ELTON JOHN - Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding | FIRST TIME COUPLE REACTION

[@jdharris7]

Best Elton John song in my opinion.

[@kenmiles9942]

Philadelphia Freedom

[@davidgrice6785]

People do not realize how good Elton's band was back in the 70's! Excellent with their instruments and back up harmonies were fabulous 👌

[@franksullivan1873]

The power of music in the 1970s is unrivaled by much of the music that came before or later.One of the greatest times to be young and have ears,lol.

[@shaynewest8757]

Um, what people? He sold millions.

[@dondebomm6329]

Funeral for a friend musically takes you through all the stages of grieving. A masterpiece!

[@dianamcnerney168]

I asked 'Alex' speaker to play this song, when my husband (a huge Elton John fan and a fan of this piece) passed away, and they were putting him in the body bag and carrying him outside.😢😢

[@brucedillinger9448]

Diana - this is the song used during a good friend's brother's funeral. Still holds a special place in my heart. ✌

[@lisabergkoetter7467]

Absolutely

[@ColKurtzknew]

PF's Great Gig In The Sky does it much better and they are both masterpiece s

[@balmpatchvideos]

[@izzonj]

Hidden gold , deep cut Elton John: "Tickin'" It will give you chills for a another of reasons

[@TheCornishCockney]

The 70’s guys. Are you getting how bloody special that decade was yet? And you’ve barely scratched the surface !!

[@OronOfMontreal]

This song reminds us that Elton was a genuine, bona fide Rock musician, not just a Pop icon. And I am glad that you both recognized the moments of brilliant Bass playing by the late, lamented Dee Murray. Dee was a bass-guitarist, not just the type of bassist who plays the same one note through an entire song. His feel and imagination put him on a level with Paul McCartney and John Entwistle (of The Who). BTW, the title track of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is one of the prettiest ballads of the 1970s.

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Also, all the backing vocals during that era were done by Dee, Nigel and Davey (although sometimes Elton would add his own backing vocals as well).

[@Cryptocracy_Now]

Elton precedes "Pop".

[@cydrych]

@@Cryptocracy_Now pop started in the mid 50’s.

[@brucedillinger9448]

Kevvideo...Dee, Nigel and Davey are my most favorite background vocalists ever. ✌

[@lisabergkoetter7467]

Well said couldn't have put it better myself

[@melissayost4888]

This song is genius. The entire double album is a master class in music. Really shows his range as a musician & writer of music. Burnie Taupin wrote the lyrics & Elton took them & made magic. I agree with Madman Across The Water the title track of the album of the same name. The entire album is amazing.

[@cobbycaputo3332]

Even Elton got into Prog a little bit in 1973! Someday take a look at all the albums released in 1972 and 1973. Just an incredible period for music. Even as a 10 year old, I could tell special things were going on.

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Every six months a new Elton John album came out! Junior High and my first year of H.S. were all about Elton. Then... Pink Floyd & Zeppelin.

[@taradevine6026]

I was obsessed with him and was going to marry him. 🤣

[@michelfroggy56]

Madman across the Water ( released in 71) alone, is as good as anything that came out between 70 and 75, the strings arrangements are superb and the production work of Gus Dudgeon is simply perfect.

[@nickavenoso7851]

People say that Captain Fantastic is his prog record, but this sounds more prog influenced than anything on that album. Every album Elton released in the 70’s was a masterpiece excluding Victim Of Love. I’m one of those weird fans who loves Elton’s 80’s work as well.

[@candelise]

​@@j.kevvideoproductions.6463Can you imagine Coldplay or Ed Sheeran bringing out an album every six months? Of quality????

[@shyshift]

Unknown and under appreciated: I’ve Seen The Saucers from Caribou. My absolute favorite song by Elton and nobody plays it.

[@pointgiven7857]

Very underrated song

[@pleasantvalleypickerca7681]

His best album as far as I'm concerned. A classic from beginning to end. Full of great songs and the band is in top form and they rock. You should listen to the entire album as it's a masterpiece!

