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Elton John — Come Down in Time
Album: Tumbleweed Connection
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2232









Released: 1970
Length: 3:22
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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In the quiet silent seconds I turned off the light switch
And I came down to meet you in the half light the moon left
While a cluster of night jars sang some songs out of tune
A mantle of bright light shone down from a room

Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I'll meet you half way

Well I don't know if I should have heard her as yet
But a true love like hers is a hard love to get
And I've walked most all the way and I ain't heard her call
And I'm getting to thinking if she's coming at all

Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I'll meet you half way

There are women and women and some hold you tight
While some leave you counting the stars in the night
Comments (106)add comment
Just heaven!
Posted 1 day ago by lynnefredricksen    [ Reply ]
 SanFranGayMan wrote:

This album and his Elton John album represent what an inflective time that was, with the Viet Nam war swirling around, the inflection psychedelics and weed provided-the conflict of so much family who thought of themselves as patriots and us as less thans. These albums for me were shelters from the storm, a chance to get grounded and reassured when we were facing headwinds much larger than we were. And all the more remarkable that he and Bernie wrote about an environment-the South-without being there. Simply, quite stunning. Our poets...



So much better for me now. I guess I've changed. I'm glad.
Posted 5 months ago by Jimusics    [ Reply ]
 Styopa wrote:

and advocates paedophilia


Please can you supply a citation for this?
Posted 9 months ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
Absolutely his best song ever before he went crazy and decided to turn himself into a mad flamboyant showman as a career move.
Posted 10 months ago by Devaplan    [ Reply ]
Shame he doesn’t write the lyrics and advocates paedophilia
Posted 1 year ago by Styopa    [ Reply ]
This period of Elton John has always been my favourite - I must be getting old!!
Posted 1 year ago by prs    [ Reply ]
love this album!
Posted 1 year ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
John .  I miss you more now than when you first passed.  I need to stockpile a bunch of vinyl you would have loved, get the headphones, sit on the deck with a glass of and a bone - and think of brighter days.  Miss you.  Next time, I promise.
Posted 1 year ago by casey1024    [ Reply ]
 Styopa wrote:

Shame he's a complete wanker now



Don't you masturbate then love? DONT KNOW WHAT YR MISSING.....
Posted 2 years ago by DOT_SPINK    [ Reply ]
Legend

Can't wait till you play tracks from 'What's it gonna take' which decries lockdowns and forced jabs!
Posted 2 years ago by Styopa    [ Reply ]
Shame he's a complete wanker now
Posted 2 years ago by Styopa    [ Reply ]
 molson wrote:

What an incredible song, the strings are sooooo lush!!

Thank their long-time producer Gus Dudgeon. He was the force behind EJs best recordings.

Apparently he's also in the Guinness Book as the first to use sampling. Who knew?
c.

Posted 2 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Tumbleweed Connecting is a cut above the rest of his stuff
Posted 2 years ago by saamusic    [ Reply ]
 Wonderloaf wrote:

in my head, i hear Chris Cornell singing this.......

Sadly, not gonna happen 



Instead, try this cover by Sting: 

Come Down In Time - Sting - YouTube
Posted 2 years ago by barullo    [ Reply ]
 meatmike wrote:

I prefer the version of Madman Across the Water on this album vs the one on Madman Across the Water.


That was a bonus track on a later CD release of Tumbleweed Connection, not on the original vinyl.
It's an interesting version of the song, to be sure.
Posted 2 years ago by obispo    [ Reply ]
This was when he (and Bernie) were young guys, right in the groove. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and everything after it were ....
Posted 2 years ago by belegato    [ Reply ]
Back when Elton was good...
Posted 2 years ago by bkrans9    [ Reply ]
This album was all over the radio the year my wife and I wed.  It still has a great deal of meaning to me.  We're coming up on 51 years.
Posted 2 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:

This is a lovely piece - one of Elton John's best. I didn't realize til now that  it has an oboe in it.  This album and his Madman Across the Water were his zenith.





His first album was pretty nice too...
Posted 2 years ago by tdwightchapman    [ Reply ]
How have we gotten to a point where people prefer Drake and Cardi B over this?
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 ckcotton wrote:

Welcome!
Country Comfort is a nice introduction to this album.

Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
What an incredible song, the strings are sooooo lush!!
Posted 3 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]

While some leave you counting the stars in the night

Yeah -been there.
Posted 3 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
 kaybee wrote:

This is a lovely piece - one of Elton John's best. I didn't realize til now that  it has an oboe in it.  This album and his Madman Across the Water were his zenith.





