Elton John Album Reviews: Don't Shoot Me (1973)

[@Islandgirl2133]

Have mercy on the criminal is a 10 for me. I’d give Elderberry Wine a 7. I so love Bernie’s lyrics; they’re like little miniature movies. I’m a huge EJ fan since 1974/ I was 14. Elton’s music and Bernie’s lyrics are like a backdrop to my life’s journey. I just subscribed. This will be so much fun watching EJ album reviews. Thank you🎼🎹

[@canadianfortrump4057]

Elderberry Wine is my favorite song on the album. I was astounded when he gave it a rating of only 3.

[@travisemerick1]

I agree that Elderberry Wine deserves more points!

[@patrickgauthier-manuel5817]

High flying bird is my favourite song;

[@derekroberts6654]

I have been searching and searching for an Elton John album ranking review series for the longest time. There’s alot on the Beatles band and solo, Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Pink Floyd aand Queen but i could never find one on Elton.....UNTIL YOU! Thank you so much. Im a huge fan i am as old as his career more or less. “Your Song” and his self titled album was released the year i was born... and...its just so hard to explain... it seems there was Always Elton... thank you so much!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks so much. I've enjoyed doing these. I hope you are making your own league table as well! It will be interesting to compare.

[@derekroberts6654]

@@eltonmusicfan THAT would be close to impossible for me... Now unfortunately i cant really find the time except maybe just comment...😆

[@professorpc192]

Piano version of Skyline Pigeon is the EJ's most famous song in Brazil. People really makes crazy when he start to play this on show.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Now that I didn't know! Any idea why it is so popular?

[@professorpc192]

@@eltonmusicfan There was a Brazilian TV series from a very popular channel here whose theme song was Skyline Pigeon. The version of the Don´t Shoot Me album.

[@professorpc192]

@@eltonmusicfan Elton John is very popular in Brazil because of this TV channel, he is the international singer with the highest number of theme songs from these series. It's actually soap operas.

[@robdaviesprogm]

You didn't mention Paul Buckmaster's *killer* (pardon the pun) orchestral arrangement on "Have Mercy on the Criminal". Though it *really* shines on the Live in Australia album, here it gives a wonderful sense of drama that would not have been present otherwise. "Screw You" has a couple of interesting tidbits with it. One is that while the song was originally called "Screw You", Elton's American label felt it would offend their more conservative market, so they changed the name to "Young Man's Blues". Also, there's a little jab at David Bowie near the end, when you hear the band singing "Jean Genie", poking fun at the fact that the chorus of "Screw You" has an identical rhythm to that song. Interestingly, the piano version of "Skyline Pigeon" was actually a hit in some overseas territories (the ones I know of in particular are Brazil and The Philippines). I'm not sure if that was the intended single over there instead of "Daniel", or if radio DJs just flipped the single over and played it, leading to its becoming a surprise hit there. It's interesting how different markets take to different songs!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Yes, I should have highlighted that. It's such a powerful track - great lyrics, arrangement and performance.

[@jeromemurphy2572]

Elderberry WIne I think is about a 7. Very good and catchy melody and piano. Vocal is solid and all in all probably one of the best songs on this allbum.

[@garysteadman9602]

Well done John. You are doing a great Job. I bought Elton John's greatest hits in 1974 and became a great fan of him ever since. I am happy to listen to you. Thank you very much. Gary Steadman.

[@eltonmusicfan]

That's very kind of you, thank you. It's keeping me busy in lockdown and I have enjoyed listening again to the early albums. All the best.

[@DexterHaven]

Yeah, I think that was the first album I ever bought, his first greatest hits album. I remember the first 45 I ever bought was "The bitch is back," which should have been on his hits album instead of "Border Song", as me and my friends thought back then... ;)

[@MJ-qb5ph]

Phenomenal album. Up there with his very best GYBR, Captain Fantastic, MATW, Blue Moves, MIE, SWTP, SFTWC and The One for me. All songs amazing except the dire crocodile rock which along with Sad song are IMHO two of his worst. High flying bird was the very first song of Elton’s I ever heard and I still think it is one of the best

[@eltonmusicfan]

High Flying and Blues for Baby and Me are two excellent examples of slow-paced but gripping compositions which tell interesting stories. They are going to get very good positions in my Top 300 track list - if I ever get it finished!!

