Elton John - Madman Across The Water (REACTION)

[@davidwilkins5932]

You guys REALLY need to dig into all of EJ’s 1970’s work. He became a bit of a commercial muffin after a while, but his earlier years are a treasure unto themselves.

[@leebay6093]

💯

[@unclemeat7310]

Absolutely. Unfortunately alot of great artists began to be swayed by the corporate swine a little too much and this level of creativity was hard to sell. They wanted catchy, quickly written short tunes people could sing in the shower.

[@johnthegreek5836]

Definitely agree I love all his albums up to and including Captain Fantastic, then he had some great songs

[@jeremyadams1521]

1970-1975 in particular.

[@Jonni1027]

Hahaha!!! “Commercial Muffin” is a wonderful way to describe some later stuff. Whenever someone says I hate Elton John I say you gotta hear his 1970s work

[@bjwnashe5589]

Elton's early stuff, in the '70s, was high quality. This song is an example.

[@SpuzzyLargo]

And those early to mid 1970s albums were well-produced and recorded.

[@musicairplanes4884]

Burn Down the Mission. For me early Elton is the best Elton.

[@coopm3087]

Honky Chateau was a real good album too I'm surprised sometimes how a lot of his music wasn't more popular and known to the public I guess that's with a lot of great artists like looking for hidden gems

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

@@musicairplanes4884 Amen! They reacted on my suggestion. Check it out.

[@TRANZEURO]

@@coopm3087 It seems that a lot of the time the songs from an artist that *don't* get played on the radio tend to be the better ones.

[@elegantirony78]

Mona Lisa's & Madhatters is great too

[@kris10_wxly]

I was fortunate to see him do that one live. So good!

[@ohfour-seven6228]

Thanks for bringing this song to the channel. This is one of EJ's most overlooked songs by reactors and definitely needs more attention. So glad you enjoyed it!

[@joelliebler5690]

For sure!

[@buddystewart2020]

It's my favorite Elton John song. I like others that don't get a lot of attention like, Gray Seal, Boogie Pilgrim, Island Girl.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Yes! 70s Elton is nothing like Liberace Elton.

[@TRANZEURO]

@@buddystewart2020 It's my favorite Elton John song too but there are many other great ones. I think 'Island Girl' gets attention though. I hear that one fairly often

[@lauragroce3816]

My fav of his.

[@jeremygray1331]

No other musician except Elton could have taken Bernie Taupin’s strange, elaborate lyrics (really a poem) and created a song like this. This is why they are among the top handful of song writing duos in history.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

I have to agree with you. You probably know that Elton would compose songs to Taupin's lyrics in a half hour. Taupin said it would bring him to tears.

[@jeremygray1331]

@@CuriousGeorge1111 Yes. If you’ve never seen it, Google “Elton Inside the Actors Studio Peer Gynt” and watch him compose music to a random play on the spot.

[@michaelhowell7275]

This is one of those songs that never gets old.

[@lauragroce3816]

A beautiful treasure this song is and this us EJ. Listen to his first album.

[@destinyreelly2974]

Love it!!! This album also gave us “Tiny Dancer” and “Levon”. 70s Elton John was the mountain top. Definitely have to check out Tumbleweed Connection for “Ballad of a well known gun” and “My Father’s Gun”. True genius. ❤️🥰

[@russellgil8232]

62 and grew up with EJ’s music. Somehow missed Balled of a well known gun until a year or two go. In my top list of his now.

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

I'm right there with you. I regularly go on a 70s Elton binge. I love those same songs, and Burn Down the Mission, Suzie (dramas)--that decade is IMO Elton's best.

[@meriannestoneback7436]

Madman is my favorite EJ album, followed insanely closely by Tumbleweed Connection. Just wow.

[@stonehobson2487]

Yes. Highly recommend "Levon". So musically original it sounds new every time. "Tiny Dancer" and "Daniel" are personal favorites.

