Elton John - Madman Across The Water (REACTION) with my wife

[@richg0404]

Dominika said that she wished that she was born 20 years earlier. I think I've heard that she was born in 1979 so that would put her right around 1960, my birth year. I consider myself blessed to have grown up in to 60s, 70s and 80s listening to the fantastic music. I wish you two could have been there with me.

[@janster3000]

Listening to this beautiful and moving song takes me back to where I was in 1971 with my whole life ahead of me. I reflect on what it was and what it could have been. Early Elton John is the best.

[@descendantoffools9767]

His early stuff is legendary. Albums like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road are amazing from top to bottom

[@Neillybob63]

There are literally zero weak/filler tracks on 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'.... that's saying a hell of a lot for a double album. IMO it's the best pop/rock double album ever made.... pure genius.

[@dagmar.6954]

I had this album "Madman Across The Water" from 1971. My favorite songs on it are "Tiny Dancer" & "Levon". Elton John wrote the music & Bernie Taupin supplied the lyrics. They are one of the best songwriting teams.

[@ursgeiser6570]

The two very different brilliant Tiny Dancer and Rocket Man were a single for us in Switzerand; I loved it. Recently I researched Levon, see among other things English Wiki. Those involved make so different statements. Maybe B.T. was disappointed that his tribute didn't receive a deserved reception, perhaps this person was just the incentive for the song with a certain artistic freedom. Have fun with all kind of good music!!!

[@realitybytez]

both of those songs are amazing and should be reacted to on this channel.

[@williamcapp448]

I've always loved the early stuff best. By far more masterful.

[@Rickbe3rd]

YES!!!!! You guys would have loved the 70's I feel so lucky to be a 20 yr old in 70 and saw so many bands. I even miss those times.

[@colinregan7281]

69-75 was his golden period imo, but for sure he made some great after this along with bernie.❤

[@mr.skinsspirit]

For me this album and Tumbleweed Connection are my 2 favorite Elton albums.

[@michaelfried3123]

My favorite album by Elton right here.

[@MikeInMD1961]

It's so cool to see such sincere reactions to a song I've been listening to for decades. Keep digging in the 'Elton John Library'. The man is a music machine with so many incredible songs. Great reactions, guys.

[@ronaldbolton7338]

"Talking Old Soldiers" is another great early Elton.

[@ChasBeauregarde]

Yes Tumbleweed Connection! My favorite Elton John album.

[@IndyYakr]

Oh boy, I hope you do a deep dive into early Elton. As a kid, these were tunes that our family used to sing together. I'm nearly 60 and now that my parents have passed on and my siblings have moved away, it's as if we're together again. Thank you!

[@lynnegunn2425]

SO fun listening to this music with you. Its like sharing my favorite music with a friend ❤. Something that I used to do back in the day. All the best to you ❤😊

[@kurtmontas5439]

My all-time favorite Elton album. Bernie Taupin writes the lyrics and Elton writes the music.

[@willfromyadkinville]

i absolutely love love love this song! and Brandi Carlile on the Howard Stern show nails it!

[@edwardcrews2952]

This is a masterpiece. Thank you so much

[@buddystewart2020]

The best track he ever recorded as far as I'm concerned. Anybody else can have their favorite, and that's ok with me. But for me, it didn't get better than this. Just the genius of the arrangement, puts it on top. This track never fails to shake me to the core. Those are real stings, arrangements were written by Paul Buckmaster and he conducted the string ensemble in the studio. The orchestra was contracted by David Katz. The other players on the track are: Elton John - acoustic piano and vocals Caleb Quaye - electric guitar B.J. Cole - steel guitar Davy Johnstone - acoustic guitar David Glover - bass guitar Roger Pope - drums Nigel Olsson - backing vocals Tony Burrows - backing vocals Roger Cook - backing vocals Lesley Duncan - backing vocals Barry St. John - backing vocals Terry Steele - backing vocals Liza Strike - backing vocals Elton has a lot of great tracks. Some well known, others not so much but still great. Here's my list... Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Gray Seal Boogie Pilgrim Tiny Dancer Burn Down the Mission Don't let the sun go down on me Philadelphia Freedom Levon Someone Saved My Life Tonight Grow Some Funk of Your Own Feed Me Island Girl Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding) Candle in the Wind All the Girls Love Alice Roy Rogers

[@s.mcpherson6354]

Even for people at the level of Elton John, there is pressure to cut costs on production. This album is from back when people would hire a full orchestra for a song. Albums were completed faster, but with far more production. That's when skilled musician-composers, and other people who loved music, were still running the music industry. But by the 90's, as with movies, corporations had taken over and since then it's all been about money and taking no risks, so if some real art gets in there it has to swim against a very strong current. It's why so much stuff sounds like everything else now. Timid 'executives' rely on algorithms and focus groups rather than having actual skills themselves. It's nice we still have the 60's, 70's and 80's available. That's when you could add anything from opera to folk to country to jazz and it would all still count as 'rock.'

