Hey guys!! It's Friday, aka VOTING Day! Make sure to head to the channel and then to the Community Tab to vote in this week's Poll! Thank you guys for putting this one through, a true CLASSIC!!! Cheers all, have a great weekend!!
Wow. Crazy good song. Reminds me of flying into the Soviet Union from Finland, and as we broke down through the clouds, I could see all of the landscape below me, the castles and forests, with this song on my Walkman. (Other details excluded because it was before I met my wife.) enjoy! Looking forward to your reaction.
Guys have you heard either Good Vibrations or God only knows by the Beach Boys? I mean most will assume you have - that’s my theory as to why they’ve not been suggested so far; however, as you appear to have been raised by Amish wolves there’s always the chance that you haven’t. By the way don’t take my word on these tracks, let’s see what Paul McCartney has to say: “I was asked to give my top ten favorite songs for a radio station... …I didn't think long and hard on it, but I popped "God Only Knows" on the top of my list.”
@@alanhynd7886 My theory about why they haven't been suggested is that they are slightly earlier than the music that most of the subscribers prefer to listen to. I agree that both are great songs. If either of those songs had been on this week's poll, I would have voted for it.
I SOOO agree-! Im 63 and I was growing up when his music was coming out and it was indeed something special apart from everything else, Taupins lyrics and Eltons arrangements were so superbly professional and sublime when paired together. We had the best music era EVER back then, JMO.
Yes! Although there’s still just as incredible music coming out today, it’s often brushed over as the older generation are hard stuck on the classics! Music is still just as good
@@unfoldedhistoryAI I don’t think we’re stuck on the classics so much as we yearn for new music that’s comparable to what we grew up listening to. But there isn’t any.
So, my mother actually went to high school with the song this girl was written about. She was friends with her and she was very into dance. They lived in L.A. And so the part where she turns back and says, "the Boulevard is not that bad." The other part is about her singing a song. My mom said, she would walk through the halls singing to herself all the time and was always in her own world. She always always wanted to marry a rock star and she married's Burnie Taupin who wrote with Elton John. So I hope that helps you on the lyrics.
Bernie Taupin wrote this about his girlfriend at the time. Elton and Bernie had recently come to America, LA in particular....she was literally the seamstress who did the costumes for the band at the time.
True, it's partially a tribute to Bernie's first wife (also honored in the album credits) but also a tribute from a newly arrived in LA British guy about the abundance of beautiful, free-loving women there. www.google.com/amp/s/americansongwriter.com/behind-song-tiny-dancer-elton-john/%3famp
My favorite EJ song is NEVER anyone else's favorite, but it touches me more than any of the others- Someone Saved My Life Tonight. It's when Elton was suicidal and Bernie Taupin saved him.
In the movie, "Almost Famous"(2000), there is a point where on a tour bus, everyone is pissed off at everybody else... and then this song comes on the radio... And little by little, everyone eventually joins in and sings their heart out! It is the best scene in the movie! P.S.: I highly recommend that movie to anyone who has any interest in the rock scene of the 70's... Kate Hudson is sublime!
That scene was so beautifully done. I agree. There is something about a group of people randomly breaking into song in a completely organic way that is so satisfying when it happens.
Everyone asserting that this song wasn't a hit or popular until it was in "Almost Famous," is too young to be commenting on classic rock songs. :) This song was in constant rotation on the radio during the 70s along with Rocketman and Levon
Two things I hate about this song... I cannot listen to it without singing along (nobody wants to hear that) and I always get choked up when I hear it. One the greatest songs.
This song was little known in the 70's unless you had the original album, it go no radio play because its 6 minutes long. They finally began to play it on the airwaves in the 80's. It become bigger and bigger in each passing decade and is arguable his most beloved song now in 2023.
Next song should be Madman Across the Water. Then any of the following: Levon, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting, and the entire Captain Fantastic album.
Madman Across the Water is a good song, but there are so MANY GOOD SONGS ON THIS ALBUM!! Razor Face Rotten Peaches Madman Across the Water I could go on.