[@zenpuppy6025]

Hope you two get to Funeral For A Friend by Elton John. It’s a masterpiece 😎👍

[@anahatatutu]

It is. Incredible arrangement and production

[@suesebree8670]

YES!!!!!

[@pattyg8464]

And please listen to the studio version first to hear all the dynamic changes in the song. I think you guys will appreciate from a producing aspect, plus obviously the musical talent in this amazing song.

[@john2256]

This is a really great one!

[@jerrysarno2853]

You will love "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding"

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

This song is one of my favorite Elton John songs. I never get sick of it...the best song on the album. Thank you for appreciating it. ❤

[@joannparker1977]

OMG. What an amazing song

[@bjwnashe5589]

The dude who did the string arrangements on this track is brilliant.

[@meriannestoneback7436]

Paul Buckmaster was insanely talented.

[@mrnobody9104]

hands down his greatest era, his first few albums were in a different level. respect to Bernie as well for the great songs he wrote.

[@neilmartin99]

100% agree. I don't care much for his newer music It lost it's edge. But, man, that early stuff is incredible.

[@boomtownrat5106]

Gentleman, On KZbin check out Madman Across the Water performance on BBC Sounds For Saturday 1971. Elton and his band turns this brilliant song into a jazz masterpiece. It’s a spellbinding performance. It’s a live performance with his band, Nigel Olsson on drums and Dee Murray on Bass.

[@Cheshirecat-nx9zn]

Thank you so much for doing this song. This album has other gems on it. I'd like to see you react to Mona Lisas and Madhatters off the Honky Chatuea album. You really can't go wrong with Elton.

[@jeremygray1331]

I second Mona Lisa!

[@suesebree8670]

Yes!!! Mona Lisa....

[@hog7203]

Mona Lisa is one of my favorite Elton John songs.

[@twobeer3316]

Glad you guys enjoyed my recommendation! Elton rules...

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

Thank you, TwoBeer! I really appreciate people who recommend great music.

[@willowvee5844]

Elton has made a giant contribution to music, never to be be forgotten.🤩

[@donaldfinigan8778]

Kudos to Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements on this entire album and how it elevates every song rather than distract from them. There is a completely different version of this song as an added track to the Tumbleweed Connection extended album with no orchestration, but killer guitar work by Mick Ronson. Definitely worth a listen.

[@titus2120]

Yes. Mr. Buckmaster made me sit up and pay attention.

[@clintgolden9192]

It kicks ass

[@clintgolden9192]

The first time I heard Mick Ronsons version I just had smoked a bowl with my dad. He looked at me and he was like " was it just me or was that a really heavy duty version of Madman Across the Water " 😆 thought we might have been one toke over the line.

[@bobblethreadgill4463]

"All The Young Girls Love Alice " Hell Yeah... Sir Elton has a fairly large catalog.

[@rickmts]

The best engineered and recorded Elton John song ever!!

[@polycarphunter2257]

i've always like the early days, tumbleweed connection.

[@michaelwhite6740]

"Burn Down the Mission" is one of Elton's best songs

[@davidboivin7996]

Early 70's Elton!!!

[@johnthegreek5836]

Great reaction; Elton John is definitely a legend and this is one of my favorites

[@bunniebee2475]

Between this album, Honky Chateau, Tumbleweed Connection and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road there’s not a bad song. My favorite songs Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters and Burn Down the Mission.

[@cindyp1033]

Love Come Down in Time from Tumbleweed Connection ❤️

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

@@cindyp1033 I love Come Down In Time for it's innovative spookiness.

[@susanmurray7654]

Agreed!

[@suesebree8670]

Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters is beautiful!❤❤❤

[@igmugleska966]

Exactly, mine as well!

[@douglasg.9271]

My favorite Elton John song. Awesome.

[@richardkafka5625]

Nothing like Old School Elton and Bernie Taupin! I've listened to this album more times than I can remember, and love it everytime!

[@jenniferjohnson319]

Early elton john is the best. Love this song.

