Elton John — Border Song
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Holy Moses I have been removed
I have seen the specter he has been here too
Distant cousin from down the line
Brand of people who ain't my kind
Holy Moses I have been removed
Holy Moses I have been deceived
Now the wind has changed direction and I'll have to leave
Won't you please excuse my frankness but it's not my cup of tea
Holy Moses I have been deceived
I'm going back to the border
Where my affairs, my affairs ain't abused
I can't take any more bad water
I've been poisoned from my head down to my shoes
Holy Moses I have been deceived
Holy Moses let us live in peace
Let us strive to find a way to make all hatred cease
There's a man over there what's his color I don't care
He's my brother let us live in peace
He's my brother let us live in peace
He's my brother let us live in peace
I have seen the specter he has been here too
Distant cousin from down the line
Brand of people who ain't my kind
Holy Moses I have been removed
Holy Moses I have been deceived
Now the wind has changed direction and I'll have to leave
Won't you please excuse my frankness but it's not my cup of tea
Holy Moses I have been deceived
I'm going back to the border
Where my affairs, my affairs ain't abused
I can't take any more bad water
I've been poisoned from my head down to my shoes
Holy Moses I have been deceived
Holy Moses let us live in peace
Let us strive to find a way to make all hatred cease
There's a man over there what's his color I don't care
He's my brother let us live in peace
He's my brother let us live in peace
He's my brother let us live in peace
Comments (150)add comment
This song is as timeless as borders and conflicts. On any given year, and for any given place of conflict in the world it still rings fresh and clear. Today the biggest crisis is once again in the Middle East where "distant cousins" from the beginnings of "civilization" are once again killing innocent people, who want nothing more than to live in peace. And so, songs like this, are once again poignant and heartrending.
Housey2001 wrote:
I agree. It was so much easier to take him seriously when he dressed like this:
Elton John 1973 by Terry O'Neill
Early Elton was truly great
I cant take him seriously now (especially with the photo on the left)
I agree. It was so much easier to take him seriously when he dressed like this:
Elton John 1973 by Terry O'Neill
Early Elton was truly great
I cant take him seriously now (especially with the photo on the left)
I cant take him seriously now (especially with the photo on the left)
Relevant, right now.
This beautiful music makes a very poignant soundtrack for the border images of barbed wire, steel walls, checkpoints, and detention centers the wallpaper function finds to play with the song.
talexb wrote:
From Rolling Stone interview with Elton and Bernie (both present):
Elton: It's never been disclosed, but lyrically I wrote the last verse of "Border Song" because it was only two verses long and we thought it really needed another verse. That's why the last verse is very mundane. That's never been disclosed before . . .
cc_rider wrote:
The story I heard was that they recorded it and the producer said, nice -- but it's too short. Can you add a bit? Bernie couldn't be reached, so they threw some words together and added the bridge. Apparently Bernie was not pleased with the result. Oops.
PS One of my favourites, 9/10 from the Toronto panel.
I agree with you, and I'm pretty sure Bernie would too. He did not like the last little bit of lyric - it's kind of trite. The story goes, Elton was rushing to get it finished, and added the lyric without Bernie's input. I don't know if it's true, but it would explain the 'demo' feel of it.
The story I heard was that they recorded it and the producer said, nice -- but it's too short. Can you add a bit? Bernie couldn't be reached, so they threw some words together and added the bridge. Apparently Bernie was not pleased with the result. Oops.
PS One of my favourites, 9/10 from the Toronto panel.
From Rolling Stone interview with Elton and Bernie (both present):
Elton: It's never been disclosed, but lyrically I wrote the last verse of "Border Song" because it was only two verses long and we thought it really needed another verse. That's why the last verse is very mundane. That's never been disclosed before . . .
Back when he was good!
cc_rider wrote:
The story I heard was that they recorded it and the producer said, nice -- but it's too short. Can you add a bit? Bernie couldn't be reached, so they threw some words together and added the bridge. Apparently Bernie was not pleased with the result. Oops.
