FIRST TIME HEARING Elton John- "Sixty Years On" & "Ticking" (Reaction)

[@retroreactions....]

The expert storytelling continues... Oh, but the dark, dissonant, lush and attacking strings of song 1....instant love and adoration! Thanks for watching! 🥰

[@hauoleguyify]

Ticking is still my favorite song of his. The manic piano playing tells the story. What a masterpiece.

[@sammybeck7794]

Ticking has one of the best piano pieces that I've ever heard Elton play

[@retroreactions....]

Agree, his playing blew me away in that one....thanks

[@brucedillinger9448]

S tier playing.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

1970-75 Elton John is best, IMHO. Totally forgot about Ticking...got to give the Caribou album another listen

[@retroreactions....]

Hi Michael. Yes, if 60 Years is any indication, there is plenty more early work for me to find and love! Thanks for stopping by, have a great night!

[@joelliebler5690]

For most of us who grew up in that era feel the very same as you!

[@paulcampbell5216]

Pinky is another phenomenal song on that album.

[@gbsailing9436]

Thank you for taking my advice and listening to Ticking. Such a sad story, but an amazing song created from Bernie's lyrics by the incomparable EJ!!!

[@retroreactions....]

You're welcome! Glad you caught this reaction, and so quickly! The 2 of them truly never missed I believe. Thanks for being first here as well my friend! 🥇

[@gbsailing9436]

@@retroreactions.... Just happened to be popping by...😎 Do check out Have Mercy...

[@debbiehults1257]

😢❤Such a strong sad story. Only Elton John could sing this....wonderful. I cried when I heard it.❤❤

[@AirDOGGe]

4 years ago I was singing 60 years on. Today I sing "When I'm 64". ;-) Born 1960.

[@reneelyons6836]

You can sing" 60 Years On" ...Always. 🤣🥰 Born 1969

[@retroreactions....]

Nice....thanks for watching!

[@JoseDiaz-so6hf]

Hello, fellow 1960-er... Aren't you glad we were teens in the 70s and got to listen to all that great music? 🎵

[@chrisredlich7075]

Elton just knew how to bring Bernie's lyrics to life. A true Dynamic Duo

[@Mykee1997]

I first heard this song at 18 years old, Loved all the exquisite instruments, the arrangement of this beauty and Elton/Taupin telling a beautiful moody story about 60 years on, with his richly gifted voice? I could not, at that time, think how I was going be living 60 years on. Here I am now 72, and can roll along with this song like it is the first time I heard it in 1970.

[@kurt11110]

paul buckmaser did the orchestration and was responsible for creating the early elton sound with that baroque style. buckmaster was a cello prodigy as a young child. he wrote and conducted the score for sixty years on when he was 23. like elton, a genius musician. r.i.p. paul, you were well loved

[@retroreactions....]

Thank goodness for the amazing Paul Buckmaster then! And thank you for watching!!

[@helenespaulding7562]

DAMN! I haven’t heard Ticking in so long…….forever ago. God, he had a gorgeous voice. Beautiful piano work. John and Taupin were at the top of the mountain as a songwriting team. I’d put them above Lennon-McCartney myself. The music just soars. Almost made me weep it’s just so beautiful.

[@gbsailing9436]

Wel above!

[@retroreactions....]

Clearly one of the greatest songwriting duos of all time. It's really an honor to listen to music at this high level...glad you loved...

[@barbarapronzalino2360]

Adoro ticking❤️💯

[@brucedillinger9448]

Quote honestly this is Elton at his peak! A masterpiece. ♥ Who does an ending like that?!

[@kallsop2]

Early Elton is so good. Have not heard this in a while. I turned 60 last year so it's kind of poignant. Another good choice from his early work is Madman Across The Water. You really get to see Elton and Bernie Taupins genius in their writing and composing.

[@retroreactions....]

Have to explore more from his first couple of albums! Oh I reacted to Madman long ago and LOVED it! Thanks for watching..

[@Macdelaven]

Nice reaction to two of my favorite Elton John songs. I always picture a coffin lid slowly closing at the end of "Ticking" and the room fading to gray. His live version of "Sixty Years On" from his album "17-11-70" is worth a listen.

[@fozziebear5624]

For me, "Ticking" is one of the two best Elton John's songs. The second one is "Song For Guy". I love it.

[@retroreactions....]

Hi Fozzie! I will add your vote for SFG. Thanks for stopping by!

[@thedocofrock1890]

sixty years on sends chills up my spine. first heard it on his album 11/17/70 - a live gig recorded on that date - an album that was very popular at the time. the song never got any radio airplay. maybe they thought it was a tad too depressing but it's still one of my favorite elton tunes. i kind of thought that way in 1970 when i was 17. now flip that around - i'm 71 and in good physical condition - don't want to go ANYWHERE yet !

