Elton John - Levon (REACTION)

[@imogene413]

Elton will never be duplicated in a million years.

[@itchyandred4131]

Maybe not so popular but levon is my personal favorite song of Elton's ✌️

[@joelliebler5690]

Mine too!

[@bonniethompson2019]

Mine, too! ❤

[@melvinwomack3717]

Definitely should've been a bigger song

[@davidcrawford330]

also my fav.... when it was released album did not perform well and both singles (tiny dancer and levon) stalled on the billboard charts....

[@greekadmirer2204]

Love it ❤👌

[@denadallenbach1724]

Another great and unique voice of the era. My era....

[@michaelkeefe8494]

Characters are fictional according to Bernie Taupin, but Levon was the son of Alvin Tostig, born as the War (presumably WWIi) was starting. As war generations do, Levon focused on making his money. His son Jesus, born into a rich family business, just wanted to get away from it. Just a beautiful song about fairly typical family generational dynamics. Elton can make anything sound bigger than it is and this song is sonically gorgeous.

[@MilosDaddy]

Great explanation!

[@scottmalone9921]

Thank you for the insight. It all makes sense. Cheer's.

[@TR-yi8up]

Believe the name Levon was inspired by Levon Helm

[@brianfiori4086]

@@TR-yi8up True according to Elton

[@janetpope1455]

Yes, Bernie Taupin chose the name in homage to Levon Helm although the song is not about him.

[@majones501]

What you’ve experienced and just voiced about Sir Elton John is the reason he was knighted.

[@lisarainbow9703]

"Burn Down the Mission" is another Elton John that's got incredibly energetic piano in it..

[@DavidJacobsvo]

Yes. This one!!!

[@reddoxx4754]

They already did "Burn Down the Mission". Haven't done "Take Me to the Pilot" yet.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

They already reacted to BDtM, on my suggestion. It was early in their Elton exploration, and I think they may have been put off by it being so different from later Elton.

[@kathrinepearson7528]

Yes!! This!

[@mark-be9mq]

Yes

[@DavidEveritt74]

Don’t know if you guys can appreciate how much this DEBUT album shifted the Earth on it’s axis. A huge change in music.

[@bjwnashe5589]

It's a perfect record. You can imagine the impact Elton's music had for those of us who were teenagers in the 70s.

[@markcosenza3274]

There was so much great music in the 70's, it made you head swim!😂😂

[@nickmcginley4570]

I used to play this and his other albums on repeat.

[@johnanderson8096]

I became a Teenager in 71".... Think I Qualify... LUCKY US!!!!!! X 1000!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@carlaemerson1195]

My hero then and now in 2024. ❤❤❤❤

[@davelaffertykeyboards]

Paul Buckmaster strings are epic.

[@GGLee315]

Besides all the tremendous elements of this fabulous recording, it just needs to be said that Elton sang the shit out of this thing.

[@AirplayBeats]

He sure did

[@seerofallthatisobvious1316]

he tried real hard.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Exactly. He sang his face off!

[@jeremygray1331]

Levon epitomizes the songwriting dynamic between Taupin and Elton. No one but Elton could have turned Taupin’s lyrics - which do not seem at all like any song I’ve ever heard - into this masterpiece.

[@paulprendergast3184]

His old stuff like this is by far his best. Take Me to the Pilot, Burn Down the Mission, etc

[@bobdelp2023]

YEAH, HE STARTED BANGING AWAY AT 4 YEARS OLD SO, OVERRRR 70 YEARS OF INSANE PLAYING! 😊

[@joanfisher1079]

A song about three generations of a family. Each wants better for their sins. Elton said that it is really about boredom. How you just are bored per age, success or circumstance, hence flying balloons all day and just wanting to escape it all.

[@guidedmeditation2396]

"Where To Now St. Peter" is another awesome song. But of course Tiny Dancer is the twin song to consider with Levon. I love Elton John's early music.