[@RickeyWilkersonVoices]

I have been fortunate enough to have seen Elton John many times through the years but watching this great reaction takes me back to the very first time in 1975 when he OPENED the concert with this masterpiece!

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

Yay! Hello my fellow Denver-Metro-ites! I've noticed that you have a Jean Luc Ponty album framed on your wall. You might want to check out the slightly earlier album "Honky Chateau" by Elton, It has Rocket Man on it. However, Jean Luc Ponty is featured on a number of songs, most notably "Amy". It also has "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" which IMHO is one of Elton's greatest songs and it is tragically overlooked by most "reactors" is it wasn't ever released as a single. If you want something non commercial by Elton try "I've seen the Saucers" from the Caribou album, its way out there!

[@buckyccovington3048]

Dee, Davey, and Nigel. The most underrated band ever. They were all brilliant on this. An absolute classic.

[@katyland1015]

I believe that this song "combo" is the best thing that Elton John ever did. Thank you for playing and listening to it!

[@liffick]

Most of the stuff from "Tumbleweed Connection" and "Madman Across the Water" albums are very non-commercial, but great listens. Try the songs "Burn Down the Mission," "Where to Now, St. Peter?," or the title track from "Madman." "Indian Sunset" is an adventure movie in a song!

[@tracycartwright3340]

Awesome!! This is my all-time favorite Elton John song and always has been. There's nothing about this combo that I don't love. Amazing.

[@jprph1]

AMEN !!!!!

[@jimled50jl49]

Hi guys - I watched this days ago. Revisiting to say hi ! - Boy 1973 - takes me back when I first bought this double vinyl album. It is an exceptional piece of work for sure. Once I put the album on I always play it right through. .... I mean - why stop ? Lol It has that effect. This is the albums opening tracks and wow what a what to start ! Thankyou for playing this ...Oh the memories ! X Jim [ back in the comments - Yahoo ! ]

[@stevesnow315]

Two words come to mind. Background vocals. Because they emphasize the most beautiful instrument ever made....the human voice.

[@barbarapronzalino2360]

Strepitosa sotto tutti i punti di vista🎹🎶🎤💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@MonsterSound.Bradley]

Oh wow. One of my favs. When I was 17, I was in a bar band and we played these two. When we'd start 'Funeral for a Friend', the rowdy bar patrons would all look at us strangely like, "What the hell are you playing? And why In a bar?" But by the end they would all be dancing and cheering. Worked every time 😊🍁

[@Fuzcapp]

You weren't in a band called The Jellyfish, were you?

[@MonsterSound.Bradley]

@@Fuzcapp No. We were called Main Street (late 70's). I like The Jellyfish name though.

[@Fuzcapp]

@@MonsterSound.Bradley Check out Jellyfish - a San Fran band from the early 90s. Two albums - Bellybutton and Spilt Milk. Absolutely brilliant band - a mix of Queen, The Beatles, Supertramp, Bowie and 10CC. The Jellyfish keyboardist used to regularly do FFAF/LLB in his solo days. Check them out - you'll love them.

[@robertpearson8798]

This album is considered by many (including me) as his magnum opus.

[@markcrane532]

So many great songs on this album-Grey Seal, Ballad of Danny Bailey, All The Girls Love Alice. Actually not a bad song on whole album.

[@steelyd2]

One of the few double albums with not a single skipper on the whole thing

[@linkjones4535]

Grey Seal is my favorite song on that album.

[@Momspennies2]

And let's not forget "Harmony"!

[@mikenichols3965]

Hit any random song from this album and you've struck gold.

[@garyarnett1220]

Totally agree it's all great

[@pushpak]

The title track to 'Madman Across the Water' album. "Take Me to the Pilot' live version from 11-17-1970.

[@jprph1]

That i one of my all time favorite live lp’s !!!

[@sandymiller3577]

Lots of great music by Elton, especially his earlier albums. You should give the title track of Madman Across the Water a listen, in fact the entire album is awesome and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy... 👍

[@dailyprognosisnick]

Yes if you want another proggy song, Madman is the one!