Bernie Taupin's lyrics are simply poetic artistry.
Posted 3 years ago by reviep    [ Reply ]
This could be the most overlook, underrated Elton John song of all time!
Posted 3 years ago by carlodim    [ Reply ]
Outstanding Man. <3
Posted 3 years ago by Lockefeller    [ Reply ]
The Bernie Taupin-Elton John duo were as good as lennon and McCartney.

Posted 4 years ago by drwhy    [ Reply ]
 dflee wrote:
Good song, great album.
 
Agreed!  And the only thing wrong with this song is that it's just way too short.
Posted 4 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Didn't think I liked EJ, but I do like this. Life is full of surprises -- where've I been?
 
Welcome!
Posted 4 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
If you like this song, check out Sting's cover. It has a slower tempo that goes better with the lyrics IMO.
Posted 4 years ago by sgaustein    [ Reply ]
This guy has so many forgotten gems, thanks RP....
Posted 4 years ago by neptunejeff    [ Reply ]
The first time I heard this song I was 12 years old, sitting in a restaurant in Walt Disney World with my family and there was a piano player in this little place playing this tune.   I loved it so much that I remembered it and when I got home to NJ, and figured out how to play it on my piano.   It's been decades since the last time I heard it and it's a special memory.  
Posted 4 years ago by RedTopFireBelow    [ Reply ]
 Grayson wrote:

No, it's not blasphemous, IMO. I just found out/realized that Carole King wrote (the music for) "Wasn't Born to Follow." So I listened to her + writing partner Gerry Goffin's version of "Wasn't Born to Follow" and found it stunningly awful. And will only ever like The Byrds' much more melodic version. I don't think I'll be damned to Hell for doing so. I mean it could happen, but doubtful. 
 
She was a staff writer at the Brill Building, not a 'musician' per se.  Hundreds, maybe thousands, of artists have performed her work, often far better than Carole could do herself. Doesn't diminish her talent one bit.
c.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Didn't think I liked EJ, but I do like this. Life is full of surprises -- where've I been?
 

This whole album is a delight.    if you came to this from later Ej it would be a surprise.    I started with this and still think its his best.   but that's just me.   
Posted 4 years ago by Tim55    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Didn't think I liked EJ, but I do like this. Life is full of surprises -- where've I been?
 

He was good  back then.  College days.
Posted 4 years ago by jwallstrom846    [ Reply ]
Nice segue from Billy Elish "Lovely".  Only on RP do you get a clean thoughtful transition between songs written and performed more than 4 decades apart.  Long live RP!
Posted 4 years ago by kcarr224    [ Reply ]
I prefer the version of Madman Across the Water on this album vs the one on Madman Across the Water.
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Didn't think I liked EJ, but I do like this. Life is full of surprises -- where've I been?  His early days with Bernie Taupin songwriting -- are amazing for the most part. 
 

Posted 4 years ago by ih8bills    [ Reply ]
 sonicxtc wrote:
An outstanding song--one of my all time favorite songs! 
His earliest albums contain some real gems. 

I'd encourage anyone to listen to his albums through Blue Moves. After that, there are still some great songs, but they are surrounded by tracks which are often merely okay or good. By the 90s he did make a sincere effort to record better songs with a renewed interest in his craft. 
 
Criminally underrated album.

If anyone has ever wondered, 'Nightjar' is the British name for a class of birds closely related to whippoorwills. Nocturnal insectivores with a distinctive call.
c.
Posted 4 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
 MediaGrrl wrote:
The Sting cover of this from "Two Rooms" is lovely - I think I prefer it.

Blasphemy, I know.
 
No, it's not blasphemous, IMO. I just found out/realized that Carole King wrote (the music for) "Wasn't Born to Follow." So I listened to her + writing partner Gerry Goffin's version of "Wasn't Born to Follow" and found it stunningly awful. And will only ever like The Byrds' much more melodic version. I don't think I'll be damned to Hell for doing so. I mean it could happen, but doubtful. 
Posted 4 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
An outstanding song--one of my all time favorite songs! 
His earliest albums contain some real gems. 

