"And if there comes a time, guns and gates no longer hold you in and if you're free to make a choice, just look towards the West and find a friend." I've always loved this lyric.
George Michael's backing vocals makes this song come to life. Such a great vocalist! Elton had some great songs in the 80's. Please play blue eyes next.
It's hard to remember how split Europe was at the time this song was released. In Berlin, it was very possible for a Westerner to see Russian or East German Border Guards in Berlin on a daily basis. This was a video at a time where an illegal border crossing could still get you shot. The year this video was released four East Germans were shot attempting to cross from East Berlin to the West. Just knowing that history adds another layer to the song.
Yes, I was stationed in Berlin in the late 80’s. Going through a Soviet checkpoint to the west was always a bit unnerving. Similarly going through Checkpoint Charlie to East Berlin. People were regularly shot trying to escape. Then in Nov89 it all fell apart ❤.
This is the first song and video I ever saw by Elton John. I was in 5th grade. I’m 50 now. Elton became my favorite singer of all time. Thank you for including this underrated song by him. ❤
I mostly agree. He'd had a great spell in the early '70s but had dipped in the last half of that decade. He had a peak again in the mid-80s with this track, "I'm Still Standing", "Kiss the Bride", "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues", "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" and "Passengers". Then he finished the 80s with the massive hit "Sacrifice", which was the last great original single by him IMO. After that it's been mostly re-recordings of his old hits (often with other stars) or rather "meh" tracks for me.
I'm personally a big fan of Victim of Love, thought that was a great album to dance to! And I love his post-rrhab work, The One and Made In England are fantastic albums! You're pretty accurate with his work after that, but he's still got one or two great songs in there, Captain and the Kid was a good song off a mediocre album and Hey Ahab is a banger off The Union!
The divide between the East and the West during the height of the Cold War in the mid eighties was truly heartbreaking. Elton depicted our mood very well in this song. I bought the 45 rpm single then and I still own it. This was a huge hit in the UK.
One of my favorite Elton John's songs. I thought Nikita could never be free to meet Elton, but story changed when ussr was disolved. A lot of nikitas have come to America and many have found love. Beautiful story that i remmember well.
So glad you finally got around to “Nikita”!! This became, and remains, my favorite Sir Elton John song since it was released!!❤❤❤❤❤❤ I know I’ve suggested it numerous times, and also glad you did the video! Thanks, guys!! Y’all are the best!!
I was an exchange student in West Germany a year before this song came out. I remember traveling to the end of a road near a section of the wall separating East & West Germany. I looked at an East German guard tower through my binoculars - and saw the guard pointing his rifle at me.
I worked with someone back in the 1990s who was born in East Berlin. She had escaped over the Berlin Wall in the 60s. She was a good friend. R.I.P. Monkia. When i hear this song, I am reminded of her.
That background voice was George Micheal ! One of my favorites.....Sir Elton thank you for sharing your talent with all of us. Enjoy Retirement...God knows you worked hard for it!
A very timely reaction. Sir Elton just this week played his final concert of his worldwide farewell tour. It has been 61 years since the then 15-yr old formed a blues band. Now he deserves a well-earned respite. For me his crowning achievement was the musical Billy Elliott. ❤
I was and still am an Royal Dutch Air Force Officer. When i was younger I protecting the Wall as an K9 in 84 till 92 in Germany. An very exiting time for a young guy like me over there far from home. I'm glad i didn't mis it. I was there and grow up with all the music from the 70's, 80's and 90' s like Queen, Abba, Bee Gees, Kate Bush and on and on , such an beautyfull time. Thanks that both of you bring back that feeling with your first time hearing programm. ❤
the lady in this video is pretty famous: Anya Major (born 1966) is an English athlete, actress, model and singer who starred in Apple Computer's "1984" commercial, and in 1985 appeared as "Nikita" in the video to Elton John's song of the same name.
One of my favorites. I own every album Sir Elton has released. There are hidden gems on each one. My favorite is "Teacher, I Need You" on the "Don't Shoot Me. I'm Only the Piano Player album.
The setting for the video is from the Cold War between the Soviet Union and its client states and the U.S. led western alliance. Crossing between the two sets of countries was tightly controlled and both sides maintained guard stations and patrolled the border areas. In Berlin, which was divided into western and eastern sectors, there were quite a few people shot trying to get from East Berlin to West Berlin over the infamous Berlin Wall, which was built to hinder people trying to get to West Berlin. Speaking of Sir Elton, he gave the last concert of his farewell tour this past Saturday. I'm so glad I was able to see him a few times and even take my children to one of his performances.
My absolute favorite Elton John song, and that's saying a lot because he's one of my all-time favorite artists. This was great! Thank you for reacting to this beautiful song.