[@rupbhatt]

His early 70s work was on another level

[@neonpark1874]

@@dailyprognosisnick Madman Across The Water is phenomenal.

[@michaelkeefe8494]

Madman's a great album.. Levon, Madman, Tiny Dancer, Razor Face, Rotten Peaches, Indian Sunset... all deep cuts. Another underappreciated gem is Eltons 1970 live album 11-17-70. Recorded in a radio studio, during his first U.S. tour - it is "hungry" Elton and he is absolutely fierce on it.

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

@@michaelkeefe8494 , 11-17-70 is the bomb!!!

[@jprph1]

This is one of my all-time favorite Elton John songs. Dee Murray’s bass playing is amazing … As is Davie Johnstone’s guitar playing. One of the unsung heroes of Elton John in the 70s and currently… Is Ray Cooper on percussion.… The guy is a madman! I just watched a video from Elton John‘s current tour… Farewell yellow brick Road… And they open the show with this tune. Even though there’s no organ/synth in this touring band.… The song is still hot as H3LL !! Nigel Olson/drums-Dave’s Johnstone/guitar; Ray Cooper/percussion…same as on the original recording. Thank you so much for covering this… You guys are great!

[@cometogether999]

You've just made my day!!! I Predict... you'll love it! Early Elton John was amazing. Elton and Bernie Taupin were an amazing duo, Bernie with the songwriting. Plus Elton had a fantastic band.

[@scottstevens7639]

‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ is Elton John’s Magnum Opus. A video production company called Eagle Rock put out a series of documentaries on influential rock albums and GYBR was one of them. Highly recommend checking it out as it goes super in-depth on the recording of the album. In the doc, lyricist Bernie Taupin gushes about how Elton was “on fire” during this stage in his career. If you get around to listening to the rest of the album (and I highly recommend you do so) I dare you to find a single weak track. They’re all fire and they’re wonderfully eclectic. As for “Funeral for a Friend”… This song (the intro especially) and Edgar Winter’s “Frankenstein” were the 2 tracks that sparked my own personal obsession with synthesizers. Both songs feature the ARP 2600 synth, an instrument which, despite being introduced in the early ‘70’s, is still quite popular today. A multitude of manufacturers are making clones of it (ARP went out of business decades ago). On “Funeral”, the synth is being played and programmed by David Henschel. You may not recognize the name, but he’s notable for producing some albums by Genesis, like “Seconds Out”, “Trick of the Tail” and “Wind and Wuthering”. What’s really impressive is the fact that the 2600, like other synths back then, is monophonic, meaning you can only play one note at a time. Everything you heard in that track was pierced together ONE NOTE AT A TIME. If nothing else, you NEED to check out the rest of this album. It was one of Elton’s most successful on so many levels.

[@glennlee1983]

Listen to GYBR from start to finish...it is a JOURNEY!...also, listen to any Elton John pre-1980...his best work imo...love your videos...such a sweet couple...Nick with his air band faces and Alexia with her beautiful signature smile at the camera are priceless!...you guys deserve all your success!...

[@NVRAMboi]

Put this entire LP/Disc/Collection (GBYBR) in your Top Ten all-time. You won't regret it. Double-album (more $$ in 1973) that went 8x Platinum in the US alone. Treat yourself to the entire LP playlist. Elton could ballad, Elton could pop, but Elton could also rock pretty hard back then. His band ("Elton John Band") at this point was/is super fantastic. RIP to bassist Dee Murray (d.1992).

[@philproffitt8363]

Perfection!! Elton letting that melodic bass defecate all over his piano...generous genius. I would love to hear Elton do more rock collaborations now...not just pop/ballad (Elton and BAND-MAID...in my dreams) 😁🤟

[@franckthibault2521]

Nice song! I saw Elton once in 93: it's the only concert I ever been with any of my parent, it was with my mom... I don't remember ever hearing this song...