[@retroreactions....]

Great to hear that you've loved SYO for a long time! Long life and many blessings to you 😊

[@195511SM]

Funeral For A Friend/Love lies Bleeding' Saw him live a couple of times back in the 90s, and he opened both shows with that. I've heard that he opens most shows with that combo.

[@retroreactions....]

Excellent pair of songs!! I reacted to both. Thanks..

[@79BlackRose]

There are so many surprises when you delve deep into Elton's back catalogue. SYO is one of several highlights from his eponymous album. It is the album that opens with Your Song - just a clue to the variety within it. Caribou features The Bitch is Back and Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. So, Ticking stands in stark contrast to those giant hits. I am glad you mentioned Bernie Taupin because he is such an integral part of Elton's success. He is a top tier lyricist for sure.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks for the late night watch! Thought you might be here, since you had expressed some love for this song previously 🙂 60 Years was a MEGA surprise for me, and Ticking was wonderful. Yes, I love how different the songs are on the same albums. Elton and Bernie will always be 2 of the greatest in the history (and future) of earth music..have a splendid night 🌃

[@79BlackRose]

@@retroreactions.... No problem. I couldn't agree more about two of the greatest in music. To this day I am still blown away that they never wrote together. Bernie would send a bunch of lyrics through the post and Elton would put them on his piano and conjure up a melody from them. To do that from time to time would be amazing but to do so for their entire career is extraordinary. That is why the various artists tribute album is called Two Rooms. Thank you. You, too!

[@79BlackRose]

@@retroreactions.... You might be interested to know that SYO was the opening track on Live in Australia (1987). It features Elton's band and the 88-piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. It is a wonderful concert. You have too many songs to discover before you can play the album. But you might like to have a sneak preview of the opening track! 😉

[@retroreactions....]

88 piece? Don't mind if I do. What's up with the version on 17-11-70? It's almost double in length!

[@79BlackRose]

@@retroreactions.... That is a rock version with only piano, bass and drums. It doesn't work for me.

[@drmagic60]

Nice to hear these songs. I know I haven’t listened to much older Elton John in awhile, so this was a good refresher! It’s amazing the magic that Elton and Bernie created!! Elton certainly gives you a huge rabbit hole to explore. 😊

[@retroreactions....]

Yes, I could be reacting to Elton well into my 70s maybe 90s haha....

[@bobdelp2023]

AHHHHHH YESSSSS BRANDON!!! 👍😊YA GOTTA LOVE IT BRANDON, I MEAN THE AMAZINGGGG MUSIC AND OF COURSE THAT ALWAYS MEANS ELTON AND BERNIE! 💯HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS AMAZINGGGG MUSIC LEGEND!

[@retroreactions....]

Good evening Bob!! Thanks so much for stopping by 😊 I can proudly say I've enjoyed Elton's music since the 80s and with each new discovery on the channel, the love and respect grows.... Have a great night!

[@stevecampbell8152]

Saw Elton when he first toured. What a fabulous concert- piano, bass, and drums. No synths. Hard to believe he played with the Gentle Giant guys before they were GG. Early EJ is the best, before the fluff!

[@PetraKann]

There was always fluff

[@retroreactions....]

So cool....I saw him but of course it was in the 2000s. Just found out today that he was tied to GG!! Thanks..

[@wpollock1]

Right from the beginning of 60 Years On this is not your average Elton John "pop" song. This album (Elton John) is so striking and Bernie's lyrics are so dense and vibrant. "Border Song" and "The King Must Die" are so good, also. Ticking: I love the sound of the piano making the sound of the gun - 13:45, and the buildup. Bernie observing the psychological motivations of a shooter. Very powerful.

[@retroreactions....]

Hello and thanks for the suggestions. 2 brilliant songs. Thanks for tuning in!

[@michelfroggy56]

Ad Mona Lisas and Mad hatters and you'd hit the Elton John Trifecta . These are my 3 favorites tracks by Elton.

[@retroreactions....]

Ah yes, I enjoyed that one as well when I reacted to it. Thanks Michel!

[@mikemicrael5749]

Great reactions! I have recommended "Ticking" for a long time but yours is the first reaction I've seen. How this is considered a deep cut is beyond me. Thanks!

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks Mike! Glad you enjoyed my Ticking reaction!

[@helenespaulding7562]

WOOOOOW. Holy Cow! It’s been so long since Ive heard Sixty Years….i did not recognize that opening orchestration at all. Not until the vocal melodic line kicked in. Beautiful beautiful. Very unusual arrangement for an Elton John song to my ears.