[@wentibbetts7833]

My fav!!💗 I adore Elton, I treasure the early years, and the writing duo of Elton and Bernie Taupin. He'd said Bernie would hand him sheets/scraps of lyrics, and he'd lock himself up in studio with his piano. ADORE!! 😊

[@realbser1956]

Echoing everyone else’s comments. The decade of the 1970’s was, for me, the best Elton. He just exploded on the scene and never stopped. Paul Buckmaster provided the string arrangements. This album, Honky Chateau, Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection, Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy deserve the Led Zeppelin treatment. You don’t know Elton John unless you know these albums. Loved your reaction. ✌️

[@SimpsonMusicProductions]

Growing up in the early 70s.. I remember as a little kid my mom cranking Elton john, Billy joel, Barbara streisand, Neil Diamond and Classical records on the turn-table while cleaning the house.. Elton is forever imprinted in my musical brain 😊

[@IAMCAVE]

Same here, along with a lot of the hardest rocking bands of the decade. But have you noticed that it diminishes your tolerance for “today’s music”. I try, really try to give “today’s music” a chance but end up turning it off after the first minute or less. It just CANNOT compare with what I grew up with. Sorry if that sounds closed minded but…

[@bobdelp2023]

OKAYYYYYYYY, NOWWWW WE'RE TALKING YOU GUYS! 😊THE BEST OF THE BEST, THE CREAM OF THE CROP IN ROCK MUSIC AND SO SO VERSATILE! 💯😊 ONLYYYYYY 52 YEARS AGO THIS WAS LAH AND CHE, LISTEN TO ALL THOSE SOUNDS, INCREDIBLE! 👍

[@timkazakoff6472]

My favourite Elton song.

[@robertwalker1803]

A true winner of an album…And you guys get it.Thank you.

[@leebay6093]

Elton in this era was just brilliant, Taupin is a master -this album was always playing at my house , even my dad loved it and Honky Chateau

[@debrahartshorn3084]

This has always been one of my favorite Elton songs

[@jpmnewyork]

Listen to every aspect of this recording. It is mind-bendingly perfect.

[@neilmartin99]

All The Young Girls love Alice, Bennie And The Jets, Someone Saved My Life tonight, Levon, Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Your Song, Tiny Dancer..... Just so many. If you do decide to listen, make sure to download the lyrics. They are as important as the music with Elton John songs.

[@mrmiscast]

There is so much Elton John to enjoy.. Burn Down the Mission comes to mind as something you'd never expect.

[@gailjohnson5950]

My favorite cut from Elton John. So haunting.

[@rogerfleming6354]

The slow patrs sound like waves lapping on a boat.

[@neilmartin99]

Elton is just a different kind of cat. 70's Elton is pure gold.

[@vicprovost2561]

Utterly classic song, this is a mood and vibe like no other. There is an extended, alternate version with a tremendous Mick Ronson (David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars) guitar solo. That is also very much worth a listen. More Elton, Enjoy! 🎵🎹🎤🎸🎶

[@aspenward390]

The Ronson version is my favorite. His guitar just is incredible.

[@disconsolatemoose6637]

I agree. If you enjoyed this, you ought to listen to the earlier version with Ronson's guitar, it's a lot more raw.

[@michelleg953]

I thought this song was great, then I heard the Mick Ronson version and it blew me away. It's my go to version

[@vicprovost2561]

@@michelleg953 You bet, any Elton fan needs to hear the extended version, Ronson blows me away!

[@TheDivayenta]

One of his best songs. The orchestral arrangement is brilliant. It’s so cinematic. Great choice, fellas!❤❤❤❤❤You react to the best!!!!!!

[@jackndan6603]

Saw Elton in 74 in Vancouver with my sis. Was my first show.🇨🇦

[@se6550]

Ahh the seventies. ❤

[@deanhills6745]

One of Elton's greatest, but you rarely heard it on the radio back then. Maybe that's why I still love it. Had both Madman Across the Water and Honky Chateau albums. Elton's voice was at its best. Sure glad you appreciate my generation's music.