Check out the live performance of Madman Across the Water live at BBC studios 1971. If you ever doubted his talent, this will crush that notion: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-B8_xkuGbPhY.html
@@berniewilson371 Indian Sunset is another great song. I'll also add All the Nasties as well. Madman is one of his most solid albums, and my favorite of his.
This song wasn't a huge hit when it came out,( it did OK ),... But it's almost always 'Top 3' ,in people's favourite Elton John songs... A timeless classic...
If you haven’t already, you must see the movie “Almost Famous”. This song plays a big part in that movie. Great movie loosely based on Cameron Crowe’s time as a young writer for Rolling Stone magazine, tasked with following an up and coming band in tour.
70’s Elton John is the best! Your Song, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Someone Saved My Life Tonight, Bennie an the Jets, Daniel, Rocket Man, Candle in the Wind, Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting and Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me! The last one is a must!
The first time I heard "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" was at the planetarium in Cincinnati, Ohio and the "new guy" putting on the show at there said, "This is my favorite new record, sit back and enjoy the stars." As he dimmed the lights and brought up the stars, the music started. I think I was about 11 years old. Wherever that guy is....THANK YOU!!!!!!
I met Bernie Taupin when I was in the hospital! I was 15 and not expected to live; my nurse went to a Rod Stewart concert! She went backstage and told him about me! Rod Stewart came to see me in the hospital and he brought Bernie Taupin and Bill Mumy( from lost in space , he was a musician playing in band!) After the visit I fought for my life! I'm.now 60; 61 this month! They helped save my life! 💜🙏
@@irmarocha7809 You met Rod Stewart, Bernie Taupin and Bill Mumy all at the same time? That's incredible! And you lived to tell the tale. What a great story 😊
Actually, Bernie said it wasn’t about Maxine. It was about the women in the stores on the strip in LA. 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”
Elton John, in the early 70's was putting out master piece albums every 6-12 months !! Albums that mere mortals would have been satisfied to produce one in their entire lifetime, if ever! He and Bernie delivered a string of albums in the early 70's that has probably never been equaled in rock music EVER. That is why is held in such high regard. His voice then was impeccable, and he is a piano virtuoso !! Nuf said. Thanks for digging i Andy and Alex !. He and Steely Dan from this time period are the gold standard to which others aspired
@@James-wb1uy You're not wrong, but this is a terrible album. Compared to Honky Chateau, Tumbleweed Connection, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Don't Shoot Me. Bad choice.
@@keithdixon6595 "Madman across the water" is a great album, IMO. The title song is a bit weird, but pretty cool in it's own way. And the other songs are great. I'd pick it over "Honky Chateau" and "Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only the Piano Player". But I'll admit it's tougher for me to pick a winner out of "Madman", "Tumbleweed", and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Pretty amazing string of amazing albums.
@Marco von Catfish I respect your views, but buying at the time, Madman, Blue Moves and Caribou were all pretty dire. Honky C, Tumbleweed Connection, GYB Road and Don't Shoot Me stood out for their quality. Apart from a couple of tracks, Captain Fantastic wasn't great either. Then came the 80s, about which the least said the better ... ;)
Totally agree! "Harmony" , arguably his best romantic song that never was released as an A side single (B side of "Bennie and the Jets"), off of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Elton (and Bernie) were releasing so many great songs and albums at that time.
This song IS about a real person. Bernie Taupin’s (Elton Johns lyricist) first wife Maxine who was the seamstress for the band. This is his love song to her.
@David Powell that’s right in the sweet spot. Don’t get me wrong, we had plenty of great rock and metal in the 90s, but there’s something really magical about that late 60s to mid 70s era.
