Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding Reaction

[@MikeInMD1961]

It's hard to believe this album is 48 years old. A double album without a single dud on it! Elton is a musical genius, and this album alone proves it.

[@CarlAnderson-t8u]

I find it hard to believe that it’s 51 years old and keeps sounding better each year.

[@hughshugdevlin6192]

Aye, don't forget the people who played with him ; )

[@MikeInMD1961]

@@hughshugdevlin6192 Stellar musicians, all of them.

[@Crazywater1976]

The instrumental is Funeral for a Friend and the second half with vocals is Love Lies Bleeding. This was huge a rock radio stations and is still played today on free form stations. He opens concerts with this to this day.

[@wendyshaw688]

This album was on replay on my turntable..over and over and over. The double album had lyrics on the record jacket to sing as loud as I could❤...it was such a big part of my childhood!

[@balmpatchvideos]

I made a video for this song you might like on my channel.

[@Ocrilat]

My brain loves this song...and Elton in general. His music is layered, almost 3-dimensional. He is amazing...and the band is phenomenal as well.

[@harlanginsberg7269]

Very underrated band. Olsson Johnstone and Murray were all excellent

[@taradevine6026]

He often plays this as he first comes on stage. Seen him live many times. First time I heard it, it was definitely amazing and something EPIC! Maybe my favorite from him, but he has SO many incredible songs. First album i bought with my own money was his. He was a MEGA rock star! Young people today don't realize that.. Talented beyond words.

[@apostle6100]

I got this album for Christmas in 73...he is a great musician and he had a great lyricist

[@MrDuneedon]

Absolutely epic and beautiful-one of my favorite songs of all time.

[@kurbo19]

The first part of the song (the instrumental) is Funeral for a Friend. Elton wrote that part of the song when thinking about what music he would want played at his own funeral. The second part of the song (the part with vocals) is Love Lies Bleeding. Initially they were two separate songs but Elton put them together because he thought they blended together very well (pretty genius in my opinion). This is the opening track to one of his greatest albums, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

[@doughaviland1729]

EPIC BEYOND WORDS! Today's people have no idea that GIANTS walked the Earth back then...

[@balmpatchvideos]

I know it's sacrilege but I made a video for this song on my channel.

[@CarlAnderson-t8u]

Fortunately, many of these artists STILL walk the wart today and hopefully, with many years to go.

[@boggy269]

I love performing all Elton songs at my gigs , especially this one !

[@aussieanthems168]

I had just turned 15 and visiting my gf house. I wasn't into Elton John at all, thought he just made ballady pop songs and I was into guitar music. The whole family sat down and put on "Elton's new album" her brother had just got that day and this came on. Mind blown and total stunned silence! We all knew we were listening to genius.

[@bobdelp2023]

MY FAVORITE SONGGGG OF ALLLLLLLL TIME FOR OVER 45 YEARS NOW GUYS!!! :) ENJOY THIS ONE FROM BACK IN 73

[@TheMagnum60]

The 17 songs out of the 22 that were written for the album they were recorded/finished in 3 days. !!!

[@bobdelp2023]

MY FAVORITE ROCKKKK SONG OF ALLLLLL TIME YOU GUYS FOR 50 YEARS NOW SO!!! 😊 YIKESSSSSSSS! JUST SO MANY THINGS ABOUT IT 😊

[@balmpatchvideos]

[@kurbo19]

Elton has endless hits. I guess you could go on ahead with “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” to start. Great reaction 👍

[@rcdolphin714]

The first time I heard this album I was blown away. This is the opening track and my favorite. Davy Johnstone is the guitarist and he doesn’t get enough credit for his contribution to Elton’s songs. I love this era of Elton’s career before he went Pop.

[@rcherry1978]

Neither does bassist Dee Murry or drummer Nigel Olsen The Elton John Band as they were known was awsome

[@bobdelp2023]

NOW THATTT'SSSSS HOW YOU START AN ALBUM! 😊 EPIC GEMMMM!

[@TexasMagnolia]

Absolutely adore a parent and child connecting through music. New Sub!

[@happyviking3781]

I heard EJ on an interview and he said he wrote all the music for this double album in 6 days. EPIC

[@chitown1098]

This album came out when I was in high school and going to one of his concerts was unbelievable. He always opens his concerts with these two songs. I loved Elton John my whole life. So many classics.