[@johnallen869]

My favorite EJ albulm! Levon and Tiny Dancer are a must hear from this album!

[@rarebond8102]

You shall also enjoy his song... Empty Gardens. Try it as you may!

[@ArthurDaret]

The song Ticking, which is the closing track on the Caribou album, is incredible to listen to if you get the chance.

[@MisterWondrous]

You have played my two favorite Elton John songs in the past two days, so I am a happy camper indeed. His song "Ticking" is yet a different dimension to Sir Elton's talents. "Funeral for a Friend" is a work of art, showcasing the band. Multumiri!

[@Sober2003]

I know I’ve said it before in comments on other reactions but earlier Elton is so genius! Him and Bernie were such a musical force. I think nothing else like it! And his band is so underrated and not talked about much. If you listen to his song “Ticking” you won’t be disappointed! I think it’s one of his best songs. The piano is killer ❤

[@cspringer333]

You might know already but if you don't Elton had a "non-malignant lesion" on his throat and had to have surgery. That is when his voiced changed. I never cared for the older Elton either but his early work is incredible.

[@jimdunagan4180]

right on

[@bullseye8509]

You are both before your time.

[@richardkafka5625]

My favorite Elton and Bernie song. This entire album is awesome.

[@EricSmaug]

I HAVE THIS ALBUM . WAS MY FIRST BY ELTON I WAS 9 YEARS OLD LOL!!!!

[@gregpusczek4473]

His first 3 albums are his best

[@steelshotproductions]

This is my first time watching your reaction channel and I'm SMILING!! I was born in '68 but my parents listened to all of Elton's music constantly as a young child so I'm very familiar with it all. I love the wonder/excitement you both have to this song. Good stuff!!

[@robertwalker1803]

To me the cover of this great album hints of a madman…..This song and album are a treasure. Legendary.

[@195511SM]

He's got several really great quality videos from back then.....from his appearances on ' Live at the POPS...& other British television broadcasts.. Elton with his band or just solo at the piano. 'Levon' ,'Tiny Dancer''Burn Down The MISSIon'.

[@johnpbh]

You were asking about the picture and was it on a pair of jeans. I think it was, if you remember "Tiny Dancer" from this album that you reacted to. Do you remember that she was a.. "seamstress for the band..." I'm a very old guy thoroughly enjoying your reactions to all these songs that I was actually young enough to have heard when they were released. Weren't we so lucky in the 60's and 70's. Keep on Rocking.

[@jessrodriguez9160]

Great reaction you two. I'm glad to see you dive into Elton John. His early stuff (prior to 1980) in my opinion is rich with rock and roll classics. Even many of the not so popular on the radio music is so rich with great lyrics and musicianship. Hope you are both well.

[@perryberman2824]

Elton John and Bernie Taupin are 2 of the most prolific song writers of all time.

[@wpollock1]

This is earlier Elton and it shows the less "poppy" lyrics of Bernie Taupin....lyrics that are very insightful. Songs like "Border Song" , "Sixty Years On"," Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" "Sweet Painted Lady" or "Ticking".

[@bobdelp2023]

NIIIIICCCE THAT YOU'RE DOING A COUPLE DEEP TRACKS! :) THE BIG HITS ON THIS ALBUM ( MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER ) ARE : TINY DANCER & LEVON :)

[@nonreality4]

Your next one should be "Burn down the Missions" from Tumbleweed Connection an earlier album. There are many more to explore on the Madman album also.

[@roadkill7314]

Things were really different from the 70's to the 80's. And many great artists changed with them. A few that immediately come to mind are The Doobie Brothers, ZZ Top and even Heart. To me the 80's were just so damn much fun but there was a lot more depth in the 70's. Musically there were exceptions; I'm just speaking generally.