[@justinburke2890]

This has long been my fave Elton track! Masterwork! One of a kind for him

[@dipsydoodle7988]

People don't have the patience to sit through an 11 minute song and it's too bad for them. Believe it or not, this song was actually well played on the radio in the 70s and no one dared cut it. The entire 11 minute song was played when it came on. So, every EJ fan knows this song inside and out. It's a staple at shows. I have seen him live something like 15 times and back in the day, he opened every show with this song. Lights out, dry ice coming up off the stage. It was absolutely magical and drove the crowd nuts.

[@andrewmackinnon3378]

Keep hearing references to progressive rock. Fun fact...before becoming Elton John, Reginald Dwight (real name) auditioned for both Gentle Giant and King Crimson. Good for us they didn't take him on. You should listen to the song Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

[@Reclining_Spuds]

"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Tour", October '74 I bought one ticket for $10 bucks for a $6.50 face value ticket. Sitting alone in the nosebleed section of The Fabulous Forum, he opened with this combo and gave a great concert that totally turned me on to concert going for the next 30 years. What a journey. Love your reactions. LRW

[@patriciamckean4682]

Ha, I paid 20 for a scalped ticked and was much closer 😅 (it was a very good seat, close to stage, maybe 20-ish rows up)

[@barriehull7076]

Elton John was born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, the eldest child of Stanley Dwight (1925-1991) and only child of Sheila Eileen (née Harris; 1925-2017) and was raised in a council house in Pinner by his maternal grandparents. He was educated at Pinner Wood Junior School, Reddiford School and Pinner County Grammar School, until he was 17, when he left just prior to his A-Level examinations to pursue a career in music. At age 15, with his mother's and stepfather's help, John was hired as a pianist at a nearby pub, the Northwood Hills Hotel, playing Thursday to Sunday nights. Elton John became the chairman and director of English Premier League Football (soccer) team, Watford F.C. Watford is one of the Home Counties of southern England. An in joke is that anything north of Watford is the north of England.

[@michaelgoing6695]

I love just sitting in the dark with my headphones on when I listen to this song. I believe this is an Elton John masterpiece!

[@rodjeffries9487]

I was fortunate to see Elton tour this album and he opened the gig with Funeral for a Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding. Truly amazing work.

[@ptrlxc]

Wow, lucky.

[@charlesbracelen8031]

Yes, he opened with when I saw him in 75, I'll always have the image of the dry ice smoke rolling slowly over the front of the stage...

[@michelfroggy56]

Same here November 75 first major concert for me $7.50 Canadian for tickets....what a time, what a concert.

[@jkkansasband7056]

A monster song by anybody's standard. And if you LOVE Elton John then listen to this whole album from start to finish and you will then be MORE in love with Elton John. Guaranteed.

[@artsilva]

A Masterpiece! This song didn't get the praise it should of because in the day it was too long for radio play so it went overlooked by charts and critics, but EJ fans knows that this was his creative talents in at it's best... and this particular band line-up was his best for his early compositions.

[@balmpatchvideos]

[@terridostal1348]

Thank you for the flashback. I have loved this man from the beginning and will to the end of days.

[@candelise]

Eltons catalogue is vast and it amazes me how little people know about this music!

[@randieandjodistrom854]

Well, this reaction transported me back to December, 1973 when my high school friends (more specifically, my high school girlfriend) gave me the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" double album for my 17th birthday. This song is the very first track of the album set, and I probably listened to it at least a dozen times every day until I reported to the United States Air Force Academy as a cadet in June, 1974 as we were not allowed to have any music (or much of anything else for that matter). This song is, and always will be an integral part of my soul. Thank you for such a great reaction.

[@Pixelologist]

Sir Elton dipping his toes into the prog rock waters. If I hadn't already BEEN an Elton John fan, this was the track that would've won me over. As it was, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding cemented it for me!

[@griffcrammond6640]

'Love Lies Bleeding' is a flowering plant. Wonderful duality in it's meaning here.

[@williampenbeth4035]

Listen to Ticking off of the Caribou album. One of my favorites by him!

