIKE YOU!) with quality audio/visual integrity in Your videos like Elton John & Bernie Taupin, honors! You are a sincere Maestro!

I am so infinitely proud of my generation (I’m 61) to have contributed this caliber of music to the world. I was 16 when this song came out, and have loved it since then. Fantastic analysis, Aimee!

Wow! I enjoyed every moment of you explaining to us exactly what you love about your favorite Elton John song. You have this amazing ability to get your very interesting thoughts across to others - in such a pleasant and relatable way. I clicked on this video initially just to see which EJ song would be your favorite... but could not stop watching it. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is also my favorite... but listening to you touch on all these details that make it your favorite - made me appreciate the song more than ever.

This is questionably my absolute favorite Elton album. From the opening strums of Captain Fantastic, to the closing Lum-de-Lums. I was turning 13 when this was released. Better than the Sequel. Better than Tumbleweed. Might be better than Empty Sky. Probably better than West Coast. Slightly better than Honky Chateau. I rate it up there with Beatles White Album, Floyd's Dark Side, Simon & Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water, Zeppelin 4, Sabbath Black Sabbath or Paranoid.

Awesome video! Also one of my favorite Elton songs and I’m a HUGE HUGE fan. Captain Fantastic was my favorite album of his because of it being so much about him and Bernie. But I also love even the earliest stuff...Empty Sky for instance. So much variety among their catalog.

You almost had your hooks in me didn’t you dear? Alter bound . Great lyrics, probably my fav Elton song too Aimee 😎

Amazingly easy to understand the way you explain and show how music is made by talented human beings. No matter how complex a piece of art could be, you manage to take us, the not-so-talented ones, into this wonderful journey through the most beautiful expression of emotions. Absolutely delightful.

Such a great song on an underrated album by Elton's best band lineup.Hard to believe he would go eight years before all being on an entire album together again.

My maiden voyage into watching one of your videos. Really enjoyed it! Last night I watched the video you did with Rick Beato and wanted to check out one of your videos.

I loved how you carefully examined the structure and lyrics of this song, Aimee. Looking so closely at what works and makes this song a classic is really fascinating. Your RU-vid channel is a treasure trove for growing musicians. Thank you!

Phenomenal....what a song! I love your analysis ❤

Loved this! Thank you Aimee!

Thank you Aimee - I had never heard that song before and you've just introduced me to it. I'll have to listen to the whole album now, 45 years late...

You could recite the phone book and I would listen! And your facial expressions are a joy to the eye. Thanks for the incredible honesty and insight you display.

This is by far my favourite of EJ’s too. I really love the bridge lyrics in particular, somehow they resonate if you’ve ever felt trapped in something and can’t see a way out. I had a relationship with someone who was financially abusing me and quite often ended up paying their bills so the idea of paying someone’s HP demands forever does really make sense 😂

Amazing choice for your fav elton tune, so many to pick from

Aimee, thank you. Beautiful analysis of a beautiful song. Thank God for Elton John and what joy he has brought to this world of ours.

This is one of my favorite EJ songs as well, and now this is one of my favorite videos of yours!

THIS BLEW MAH MIND

Well thank you (again) Aimee. I had narrowly overlooked the value of what Elton John has done (yes really). I was hooked on different styles of music from the time we had John Baldry, Cyril Davies, John Mayall, Georgie Fame etc. play at our several Student Union end of term gigs. After that I nearly only listened and studied American jazz musicians. So thanks for helping me to broaden my mind. Never too late!

I love this song--it's certainly in my top five. I also love "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me".and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and "Tonight" from Blue Moves. But probably my all-time favorite is "Rocket Man". First because it really shows off Elton's piano style ("Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" also showed this off very well). But even more, it really evokes loneliness and distance and isolation. The slide guitar and synthesizer are used in a very subtle and unique way that seems to suggest the vast emptiness of space. I'm a pianist, so I also play Billy Joel, Bruce Hornsby, and many other artists. But Elton was always my favorite, and he managed to create memorable sounds that integrate piano into pop music in a uniquely organic way. There's a great and detailed analysis of this song by Rick Beato at ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-PWp417CF7fY.html

These are great tidbits of insight into Elton John's song. I fondly remember hearing this song on the radio when I was a kid. Now, with a new perspective from music theory and structure, I can appreciate it even more! Thanks Aimee! P.S. - Excellent choice 😊

I admire Elton for a few things aside from music, but most of all how he shared about his struggles with depression. Tiny Dancer is my favorite.

I *liked* your video because I didn't see a *love* button. What a wonderful loving analysis. A few things. Obviously both Elton and Bernie love Americana and its idioms. "Roped and tied". "Listen to me good". Also, obviously, Bernie wrote the lyrics. And being the modest introvert he was, would never draw attention to himself. But, I believe *Bernie* was the one who saved Elton that night. Literally, by pulling him out of the kitchen where a suicide attempt was in progress. But also because of their closeness. Baldry was of course essential in getting Elton's head screwed on straight by telling him: "What are you doing? You're about to screw up two lives".

This is my favourite too 😭 thank you for playing, you sound so good 🎵🎸

Wow! One of my favorite albums and songs! Thank you so much for dissecting such a beautiful, powerful and like you said, epic song! You had me mesmerized the entire video. When I was in Jr. High I learned all Elton's hits. I believe it was the only thing that saved my life in Jr. High HaHa!

OK, you flipped my choice. I originally would have said Tiny Dancer, particularly because of the way he finally blasts into the chorus so far into the song. But listening to you break down SSMLT gave me a lump in my throat. I love the way you related the backstory to the song. I can't get the song out of my head now! The other thing I love about Elton John is that he is one of those artists whose music appeals across multiple generations. My wife and I have been to his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road concert, and my daughter and her husband have also been, twice. Love your channel.

My goodness, what a delightful video, thank you! Fascinating analysis, and your communication style is just irresistible. Have always loved this song as well. In addition to all the parts you highlighted, imported always gets me is the transition into the last chorus, “So save your strength...” There’s something uniquely anticipatory and floating about that little moment in the song😊

I agree the bass lines are SO important in Elton’s music. Dee Murray was awesome.

I got into this when I was about 10 years old because my mother had the cassette (ok it was 8 track!) and the part Aimee said was her favorite, I misheard - I thought he sang "I'm sleeping with myself tonight, sick and tired, that god-damn music's still alive".

Magnificent knowledgeable and loving tribute (half a tone lower in my music sheet, but I could tag along just as well)

wonderfull thanks

Love how much you love this! and yes, as a drummer (and a lesser guitar player) that snare is Deep and Fat! :)

Not sure how the background vocals where done on CF but in the GYBR behind the scenes documentary the background vocals were done without Elton's input. Great analysis as always

Your voice is so beautiful Aimee. You're so gifted and love your breakdown of EJ music. He's always been one of my favorites. Thank you so much.

Beautiful song. One of his best albums!

HP was called hire purchase, or the never never, you would end up paying 5 times the amount over a long period of times, a lot of households got into debt coz all their household goods were on the never never. fantastic video thanks

That was wonderful Aimee! Huge EJ fan, I could literally recite the lyrics to any of his songs(well, up to '77ish) yet had no idea what an "hp demand" was...only that it sounded expensive. I hope you do more of these. This was FANTASTIC!