[@megaBreezy]

The opening synth was meant to touch on themes throughout the album and act as a sort of grand opening of a classic movie (think the MGM lion roaring), while the subsequent piano notes are a play on Chopin's "Funeral March" (hence the "funeral for a friend"). The second half of the song was originally an entirely separate song called "Love Lies Bleeding", and Elton made the call to jam them together as the recording was coming together, as the chord structures fit so well between the two. Fantastic stuff! He's got so many incredible songs, it's hard to go wrong - I would vote for "Tonight" as another incredible, piano-centric, masterpiece.

[@miguelbotelho2613]

One of my absolute favourites by sir Elton John. That sound was a synth flute , I think it was a Prophet 5. I had one and was able to get that sound effect.

[@gallery963]

Elton has two songs that could be turned into movies. "Indian Sunset" and "Ticking"

[@happyviking3781]

You are right. Both are masterpieces.

[@GpaL-ix7vl]

1st time I heard a synth was this album, '73, yes guys, that was a ARP Synth....changed my life...Son took me to see him live in 2019, ALL the same musicians on this album were there except Dee Murray(bass)...he also played this song, my favorite. Thanks Guys.

[@dipsydoodle7988]

This album was a massive hit when it was released. I can say without a doubt that everyone knew they were listening to a masterpiece with this song. Back in those days the radio had a 3 1/2 minute rule and even they played this song beginning to end, no cuts. Now, in fairness, we were used to music from bands like Queen and Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, etc., so we were spoiled by great music. I have seen the Elton John Band live close to 15 times back in the day. Yes, it's a whole band of incredible musicians making these songs come to life for shows. This one as an show opener, dry ice on the stage and lights low during the wind sounds sent shivers down my spine every time. I highly recommend a live performance of this song. The original drummer and guitarist were still playing live with Elton last year.

[@OronOfMontreal]

1973 was the year that most Progressive Rock bands released some their best albums, and also some great synthesizer experiments were being recorded and released. SO this is Elton, his band and producer Gus Dudgeon showing the world just how amazingly versatile they were, and they gave us their own Progressive Rock anthem.

[@williamjones6031]

Best song off his best album. It's great when he starts the live show with this. Berzerkely Greek Theatre summer 1983. Only F----n $20🤑😁 IHe recently retired. The reason he is so flashy is because most other lead musicians don't have to sit behind a huge grand piano. He wanted to be noticed.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

This is in my humble opinion Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is his best album ever !

[@juliemanarin4127]

It is certainly the best Elton John album!

[@harlanginsberg7269]

I know I'm going against popular opinion here but I always thought Tumbleweed Connection Don't Shoot Me..... and Honky Chateau were all better albums because I found them for the most part to be less commercial. Again I know this is not the majority opinion just how I feel.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

@@harlanginsberg7269 I love all of Elton's work caribou, tumbleweed , Capt Fantastic one of my all time favorites But Goodbye is still his best work in my opinion

[@MrRondonmon]

Tumbleweed Connection is his best Album.

[@CCDzine]

My guess for the flute-like sound is one of the ARP keyboards of the time, an ARP 2600 or an ARP Odessy.

[@j.kevvideoproductions.6463]

It is a masterpiece in every sense of the word... For Elton, it was just another album, every six months... He was that good back then.

[@robinbeymer9265]

I’ve seen this live many times and it always gives me the tingles!! So epic, so awesome!! There’s no music like this now.

[@brucedillinger9448]

THIS was the first album I bought. And yes, as soon as I heard ffaf/llb I was a fan for life. ✌

[@niged]

It was and still is an epic album opener. Yellow Brick Road was a awesome double album released 1972. Hard to believe it's that old. Production sounds great

[@fadifarha431]

This song is such an iconic Rock song. When radio stations countdown best songs ever, this one is always like in top 10 or so. I always thought the opening section to be very sad

[@guyturbide6348]

🇨🇦 61 years old In my younger days radio where there to promote music 🎶 that why in the seventy you have so many rocks group with much longer song and solos guitar 🎸 Today the radio are there to promote merchandise And service Big difference so sad 😞 for your generation After the album Goodbye yellow brick road Elton was so popular that he turned to more popular commercial music But at the beginning of his career he was a genius musician Bernie Taupin was the genius behind the lyrics Your next réaction to masterpiece by Elton Jhon should be " MAD MAN ACROSS THE WATER " KEEP THE GOOD WORK 👍 👌 ✌

[@crazyoldworld7946]

He wrote the music for the whole double album in 3 days! FYI it's a double album!! If I remember correctly, he plays by ear and only learned to read music when he wrote for the Lion King.

[@lesscott4301]

Elton actually studied at the Royal College of Music. 🙏

[@derrickspooger798]

In the well deserved praise for Elton we should not forget the excellent lyrics of Bernie Taupin. Some of the consistently best lyrics.