Shmick -- One of the greatest things about being a teen in the 70s (I graduated high school in 1978, so yeah), was my older brother had a DYNAMITE album collection. I was listening to Yes-Fragile, ELP-Brain Salad Surgery, Grand Funk-We're An American Band, Bowie-Alladin Sane, and Stones-Exile On Main Street ... and I was ONLY 12 or 13 years old. THAT'S why "our generation" feels so put off by today's music -- we were raised during an era when musicianship was at its peak. And we could only hear it by buying albums, as radio wasn't truly "into" rock yet, and there was no Internet, or TV shows to watch it on. We went over to each other's houses, and listened to albums for hours on end.
I’m going to step outside the great choices everyone else has suggested and put forward “Take Me To The Pilot.” That’s my personal favorite and always puts a smile on my face when I need it most.
The 70s were the high water mark for recordings that were masterpieces. There is great music in 2020 and there are some of the most amazing musicians who ever existed in 2020, but there was some undeniable convergence of artists, technicians, innocence, self-destruction, technology and an industry that was willing to take risks that served these albums up on silver platters. While I'm not here to knock what is now, I have yet to hear that level of greatness that leaves you speechless with the same ubiquity that I took for granted in my younger years.
What an absolute spot on comment. Formative years were the 70's and early 80's. I know we all tend to lean towards what we grew up with. But that era is simply the greatest in music history. Thanks for your comment.
@@thomasrobinson5190 Thanks's Thomas. Even from a technical standpoint when I A/B modern recordings against those done in the 70s, I'm shocked at how much more attention went to sonic quality and imaging. I completely understand why this is but I don't know that anyone wants me to drone on about it.
This song is in the pivotal scene from the movie Almost Famous. I noticed a fan sent that movie to you in your last mail video. Definitely watch it, maybe even do a reaction for something a little different. It's a semi-autobiographical story written and directed by Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Say Anything). He scammed his way to write for Rolling Stone at age 15. They sent him on tour with Led Zep, Allmans etc, and his mom let him go! Crowe says 95% of the movie actually happened. A must see.
Thank you for pointing this out. I have a question as I never understood the scene. The band was about to break up but they heard this song and "remembered why they became a band." I don't understand this. Please explain it.
Cameron Crowe was married to Nancy from Heart at the time of making Almost Famous. Nancy worked on the music for the film and Peter Frampton was an advisor.
@@The_Dudester I always took it as the love for the music was why they formed the band and this scene helped them realize that. They all came together in an organic moment for the love of music.
This scene always gets me. The pseudo-Cameron Crowe looks at Penny Lane (Kate Hudson) and says "I have to go home." She fixes her gaze on him and says, "You ARE home."
I was a child in the 70s, teen in the 80s. Imagine as a child, no cassettes or digital music in the family station wagon, only radio. We got to listen to all these classic songs on the regular. This was our music. Memories of my childhood. Too young to fully appreciate it at the time, but knew that I liked what I was hearing.
I was a child in the 50's, teen in the 60's and remember having an 8 track player installed in my car. A few years later they come up with cassette players, so rather than buy one I bought a devise that you could plug into your 8 track player that you could put cassettes in. Best of both worlds when you are a broke 20 yr old.
One of all time favorite Elton John songs! I can't believe its not requested more. I guess in all fairness, it would be easy to come up with a dozen titles they need to hear.
Time Has Come, by the Chambers Brothers. Psychedelic soul music. This song will blow your minds.They have a long and short version. Nothin like it ever!
The song Madman Across The Water” is one of my all time favorites of anyone. It’s a MUST HEAR!!!! Please 🙏🏼 Just as, if not more impressive and beautiful as “Tiny Dancer”.
The string / orchestral arrangements from Paul Buckmaster are incredible throughout the album especially on the title track of Madman Across The Water. It’s one of my favorite Elton John songs.
Elton has so many good songs that it's hard to choose - "Rocket Man", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" are beautifully melancholic romances. I'm a big fan of the original cut of "Madman Across the Water" with Mick Ronson on guitar. "Levon" is a lovely one, as is "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters". Some deeper cuts include "Border Song (Holy Moses)", "Amoreena", "Where to Now St. Peter?", "I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)", "Harmony", and "Salvation". "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", "Take Me to the Pilot", "Rock n' Roll Madonna", and "The Bitch Is Back" stand as some more rocking tracks. And, yes, "Bennie and the Jets" is great.