[@williampenbeth4035]

Absolutley

[@oldeskoolnana7543]

This is going to played at my funeral?✌🌻🌻🙏🙏 Saw him live 5 times. He ages like a fine wine?✌🌻🌻

[@stevenhopwood8195]

Movie is called Spencer because that was her maiden surname. ❤️🤘🎸🇦🇺

[@joelliebler5690]

Here are some of Elton’s very best early tunes; Take Me To The Pilot, IndianSunset, Levon,Madman Across The Water,Where to snow St. Oeter, Burn Down The Mission, Love Song,And Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters.

[@michelemichele3375]

Nice list, Joel. Thanks ✨🤪

[@debrabrabenec3731]

Yep. I agree with Michele.

[@rikconverse8726]

Other great Elton songs to explore are: Burn Down the Mission, Where To Now St. Peter?, Come Down in Time, Honky Cat, Levon, Madman Across the Water, Tiny Dancer, Love Song...I could go on...and I have, But the Albums Tumbleweed Connection & Madman Across the Water are two of his best ever.

[@phillyflyer12]

Elton John and Billy Joel, brothers from different mothers.

[@emilyflotilla931]

So glad you did this. There are times I hear Funeral For a Friend, I weep. The fugue is so moving! Btw, Lex, I've been meaning to tell you how much I love your hair cut. It's very flattering!

[@johnandrews3151]

The great thing about the songs of Elton John is that, like the Beatles, his album cuts are as entertaining as his hits! This is just one example. For every hit Elton has had, there are at least two album cuts that should also be heard, such as the songs - Candle In The Wind, Take Me To The Pilot, Madman Across The Water, Have Mercy On The Criminal, Blues For Baby And Me, I Think I'm Gonna Kill Myself, Sails - the list is practically endless! You two really must take the DEEP DIVE into the unique world of SIR ELTON JOHN. You both will be more than glad you did!

[@g.e.5723]

I was a Freshman in HS when this album came out, loved it, bought the 8-track! From age 13 till my 20s Elton, it seemed, had a half dozen top 40 hits every year. He had an amazing run.

[@mikesisto]

You could throw a dart at the song list on that album and not be disappointed with the song.

[@pointgiven7857]

Roy Rogers? Come on.

[@junglejim5785]

I've seen that movie too. Same album. Very haunting song. God Bless.

[@neilgoldsmith5482]

This is Elton’s masterpiece he only wrote in this style a few songs. True rock and roll

[@billyobong4469]

Some say Elton doesn't do prog: well, yes he does, and this song is proof. Easily my fave Sir Elton song!

[@tragicdeyz2641]

Elton (and Bernie) in the 70's was just next level in his talent.Very special to me as I was a tender 13/14 when Goodbye Yellow Brick Road came out and I was simply mesmerized. From the "Honky Chateau" album, give a listen to "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters". Such a beautiful song.

[@markwhitely4021]

One of Rocks epic opening songs. Elton was simply the best. Vancouver B.C. 1975 Pacific Coliseum.

[@shyshift]

The beginning of this song is David Hentchel playing a monophonic synthesizer before the invention of polyphonic so David had to play each line one note at a time and overdub the parts to create chords and harmonies which is a lot of work. Those really fast notes are originally played by hand and run through a sequencer with the tempo sped up. I do this stuff all the time on my channel. Arpeggiators more than sequencers because it’s easier and i’m lazy. Also if you liked the way guitarist Davey Johnstone was playing along in that symphonic section before it switches songs I can’t recommend highly enough that you listen The Enid because they literally invented Symphonic Rock and Symphonic Prog. Their debut album In The Region Of The Summer Stars is just amazing and Stephen Stewart on guitar is incredibly melodic. The Enid have at least 30 albums since 1976.

[@xelamercedes]

God....I remember that year. This album was a huge surprise -- Elton had never sounded like this. Watergate was raging in Washington DC and Nixon resigned. My family fell apart. I listened to this album a thousand times. Secluded in my room with the volume up high on "Love Lies bleeding." So many masterpieces on the Yellow Brick Road album.