[@GrannyBoots]

This song STILL gives me chills EVERY TIME I hear it!!! ❤

[@bastark6926]

Big shout out to Bernie Taupin with whom Elton worked most of his career. He wrote many of the lyrics for Elton's songs. Rumour has it that "Levon" referred to Levon Helm of The Band.

[@bennettmusiccollective3218]

Philadelphia Freedom by Elton…. Pure magic.

[@richardhatter3624]

Madman Across the Water is by far my favorite Elton John album. He became more pop oriented after the early 70s.

[@JimFlickinger]

Amen!!!!

[@fastcakes]

Levon has the best piano intro of any pop song ever, and I think you guys are discovering, track by track, that Madman Across The Water is Elton's masterpiece.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

IMO, Elton's early albums--Elton John through Honky Chateau, were all masterpieces, worthy of complete listens.

[@neilmartin99]

Incredible song both lyrically and musically. A little context: In January 1966, the New York Times ran a piece about the then-new debate about how society was becoming more secular and God was being “written out” of science and stuff like that. The article had the headline, “Religion; ‘God Is Dead’ Debate Widens.” There was a text box on the bottom of the page that said “God is Dead.”

[@jamesnorrisbarrett8927]

Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements on this album are monumental. Check out Indian Sunset and the transition into Holiday Inn. Not only is it outstanding but does a wonderful job of transitioning from the heartbreak reflected in Indian Sunset into the commercialism of Holiday Inn. Great Album. One of his all-around best

[@suesebree8670]

So true!!!!

[@JimFlickinger]

One of my favorite Elton songs.... Indian sunset

[@catserver8577]

And another double meaning, He shall be Levon and He shall believe on. Love it.

[@DocRock71]

The most mind blowing thing for me about EJ, is how Bernie Taupin could finish the lyrics of a new song, hand them off to Elton, and the dude sat down and would knock out these brilliant and amazing songs we all know and love, right off the top of hi head, in less than an hour a lot of times...some greats he wrote in 20 minutes! How does THAT work!? The man's musical genius is on another level..

[@TheApplecorped]

levon Helm - the band

[@chazfromtheburg]

After more than 50 years this song is STILL a banger!!! What a masterpiece! Love you guys!

[@babylonsister118]

Great reaction, guys! Would love to see you react to Someone Saved My Life Tonight, and Rocket Man!

[@anthonyfoster6737]

You just requested a pure masterpiece

[@BringItMAGA]

Oh yeah Levon is bitchin. I spent many nights in high school with this song, my headphones and the dark. Thank you Elton for being the soundtrack to my life.

[@dankofanz]

Elton and Bernie were big fans of The Band and used the name of their drummer, Levon Helm. (Apologies if someone's already posted this but I'm not going to read 300+ comments.) Also he was using an English pronunciation of 'garage' (cos he's English!)

[@willblood7082]

Great song! When Rolling Stone asked Bernie Taupin about the song in 2013, he insisted that he has no idea what he intended as the meaning. "It was a free-form writing," he said. "It was just lines that came out that were interesting."

[@ronaldelliott4373]

So glad you got here. Tumbleweed Connection and Madman are two very special albums from the many successful LP’s throughout his long career. Enjoying your reactions. 👈

[@thomasmcintosh390]

"Love Song" off of Tumbleweed Connection as well as "Talking Old Soldier". "Friends" is a lovely song as well.

[@AncientWisdomTeachingsLLC]

In Susan Black's book Elton John in His Own Words, Elton says of "Levon": "It's about a guy who just gets bored doing the same thing. It's just somebody who gets bored with blowing up balloons and he just wants to get away from it but he can't because it's the family ritual." When Rolling Stone asked Taupin about the song in 2013, he insisted that he has no idea what he intended as the meaning. "It was a free-form writing," he said. "It was just lines that came out that were interesting."

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Great lyricists--Taupin, McCartney, Fagen, Paul Simon--say that indirectness and mystery in lyrics is important. Much better having the listener bringing their own interpretation. Taupin loves and emulates classic American western novelists. That sense of raw place.