I'd encourage anyone to listen to his albums through Blue Moves. After that, there are still some great songs, but they are surrounded by tracks which are often merely okay or good. By the 90s he did make a sincere effort to record better songs with a renewed interest in his craft. 
Posted 4 years ago by sonicxtc    [ Reply ]
I like John's version however the cover that Sting did in Two Rooms takes it to another level
Posted 5 years ago by sgaustein    [ Reply ]
 SanFranGayMan wrote:
This album and his Elton John album represent what an inflective time that was, with the Viet Nam war swirling around, the inflection psychedelics and weed provided-the conflict of so much family who thought of themselves as patriots and us as less thans. These albums for me were shelters from the storm, a chance to get grounded and reassured when we were facing headwinds much larger than we were. And all the more remarkable that he and Bernie wrote about an environment-the South-without being there. Simply, quite stunning. Our poets...
 

Well written!
Posted 5 years ago by dublanica    [ Reply ]
Hands down, Tumbleweed Connection was his BEST work!
Posted 5 years ago by dublanica    [ Reply ]
At his best!
Posted 5 years ago by jbarryc    [ Reply ]
in my head, i hear Chris Cornell singing this.......

Sadly, not gonna happen 
Posted 5 years ago by Wonderloaf    [ Reply ]
 Andy_B wrote:
Maybe the Gods were reading this post above as shortly after I posted this I found the original album complete with the paper insert (pictures/comments) at a small botique in Flagler Beach, Fl  It is in very good condition and I paid only $3.00.   Finding it made my day.
 
THREE BUCKS?!?!  Man, oh man, did you score big!

This was a genre-breaking "rock and roll" album that contains some of Sir Elton's best work.
Posted 5 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
Nice bit of melancholy before I dash off to this world today......
Posted 5 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
 Andy_B wrote:
This original release, brown-cover album was stolen from me at a party about a year after I got it,...one of the more major losses from my album collection.  I still miss it and consider it to be one of his best.
 

Maybe the Gods were reading this post above as shortly after I posted this I found the original album complete with the paper insert (pictures/comments) at a small botique in Flagler Beach, Fl  It is in very good condition and I paid only $3.00.   Finding it made my day.
Posted 5 years ago by Andy_B    [ Reply ]
 George_Tirebiter wrote:
{#Bananapiano}I got married to my high school sweetheart in April 1971.  Our honeymoon consisted of driving From Buffalo, NY to San Diego where I was stationed (US Navy) at the time.  We had a small tape player and listened to this album a lot during the drive.  We're still going strong after 44 years, and the album means more now than it did then.  This is one of the great songs from that album, and a great example of EJ's superb early work with Bernie Taupin.  Play on....


 

Thanks for sharing that!  Music frozen in a great memory.
Posted 5 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
Strange what age does to a person: I listened and hated this album in the '70's, when I was 18. Now I'm quite fond of it, and probably wouldn't care to listen to the EJ tunes that I liked then!
Posted 5 years ago by ri_shelton    [ Reply ]
I think this album is his finest work by far and one of those rare albums that flows so smoothly start to finish.  A masterpiece!
Posted 5 years ago by dublanica    [ Reply ]
 ThePoose wrote:
This LP is a masterpiece...and we have that great Canadian band, The Band, to thank for the motivation behind it.
 
How so?
Posted 5 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]
This LP is a masterpiece...and we have that great Canadian band, The Band, to thank for the motivation behind it.
Posted 5 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
My favorite track off my favorite Elton John album.   Love that pensive oboe and the yearning in his voice.  
Posted 5 years ago by annds    [ Reply ]
 folkrocker wrote:

I'll second that!
 
Thanks for the reminder! Just pulled out the vinyl and looked at the booklet!
Great album for sure.
Posted 5 years ago by BCarn    [ Reply ]
So beautiful.  Makes you just stop and listen...
Posted 5 years ago by STLBubbles    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
What I love is the British railway station masquerading as something vaguely western American, possibly a train station. Regardless of whatever drove John and Taupin, the album is a masterpiece, perhaps an apotheosis of their work.
 

The British railway station on the cover of this album was opened in 1862.

It is not masquerading as anything other than... an old railway station!


 
Posted 6 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
What I love is the British railway station masquerading as something vaguely western American, possibly a train station. Regardless of whatever drove John and Taupin, the album is a masterpiece, perhaps an apotheosis of their work.
 
Bernie was (is?) fascinated with the American West, particularly the Civil War (My Father's Gun, et al). One of several recurring themes in his work. Many of his lyrics are more like collages of images, rather than a single narrative. This song holds together better than some, yet is still open to interpretation. But yes, this album is indeed a masterpiece. 

There's a two-disc set of this album that includes alternate tracks. For die hard fans it's worth a listen or three.