PS One of my favourites, 9/10 from the Toronto panel.
I agree with you, and I'm pretty sure Bernie would too. He did not like the last little bit of lyric - it's kind of trite. The story goes, Elton was rushing to get it finished, and added the lyric without Bernie's input. I don't know if it's true, but it would explain the 'demo' feel of it.
c.
c.
The story I heard was that they recorded it and the producer said, nice -- but it's too short. Can you add a bit? Bernie couldn't be reached, so they threw some words together and added the bridge. Apparently Bernie was not pleased with the result. Oops.
PS One of my favourites, 9/10 from the Toronto panel.
dflee wrote:
Mos' def'. His earlier work, esp. the eponymous "Elton John" and "Goodbye the Yellow Brick Road", were terrific. His latter day uberpop not so much.
Elton had such originality and was so refreshing in the early days.
Love his early works Holy Moses it is still great.
Mos' def'. His earlier work, esp. the eponymous "Elton John" and "Goodbye the Yellow Brick Road", were terrific. His latter day uberpop not so much.
rdo wrote:
And then the Lord said unto Moses, Thou shalt refrain from uttering the words Elton John and Godlike in the the same sentence.
I disagree; but that's a funny comment.
And then the Lord said unto Moses, Thou shalt refrain from uttering the words Elton John and Godlike in the the same sentence.
I disagree; but that's a funny comment.
treatment_bound wrote:
I agree with you, and I'm pretty sure Bernie would too. He did not like the last little bit of lyric - it's kind of trite. The story goes, Elton was rushing to get it finished, and added the lyric without Bernie's input. I don't know if it's true, but it would explain the 'demo' feel of it.
c.
...
but gimme' a "Mona Lisas", a "Tiny Dancer", a "Levon", a "Burn Down the Mission", hell, I'd even take a "Candle in the Wind" over this, which always seemed like a demo rather than a completed song.
c.
Good song for an episode of Hap & Leonard ðŸ¤
Early Elton so good.
Elton had such originality and was so refreshing in the early days.
Love his early works Holy Moses it is still great.
Love his early works Holy Moses it is still great.
treatment_bound wrote:
I had the same conclusion when I received the 1st Greatest Hits album as a gift back in the 70's.
It always struck me as weird that they included this song on the first Elton John's Greatest Hits album which came out in 1974 and sold 10 million copies before the 1970's were done.
I had the same conclusion when I received the 1st Greatest Hits album as a gift back in the 70's.
Holy Moses not a bad song
Quite overrated, this guy.
It always struck me as weird that they included this song on the first Elton John's Greatest Hits album which came out in 1974 and sold 10 million copies before the 1970's were done.
The other nine cuts seem to fit the bill:
Side oneNo.TitleAlbumLength1."Your Song"Elton John (1970)4:002."Daniel"Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)3:533."Honky Cat"Honky Château (1972)5:124."Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)3:145."Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road4:55Side twoNo.TitleAlbumLength6."Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)"Honky Château4:407."Bennie and the Jets"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road5:108."Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"Caribou (1974)5:339."Border Song"Elton John3:1910."Crocodile Rock"Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player3:56
The other nine cuts seem to fit the bill:
Side oneNo.TitleAlbumLength1."Your Song"Elton John (1970)4:002."Daniel"Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)3:533."Honky Cat"Honky Château (1972)5:124."Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)3:145."Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road4:55Side twoNo.TitleAlbumLength6."Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time)"Honky Château4:407."Bennie and the Jets"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road5:108."Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"Caribou (1974)5:339."Border Song"Elton John3:1910."Crocodile Rock"Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player3:56
but gimme' a "Mona Lisas", a "Tiny Dancer", a "Levon", a "Burn Down the Mission", hell, I'd even take a "Candle in the Wind" over this, which always seemed like a demo rather than a completed song.
Gospel and "Cheers"
Holy Moses
Gospel and Cheers
Holy Moses
Gospel and Cheers
TerryS wrote:
Must be missing something, they were the 'Ornets when I worked there. The Hairnets if you were rooting for the other side.