[@michaeldeleon9080]

He shall be Levon, and he shall believe on!

[@vixybanker]

I saw Elton John in Lincoln Center in ‘98. It was a private show for the company I was working for at the time. The greatest thing about it was that it was just him and and a grand piano and he only played the best songs!! Like this song.

[@valedslinger6290]

Madman across the water is incredible. Please listen to that piece of art.

[@StuartBearden]

My favorite Elton song😊

[@gregharmon3797]

Great Elton song!!!

[@michaelkeefe8494]

Check out his live album 11-17-70, recorded in a radio studio on his first trip to the States. He was hungry and fierce.

[@joelliebler5690]

One of the best live albums. Love it!

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, he’s not fuckin’ around!

[@mikemicrael5749]

A prog snob here requesting "Ticking" from Caribou by Elton John. Sparse, haunting and wrenching. One of Bernie's best lyrics.

[@mrmiscast]

You can be guaranteed everything from Elton will be a huge fantastic production... I'm going to second the "Burn Down the Mission" suggestion.. The piano is magnificent and drives the entire song.

[@rossjoseph3844]

I've been waiting for you guys to do this song. This is definitely my favorite song by EJ. I think the lyrics are very interesting but the delivery here, everything about this recording is perfect. The elegant piano intro, the arrangement, the vocals. But the orchestra was brilliant the vocals and the strings complimented each other beautifully. This album didn't have any top 40 hits but Levon, Tiny Dancer, Madman, Razor Face and Holliday Inn are all first rate. Elton really hit his stride with this album. The performances and production were top level. This era - 1970, 72 and 73 was, in my opinion, the best time for Rock music. So many masterpieces hit at this time.

[@DocRock71]

Dont forget about Rotten Peaches and Indian Sunset now! LOL. Those are also such great deep cuts along with the others you mentioned. Every single song on this album is just SO damn good! It's his best album for me. I've listened to it well over a hundred times at least since it came out.

[@jgold78]

Elton is the Mozart of our generation...

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

"He was born a pauper to a pawn...." Love that line.

[@bonniethompson2019]

I forgot to mention he wrote a song for John Lennon when he died. It was called Empty Garden. You should check it out. Its different

[@bonniethompson2019]

It's one of my favorite songs.❤

[@johndrx165]

One of my favorites off the album.

[@melvinwomack3717]

Beautiful strings 🎶🎼🎵

[@brendawoodson3230]

Elton is always amazing

[@johns7097]

Elton was a master of building emotion in a song.

[@lisanowka8669]

I danced with my son on his wedding day because I love the line and he shall be a good man,and he is a really good man

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

You two appreciating this song is making me smile ear to ear. I just adore you guys for your ability to see talent!! ❤❤ Do the rest of side 1 from this....do Razor Face!! It's another banger!!

[@chandlerbryan1793]

Razor Face is definitely the sleeper on Madman.

[@JamesJohnson-ig6of]

"I would always say, this album is his masterpiece! Until the next one came along!" THANK YOU for reacting to this sonic masterpiece from a certified genius on the piano! "Burn Down the Mission"; "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"; "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters"; "The Bitch Is Back". THANK YOU!

[@laryejful]

This is by far my favorite EJ song. I crank it every time and it brings tears to my eyes. Goosebumps for days no matter how many times I hear it.

[@paulkorbitz3119]

You guys need to check out the album "Tumbleweed Connection". Another masterpiece by Elton.

[@christ1988]

I remember being like 6 yrs old, Mom's would take older sis to Kmart to get some clothes. She'd come back with a 45 record of Elton. We'd play it on our little catalog bought record player. We didn't have much in those days but we did have some great music.

[@markcosenza3274]

Amen!