[@jimjames8660]

Elton wrote "Funeral" as what he would want played at his funeral.... he's the "friend"

[@JFinSD2]

Yes. When I first heard this cut.....I was blown away. The flute part is a synth.

[@jamescrane2156]

This is the opening track on the double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973). You can hear a church organ playing a funeral dirge (song) at the beginning.

[@roccaclassico9028]

LOL - Those shoes were 1970s high fashion! They were called "platform shoes", also known as "elevator shoes" (no joke). "Funeral For a Friend" is the instrumental and "Love Lies Bleeding" is the part with the vocals. I consider this as Elton John Does Prog Rock. Elton was the king of Pop Rock before Michael Jackson was. The image you were looking at was the album cover art for the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album, which featured this song as the opening track.

[@goldilox369]

That's funny. Because my first husband loved progressive metal. And I, of course loved Elton and all things 70s. This was one of the only songs where I could get him to admit Elton was actually a great musician. LoL. Can't beat this one! 😂

[@tammieparrishmiller3669]

Such a beautiful song. Everyone I know, just about everyone, says they want this song played at their funeral. Madman Across the Water is also an amazing song and album guys. Nothing like this one but none of his songs are anything alike. You could also check out the entire album called Tumbleweed Connection. Indian Sunset is also a great song that will take you to another place in time. It actually brings me to tears. Great job guys! Btw, I don't think any of their songs take near 6 mos. Bernie writes the lyrics and Elton puts the music to it and....done! I love these guys! They used to make the songs in Elton's mothers apartment. Bernie would be in Elton's bedroom doing the lyrics and hand them to Elton at the piano and he put it to music.

[@TexasMagnolia]

Searching for Elton reactions. Glad to see new reactions! Absolutely….Madman Across the Water. Elton’s most Epic masterpieces are his hidden tracks 1970-1975 Thoughts: This is the great Elton…can’t wait for the next album.

[@JimiBurleigh]

Loved this reaction. Let me just anwer a couple of the questions you asked. I was in high school when this record came out and short answer, yes. I knew when I dropped the needle on this track (it's the opening track of the record) I knew immediately that I was listening to an utter masterpiece. The core, and heart, of the Elton John band were: Elton John: Keyboards Davey Johnstone: Guitars Dee Murray: Bass Nigel Olsson: Drums Lyrics:Bernie Taupin Music: Elton John Let me suggest, also from the "Good-Bye Yellow Brick Road" album: "Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock & Roll)" "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting" "Grey Seal" (definitely have the lyrics for this one) Just something different, a duet with a woman called Kiki Dee called: "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGHUiGyGYtqMnK8

[@preesi1403]

This song is just 4 people! Elton, Davey, Nigel and Dee FOUR PEOPLE. They are a family! Dee Died of skin cancer tho. but the rest are still together. This album was written and recorded in 2 WEEKS! Oh and Dave Hentschel on Synth Elton said this is what he wants his funeral music to be

[@balmpatchvideos]

[@marksterner7532]

The entire album - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - is a masterpiece. In my opinion, it is the best of his truly outstanding catalog of work. Madman Across the Water was his introduction to the world, and has tremendous songs. And his later works are also outstanding. (Elton John is one of the all-time greatest singer-songwriters in history). But Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is his Opus!

[@marcosruiz1709]

Elton John is not a singer-songwriter, he composes the music, the lyrics of his songs are written by Bernie Taupin, they have been a duo from the beginning

[@JimiBurleigh]

Just a quick note before I forget to mention it, those are called "platform shoes" and they were (ahem) big in the 1970's. I was 6 foot 5 in high school and I had a pair of 4" platforms.

[@arlenem6659]

I was a huge Elton John fan in the 1971 on. I saw him in concert in 1974, I think it was, at Angel Stadium. It was awesome! Yes, when I got this album this song was incredible! The first part of the song is Funeral for a Friend, the second part is Love Lies Bleeding. Awesome song. Every some on this album is great. Don't know if you can find it, but, his album Tumbleweed Connection is another great album, and completely different from his 70's work. Another album, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.