They still are the Hornets in ordinary conversation, but in chant it's always "the 'Orns". Singing "Come on you Hornets" is just soooooooooo twencen, my dear ;-)
(For innocents puzzled by this arcane discussion, our Reg Dwight (alias Elton) is the president for life of Watford FC (aka "The greatest team the world has ever seen") and forever associated with the club's glory days of the 80s when it was "Elton John's Taylor-made Army".
That was a pointless diversion from Elton John as a great singer/songwriter. We now return you to your usual it sucks/blows commentary.
Must be missing something, they were the 'Ornets when I worked there. The Hairnets if you were rooting for the other side.
They still are the Hornets in ordinary conversation, but in chant it's always "the 'Orns". Singing "Come on you Hornets" is just soooooooooo twencen, my dear ;-)
(For innocents puzzled by this arcane discussion, our Reg Dwight (alias Elton) is the president for life of Watford FC (aka "The greatest team the world has ever seen") and forever associated with the club's glory days of the 80s when it was "Elton John's Taylor-made Army".
That was a pointless diversion from Elton John as a great singer/songwriter. We now return you to your usual it sucks/blows commentary.
I totally Love Sir Elton...platonically of course. 
(He truly is one of my all time favorite artists..without a doubt :)
(He truly is one of my all time favorite artists..without a doubt :)
Does it matter? 
lemmoth wrote:
lemmoth wrote:
Beautiful... and I hope its not just because I grew up with it.
One of Elton's best songs----timeless....and a fave album...thanks, Bill, for playing some great tunes this am.
Everybody in my churches loves this song...
fredriley wrote:
Must be missing something, they were the 'Ornets when I worked there. The Hairnets if you were rooting for the other side.
Good old Reg Dwight from Pinner, great singer/songwriter and legendary Watford FC fan. Come on you 'Orns! :o)
Must be missing something, they were the 'Ornets when I worked there. The Hairnets if you were rooting for the other side.
BLADERUNNER wrote:
I read as he became more successful, he became so obsessed about "losing it", that he would would listen to hits on the charts at the time. Then tried to emulate their success.
Sad indeed.
If he just stuck with his unique formula, he could have led the way instead of sounding like all the other crap on the radio.
Compared to his later commercial work, the older material was so much better. why did he stray so far from the fold?
I read as he became more successful, he became so obsessed about "losing it", that he would would listen to hits on the charts at the time. Then tried to emulate their success.
Sad indeed.
If he just stuck with his unique formula, he could have led the way instead of sounding like all the other crap on the radio.
g-rod wrote:
Is it just my imagination or did Gary Portnoy totally steal that piano riff for the Cheers theme song? It's not the same?
Right at the beginning, why do I always think this is the theme from "Cheers"? 8-<
Is it just my imagination or did Gary Portnoy totally steal that piano riff for the Cheers theme song? It's not the same?
Beautiful... and I hope its not just because I grew up with it.
BLADERUNNER wrote:
Elton strayed away from many folds. I like his old stuff as well but he has done some pretty amazing things as he continued grow. His work branched well beyond music and to where I am sure he had no idea his path would take him. This is a classic for me.
Compared to his later commercial work, the older material was so much better. why did he stray so far from the fold?
Elton strayed away from many folds. I like his old stuff as well but he has done some pretty amazing things as he continued grow. His work branched well beyond music and to where I am sure he had no idea his path would take him. This is a classic for me.
Does nowt for me
sorry
sorry
BLADERUNNER wrote:
Well said!
Compared to his later commercial work, the older material was so much better. why did he stray so far from the fold?
Well said!
sirdroseph wrote:
And then the Lord said unto Moses, Thou shalt refrain from uttering the words Elton John and Godlike in the the same sentence.
Now this is Godlike!!
And then the Lord said unto Moses, Thou shalt refrain from uttering the words Elton John and Godlike in the the same sentence.