[@wendyt7958]

This song according to Bernie Taupin was inspired by and named after Levon Helm the drummer for The Band.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Paul Buckmaster arranged those fantastic strings on Levon, and many other early Elton songs. And yes, you nailed it: Elton came out of the womb playing the piano--a true prodigy. As a youth, Elton applied to a music school--the interviewer played a classical piece on the piano, and asked Elton if he could play it. He said yes, played for a while, and stopped. The interviewer asked him why he'd stopped, and he said "Because that's all you played." He didn't know the piece, but immediately played it by ear.

[@marksimpson1991]

A great song is just that. Doesn't matter who you are, what you believe, or how you think. A great song just rises above everything.

[@hampyonce]

Beautiful song. A late night FM banger from my misspent youth. The three beautiful Williams sisters provided my introduction to these great Elton John albums. This song takes me on a memory ride.

[@IDriveAnAudi]

One of my favorite if not my favorite song by Elton John. Along with Someone Saved my Life Tonight.

[@mrnobody9104]

Early Elton is incredible those were the great years.

[@loadedorygun]

This song always struck me as so sad, even the first time I heard it in the 70s at maybe 11, 12? Caught my ear early on and it’s still a favorite. The strings catch you by surprise and from there it’s just majestic.

[@456012]

Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters next!

[@lindataggart9076]

One of my favorites of Elton...thanks again guys

[@frankbourne4560]

keep going. this record is perfect, start to finish. :) paul buckmaster was a genius producer and string arranger. elton's piano hero is leon russell.

[@valedslinger6290]

Guys go back to the beginning.His 1st 5 or 6 albums were the best. His roots in the small club scene brought out his greatest works. Bad side of the moon is bare bones Elton and awesome. 11/17/70 is a album to explore. Go from there and understand. So much talent. I saw him 4 times in the 70s. Magnificent!

[@bobdelp2023]

SO WHAT HAPPENED WAS THAT BERNIE NAMED THIS SONG AFTER ( LEVON HELM ) THE DRUMMER AND SINGER FOR ( THE BAND ) ELTON AND BERNIE LOVED THE BANDS SONGS SO. 😊

[@bearballin]

Amazing... this song gives me chills! Elton's voice and piano are positively commanding❤

[@kush3614]

I love your tell! Throw yourself back in your chair and your eyes rolled back! That's when we know you love it.Nowords needed.

[@kush3614]

Would love for you to watch Genesis live ABACAB, (abacab stood for verses, bridge, verse, chorus, ... but it changed but kept Monaco which means nothing so do t waste time figuring itout). Enjoy the live performance

[@sukie584]

Gorgeous storytelling musically & lyrically… so lush..

[@wentibbetts7833]

This album...SUBLIME!! My personal fav of any of Elton's entire collection, Masterpiece. Appreciate your expertise and enthusiasm!! 😍

[@shellycasbeer3775]

Nothing like Elton in the morning. We need some All the Girls Love Alice or maybe even Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. More Elton please!!!!!!

[@sandymiller3577]

Yes, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy...great album

[@shellycasbeer3775]

@@sandymiller3577 I guess good minds think alike. My maiden name was Shelly Miller lol

[@RickWaughGuitarist]

I remember hearing this on the radio, at the same time as Roundabout by Yes. Two of my fav songs of all time. Saw Elton 3 times in concert. So good.

[@renecuellar3078]

"He got flames!' Comment of the day. LMMFAO! Loving this trip I'm on with you guys. So MANY great tunes. Keep it going!!!!

[@BeeGee56]

Not sure if this is correct, but I think I read that Bernie and Elton said that they got the name “Levon” from the drummer/vocalist 9:47 of The Band, Levon Helm. They liked the name (and it is pronounced LEEVON)

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Great choice & an absolute classic..Another off the same album & title track, Elton John "Madman Across The Water"

[@anthonygiordano8237]

One of his best and he's got a lot

[@v.2080]

This album and the ones before them are, in my opinion, much better than the commercial stuff, which I also loved....🎉❤P.S. Where to Now, St. Peter? Was a favorite of mine. The entire Tumbleweed Connection album was truly a great album. 🌠

[@davidcrawford330]

the early albums are also my favs.... yellow brick road is a bit too much influenced by his addiction...