[@chrisbauder3327]

The period beginning in the late '60's was such a watershed for popular music. Every artist was leaving everything they had to give on tape and we as an audience were rewarded with just a treasure trove of GREAT music. At the time, none of us really understood that, we were just young, living our lives and this was the soundtrack of it. I know that I for one thought it would last forever. It's only now in my late, middle age that I understand just what we had and channels such as yours, as well as many others are learning what we were fortunate enough have and how it really has informed and influenced contemporary pop.

[@uncabuzz118]

An all time favorite song MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER. And to think the iconic TINY DANCER and LEVON are also on this album. You gentleman will, in time, be listening to cuts from the TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION album. Check out all artists between 1970 and 1975 for unbelievable music.

[@amandathibodeau4996]

I agree! Elton was at his BEST in his early days! This whole album was fantastic! And several albums after this.

[@rosshartley5807]

Yes, it was a real orchestra, and famous percussionist Ray Cooper played here, and Rick Wakeman of Yes was on organ.

[@johndrx165]

I still have my LP from 1972 in almost perfect condition. My favorite by him.

[@dellblackman4565]

Growing up in the seventies with album-oriented radio stations and as younger people at the time; fully invested in the longer-form/extended play listening sessions... I've really missed those days since then! I miss how we used to love sharing and listening to music together! I've watched many youtube music reaction channels these past several years just to relive and fill that void of seeing others experiencing and reacting to music that I loved. You brothers have brought me joy and have helped to fill that void! No BS, just intelligent and respectful, while also sprinkling in some open-hearted/minded appreciation of the music you listen to! With all my heart, I thank you!

[@stefaniebrauer128]

One of my favorites to this day of his!!!

[@deaniegarcia5694]

An iconic song from 1971….52 years now….I was 17 then..still a top notch song from the genius of Messers Taupin & John…their foray into prog rock….seen him twice, first time was the iconic Dodger Stadium concert of 1975…and again jn 2014..both outstanding. Seems y’all enjoyed it too!😊

[@Boston685]

You guys are hitting some excellent excellent songs this week. This is a favorite of mine. 70s Elton John is really worth some attention.

[@denisetowe895]

Early Elton John was great! He got a little commercial for me later but 70’s Elton….love! ❤

[@SpuzzyLargo]

"Honky Cat" is a top favorite Elton song for me.

[@dennytaylor1005]

Great reaction. Early Elton John is soooooo freakin good.

[@emilyblinder2557]

Love this song! You never forget it once you hear it. Haunting after all of these years.

[@joewilson4151]

lyrically just wonderful

[@clifton8929]

Airplay Beats doing what they do best. Bringing great old music out of the shadows and shining the light where others are afraid to go. That's why you guys are the best in the business. Airplay Beats has no fear of trying it all. Thanks, guys, for all you do.

[@bogeybob3]

Watch him play this live in his early 20's, just plain brilliant !

[@fastcakes]

Real strings, courtesy of the genius that was Paul Buckmaster. There's many contenders, but "Madman" is truly Elton's masterpiece.

[@doriwiljt]

Love early Elton. This is one of my favorites

[@sherimay1957]

Absolutely KILLER TRACK off this fantastic lp, thank you!

[@jonmarretta2459]

My favorite Elton song!

[@deniseelliott5632]

Great album, and like most 70's albums, gotta listen to it start to finish!!!! Real music has real intentions!

[@ronjm945]

A great song on a great album by a great artist….

[@lauragroce3816]

Funeral for a Friend is gorgeous as well

[@ChrisGreene-hh7dg]

.there is Elton John u hear on The radio and then there is ELTON JOHN the truth

[@randyhochstein8455]

There is a great version of this song that is done by one of my favorite guitarists. Warren Haynes who fronts the band Gov’t Mule. Warren does a masterful guitar based cover. ✌🏼😎🇺🇸

[@hog7203]

Yep, he does a great version. Warren always does a cover song up right. He's a helluva singer as well as a guitarist. I saw him in a bar, back in the 80s, playing guitar for David Allan Coe and his playing really stood out then. I've been a fan ever since. If you haven't heard it, listen to his playing on the Dickey Betts Band album, Pattern Disruptive.

