Elton John sings "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" | The Gershwin Prize | PBS

Official website: to.pbs.org/41eoAAr | #GershwinPrizePBS
Elton John performs "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" at the 2024 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., March 30, 2024.
Written by Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" was released on John's 1972 album Honky Château.
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#GershwinPrize #EltonJohn
About the Gershwin Prize:
The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song is the nation’s highest award for influence, impact and achievement in the field of popular song. It was established in 2007 to recognize and honor the artists whose creative works, both printed and recorded, are collected, preserved, made accessible, and valued by the nation’s library. It acknowledges the preeminent place of popular song in modern society and its vital role in expressing and deepening the personal and shared values of our time.
Gershwin Honorees are selected by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with music specialists within the Library, former Gershwin Prize Honorees, and eminent outside experts in the field, including scholars, publishers, producers, composers and performers.

[@leecalamaio462]

IMO his finest work. I don’t understand how this wasn’t a huge hit. Words and melody are just magical.

[@douglemay7989]

That album was one of his best.

[@shield8430]

Agreed. Iconic song. My all time EJ favorite song.

[@brucemarmy8500]

Minor chords are hard to sell on radio

[@DG-uh8uv]

This song is very popular among the people I knew back then.

[@joemedley195]

I was looking to see if anyone else was going say this. This is one of my favorite EJ songs. I just can’t believe this was never a hit, much less even a single. I love this song. I want it played at my funeral.

[@michaelhatch1994]

It would be difficult to speak about the last 50 years of music without Elton and Bernie being a major part of the conversation.

[@MBroome1028]

My absolute favorite! Been a fan since I was 10 years old and I’m 61 now. I’ve been lucky enough to see him in concert 4 times in my lifetime! Got his autograph on my 40 year old album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road for my 50th birthday! His music was my sanctuary when I lost my dad when I was 12 and then when I lost my mom when I was 15. He’s been with me my whole life. I adore him and Bernie! So grateful for them both! Thank you, Elton and Bernie for saving me!❤️✌🏻🤟

[@LibraLady59]

Me also, 10 yrs old, but I'm almost 65 now.😉 I've seen him 3 times! Elvis has been with me since I was 4 so I understand when you say that Elton has been with you your whole life. Music has always been there for me and Elton was the second man in my life that has been with me the longest. I lacked motherly nurturing & my mom left my Dad when I was 3.5 yrs. Music always stepped up to love me so I loved it right back! Love Elton & Bernie! Cheers!🌹 Sometimes I wonder if they truly know how many lives they've changed with their music?💜

[@michellemiles9966]

I'm so glad that Elton and Bernie are getting their "roses" while they can appreciate them. What an amazing musical legacy they have created. ❤

[@brucemarmy8500]

Is there anyone on this earth more worthy of this award than Elton & Bernie? I think not!

[@kemosabe551]

My word, if there was ever a prolonged standing ovation. Thank the Lord for people out there like Elton and Bernie.

[@MJ-qb5ph]

When Larry king asked him which song of his he liked the most he responded with this one - it is a timeless classic

[@elterrifico9522]

A lyrical masterpiece

[@debbiebaker6928]

A much-deserved award to two geniuses. This was beautiful. Thank you Elton, Bernie and LoC.

[@sarinhaavila]

Elton and Bernie WERE the 70s for me🥰🥰🥰

[@The_momur]

Look at just one song; Rotten Peaches. The music blended into the lyrics and the drama and the band brought their star dust to the production.

[@elainemeyer5062]

👍 Me too! This particular song was released when I was a teenager, and now, at 70ish, I think Elton’s improved tremendously over the years - vocally and by adding additional 🎹 playing! 👏

[@kemosabe551]

Exactly, too young for the Beatles, EJ was it for me. That 5 or 6 album run defined the 70’s.