Need "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Song for Guy", "Crocodile Rock", "It's Me That You Need", "Your Song", "Honky Cat", "Daniel", "Elderberry Wine", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Harmony", "The Bitch Is Back", "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", "Philadelphia Freedom", "Pinball Wizard" and on and on. You almost can't go wrong with Elton John.
The strings arrangements on EJ's early albums were so,so good. Just took the songs to a different level. Maybe best illustrated ,at least for me,on "Levon".
I'd forgotten how good Elton voice was, my late hubby bought this album and I thought he was going nerdy on me,until I sat down with him, my wine, blunt and rocking chair....I went to nirvana in my music room,!
Totally agree Beth! If you loved this song and you like a good story about a rock band, that movie is it. That scene where they sing this song is epic. I get tears in my eyes when I watch that scene, every time.
I just commented on "Almost Famous" I think it's the best rock movie ever made. I would like A n A to watch on their own and do a video on what they thought of it. That scene with "tiny dancer" takes me back to sunday mornings after a party.
If you watch the movie, and you must, then make sure it’s the extended version. One of the best films you’ll ever see and this song has the love it has because of this film. I watched it again the other day for the umpteenth time😁👍
The brilliant use of this song in that movie perfectly illustrates the power music has to bring people together and destroy whatever differences exists between us, if even for the length of a song. Truly iconic goosebumpy moment.
I have no idea why I always get so emotional when I see the scene on the bus from Almost Famous where everyone joins in on the chorus of this song. An expression of the pure joy of music
I was going to mention Almost Famous but saw your comment and it said it all. Alex and Andy should see the movie as it so well portrays what it was like to love music in one's youth!
I can't lie, guys, my eyes filled with tears at how you reacted to the chorus. You helped me listen to this song again like it was the first time. Absolutely beautiful song.
When that album came out, one of my friends brought it over and said, "You have to listen to this." It effin' blew my mind. Of course I bought a copy for myself--still have it, still play it.
@@6falconsue this is my favorite performance of it. For a few reasons. But its just fun ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RiMcOWz8-zA.html
Tapestry will be 50 years older next week. An amazing simple album that garnered so many hit songs. The great Carole King. Also here music before going solo is incredible. She wrote with Gerry Goffin wrote so many hit songs in the 60’s.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet The Guess Who - No Sugar Tonight, These Eyes Manfred Man - Blinded by the Light Sniff 'n' The Tears - Driver's Seat
J.P., you’re absolutely right. These guys could spend a college semester studying Elton & Bernie’s collaborations...and they still couldn’t capture the “feeling” that you and I got, growing up listening to them on the radio!!!
When I saw the thumbnail I thought you were going to listen to madman across the water. Tiny dancer is a great song but you definitely have got to listen to madman as your next Elton John song!
My wife and I adopted a little girl in 2010. This song is her song in my mind. There's something about watching a 3 year old dance with joy and freedom. This song makes me flash back over our time together. It hits deeply in the best of ways!
How about some Paul McCartney (and Wings). Junior's Farm, Jet, Band on the Run, Helen Wheels, Venus & Mars/Rock Show, Too Many People, Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey...
Iconic song...! Elton John ~ "Madman Across the Water" "Someone Save My Life Tonight" "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters"..... the list goes on and on
When the lyrics say, "Softly.... Slowly... Hold me closer.." the drummer ever so slightly ritards the tempo. It's very subtle but it just makes that transition. Great!
It's hard to think about someone reacting to Elton John. He was so big when I was growing up, he almost has his own genre, like Elvis. Some of these were very overplayed, but still beautiful. My favorite EJ song is Honky Cat.
I was 19 in 1971. I met the love of my life. I had to leave for college. He gave me this album and two others by Elton John. I missed him so much I played the albums all the time, crying and writing him love letters. He moved to San Diego to be with me. We moved in together, we married in '73, we had 25 years together. "Your Song" became our song...he had blue-green eyes...I was a poet and loved to sit on the roof. I miss him right now, just watching you two sweet guys as you listen to this music for the first time and your faces say it all. Peace and love, guys....peace and love!!!