[@MJ-qb5ph]

@@eltonmusicfan Thanks John. Outstanding tracks on a masterpiece of an album

[@DexterHaven]

That's is amazing that High flying Bird was your first exposure to Elton. I like that song a lot. I once blew a girl's mind in Las Vegas with a line from it. I said I know your type. She wanted to hear in suspense... I said, "You seem like the type of girl who never closed her eyes at night and learned to love daylight." She looked at me like I was the Oracle of Delphi. She had never heard the song, but said, "I've never met anyone like you!" in admirable way - as if I had peered into her soul. {Btw, I think the first song by Elton I ever heard was "Rocket Man"}

[@derekroberts6654]

One thing i wanted to add about this album. I bought the box set “Jewel Box” which in my humble opinion is all the Elton i need... that’s MY Elton... not perfect but... and with this album, Elton picked the 2 BEST “deep cuts” from this album.... not only that but he grouped them together!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Which ones were they? I don't have the Jewel Box.

[@derekroberts6654]

@@eltonmusicfan “Blues For Baby & Me” and “Have Mercy On The Criminal”.

[@philkenney]

Great reviews John, yes... Skyline Pigeon... what a song !

[@eltonmusicfan]

Yes and I prefer the piano accompaniment to the harpsichord.

[@philkenney]

@@eltonmusicfan yes...it's most wonderful !

[@matthewfreiley645]

Yes!!! Love this John. This is probably my fav Elton album besides Blue Moves. Have Mercy on the Criminal is probably my favorite Elton song ever, I would just give Texas Love song a three and Elderberry Wine a 7. Love the review though!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks for your comments. I was surprised how many good songs there were on this album. I hadn't listened to it for a while.

[@matthewfreiley645]

@@eltonmusicfan yeah it's a good one!

[@DexterHaven]

I also love "Elderberry wine" and "High flying bird" plus "Teacher I need you..." Tremendous album!

[@007koko007]

I don't listen often to this one, but it is one of my favorites ... It was especially my favorite when I was younger. Really fun bubble-gum pop. My ratings: 1. Daniel - Nice keyboard playing, nice melody, pretty much sad lyrics. Beautiful song that might become slightly boring after too much listening. A classic, I like it, but not a song that I'd like to listen to often. 9/10 2. Teacher I Need You - Charming and catchy song. Good chorus with nice backing vocals. I think I liked it more when I was younger. 7.5/10 3. Elderberry Wine - I'm surprised that you don't like this one. I really like the feeling of this one... great horns, laid back and 'drunk' chorus. 8.5/10 4. Blues for My Baby and Me - I always thought the melody is kinda strange in the verse, but I still like it, especially the chorus and production. Very good song. 7.5/10 5. Midnight Creeper - I think that all what makes this song are horns, guitar and Elton's funny vocals. Not much musically substantial on vocal level, but still fun to listen to. 6.5/10 6. Have Mercy on the Criminal - Dramatic, over the top, once again dramatic and yes, I do like it very much! There's no one else except Elton who would compose something like this. 9/10 7. I'm Going to be a Teenage Idol - I really like this one more and more with time. Melody is so playful and fun to listen to. Nice contrast between verse and chorus. Great horns! 9/10 8. Texan Love Song - Nice try, but musically it's pretty much uninteresting to me. To be honest, no matter how much time I listened to this album, I never noticed this song. It also never bothered me. 5/10 9. Crocodile Rock - Ok, there's not much to say about this song. I'm somehow tired of it. It's still a fun and great song, but I just don't want to listen to it. 8.5/10 10. High Flying Bird - Beautiful ballad. Great backing vocals. Nice closer for an album. 8/10

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks for this. Sorry for the delay in replying. Good ratings for a fine album. I sometimes like Elderberry Wine but I just don't think it's as classy as some of his best rockers. The Bitch is Back is the high water mark for his rockers, I think.

[@balmpatchvideos]

Who are you to rank these? ONE man's opinion!

[@anitafox4966]

Very well done. But perhaps a tad harsh with some of the grades. You would have been a tough teacher!

[@eltonmusicfan]

I am a teacher!

[@mariocastoldi612]

I agree Passengers is the worst song ever written by Elton!!....thank you !!!

[@christy140]

I rate this album eight out of ten…

[@furkanboz6647]

What the hell is a 10/10 song for you ? Except your song

[@eltonmusicfan]

A good question. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was definitely a ten. I reserve that number for absolute perfection.