[@pushpak]

One of my top 10 fave albums of all times. I wore out its groves.💖💖💖💖

[@XDarkSyntaXOriginal]

Davey Johnstone played such memorable riffs on guitar here. Very underrated guitarist. Elton has spent a lot of time in Atlanta Ga. He has a home in my old neighborhood. That's where he picks up that southern draw I guess. You guys really need to take a leap down the Jeff Beck rabbit hole. Try out Hammerhead. by Jeff Beck. His guitar work is a whole other dimension on it's own. No one plays like him.

[@imacmanx8562]

"Good Bye Yellow Brick Road" ....YES!!! Great song. Pay attention to the lyrics. Another great early Elton song is "Levon".

[@silviofranciscoribeirocres2804]

This is for me a central piece of the record, i listened in a very firs time when i was 6 age. Now i'm 51 and the feeling is the same. There's a lot of songs of Elton good like this!

[@jonathangilbert2456]

Great opening tracks from Elton John's masterpiece and in my opinion, one of the best rock albums of all time.

[@davewhitehead5116]

I remember where I was in 1973 when I heard this for the first time. I bought the album right after. So many great songs in his catalog. Throw a dart at his catalog and you’ll land on a hit.

[@mackeymintle66]

Holy schnitzel! I forgot how epic this cut was. 👍😍🥺😂

[@NicknLex]

😂 Schnitzel is my dad’s nickname for me!! 🙈🙈 - Lex

[@debjorgo]

Elton was a Pop superstar before the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. After it, he was Rock royalty.

[@maxpeck4154]

Is and has always been my favorite Elton John song

[@sarahzentexas]

What a nice surprise! I’ve loved this one since 1974!

[@RockChickFace]

Elton doing prog rock. Its the first song that got me into him. His first 6 yrs were phenomenal 👍👍😎

[@TheCornishCockney]

Davey Johnstone on the guitar,never gets much of a mention.

[@EyeSoulband]

I was 5 when this record came out. I'd listen to my Dad's a lot with headphones. Still remains my all-time favorite song 👍

[@unki3259]

my favorite elton john songs are the ones where its just him and his piano, so sublime...

[@johncritchlow8156]

Great pick for a musical journey! That bass tone, though. RIP Dee Murry, (Bassist). Love this.

[@NH2112]

None of the other great bassists ever made a sound and tone like that. The closest I can think of is Chuck Panozzo of Styx on “The Grove Of Eglantine.”

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@NH2112 John Entwistle ?

[@NH2112]

@@bwana-ma-coo-bah425 I don’t know, name a song where his bass tone has such a “boing!” to it as Dee’s does in this song? “Exuberant” is a word I saw that was used to describe it in a song video, and that’s the best one I’ve seen yet.

[@bwana-ma-coo-bah425]

@@NH2112 very happy for you.

[@extdiso]

I hadn’t heard this for years, but I remember listening to it for the first time. So awesome!

[@gregpusczek4473]

Brilliant

[@Fuzcapp]

One of the greatest slow builds in rock history.

[@ksbearfn]

I could watch you two talk all day about the songs that I love and grew up with but unfortunately I'm at work, HAH! Great reaction, thx!

[@stevenorgate4307]

Agreed...Elton was a rocker. My fave Elton song...or song indeed. Of course there's Philadelphia Freedom.....

[@kurthealey6936]

"We have a winner"!!!! PERFECT!!!

[@TheMagnum60]

This Album was recorded in France 1973, it was finished in 3 days. Elton and his band can rock with the best of them !!!

[@derrickspooger798]

Elton is great. I love his work with Bernie Taupin, some of the best lyrics ever - set to the magic of Elton

[@kentinatl]

i was 16 when this album came out and a friend of mine and i listened to it all the time...imo this period was his greatest period {1971-1980} great band,vocals,great songs and lyrics,,he just became a "pop" icon and drugs really affected him in the 80's and 90's...keep em comin' my rocky mountain friends...Kent

[@dougbarton4668]

I remember the concert for this album. As funeral for a friend starts, a fog rolls off a totally dark stage, then is slowly back lit in blue to full lighting.