This is just a Elton John and Bernie Taupin brilliant classic . I don’t care how many times I hear this song it always gives me a great buzz. There is a real story behind this song . Bernie Taupin a master in creating. lyrics . Have you guys not seen Rocket Man yet? Go and see it !
Ok after you get done with Elton’s ballads, you need to do some of his bangers. IMO, his greatest banger is Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting!!! Others to choose from are The Bitch is Back, All The Young Girls Love Alice, Crocodile Rock. He did a great version of Pinball Wizard in the movie Tommy. And if you want to do a great album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is fantastic!!
Saturday Night's a great upbeat song but, IMO, it should be preceded by Your Sister Can't Twist, it runs straight into Saturday Night on the album and the two make an amazing pair up bangers.
Rob McGrath I totally agree. The way Your Sister Can’t Dance leads into Saturday Nights Alright is sooo well done. I love them both. I didn’t mention it only because I thought it was too deep into Elton’s library for them to ever get to but it is one of my faves!! I was hoping that by recommending the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album, we could see them react to this duo.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road!!! His best song, IMO. Another world class chorus but with better verses. This song is the pinacle of melody. You can quote me on that and you will agree 100%.
I'm 57 and I feel like this song is part of the soundtrack of my youth. " Your Song " is my Fav. The chorus portion is highlighted in almost famous as you explain how it peaks the song. Count the head lights on the highway ; in a tour bus etc.
I want to give you two some kudos. A lot of reaction videos involve the person listening to the song and not saying much afterward other than "man! wow! oh boy! That was good!" and that's it. I like how you two actually review the music, lyrics, feelings, etc. and discuss what works and maybe what doesn't but in an honest and respectful way. There's actually substance to your videos. Great job!
“Honky Cat” is my favorite Elton John song. Fun tune with great horns and piano. “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” and “The Bitch is Back” are good bangers from Elton.
When this song first came out the love of my life ( who remains the love of my life and we will be holding hands until the end) was a tiny little 4 ft 11 in Italian girl of only 17 Who Loved hanging out on the boulevard after midnight in San Jose California. I'm sure you can imagine that through the years this phone has always been very special to me. My Tiny Dancer still lays me down in sheets of linen.
Why is Elton 's "Tumbleweed Connection" album songs always overlooked? That album got me and my sister through some really rough teenage, dysfunctional family, years.
My second comment: Go ahead and do "Bennie & The Jets" then I urge you to react to "Rocket Man" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". There are also many other great songs too numerous to list here.
@@SR-vl6ql Candy-O is my second favorite album I think the title track would be the perfect track to start with, then Let's Go, Dangerous Type and Since I Held You.
Agree with your comments about the chorus. I love the structure of this, how he makes you wait for the chorus the first time. It's like he knows it's a GREAT chorus, so he sings 2 verses, and a pre-chorus before he gets to it. The build-up is great. And when the chorus hits, it's just this massive cathartic moment that feels so good and makes you smile. It's Elton's ability to structure a song. I remember Dave Grohl played this solo, acoustic on some late-night show. And he skipped the second verse section. He literally started the song and then said "let's skip to the good part!" and jumped to the chorus. Because he knows that's the best part. :) But you need that build up! Taupin's lyrics are often enigmatic. Elton himself has said that he didn't understand them sometimes.
Saw Elton live in the 70s... packed house, platform shoes, giant glasses, on top of the piano, his own hair! Master performer! I will love any song of his you choose to review 🎶
So absolutely wonderful to see you guys enjoy this so much! Elton John (and a few others) were. my. youth. (I’m a 54 year old woman). Just you wait, there’s SO much more! The lyrics are about Bernie Taupin’s, the (genius) lyricist’s wife at the time, who indeed sewed clothes for the band, and had been a ballet dancer.