[@bobdelp2023]

RIGHT AWAY, BACK IN 73, EXTRAAAAAORDINARY ALONG WITH THAT INCREDIBLE HIGH RANGE PITCH VOICE FROM 70-90 :) HE HAD 3 AMAZINGGGG MUSICIANS GUYS : DAVEY JOHNSTONE / GUITARIST, VOCALS, DEE MURRAY / BASSIST, VOCALS, NIGEL OLSON / DRUMS, PERCUSSIONS, VOCALS :) AND OF COURSE R.I.P TO DEE :( THAT WAS SAD AT THE TIME :(

[@chipurBillWhite]

I was in college when the album came out. That jam was epic then and it still is. Great job, men…

[@markhagerman1837]

Great reaction, guys. My teenage son and I also bond over music, and it’s a great thing. Keep up the good work and God bless.

[@domeshine69]

When I first heard this song, in 1973, I thought it was a masterpiece composition that might become as timeless as Beethoven or Bach.

[@OronOfMontreal]

This is Elton John's greatest masterpiece. One of the best songs of the 1970s, from one of the greatest albums of the 70s. This is why Sir Elton is a legend and a knight.

[@juliemanarin4127]

My favorite by him!

[@bostonwhofan]

It was funny when you noticed Elton John's high heels on the album cover because Elton was in a film by The Who called "Tommy". In the movie Elton squares off with Roger Daltrey (the pinball wizard) and plays piano on the part Pete Townshend plays guitar on the original Tommy album. If you thought the high heels Elton is wearing on the album cover, you haven't seen anything until you see the boots Elton wears in this performance of Pinball Wizard from the Tommy movie: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKDbqnl6os2Sgrs LOL! A bonus you get to see in that video is The Who destroying their instruments and the stage at the end of the song.

[@ericcowsill7821]

Madman Across The Water live with the Australia Symphony Orchestra is pure gold. And Burn Down The Mission live

[@seeuatthepeak]

Elton John's band at the time of "Yellow Brick Road." Was comprised of Lead guitarist- Davy Johnston, Bass player Dee Murrey, Drummer Nigel Olsen, and of course pianist/keyboards/Lead singer Elton John.

[@Timoeltejano]

Sometimes we forget how good EJ was. We forget that he used to really rock too. Yes, this song has always amazed. He is still a legend but he didn't take good care of his voice and he doesn't even sound like himself anymore.

[@harlanginsberg7269]

I think a very interesting thing about Elton John is that the lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin who is a straight man and the person singing all these songs is Sir Elton John a gay man who had a crush on Bernie Taupin. Bernie Taupin wrote a lot of love songs that Elton sang.

[@KevinFuhrmann-s9h]

The instrument you thought was a flute was a synth. And yes Elton John is a prodigy. He received a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music at 11 years old. He studied there for 5 years.

[@kevinwatts661]

My college roommate used to play this every night as he went to bed. Definitely left an impression...

[@miguelbotelho2613]

Funeral for a friend was that long intro, the vocal part was love lies bleeding.

[@jenniferjohnson319]

Madman across the water next. Early Elton John was incredible.

[@Kirkunik1]

Great pick! Btw Not high heels....platform shoes. They were in at the time. Many rockers wore them....but Elton always had his larger than life flair channeling Liberace in Wonderland. Elton put on 4 hr concerts. His energy was ridiculous. He and Bernie Taupin composed a major library of great songs. Taupin would send him lyrics and Elton put them to music. Brilliant stuff.

[@MoMoMyPup10]

I know this is old but you asked for a Live version and by far the best version is Live in Central Park. A MUST for Elton fans. EPIC free concert.

[@stevenelms5524]

Candle in the wind,Saturday' nights alright for fighting, Grey seal, harmony, Benny and the jets, and many more on this album great listening.

[@shandac1027]

One of his epic songs! Still have the album from the 70s. Took my teen a few listens to fall in love. It was mine all time favorite from the beginning

[@JohnSmith-fq2nz]

Bought the vinyl when it was first issued. We knew he was extra ordinary. Elton had seven consecutive number one albums between 1973 and 1976. He has I think 58 top 40 hits.

[@bobdelp2023]

ALWAYS REMEMBER GUYS THAT THIS BAND WAS QUITE UNIQUE FROM OTHER GREAT ROCK BANDS. :) SO ELTON'S BEST FRIEND ( BERNIE TAUPIN ) WRITES THE LYRICS AND THEN ELTON QUICKLY WRITES THE MUSIC AND MELODIES FOR THOSE LYRICS, TIMELESS AND CLASSIC! :)

[@markmurphy558]

This is Elton's best album. It was a double album with no clunkers.I feel that MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER is a close second, whichhas the best song of his career, TINY DANCER.

[@taradevine6026]

Omg I LOVE this song!!!!