[@rikconverse8726]

Elton's core group of musicians Davey Johnstone (guitars) Dee Murray (Bass) Nigel Olsson were joined by engineer David Hentschel on ARP Synth. The piece is two pieces written separately and then joined together because Funeral for a Friend ended in A and Love Lies Bleeding begins in A. Elton wrote "Funneral" for himself - an instrumental created by John while thinking of what kind of music he would like at his funeral.

[@AudiophileTubes]

One of rocks all time masterpieces! Elton's Magnum Opus!

[@yes_head]

Re: the "American-isms" in the vocal delivery, part of it was a genuine interest Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin had in Americana at the time. It pops up in other songs on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and elsewhere in their early 70s music. But part of it was also just that most English pop musicians of that era were raised on American soul, R&B, and rock and they would naturally emulate the vocal delivery of their heroes. The Beatles were once asked "Why do you sound like Americans when you sing and not English?" It's because they were so heavily influenced by people like Little Richard and Elvis early on. Same with Elton.

[@NicknLex]

Wow thanks for that amazing trivia 💞💞

[@tombeyerlein3813]

I'd also say that Elton and Bernie were influenced by The Band, as were so many artists in the late '60s and early '70s.

[@sigil5772]

A huge amount of Elton and Bernie's early stuff is hommage to Americana - eg "Burn Down The Mission". Stylistically, Elton not only acknowledged the influence on his playing of, but also eventually collaborated with Leon Russell. This is a deep rabbit hole to go down - I wish you both joy of the journey!

[@careym3901]

I grew up in the late 70's listening to progressive rock as a kid & would fall asleep with head phones (albeit crappy ones compared to today) to Elton, the Who, Rush, Stones, Floyd, Yes etc...Bernie Taupin was a very underrated guitarist & wrote the lyrics to Elton's music!

[@mac2920]

This may be my favorite Elton John song. I saw him live many years ago in Chicago.

[@perryfonda6319]

Elton had another double album called Blue Moves that has been under appreciated and it is definitely worth listening to. I saw an interview where he said that lp was not as beloved by fans but it is one of his favorites.. Blue Moves and Yellow Brick Road combined is a great day of music. Give Sir Elton a chance.

[@MikeInMD1961]

Such an underrated album - I've loved it since the first day I bought it. I saw an interview when Elton said it was one of his favorites, and I was so happy to hear that.

[@trufflehund]

Totally agree.

[@nattwitham7900]

This, our favorite and signature stablehand song at Brown Ledge Camp, VT in 1973, and We would play it blasting so all the horseback girl campers would come running asking "What is that song??" Awesome and WWWAAAAAAYYYYY ahead of it's time!!! He did the song great justice at his 40th at Caesars concert!! Thank you, Elton! And, now Nick and Lex, I ask you if you would try a signature song by Canadian prog band "FM". It's called "Phasors On Stun", and I can pretty much guarantee your enjoyment on that one!! (listen carefully..the lead is a MANDOLIN!)

[@bennemer489]

One of my all-time favorite albums. As mentioned, the cover art is great. I truly miss cover art.

[@denisearroyo3476]

Omg there is so much Elton that people don’t know. Give Madman Across the Water a listen to. Absolutely amazing and haunting

[@mac6115cd]

Saw him in 1973 in Cincinnati. A classic performance!

[@kevinlakeman5043]

I still love watching this one. The first time I heard these songs opening this remarkable album, I was blown away. So glad he chose to write and record these with his band. For more lesser known, 'deep cuts', try "Empty Sky", "Sixty Years On", "All the Girls Love Alice", "Madman Across the Water", or "Tonight".

[@integraleric]

My cousin and another friend and I were once obsessed with this album as kids (age 8).

[@thunderstruck5484]

Haha we were also and in high school and we would sit around staring at album covers looking for hidden subliminal messages, so much fun

[@garyarnett1220]

MAGNIFICENT album. I have near 1000 albums, and this one remains in the top 10. So so many great tunes. Even the little known tracks" Grey Seal" or ""Harmony" are wonderful.