Funny thing, whenever I see a still shot from 'Once Upon A Time In The West', I think of this album. Utterly unrelated, I know. But the imagery is similar. Doesn't hurt to see Claudia Cardinale again either...
c.
Posted 6 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
{#Devil_pimp}zesty ! great song great album !
Posted 6 years ago by primm    [ Reply ]
 Funkybro wrote:
Then you are on crack
 
{#Roflol}
Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
 GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Time has not been kind to this song. 

 
Then you are on crack
Posted 6 years ago by Funkybro    [ Reply ]
Good song, great album.
Posted 6 years ago by dflee    [ Reply ]
What I love is the British railway station masquerading as something vaguely western American, possibly a train station. Regardless of whatever drove John and Taupin, the album is a masterpiece, perhaps an apotheosis of their work.
Posted 6 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 MediaGrrl wrote:
The Sting cover of this from "Two Rooms" is lovely - I think I prefer it.

Blasphemy, I know.

 
Sure, the original has some dated orchestration and the Sting version is a lot cleaner but come on, we just don't hear enough bassoon in rock music anymore!
Posted 6 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
Masterpiece is a word I don't like to throw around very often so I won't use it to describe this song. ...but it is a fantastic creation nonetheless.
Posted 6 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
The Sting cover of this from "Two Rooms" is lovely - I think I prefer it.

Blasphemy, I know.
Posted 6 years ago by MediaGrrl    [ Reply ]
 SanFranGayMan wrote:
This album and his Elton John album represent what an inflective time that was, with the Viet Nam war swirling around, the inflection psychedelics and weed provided-the conflict of so much family who thought of themselves as patriots and us as less thans. These albums for me were shelters from the storm, a chance to get grounded and reassured when we were facing headwinds much larger than we were. And all the more remarkable that he and Bernie wrote about an environment-the South-without being there. Simply, quite stunning. Our poets...

 

Bernie Taupin was obsessed with the American South, particularly the Civil War. 'My Father's Gun' is a great example. Not to mention obsessions with death and dying, as in 'Where To Now St. Peter?'

The other recurring theme from their collaboration seems to be autobiographical: the City Boy and the Country Boy. Captain Fantastic, GYBR, Honky Cat, etc.

TC holds up as an incredible piece of work. I put it on about once a month.

Another very underrated album was 'Blue Moves'. Not in the same league as this, but surprisingly good.
c.
Posted 6 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
In the early seventies at my house we used to call this 'The Brown Album' as opposed to 'Madman Across the Water' which was 'The Blue Album'. "Which one you wanna' hear, the brown or the blue album?"
Posted 7 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
 NorthernLad wrote:
The art direction of the original vinyl is the best I have ever seen.  The gate-fold sleeve, the photos, the big booklet of lyrics, soaked in the old west of America. 

Elton and Bernie's best album, full stop.

Image result for tumbleweed connection vinyl record

 
I'll second that!
Posted 7 years ago by folkrocker    [ Reply ]
 jbarryc wrote:
An extraordinary song from his greatest record-IMO

 
Ditto. {#Clap}
Posted 7 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
 Stephen_Phillips wrote:
I haven't liked Elton John or his music for a very long time but this song and the album reminds me why I once liked him in the early 70's. Tumbleweed Connection was and still is excellent.

 
I'll second and third that.  And this song ends way too soon.
Posted 7 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Time has not been kind to this song. 
Posted 7 years ago by GeorgeMWoods    [ Reply ]
Elton and Bernie at their best
Posted 7 years ago by jbarryc    [ Reply ]
The art direction of the original vinyl is the best I have ever seen.  The gate-fold sleeve, the photos, the big booklet of lyrics, soaked in the old west of America. 

Elton and Bernie's best album, full stop.

Image result for tumbleweed connection vinyl record
Posted 7 years ago by NorthernLad    [ Reply ]
Elton spotted in Vancouver, BC, Canada yesterday updating his vinyl collection.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/elton-john-beat-street-records-1.4018502
Posted 7 years ago by beinder    [ Reply ]
This album and his Elton John album represent what an inflective time that was, with the Viet Nam war swirling around, the inflection psychedelics and weed provided-the conflict of so much family who thought of themselves as patriots and us as less thans. These albums for me were shelters from the storm, a chance to get grounded and reassured when we were facing headwinds much larger than we were. And all the more remarkable that he and Bernie wrote about an environment-the South-without being there. Simply, quite stunning. Our poets...
Posted 7 years ago by SanFranGayMan    [ Reply ]
This is a lovely piece - one of Elton John's best. I didn't realize til now that  it has an oboe in it.  This album and his Madman Across the Water were his zenith.