[@JohnWesleyDowney]

This song has stood the test of time. It was released the final semester of my senior year in high school. Now, in my one of my senior years of life, it still contains one of my favorite lines in any song ever "And I thank the Lord for the people I have found." If you've lived much of life's toughs times and had help when you needed it from friends or strangers, you know just how important that line can be.

[@sjwilloughby-greene8214]

I thank the Lord there is someone out there like you Sir Elton John.🌿❤️❤️❤️🌿

[@brucemarmy8500]

Amen

[@kerristanding5774]

He still has it

[@LondonBlue6894]

Elton and Bernie "saved my life!"..... thank you gentlemen😘

[@unkl210]

He is phenomenal as an artist and musician. The Elton John AIDS Foundation also changes lives through funding, philanthropy, and continued research. He exists to transform not only himself but countless lives. My life has been changed at depth by both of these men with their music that heals my soul.

[@Kathy91468]

My favorite Elton John song. Thanks for posting this.

[@oicsaywhat]

This was my cousins farewell song at her funeral. She was a big Elton John fan, she is the one that got me interested in music as a little kid thanks Melanie ❤

[@CS-wh1wp]

Goosebumps all over while listening to him. All time. Everywhere.

[@FreeSpirit1962]

Goosebumps. Love that song so much.

[@friendlyghost3293]

This song is so hauntingly beautiful.

[@rain_down_]

The best example of Elton and Bernie - Your Song was close, but for me this is the best example of the lyrics and music perfectly matching.

[@billhealey2060]

My favorite Elton song - I don't know why with so many other amazing hits, but this one just resonates with me.

[@MJ-qb5ph]

He has said it is his favourite song too in Larry king

[@xelamercedes]

I remember the first time I heard this song, this album. 1972. Oh...such a time. I'm seeing and feeling all of it again so vividly, even though the singer's is older, changed-- and so am I. Music is magic and these clips from the Gershwin Prize are gems. Thank you, PBS!!

[@gailgregory95]

Elton and Bernie are gifts that keep on giving.

[@kmanyrivers]

I am NOT crying!

[@floridaparadisehomes9845]

How does Elton keep outdoing himself ❤🎉 I think this is the most beautiful love version of this song I’ve ever seen him and the band perform 👏👏👏🌺🌺

[@jamesduncan578]

I have loved Elton's work since the beginning of his career. I found it pleasurable that Brandi Carlise, another Elton fan and performer of his music was in the audience sing along with him, as were so many others, most who seemed to be of the age to have been following him through the ages like me. The lyrics of Bernie Taupin have been the guidance of many parts of my life.

[@OurFantasyLife]

I actually love the timbre and quality Sir Elton's voice has taken on as he's aged. Love the deeper and richer tone. Hearing him sing the classics in this new "voice" is like a precious gift.

[@jennyeikre4145]

This has to be my favorite performance of this song... Absolutely stunning.

[@paulhaberman2419]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="118">1:58</a> My personal favorite song by Dwight & Taupin

[@patricialavallee8286]

Real talent. Not like today. 70's singers and songwriters never to be replicated again!

[@MysterD515]

There is still real talent today, just because it isn't on the radio doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[@itsjeninMass]

I am SUCH a huge fan. This was wonderful.❤

[@sallythompson5071]

My all time favorite!

[@moshea8296]

Thank you Elton and Bernie.

[@shield8430]

My all Time favorite EJ song and it’s not even close to my second favorite.

[@oc5939]

Favorite EJ song. ♥

[@americatruecrime]

Beautiful

[@HiltonHeadScotty]

One of my biggest regrets in a lifetime of listening to music is seeing him in concert. Love these videos.

[@bettinastahl3576]

This man is an international treasure.

[@dougm5341]

One of the great tunes by Elton and Bernie….

[@davidcohen6804]

It's gotta be incredible for Bernie Taupin to be sitting in an audience all these years after writing these beautiful lyrics. And seeing his partner in crime still bringing it.