[@joy88867]

This was my first concert at 13, Elton John. We had to see him. In the 70s his music was awesome!

[@jeffross8400]

Damn...just one of those tunes that takes me back decades....Great song great reaction

[@cherylwoodward]

I remember my best friend and me sporting our Elton John t-shirts in the 70s, laying around listening to his music with our big headphones on. He was the best. Hit after hit-he was a machine.

[@terrieb13]

Levon is my favorite song from Elton and Bernie! My favorite album is Tumbleweed Connection. I think you will love that one too. ☮️❤️😎

[@kimdoe6812]

Another great reaction! Add Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (their bio) and Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters to your list.

[@RickWright66]

Please, on your next visit to Elton.... find an early live version of Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word... For what It's worth... Elton sounds just as amazing live as he does studio.... amazing

[@vickihirsch8340]

My absolute favorite Elton album. Know every song by heart. Played the gell out of that CD for decades in my truck. Levon is a man who " wears his war wound like a crown". Thats where you heard the WAR reference. Yes. Thats how " garage " is pronounced in Englad.

[@poeslanding]

One of my all-time favorite songs of anybody!

[@melvinwomack3717]

Respect his drummer I repeat Respect his drummer 😅

[@sutech161]

Well done guys, a true time tested masterpiece…. Hard to hear better. Thanks for sharing/stay safe

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

No one makes songs like this anymore.

[@annamariadelillo2916]

Elton's got a bunch of albums that are freaking awesome! Give a listen to Burn Down the Mission from Tumbleweed Connection. That song is AMAZING! The combination of Bernie Taupin and Elton John for lyrics and music was pure magic.

[@phillipharrison7283]

Two other great tracks from this album are 'Madman Across the Water' and 'Indian Sunset'. This is one of Elton's best 5 albums and personally my fav. Others being, 'Tumbleweed Connection', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Honky Chateau' and 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy'. Cheers ✌

[@greekadmirer2204]

Jesus I thought I was reading my own words ❤❤Totally agree with you 👌

[@helenespaulding7562]

Yup. Mine too

[@terrymcnamara5893]

Fun Facr Most of all heavy metal artists Love EJ I’m a metal head myself Nothing but Metal and Hard Rock But when I wanna chill Elton is the gateway When you head Bang 24 hours a day our relief sometimes is Sir Elton

[@HXERkYJclMcKLAWwQW]

One of his greatest albums, listen to the acoustic guitar on this album . Incredible musicians.

[@Teek4Tat]

One of my favorite Elton songs , it’s beautiful , I’m glad you enjoyed it .

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

You're discovering Elton's greatest music--his early 70s work, Elton John through Honky Chateau. Please keep it up, you won't be disappointed--so much better and more soulful than his later better-known albums.

[@Peggi109]

I love the way you totally appreciate every aspect of this, most awesome music. This is just about the best album, ever! ✌Hi from NYC.

[@timjc4344]

Hello Peggi, From a fella located about 3 hours south of La & Che in CA. Based on your comment about the quality of the “Madman..” album by Sir Elton, it’s obvious that you’ve listened to a lot of great music - as have I. It’s great that this platform allows someone from CA to communicate with another in NYC so effortlessly.. your City is one that I sincerely hope to visit someday. Not to be a “bummer,” but Septembers are “my” month to look inwardly.. because of 9/11. It’s always a pretty emotional Month for me, but also a wonderful reminder of how unified your City, & our Country, was in the aftermath of such tragedy & heartache. I truly wish that somehow We The People can find that spirit-of-cooperation/unity again someday. Cheers Peggi, hope to see you weigh-in on this “channel” again sometime soon! ✌️

[@Frankincensedjb123]

He shall be-lieve on. Great album. Early Elton is the best

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Concise, and true.

[@markmurphy558]

My co- favorite EJ song, along with Tiny Dancer.

[@wandadickson5550]

Your reactions make me happy