[@4yules]

"funeral for a friend" and "all the girls love alice"

[@larryh.5229]

Yes Iconic 70's songs from Elton..."All the young girls love Alice"........ The entire "Yellow Brick Road" album....."Honky Cat".... "Philadelphia Freedom"....." Somebody saved My Life"....." I guess that's why they call it the Blues"...." Tiny Dancer"...…"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters ".

[@suesebree8670]

Social Disease

[@eliteautoworksmd]

This is one you should do the whole thing it's a great album

[@Ledzepnut]

I like a lot of Elton John's music, but this song is by far his best imo ... great reaction

[@peggylovato8720]

One of my fav of his songs!

[@reddogg57]

Great guitar work on this song Mesmerizing

[@anthonywhetzelcreativedire5496]

Wow, so cool that you guys came back to Elton. This song is about Richard Nixon. He was the madman across the water from the UK. Madman Across the Water is a brilliant album from start to finish. Check out Border Song and Rotten Peaches too sometime soon. Keep up the great reactions!

[@AVGuyhall]

This is my favorite album of Elton's. Taupin's lyrics and Elton's music make for amazing songs. The production, instrumentation and arrangements are top notch. Indian Sunset will make you cry.

[@mitzifrancis9843]

This song struck deep when I heard it in 1971 at 15 years old. It perfectly captured how I felt and still does. I think you'd love and appreciate hearing the live performance of this song from the December 1986 concert in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The entire album released in 1987 of this concert is stunning. Please treat yourselves!!

[@janetf23]

'70-'73 Elton is my fave🎶✨

[@michaelgray4964]

Early Elton. Classic. This is how he became a superstar, songs of this quality combined with a crazy fun live show.

[@zwieseler]

Try Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. A biographical reference to Elton and Bernie Taupin.

[@joy88867]

Funeral for a friend is an excellent song!

[@sutech161]

Sweet u2, this is one of the best lps cover to cover

[@spoilers4me426]

This is the real deal, as you say. BT and EJ making beautiful music. This is what it was like in the "olden days"! We didn't have to suffer through Disney movie theme songs.

[@jahl14]

Tumbleweed connection. Country comforts.

[@metaphoria3]

One of my all time fav songs ever

[@mikeb36240]

Elton John was like a machine, up till about the mid 70s, cranking out hit after hit.

[@tobinharris8107]

I had forgotten what a great song this is. So dramatic and heavy. Thank you for reviewing/reacting to it. I appreciate Elton more now than ever, esp the early stuff. 👍

[@ChrisZanotti-r2s]

mic ronson who produced bowies early albums

[@DocRock71]

This is my favorite Elton John album, with Yellow Brick Road as 2nd. Spot on about the A1 top shelf production on this album. It is immaculate. This and Yellow Brick Road are worthy full album reactions, or just listens. They are both masterpices in engineering, production and songwriting. Just mind boggling this was recorded over 50 years ago. I still listen to this album at least once a month or so, to this day.

[@ML-un1oi]

Early Elton was in my opinion was the best. But you can not wrong with anything he did. Great reaction fellas. Much appreciated

[@titus2120]

This was actually the very first Elton John album I ever bought. So intelligent and so emotional. Pop music? No. A trip through my heart. Yes. Thought fun. Indeed. Adult music and het so heartfelt. He helped me grow up. I was 23, been to Vietnam and thought I understood everything. This was part of my growing up time. Hope it touches you guys.

[@suesebree8670]

You guys need to discover Leon Russell. (Gotta catch Leon's set on George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh!!!) He was Elton's hero and Elton brought him back to life with their collaboration on "The Union". Early Elton is phenomenal. ALL of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"...

[@sourisvoleur4854]

My favorite EJ song. Atmospheric af.

[@JuanitaMansfield]

"Tiny Dancer" & "Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues"