Elton John - Long Way from Happiness (Early/Demo Version) With Lyrics!

An early demo version of the song "Long Way from Happiness" from Elton John's 1997 album "The Big Picture."
Listening to these words & melody makes me wonder what the songwriting process was in this track. Taupin isn't known for doing rewrites very often, but it seems that in this case he must have heard this version and then revised the lyrics as they turned out on the album track. I wonder how much the two of them collaborated on this song. Usually they are known for their completely "two rooms" approach, not really collaborating, but simply doing their separate parts of the process.
I also get the feeling that this was a more personal song between them. The words, especially in this early version, seem like they could be a letter from Taupin to Elton at the time of his recovery. Much of the Big Picture album is about recovery. I suppose it could be an open letter to anyone who needs help. It's probably the scene in the Rocketman movie when Bernie visited Elton in rehab that made me identify these lyrics as being a pledge of Bernie's support and help to Elton.
In any case it's a powerful and thoughtful lyric about encouraging a friend to get help and get healthy.

[@erinkarpinec3678]

The big picture is such an underrated and overlooked album especially concerning It was coming off the heels of made in England

[@adamt.3857]

Discovering this version brings tears of joy and sadness to my eyes at the same time. Joy, because I lived with the album version for so long and this one really surprised and delighted me, and sadness, because back in 1997 I went through a terrible love affair, and this song totally reminds me of the time. Again, thank you so much for bringing this one back!!!💓

[@andyplayhouse]

I've listened to this demo most of the day while driving. Every time you expect Elton to play a major/happy chord, he plays a minor/sad chord and when you expect a sad chord he plays an uplifting one.

[@RonnieFriend]

Yes, it's one of the characteristic Elton sounds - that blending of major and minor...

[@jamesrogala]

I read in an interview (can't recall source now) that Elton said he struggled to wrap a melody around the lyrics in the chorus for this song. So he asked Bernie to rewrite the chorus, then Elton wrote what we know as the final song. It is interesting how much of the verses retained - and how for some reason, the second stanza of the second verse was omitted in the final version. My guess is that despite struggling, Elton wrote the song and this is the raw demo and his first stab at it. Obviously the feeling was that the chorus wasn't right, hence why he asked Bernie to write new lyrics that were easier to melodize. Side note - Recover Your Soul was more significantly rewritten. Elton wrote a song to the lyrics, took it home, and felt he hadn't done the lyric justice (I believe David F. also felt it wasn't as good as it could've been). So Elton went back and completely rewrote it to the version we know today.

[@patrishhunter9256]

This is wonderful! And I agree, it sounds as though this is Bernie talking to Elton, real without any pretense. And just how there relationship has been throughout their lives, one looking out for the other; everything they shared, so much we'll never know...through the hard times, the good times, the breaking point and back. I think those few years they took a break made them even stronger! Bernie was always there during the difficult times and probably knew/knows him better than anyone. The loving bond between them is beautiful❤

[@patrishhunter9256]

@@CESARAUGUSTO-xr8us and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is another one that I could clearly hear Bernie speaking to Elton! What in life they've had together💕

[@montecarloss305]

I think I like this one as much as the album one. Thanks for finding and sharing!

[@RonnieFriend]

UR welcome. Glad U enjoy!

[@butterfly-pax2604]

Love this and Elton is Amazing. Thank you for this beautiful song and lyric video 😍

[@RonnieFriend]

UR welcome! 😊

[@wagnercabrerisso5986]

I love both versions !

[@Reg121]

This is my favorite song from TBP... I prefer his demo! It feels like it tells more than the final version.

[@anitahuie1145]

I had this album. I love it. Thanks for album.I did play it a lot. I think it was one of his best. I sit outside and play this a lot.

[@KellyLudwin]

How have I never known about this song? Loved Elton John my whole life but this is the first time that I have heard this song.

[@name639]

Thank you again for this one more gift and for your comments too, they're very reasonable.

[@RonnieFriend]

UR welcome!

[@ariannapac6535]

Oh wow, thank you so much...this is beautiful ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@RonnieFriend]

UR very welcome. Glad to share!

[@GregsynthWizard]

Elton sounds superb.

[@BigPict]

Wonderful! More life in this than in the final record❤

[@dirkschmid1045]

I so love this version!!

[@joelsud30]

I prefer this demo. Much more expressive

[@edgarpires1865]

Omg, amazing! Do we have more big picture demos?

[@andremailander1209]

Estou escutando está versão estendida adorei, eu tenho a versão normal, quero deixar meus parabéns a quem postou essa preciosidade, obrigado 🇧🇷

[@BigPict]

Lyrics is different too❤

[@brianxyz]

This is amazing! I've heard a lot of Elton demos where the music changed a fair amount in the released version but this is the first time I've seen such a major rewrite of the lyrics. I much prefer the final lyrics. They're darker than this version which I think they needed to be. They also seem to flow together a lot better. Parts of this version sound "clunky." Do you know if other songs on The Big Picture had major lyric rewrites? If so, it could explain why Taupin's not a huge fan of the album.

[@RonnieFriend]

Thanks for your thoughts. As I wrote in the description I was also rather intrigued by the rewrite aspect. I think you described it well: the final version is darker and much better. But at the same time this early version is sweeter and feels more personal. I have heard that there are other demos out there from "Big Picture" but the only other one I've heard is a song that got left off the album "Past Imperfect." Have you heard it? It's a good song but the lyrics are a bit clumsy, or "clunky" as you said... I hope we can get a hold of more of these demo versions... I've always been surprised when both Elton & Taupin say that they don't like "Big Picture." I love the album and find many of the songs quite moving and powerful.

[@rutkowski1490]

@@RonnieFriend I agree with you that the songs don't deserve the dislikes they're getting from Elton and Bernie. I wished the album would have been produced by Greg Penny and not by Chris Thomas. I guess the songs would benefit a lot by a different production.

[@ActionMediaProductions]

Rutkowski as a huge fan for 47 years, I never listen to this album...I actually prefer Leather Jackets over it; that’s saying something :-)

[@brianxyz]

@@RonnieFriend No, I've never heard of "Past Imperfect."

[@robertkushner156]

This is amazing to hear. Where did you find this gem of a demo? Was this released on a master collection of extras and remasters and bonus tracks? (Or was this obtained by some "secret" means?- "smile") Thank you so much for posting this. I'm discovering this 4 years after the posting. Please find more like this!!!!!

[@89awcock]

I have every Elton John album in my collection as I'm a massive fan of Elton John being from Watford. There are some Elton John albums that are to me very special albums like made in England the big picture songs from the west coast Peachtree Road those are albums that have not one bad track each and every track on those albums are fantastic it's very hard for me to pick a good song on those albums because they're all all sensational in lyrics in production value. Everything is top class and 10 gives 110% on each track you must have in your collection.