[@retroreactions....]

Yes, I love how different it is to all the other Elton I know. Glad I could help you time travel to long ago! 😊

[@mikemicrael5749]

As Reg Dwight, Elton was a member of an English band called Simon Dupree and the Big Sound, but chose to start a solo career rather than continue with the Big Sound when they transformed into prog rock icons Gentle Giant, with the incomparable Kerry Minnear on keyboards. I always wondered if Elton regrets not being a member of Gentle Giant. :)

[@retroreactions....]

Woah! Had no idea about all that! I'd say it worked out pretty well for Elton 😀

[@gbsailing9436]

Try Elton's "Have Mercy On the Criminal"...

[@Musiquesaecouter]

Hi Brandon. Early music from him is the best he ever delivered, "Ticking" were among my favorite that I discovered in the late, ELTON John the other piano man (thinking of Billy Joel 😉) this ballad must belong to his greatest strong moments, big Synth in the coda by David Hentschel if I remember, in 1975 he became producer of Genesis . Cheers!

[@retroreactions....]

Hello. Glad you like this music! Thanks 😊

[@joelliebler5690]

2 great songs with 2 very different subjects!I remember listening to that song from Elton’s first true American album after he and Bernie had matured in their lyrical and musical styles. An amazing album that instantly made me a fan at the age of 11 or 12!The mastery of Elton’s haunting and dramatic style on Ticking is amazing!

[@retroreactions....]

Hello Joel. Glad you love these songs. Thanks for stopping by!!

[@TheirFinestHour]

IMO Ticking is the best thing he’s ever done

[@Oron-n5l]

Nobody ever reacts to Elton's first album, "Empty Sky" and yet, it has some excellent early songs by Elton & Bernie. The title track opens the album with a psychedelic, Acid Rock guitar solo, the likes of which our lads never visited again, but which they did very well. "Western Ford Gateway" is also a terrific number. DO try to react to these. ---OronOfMontreal

[@jimwright2795]

This was the EJ I grew up with.

[@joelliebler5690]

2 top tier songs. Sixty Years On really seems to describe what it feels like as we all hit our senior years.Ticking is amongst the best piano playing yet from The Mad man across the river!!The string arrangement in 60 Years on is amazing!Elton was well known in his first 2 or 3 albums recording most of them in one session or 2 with the full orchestra giving the songs such lushness to them. Check out from his self titled Elton John album such songs as The King Must Die, The Fistt Hillls at Hienton, and Need You to Turn To.

[@annieclifford9337]

beautiful

[@retroreactions....]

Agree! Always nice to see you Annie!!

[@EchoesDaBear]

GREAT reaction Brandon!! Both are incredible tunes! I would HIGHLY recommend checking the live version of Sixty Years On from the album 17-11-70. It does away with the orchestra, but the rearrangement with just the band in a live setting, IMHO, beats out the studio version! The energy is fire! Cheers.

[@79BlackRose]

I have the opposite view.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your thoughts on the 17-11-70 gig! I'm sure the song is quite different there...

[@195511SM]

You should check out...'Befast'..... from his 'Made In England ' album which I think came out in the early 2000s. Lovely orchestrations.

[@retroreactions....]

OK, I have added it to my list, thanks!

[@Oron-n5l]

"Sixty Years On" live from Elton's first-ever tour of the U.S., with only his piano, drummer Nigel and bassist Dee. The power those three young men applied, the energy they expended, laid waste their audiences. The album "11-17-70" has it, a sound-board recording in a small radio studio. Amazing version of the song, it rocks out. I urge you to listen to "11-17-70". ---OronOfMontreal

[@Oron-n5l]

In the 21st century, no singer could write such a song, in light of how many teenagers actually commit mass murder, at school or elsewhere. Yet, Bernie's sensitive lyrics and Elton's eloquently talking piano make it beautiful. They also wrote one of the funniest teenage anxiety songs ever, from the album "Honky Chateau": "(Think I'm Gonna) Kill Myself" It is high energy and hilarious, but the subject matter would be unforgivable, if written today. ---OronOfMontreal

[@gallery963]

Elton's other great epic story song is "Indian Sunset"

[@retroreactions....]

Yes I have reacted to that great song too!

[@Scooterboi60]

Excellent.

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@Scooterboi60]

@@retroreactions.... You’re the first person who has reacted to “Ticking” and I appreciate that you did. 🙏

[@retroreactions....]

Thanks my friend!

[@Scooterboi60]

@@retroreactions.... can I suggest a couple of songs for you to react to since you’ve broken into the deep cuts?

[@retroreactions....]

Sure! I have a humongous request list, but I can certainly add them to the list....maybe they already are on there with some votes...