Good old Reg Dwight from Pinner, great singer/songwriter and legendary Watford FC fan. Come on you 'Orns! :o)
Compared to his later commercial work, the older material was so much better. why did he stray so far from the fold?
werner wrote:
It was only vinyl, wasn't it? Glad to see someone else as moved by this song-and the album too. A curious melancholy time-but a very alive time. And like you, Werner, it etched my being too.
Had in in Venyl back in those days as a student. Always drove tears into my eyes (when I was alone, of course).
Still does the trick....
Still does the trick....
It was only vinyl, wasn't it? Glad to see someone else as moved by this song-and the album too. A curious melancholy time-but a very alive time. And like you, Werner, it etched my being too.
Had in in Venyl back in those days as a student. Always drove tears into my eyes (when I was alone, of course).
Still does the trick....
Still does the trick....
I grew up in the UK where there was no concept of FM radio or AOR. This would have been a straightforward oldie and therefore marginalized in the top 40 radio I used to listen to.
I am grateful to growing old and Radio Paradise for making me listen to something as excellent as this.
I am grateful to growing old and Radio Paradise for making me listen to something as excellent as this.
Cynaera wrote:
I hear ya sweetie................
I know, I know... But I have a version on MP3 of "Skyline Pigeon" from his first release, and it's a REMIX! Jayzus - if you want the really good stuff, get the vinyl. At the very least, get the original, unmastered version. I hate technology sometimes...
I hear ya sweetie................
Now this is Godlike!!
suesblues wrote:
FYT
Interesting to hear Elton's humble musically superior beginnings.....
FYT
I know, I know... But I have a version on MP3 of "Skyline Pigeon" from his first release, and it's a REMIX! Jayzus - if you want the really good stuff, get the vinyl. At the very least, get the original, unmastered version. I hate technology sometimes...
And I like Border John with Elton Song too. (Sorry Bill, but it had to be said. You are human. You are real. I live here now, so I guess I'm that bad renter who shoots out the lights but cooks a fabulous chicken cacciatore.)
Interesting to hear Elton's humble beginnings.....
ronniegirl wrote:
In a way, I'm glad he did. It put a whole new batch of music out there. But I agree - the duo of Elton and Bernie was as potent as Lennon-McCartney. Still - sometimes things happen about which we "silly fans" know nothing. I guess this is part and parcel of being fans - we have to draw the line somewhere, and if a mega-successful duo splits, it's puzzling, but none of our business.
Falling back on Wikipedia for everything regarding this:
Empty Sky according to Wiki
He should never have split with Bernie.
In a way, I'm glad he did. It put a whole new batch of music out there. But I agree - the duo of Elton and Bernie was as potent as Lennon-McCartney. Still - sometimes things happen about which we "silly fans" know nothing. I guess this is part and parcel of being fans - we have to draw the line somewhere, and if a mega-successful duo splits, it's puzzling, but none of our business.
Falling back on Wikipedia for everything regarding this:
Empty Sky according to Wiki
dctrpunda wrote:
is it worth getting?
Hiya! If you're a staunch Elton John fan, I'd say yes! Get it. It's a wonderful insight into his beginnings. And even if you're not a total Elton John fan, it's worth finding because there are some very good songs on it. I have it on vinyl, and "Empty Sky" is one of my favorites (Skyline Pigeon is another...) You can listen to these songs and see how he evolved as a musician and a vocalist. (This is one of my guilty pleasures, and if I can find it on CD, I'll pay whatever it takes, because I went out of order - bought other albums first, and then discovered "Empty Sky" by chance.) It's sparse, and he didn't have the mega-band then, but it's still got its own personality.
is it worth getting?
Hiya! If you're a staunch Elton John fan, I'd say yes! Get it. It's a wonderful insight into his beginnings. And even if you're not a total Elton John fan, it's worth finding because there are some very good songs on it. I have it on vinyl, and "Empty Sky" is one of my favorites (Skyline Pigeon is another...) You can listen to these songs and see how he evolved as a musician and a vocalist. (This is one of my guilty pleasures, and if I can find it on CD, I'll pay whatever it takes, because I went out of order - bought other albums first, and then discovered "Empty Sky" by chance.) It's sparse, and he didn't have the mega-band then, but it's still got its own personality.