[@user-xn1ry8qg3n]

Deserved indeed. Thank you Elton and Bernie...Thoughts go back to seeing to live concerts in LA. Ate at LeDome on Sunset Blvd a few times. Got to see Elton sharing lunch with his friends a couple times...So many contributions to global society over decades including The Aids Foundation. 🙏🌈 🤗

[@eddy748]

An elevating experience.

[@barbaracaroll]

Just beautiful

[@lessismore4470]

the voice.... Greetings from Poland.

[@johnpelletier7641]

Elton John, the genius of our generation.

[@LibraLady59]

Awesome! Huge congrats to Sir Elton & Berni! 💜🌹💜🙏💜🌹💜

[@wendybutler1681]

I bow to the greatness.

[@user-bt6fq2th5m]

One of the greatest I'm African American 65 years old was in to Captain Fantastic way before his Soul Soul Train performance real name Reginald Dwight Dwight

[@vKarl7]

His real name is Elton Hercules John, he had it legally changed decades ago. Reginald Dwight was indeed his birth name.

[@zenon1177]

This is amazing

[@christopherhunt6662]

Wonderful 😢

[@evascharfe1892]

LOVE this song!!!

[@vincelucas5722]

This is such a great song. I only recently started to revisit this song and album. Elton is such a gift!

[@bretyoung1869]

Beautiful 🥰❤️🇺🇸

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

That was awesome!

[@eugenesamsonsa6445]

😭❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🇿🇦My fav of all time. Sir Elton John.

[@sosoc2616]

Doesn't get any better than that!!! ❤

[@catherineduboscq1963]

Merci à cet artiste🙏🙏🙏

[@karensaaristo4728]

TY Elton, you are a Most Gifted treasure to have spent Time with, while on this Planet, I for one Hold you in Highest Regard for your Kindness to Leon Russell , & as he so Graciously Acknowledged this , Well Done Reggie.

[@AutoAced]

Wow ❤

[@markkennedy4854]

EJ is truly one of the greatest performers of all time 👍🏻

[@karennelson5206]

That's amazing! ❤

[@JanetBeebe-nh9re]

The man who "Stood Up" for Princess Diana. He always knew the truth of what happened to her. 😢

[@adamcoe]

she...she died? what else happened to her?

[@user-yt1bz6nl7w]

Why did Elton retire? He’s still brilliant!

[@Caretaker82]

He has two kids to raise.

[@UncleWally3]

A remember where you first heard it song; so, was it dark outside or light?

[@gathrightcrystal]

😍🥰

[@OtherGeminiEnergy]

🕊️SHAWN🕊️

[@sosoc2616]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@neilnapolitano2997]

This award was only about 30 years too late…… ridiculous

[@lisaklozenberg6408]

Outstanding! I'm not sure what I was hearing with the out of tempo, warbling strings accompaniment getting inside my brain. Anyone else?

[@elainemeyer5062]

👎 NO, not to my ears!

[@Wileylikethehawk]

My favorite Elton song. Surprising number of little mistakes from the band tho!

[@phil4977]

EJ has always led. Love the teleprompter now built into the lid of the piano. Another EJ first

[@annehajdu8654]

*led

[@adamcoe]

really don't think elton john was the first guy to lay an iPad down on a piano but sure

[@TopblokeGolf]

Sounds like my Uncle Tom warbling a tune out at the karaoke 😂

[@satyabratamishra4670]

your uncle must be a great singer lol

[@JimmyJam184]

Or maybe his grandson is a dork? Questions over questions.

[@bryancooper2247]

It's called retirement like you said you were going to bullshiter

[@JimmyJam184]

Wie meinst du Maria?

[@Okun240]

I love Elton. Winder if PBS will too get caught being woke.

[@lapis591]

Awaking what?

[@scottekoontz]

Everything I don't understand is... WOKE!

[@TEB333]

💕🙌🥹🌈🔥🔥