[@eddiecriglington400]

🎶❤️🎶

[@MisterWondrous]

If and when you get married and the DJ asks you what to play, don't just say: "Oh, some Elton John". The entire wedding party thought the song was about me. Both of them!! Anyway...water under the bridge. Another song to not play at your wedding is Harry Chapin's "Sniper", which is a similarly unsuitable song, but based on a real event. A nobody with gun who, at the end, declares, "I was, I am, and now I will be." Another reason why everyone needs to know they are already a somebody. Fame is a whore best served frozen. Something like that. Rocky Rococo.

[@jamesvomsaal]

Sounds like a Blimp going by at the end of

[@brucedillinger9448]

As much as I adore SYO it is Ticking for me that stole this video. It is in my top 3 greatest Elton songs. ♥

[@retroreactions....]

Hi Bruce! I'm glad you love both songs, especially Ticking... Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@JohnLRice]

Great stuff! I'm "mainly" very familiar with Elton's work from the Yellow Brick Road album which I love, and of course I've heard the hits from his other albums on the radio a lot, but I've long been meaning to get more of his albums, especially the earlier ones. I especially loved "Sixty Years On" which I don't think I've ever heard before, I was surprised and delighted as well with the beautiful and unexpected arrangement! 🥰 My recommendations for today: "In The End" by Peter Hammill from his 1973 solo album Chameleon In The Shadow Of The Night. The song has a very similar subject to "Sixty Years On", and was written after his band broke up and he was pondering his future and what might become of himself at the end of his life. Reviewed by jamesbaldwin on Prog Archives site: "Fourth song: "In the End"; seven and a half minutes made of piano and voice. Beginning muted, brooding, then, after one minute of shy piano music, arrives Hammill's reflective voice. At the second minute the voice become dramatic, and then after 5 minutes there is a pause. After that, starts the grand finale, final rush, voice that comes magnificent, impressive, produces a great pathos, a wonderful climax. Then, final tail fade. Rating 9. Masterpiece." And the other recommendation is "(This Side Of) The Looking Glass" by Peter Hammill from his 1977 solo album Over. While Peter's singing can often be rough and overly dramatic (to great effect IMHO) on this song he sings tenderly and with beautifully pure tones and is accompanied by a lush orchestral arrangement. It's one of the saddest songs of lost love I have ever heard.💔 (I may have recommended this one before?) Peter Hammill is easily in my top 5 lyricists, and depending on my mood I could rank him and #1!

[@retroreactions....]

Glad you loved Sixty as much as I did! I've added ITE and TLG to my list. Peter was already on there! Have we talked about John Miles? I've LOVED what I've heard from him so far...

[@JohnLRice]

@@retroreactions.... Thanks, and yes, I watched your triple reaction with one of them being John Miles "Music" which I really liked and I commented on but we really didn't get into a discussion! I look forward to you doing more John Miles. 😎👍 And hey, I know it hasn't even been three months since your last Renaissance reaction but I could use some more from you? 😅 See your last one from March and my commented suggestions. 👍👍

[@retroreactions....]

Ah OK, I should have just checked LOL...Yes, my most beloved artists like Renaissance are on permanent rotation, but it's about 3 months in between turns as you know. Hopefully will get to them again within a month. It's so overwhelming with many millions of songs to choose from!!

[@JohnLRice]

@@retroreactions.... Yeah, it would be an impossible task to react to all of the favorite songs from just one single person, and when you have thousands of subscribers all clamoring for you to do their personal favorites . . . it might make me feel like Homer Simpson when he said "During the exam, I'll hide under some coats, and hope that somehow everything will work out..." 😅

[@retroreactions....]

LMAO....did I mention my request spreadsheet has well over 4,000 songs on it already?!

[@DreamCatcher584]

You'd be hard-pressed to find better songwriting than this. It is perfection. Perfect marriage of music to the lyrics. The chaotic piano as someone tries to calm the young man down. The piano tension as the situation becomes tense. Then, my favorite part, the piano sounds like a marionette dancing just before he sings "you danced in death like a marionette upon the vengeance of the law." And the flatline at the end. Sadly, the subject matter of this song is still relevant today.

[@ericjourdain892]

I don't know shit about Elton John's early career because I hate his voice, but watching you enjoy strings is always a pleasure. About Ticking, intense song but I never liked that much piano, hence my distaste for Elton John. Great job Bernie Taupin!

[@jimmyjameson8705]

Ticking is a mind boggling masterpiece.. Elton and bernie are as good as any song writing duo....billy Joel and bernie abs Elton top song writers ..no disrespect to Lennon/ McCartney or jagger/Richards