He should never have split with Bernie.
Rooney wrote:
Could you please tell us how you feel again, only this time larger and redder?
GREAT SONG. A 10. BRINGS BACK MANY MEMORIES.
Could you please tell us how you feel again, only this time larger and redder?
Cynaera wrote:
Actually, his first album was "Empty Sky." (Or maybe it was the soundtrack to "Friends.") I just love Elton John - even his dismal commercial songs ("Island Girl"?? Ick) are better than a lot of stuff being played currently.
is it worth getting?
Actually, his first album was "Empty Sky." (Or maybe it was the soundtrack to "Friends.") I just love Elton John - even his dismal commercial songs ("Island Girl"?? Ick) are better than a lot of stuff being played currently.
is it worth getting?
GREAT SONG. A 10. BRINGS BACK MANY MEMORIES.
The cover reminds me of Woody Allen. Good tune!!!
CLASSIC!!!! 
bubink wrote:
Bump...He's my brother, let us live in peace.
Sometimes I have to explaine to my children why, in my youth, I loved Elton John... this song makes it easy...
Bump...He's my brother, let us live in peace.
Oh, I SO needed an Elton John song now, and this is just right.... RP, you're reading my mind again. You skeer me.
HazzeSwede wrote:
OM...Holy Moses! I was just thinking that very thought. Earth shaking.
This is a goose-bump song ! 
OM...Holy Moses! I was just thinking that very thought. Earth shaking.
This is from 40 years ago, people, 40 years ago. 
Went by quick, huh?
Went by quick, huh?
gregler wrote:
Holy Moses! I think i totally agree.
Holy Moises!!! Where the hell has Bartman been hiding these last 7 YEARS?????
Holy Moses! I think i totally agree.
Holy Moises!!! Where the hell has Bartman been hiding these last 7 YEARS?????
This is a goose-bump song !
sirdroseph wrote:
It's too bad you don't like this song, as it's actually quite good.
(I agree - gave it a 10.)
Ten!!! 10!!!! 10 10 10 10 Ten TEN ten TEN TEN 10!!!!!!!!!!
It's too bad you don't like this song, as it's actually quite good.
(I agree - gave it a 10.) dctrpunda wrote:
this was his first album and arguably his best
Actually, his first album was "Empty Sky." (Or maybe it was the soundtrack to "Friends.") I just love Elton John - even his dismal commercial songs ("Island Girl"?? Ick) are better than a lot of stuff being played currently.
this was his first album and arguably his best
Actually, his first album was "Empty Sky." (Or maybe it was the soundtrack to "Friends.") I just love Elton John - even his dismal commercial songs ("Island Girl"?? Ick) are better than a lot of stuff being played currently.
I really liked his first musical phase.
Gorgeous...
ah.....back when he was brilliant....Yellow Brick was good but with the power of hindsight can see it was the commercial turning point
doreendub wrote:
this was his first album and arguably his best
so reminiscent of "Yellow Brick Road" in lyric and sentiment.... which came first?!
this was his first album and arguably his best
bubink wrote:
Yep. Wonderful. Thanks Jerry for introducing me all those years ago...
Sometimes I have to explaine to my children why, in my youth, I loved Elton John... this song makes it easy...
Yep. Wonderful. Thanks Jerry for introducing me all those years ago...
One of the very few Elton numbers I am not sick to death of hearing. 5 (as in doesn't suck)
Sometimes I have to explaine to my children why, in my youth, I loved Elton John... this song makes it easy...
Ten!!! 10!!!! 10 10 10 10 Ten TEN ten TEN TEN 10!!!!!!!!!!
Perpetuating disdain for the sound of this cowboy. Keep it on the border El-ton.
oh, how he used to not suck!