[@SebDangerfield-yu7cm]

First Elton John album I bought, as a teenager. Everyone now bangs on about "Tiny Dancer" (which I love, don't get me wrong) and everyone bangs on about how they "remember it [Tiny Dancer] when it initially came out". Except it DIDN'T..... come out. It wasn't released as a single so, unless they had bought the album (which they didn't) , they never heard it first time around (which they didn't, despite what they now claim). Virtual Music Signalling. There's a reason though that the album wasn't titled "Tiny Dancer" (and you just listened to it). Madman Across the Water is sublime. The album and the track. If you are interested in madmen, might I suggest "All The Madmen" from David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World" album which, being very early and pre-popular Bowie, I am hoping you will also like as much as I always have.

[@roberormonde]

I think they unintentionally made this for the younger generation

[@tvgator1]

There’s great music from all eras, but the 60-80s had the most great music

[@bobdelp2023]

ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT BERNIE ( BERNIE TAUPIN ) WRITES THE LYRICS IN A SEPARATE ROOM AND THEN PRESENTS THEM TO ELTON AND THEN ELTON WRITES VERYYYYY QUICKLY TO THOSE LYRICS! :) QUITE UNIQUE FROM ANYYYYYY OTHER ROCK BANDS YOU GUYS, AND LASTED FOR OVERRRR 50 YEARS! :) AND ELTON HAD THAT VERYYYYY HIGH PITCH RANGE FOR 20 YEARS ( 69-89 ) THEN HE HAD THE VOCAL CHORD OPERATION BUT STILL SOUNDED AWESOME, JUST TIMELESS GREAT STUFF! ENJOYYYYY

[@AW11-e4h]

🤘🤘

[@ursgeiser6570]

For us in Central Europe, Rocket Man (sort of futuristic sound back then, still fantastic today) and Tiny Dancer by Madman (brilliant ballad) were a double A-side single and my first non-Beatles single as a teenager. I loved the live album Here And There (see the extended DCD from 1995 - 3 songs together with John Lennon!!!). Back then I only saw him live once; like Mick Jagger, there is a big discrepancy (put it politely) between the studio and live voice. Due to the US star hype at the time of the DLP GYBR (it wasn't a big deal in Europe at the time; not a single hit; the Ladiy Di-version of Candle only later became the best-selling single f all the time) Elton put a lot of strain on his life, especially on those around him, so that This led to a long break with the lyricist B.T. came. Were Benny And The Jets (don't like the rhythm at all; know the background) and the dramatically brilliant Someone Saved My Life Tonight from CFATDBC (with Madam his best albums) were partly autobiographical, a hidden warning sign B. to E.??? Too Low For Zero 1983 (first again with B.T.; don't like the rhythm of Standing) and especially Sleeping With The Past 1989 (every song is at least good) are my later favorites. Thanks for going a little chronologically👍✌.

[@neuvocastezero1838]

Check out "Border Song", "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters", and "This Song Has No Title".

[@williamcapp448]

Where to now St Peter? And Burn Down the Mission are a couple of great lyrical songs

[@enta2]

You should listen to live versions of Madman and 60 Years On. It will surprise you also because Elton always does the crazy solos on these songs. I also only discovered this Elton 3 years ago and was totally dedicated to informing everyone 🤣but no one was interested. Therefore my opinion is that this Elton was never popular because this is for the people who understand music. The hits we all knew were written for the music business to make money.

[@dwanpyrtle3134]

Elton over time, and it can be said of Chicago-post Terry Kath, became wimped out. This is from the heyday of his early celebrity, and which I consider his most rockin' and creative. My favorite of his works came live over New York radio earlier than this...the year before. The numerical date is the title of that show recorded. I forget but I think it was in November of 1970.

[@mals4125]

Off his greatest album ever - Levon next.

[@gbsailing9436]

I know you posted this a year ago...and this comment is a little late...but if you want to hear quintessential Elton John, then you should try his "Ticking" song off the Caribou album... It is the best story telling song and his piano at its best.

[@franktrig]

His first four albums were the way to go. Much darker and heavier.

[@procopiusaugustus6231]

Early Elton John was great. Post @75 not so much.

[@richg0404]

I'd have to agree. Don't get me wrong because I absolutely LOVE the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album but that is where Elton's music changed. More Rock-ish and more production. And once he had the throat surgery it was well past over for me.

[@cletushouse906]

Enjoy his older music because his newer stuff did not fare well.

[@pablomazzeo8540]

i m not agree Elton John have good songs from 70s ,80s ,and 90s ,that i like this is a little different maybe more musical experience