[@markmurphy558]

This whole album rocks. CANDLE IN THE WIND, SATURDAY IS ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING, BENNIE AND THE JETS, CROCODILE ROCK, GREY SEAL,

[@bevofrancis4309]

The Era Of Great Music..... 😎

[@mamaflush9945]

Great song I agree it did have an ELO feel to it. You should checkout "Neil Young - Old Man" and "Janis Ian - Society's Child 1967" Elton John was so Flamboyant. Fun Fact He and George Michael sang at Princess Diana's Funeral here's the video "Elton John - Candle In The Wind/ Goodbye England's Rose (Live at Princess Diana's Funeral 1997)"

[@johnandrews3151]

Funeral For A Friend is the instrumental part of the song which segways into the second song called Love Lies Bleeding.

[@surferles589]

It's a typical Elton John sound. This album is a masterpiece

[@joejohnston3591]

You guys are great, i really like your reactions. P.s. Badfinger forever!!

[@lesscott4301]

I bought this album just before my dad died and can't listen to it without thinking about him🙏

[@JimiBurleigh]

Loving that you compared this to 2112, but it's pronounced "Twenty-one Twelve" just sayin' Peace ☮

[@juliemanarin4127]

Yes

[@johnnyvee7103]

yes i knew it was extraordinary...i am just happy that someone else does even though its years later

[@VampeyMK]

THAT'S an album opener. More like "Funeral for Other Album Openers". :D

[@asayake1]

lol 💀😂

[@brianmasinelli9694]

Great song! Next up , the amazing ' Tiny dancer ' , the official video...it gives a better vibe to the song. Thnx guys!

[@ScottDeBerg]

Guitarist is Davey Johnstone. This song owes a lot to Elton”s longtime synth player, David Hentschel, and arranger Gus Dudgeon.

[@johnandrews3151]

Elton John had the best band until 1976, called the Elton John Band. After 1976, he dispersed the band and went on to do other works.

[@TexasMagnolia]

All Elton John is Masterpieces. Live version is on Elton’s YT channel.

[@boggy269]

He is my Idol !

[@bobdelp2023]

IF YOU CAN LOOK UP ( LIVE IN BARCELONA 92 ) THAT'S A GREAT CONCERT FOR THIS YOU GUYS! 😊

[@MrRondonmon]

The first 5 to 6 minutes is just music, it's a farewell to a friend so to speak, or a lover, or a family member, who knows. But then the Second song kicks in and its basically him talking about the death, Love Lies Bleeding in my hand. Now, it might have been the "Death of a Relationship which was buried" and the 2nd part is about the awful breakup. Elton never, or hardly ever wrote lyrics, but all the music came from his brain, so those Guitar sounds/licks were his doing, he just didn't play the guitar, only the Piano. So, this was probably a song about one of Bernie Taupin's (the song writers]) Breakups/Divorces or about someone he knew dying. This was a CONCEPT ALBUM, hence every song was about Famous Pepple/Movies/Actors in general, Prostitutes, Roy Ragers, Benny, and the Jets a music duo, etc., etc., etc.

[@enta2]

lol, I think that was the best interpretation of this song. With this song, they were opening their live concerts. You should then try Madman Across the Water. the whole album is perfect

[@crazexskater]

P.S. no radio play? You would have been surprised...heard it a lot. Although I think that they did have a slightly cut down version for radio

[@harlanginsberg7269]

Definitely so. This album came out my first year in college and this song got big airplay (the complete song) on WNEW FM in NY. Stations back than sometimes played whole sides of albums or 20 minute jam songs by bands like The Grateful Dead or The Allman Brothers. There were many songs played on FM radio that were this long or longer.

[@hughshugdevlin6192]

It's a keyboard sound. It's an " ARP Odyssey " keyboard sound

[@accimamicca3213]

Bts mention elton john on their new song permission to dance... so dope!

[@bobdelp2023]

PHENOMMMMMMM!!! 😊 I LOVE THAT!

[@michellemccall6511]

Those are called platform shoes. All the rage in the 70s.😁

[@motyenoham2949]

this song gives me a "Foreplay/Long Time" vibe.

[@bobdelp2023]

IT'S THE OPENINGGGG SONG OFF OF GOODBYE, ISN'T THAT SOMETHING CRAZY! :)

[@crazexskater]

GREAT VIDEO! GREAT SONG!

[@JFinSD2]

This song is great live.

[@marksterner7532]

Please turn up the volume on the music you are reacting to. This is one of the all-time greatest pieces of music ever written!

[@balmpatchvideos]

Would you mind checking out a video I made for this song?

[@Intheyr2525]

The roses in the window box have tilted to one side - Everything about this house must grow and Die