I loved "Captain Fantastic" - that was the end for Elton. This is a great song, great great great. There are some nice covers of it, too.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I've heard that story before. Not surprising, given some of the dreck Sir Elton perpetrated without Bernie Taupin to keep him on track. Kind of makes you wonder how Bernie would have finished the lyric...
According to Bernie Taupin, he was a couple lines short of finishing the lyrics to this song. Elton found the nearly complete lyrics and added the final two lines:
There's a man over there; whats his colour, I dont care
He's my brother, let us live in peace
He then went ahead and recorded the song without consulting Taupin. Bernie was completely distraught when he discovered that such hackneyed lyrics would forever be credited to him.
There's a man over there; whats his colour, I dont care
He's my brother, let us live in peace
He then went ahead and recorded the song without consulting Taupin. Bernie was completely distraught when he discovered that such hackneyed lyrics would forever be credited to him.
I've heard that story before. Not surprising, given some of the dreck Sir Elton perpetrated without Bernie Taupin to keep him on track. Kind of makes you wonder how Bernie would have finished the lyric...
doreendub wrote:
This came a few years before Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, when EJ was still 100% excellent. Yellow Brick Road was the beginning of the end.
so reminiscent of "Yellow Brick Road" in lyric and sentiment.... which came first?!
This came a few years before Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, when EJ was still 100% excellent. Yellow Brick Road was the beginning of the end.
so reminiscent of "Yellow Brick Road" in lyric and sentiment.... which came first?!
beelzebubba wrote:
for (;;) { fprintf(stdout, "Elton John (whatever) n"); }
How much do I hate Elton John? Let me count the ways.... for i=1 to 999999999 print i + ". Elton John Sucks"
i = i+1
next i
i = i+1
next i
for (;;) { fprintf(stdout, "Elton John (whatever) n"); }
copymonkey wrote:
If you can get "Border Song" on your local lite-fm station or mall elevator—I'd like to move where you live. Early seventies Elton (and Billy Joel for that matter) is usually quite good. Slamming Elton and Billy for what they became is one thing, but writing them off entirely because of it is just myopic. Check out "Tumbleweed Connection", or "The Entertainer" with fresh, unbiased ears, and I think you'll find they won't burn. They didn't become world-famous fer nuthin'.
Here Here!!
If you can get "Border Song" on your local lite-fm station or mall elevator—I'd like to move where you live. Early seventies Elton (and Billy Joel for that matter) is usually quite good. Slamming Elton and Billy for what they became is one thing, but writing them off entirely because of it is just myopic. Check out "Tumbleweed Connection", or "The Entertainer" with fresh, unbiased ears, and I think you'll find they won't burn. They didn't become world-famous fer nuthin'.
Here Here!!
linden wrote:
LOL following with "An Audience with the Pope"....clever.
Bill needs to follow this with Elbow, so we can have "Holy Moses" and "Holy Cow" one after the other.
LOL following with "An Audience with the Pope"....clever.
According to Bernie Taupin, he was a couple lines short of finishing the lyrics to this song. Elton found the nearly complete lyrics and added the final two lines:
There's a man over there; whats his colour, I dont care
He's my brother, let us live in peace
He then went ahead and recorded the song without consulting Taupin. Bernie was completely distraught when he discovered that such hackneyed lyrics would forever be credited to him.
There's a man over there; whats his colour, I dont care
He's my brother, let us live in peace
He then went ahead and recorded the song without consulting Taupin. Bernie was completely distraught when he discovered that such hackneyed lyrics would forever be credited to him.
kerr wrote:
No regrets, I am sure. Seems to have worked out well for Elton and King Krimson.
Just read on AllMusic that early in his career EJ failed an audition as lead singer for King Crimson. Wonder if either EJ or Fripp ever regret that one?
No regrets, I am sure. Seems to have worked out well for Elton and King Krimson.
Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? 
mettle wrote:
If you can get "Border Song" on your local lite-fm station or mall elevator—I'd like to move where you live. Early seventies Elton (and Billy Joel for that matter) is usually quite good. Slamming Elton and Billy for what they became is one thing, but writing them off entirely because of it is just myopic. Check out "Tumbleweed Connection", or "The Entertainer" with fresh, unbiased ears, and I think you'll find they won't burn. They didn't become world-famous fer nuthin'.
I know this is falling on deaf ears, but please don't play Elton John (or Billy Joel) ever again. I can get that at my local Lite (tm) FM station.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
If you can get "Border Song" on your local lite-fm station or mall elevator—I'd like to move where you live. Early seventies Elton (and Billy Joel for that matter) is usually quite good. Slamming Elton and Billy for what they became is one thing, but writing them off entirely because of it is just myopic. Check out "Tumbleweed Connection", or "The Entertainer" with fresh, unbiased ears, and I think you'll find they won't burn. They didn't become world-famous fer nuthin'.
mettle wrote:
Holy Moses! I think i totally agree.
I know this is falling on deaf ears, but please don't play Elton John (or Billy Joel) ever again. I can get that at my local Lite (tm) FM station.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Holy Moses! I think i totally agree.
Bill needs to follow this with Elbow, so we can have "Holy Moses" and "Holy Cow" one after the other.
mettle wrote:
Yeh, and take those beatles too...
I know this is falling on deaf ears, but please don't play Elton John (or Billy Joel) ever again. I can get that at my local Lite (tm) FM station.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Yeh, and take those beatles too...
mread wrote:
Wrong. It's pretty hard to find EJ of this vintage in any of the locations you specify. The arc of his career is long enough that you should separate early from late work. I agree with you on his late stuff, but early 70's? Delish.
Entirely agree.
Wrong. It's pretty hard to find EJ of this vintage in any of the locations you specify. The arc of his career is long enough that you should separate early from late work. I agree with you on his late stuff, but early 70's? Delish.
Entirely agree.
mettle wrote:
I know this is falling on deaf ears, but please don't play Elton John (or Billy Joel) ever again. I can get that at my local Lite (tm) FM station.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Wrong. It's pretty hard to find EJ of this vintage in any of the locations you specify. The arc of his career is long enough that you should separate early from late work. I agree with you on his late stuff, but early 70's? Delish.
johnsolo wrote:
This is shorter, and is valid perl code:
print "Elton John Sucks " while 1==1;
I prefer
print "Elton John ROCKS!!!\n" while true;
beelzebubba wrote:
How much do I hate Elton John? Let me count the ways....
for i=1 to 999999999
print i + ". Elton John Sucks"
i = i+1
next i
This is shorter, and is valid perl code:
print "Elton John Sucks " while 1==1;
What a ridiculous man, and what a wonderful musician! 
That was warm.
That was warm.ctdfalconer wrote:
If you've seen more than picture of him, you'd know that one of his trademarks is self-consciously ridiculous and flamboyant costumes, glasses first. Really now, I can see not liking his music, but to make fun of Elton John's (any entertainer's for that matter) fashion sense is like making fun of a leopard for having all those silly spots.
Actually, it's more like criticising a fashion designer for the music he listens to.
physicsgenius wrote:
No kidding. Billy Joel is meh, but Elton John is so ridiculous. Look at those glasses! And the awful, awful voice. And the mincing, "easy"-listening style.
Mincing? You do know he's gay right? I mean, even if he was in the closet about it, it would be pretty obivous to most of us. And what about his glasses? If you've seen more than picture of him, you'd know that one of his trademarks is self-consciously ridiculous and flamboyant costumes, glasses first. Really now, I can see not liking his music, but to make fun of Elton John's (any entertainer's for that matter) fashion sense is like making fun of a leopard for having all those silly spots. I can laugh with him, sure, but I'm certain he's used to people laughing at him as well.
mettle wrote:
I know this is falling on deaf ears, but please don't play Elton John (or Billy Joel) ever again. I can get that at my local Lite (tm) FM station.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
No kidding. Billy Joel is meh, but Elton John is so ridiculous. Look at those glasses! And the awful, awful voice. And the mincing, "easy"-listening style.