Posted 7 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
 Dahlia_Gumbo wrote:
Didn't think I liked EJ, but I do like this. Life is full of surprises — where've I been?
 
Early Elton John is fabulous stuff.
Posted 8 years ago by stegokitty    [ Reply ]
Didn't think I liked EJ, but I do like this. Life is full of surprises -- where've I been?
Posted 8 years ago by Dahlia_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
Had why ear and thumbs up
Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea    [ Reply ]
I think this is his best album, and my favourite.  Not a bad track on it.

I believe I read somewhere that he considers it his favourite.  (could be wrong, though) 
Posted 8 years ago by grahamdillabough    [ Reply ]
I haven't liked Elton John or his music for a very long time but this song and the album reminds me why I once liked him in the early 70's. Tumbleweed Connection was and still is excellent.
Posted 8 years ago by Stephen_Phillips    [ Reply ]
My parents had this album, among many, in the 70s. I loved it when I discovered it in my very early teens one summer, using my Dad's head phones.
Posted 8 years ago by jocelynsart    [ Reply ]

probably one of my favorite John tunes...and a terrific album, too...


Posted 8 years ago by linzie    [ Reply ]
If you can find this album in the hi-rez/multi-channel version, and you have any vague liking for it.... buy the disc,  an aural amazement
 
Posted 8 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
 Shaken_Bake wrote:
Goosebumps.  Loved this song way back when and haven't heard it in forever.  Beautiful.
 
The sentiments echoed, totally.
Posted 8 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Early EJ was so good. After Yellow Brick Road I never spent any $$ or time listening but this era was really good.
Posted 8 years ago by dlynnwhite    [ Reply ]
Goosebumps.  Loved this song way back when and haven't heard it in forever.  Beautiful.
Posted 8 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
What a great album.  Thanks for playing this one.
Posted 8 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Thank you for bringing this lost treasure back into my life tonight!
Posted 8 years ago by meinthecorner    [ Reply ]
Nono.. just NO. You ruin the song Elton, CUT!
Posted 8 years ago by Candela    [ Reply ]
This original release, brown-cover album was stolen from me at a party about a year after I got it,...one of the more major losses from my album collection.  I still miss it and consider it to be one of his best.
Posted 9 years ago by Andy_B    [ Reply ]
one of my favorite songs from my fave EJ album. i don't know why i love it so much (the times?) but it stands the test of time for me. <3
 
Posted 9 years ago by pollyh    [ Reply ]
Two excellent choices! Cool sister indeed!

Haven't listened to this in a long long time....

 tkosh wrote:
I was a senior in high school, and my sister, who was a senior in college, gave me this album.  She was so cool!  Well, she still is at 66..  She also gave me "Then Play On," by Fleetwood Mac.  She was so cool!   Great song..

 


Posted 9 years ago by stevesaw    [ Reply ]
Wow, this is an EJ song that actually has no piano.  Credit to Gus Dudgeon, who was responsible for so much of that early EJ sound.

Maybe there are others without piano.  Maybe Sixty Years On ?
Posted 9 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
An extraordinary song from his greatest record-IMO
Posted 9 years ago by jbarryc    [ Reply ]
I was a senior in high school, and my sister, who was a senior in college, gave me this album.  She was so cool!  Well, she still is at 66..  She also gave me "Then Play On," by Fleetwood Mac.  She was so cool!   Great song..
Posted 9 years ago by tkosh    [ Reply ]

{#Bananapiano}

I got married to my high school sweetheart in April 1971.  Our honeymoon consisted of driving From Buffalo, NY to San Diego where I was stationed (US Navy) at the time.  We had a small tape player and listened to this album a lot during the drive.  We're still going strong after 44 years, and the album means more now than it did then.  This is one of the great songs from that album, and a great example of EJ's superb early work with Bernie Taupin.  Play on....


Posted 9 years ago by George_Tirebiter    [ Reply ]
Great album!
Posted 9 years ago by ddog    [ Reply ]
Nice.  Good tune from a great album.
Posted 9 years ago by JeriF    [ Reply ]
Always loved this.  Just great.
Posted 9 years ago by mgoldman    [ Reply ]
Lovely song—John and Taupin at their best.
Posted 9 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Can't believe this great song wasn't already in the library...
Posted 9 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]