I know this is falling on deaf ears, but please don't play Elton John (or Billy Joel) ever again. I can get that at my local Lite (tm) FM station.
Or in a shopping mall, elevator or while waiting on hold for a representative who will be taking my call shortly.
UGH!! THIS SUCKS. IT BURNS MY EARS.
Probably his best song, but that's not saying much.
big_sb wrote:more often than I like.....even Bill's between songs "patter" gets repeated
Does the play list get repeated?
... Ho-Humm...
winter wrote:
I can't even begin to imagine Elton John in King Crimson. Wild, flamboyant, exuberant EJ on stage with Robert "I play sitting down" Fripp? The mind reels . . . :)
Well, what I can't imagine myself is the early King Crimson without Greg Lake. He was the perfect singer for that band and EJ wouldn't have fitted with them.
my mom dragged me along to one of his concerts about 20 years ago.... I was 14 at the time!!! I was't into EJ back then!
Still like the old Elton, but from the 80s on forget it.
Aretha Franklin does a kickass version of this song.
kerr wrote:
Just read on AllMusic that early in his career EJ failed an audition as lead singer for King Crimson. Wonder if either EJ or Fripp ever regret that one?
I can't even begin to imagine Elton John in King Crimson. Wild, flamboyant, exuberant EJ on stage with Robert "I play sitting down" Fripp? The mind reels . . . :)
...if I could sing like anyone this would be who...
S.
Right at the beginning, why do I always think this is the theme from "Cheers"? 8-<
Just read on AllMusic that early in his career EJ failed an audition as lead singer for King Crimson. Wonder if either EJ or Fripp ever regret that one?
big_sb wrote:
Does the play list get repeated?
OcCA-A-A-A-Asionally.
beelzebubba wrote:
How much do I hate Elton John? Let me count the ways....
for i=1 to 999999999
print i + ". Elton John Sucks"
i = i+1
next i
Hey this is a math-free zone!
solman wrote:
Early EJ/BT at some of its best!!
Yes I will like his early work...so sweet and strong at the same time.
How much do I hate Elton John? Let me count the ways....
for i=1 to 999999999
print i + ". Elton John Sucks"
i = i+1
next i
solman wrote:
Early EJ/BT at some of its best!!
Couldn't have said it better. Great song.
Early EJ/BT at some of its best!!
big_sb wrote:
Does the play list get repeated?
Unfortunately Bill can't work RP 24 hours a day. Lazy bum.
laladex wrote:
I can't remember who said it, but every time I hear a great EJ song from this era I think of the comment that we must thank Cameron Crowe for reminding us that Elton John is cool. Disney helped us forget that.
Elton John will always be cool to me, a truely unique and gifted singer/songwriter.
trekhead wrote:
Hmmm,
SINGapore
Banana Boat SONG
Border SONG
What's next? Don't let the SUNGo down on me?
Does the play list get repeated?
I can't remember who said it, but every time I hear a great EJ song from this era I think of the comment that we must thank Cameron Crowe for reminding us that Elton John is cool. Disney helped us forget that.
Hmmm,
SINGapore
Banana Boat SONG
Border SONG
What's next? Don't let the SUNGo down on me?
Still my most favorite EJ/BT song. Wow - memories. One of the first tunes I learned to play on the piano that people seemed to want to hear! Couldn't get too many people interested in my version of "Bennie and the Jets".
MiataDJ wrote:
What an incredible artist. This is better than a church hymn in terms of lifting your spirit. 
It really does sound like an old spiritual, one Thomas Dorsey or Mahalia Jackson would've sang to the Lord! Selah.
Compared to his later commercial work, the older material was so much better. why did he stray so far from the fold?
Elton has knocked out some classics since his 70s heydays such as Elton John - Cry To Heaven - YouTube