Couple thoughts: * Glad you caught the "Ice on Fire" line. That was actually the name of the album this song is from. * That "sax" is actually a synthesizer, played by Canadian keyboardist Fred Mandel. Apart from his work in the '80s with Elton, Fred had also played on some of Queen's '80s material, notably on "I Want to Break Free". Queen bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor performed on the Ice on Fire album, though not on "Nikita". * That backing vocalist you loved so much at the end was none other than George Michael. He sat in on a bunch of the sessions for the Ice on Fire album, and in fact featured on the album's other single, a lesser-known Top 20 single called "Wrap Her Up". While not a great song, "Wrap Her Up" is hilarious in that you have two of the most famous gay men in the world (both in a way closeted at the time with George not being out and Elton being married to a woman) singing about the sexual virtues of women. * George's input saved one of the Ice on Fire album tracks from the cutting room floor. "Shoot Down the Moon", the album's closer, was submitted by Elton for consideration as a James Bond movie theme. However, Duran Duran's "A View to a Kill" won out, and Elton was so upset he wanted to shelve the song. George persuaded him to keep it, and good job he did, because "Shoot Down the Moon" is one of the finest tracks on the album. * The other notable guest artist on "Nikita" was Nik Kershaw, who played guitar on the track. * Nikita is actually a male Russian name. There were no women among the border guards on the Berlin Wall, either.
I knew a few female Nikitas growing up who are about the same age as this song 😊 I’d never heard the name as a child growing up in Cold War America, and thought it was so pretty it became the name of one of my dolls.
Hi again Jordan and Amber. William Lee in NOLA. I would please like to request again for y'all to react to "Ticking" and "Indian Sunset" by Elton. Both masterpieces. "Ticking" is on the Caribou album (Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me and Bitch Is Back) and has 'other-worldly' piano. It tells a very affecting story. "Indian Sunset" is on the "Madman Across The Water" album (Tiny Dancer, Levon); and is an orchestral phenomenon - but actually starts out with Elton singing acapella about the plight of Native Americans. I really believe y'all would both LOVE these. Thank you :)
indeed this is quintessential Elton John the way he delivers his songs ...its like listening to his 70's self....with songs like DANIEL and SKYLINE PIGEON in which if you have not listened to yet...youll never know what Elton John the singer, the man, and the artist and the writer truly is from the inside...throw in the song CANDLE IN THE WIND in there (The Original Version) that was written for NORMA JEAN A.K.A----Marilyn Monroe and then later on tweaked to honour the late Princess Diana
I absolutely LOVE the original "Candle In The Wind"; the one for Princess Di is fine but the original brings back so many memories of my youth...will always prefer it.
This is my second favorite Elton song, my first favorite is “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues”. Hubby took me to see Elton over 20 years ago when he & Billy Joel were touring together and I loved the concert, but he didn’t play my favorite song. Thankfully he took me to see just Elton on his Farewell tour and he most definitely played it and I cried through it I was so happy. He also took me to see P!nk & Heart that same year. P!nk’s concert was the best one I’ve ever been to, 2nd being Elton.
This song was during the height of the Cold War, and the Berlin Wall which separated East and West Germany. Little did we know that 4 years later the Berlin Wall would come down, and Nikita would have been able to be with him according to the video.
nikita was one of my first favorite songs from Elton ❤❤❤ guys i was checking and i cant believe you still havent reacted to Elton s a circle of life from the lion King movie... it is one of the best movie songs that exist. also, please come back to tori amos, react to winter the live at montreux versión where she has a blue outfit, it Will blow your minds and warm your hearts
I just came across your UA-cam site yesterday ... I am completely hooked!! And at 64 years old, I may be your oldest subscriber. Love watching the 2 of you discover new music especially the songs I grew up with., songs from the 60's and 70's & then ones I came to love from working in bars & nightclubs as a bartender all my life. Elton & Cat Stevens are 2 of my all time very favorites. By the way, if you have not seen the 1971 cult classic, Harold & Maude (f'n hysterical) all the music is by Cat Stevens. And if you haven't heard Elton's "Levon," "Tiny Dancer," or "Holiday Inn" - go forth. Love you two!!
Thankfully you guys haven't even scratched the surface of his catalog. You have so much more to explore with Elton John and you are going to continue to go on an adventure, a musical adventure.
right. i lived in west germany at the time this came out. the boarder between east and west really did have that feel with a bunch of soviet guards on the east side, and american guards at checkpoint charlie in west berlin
When the wall fell, it was a time of real liberation. This song came out in 1985, the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. It's been 34 years. A new generation doesn't know how that East and West division was like. I have always loved this song. Let's not forget how it was so we protect what we have.
A nice tribute to the one and only Elton John who just finished his last tour with a concert in Sweden. He has said he will no longer tour. I hope he still puts out new songs.
Just wanted to say how much I love you two! I am 72 years old and live in Indiana. I just recently discovered your channel, and I enjoy your videos so much! You seem like such a sweet couple, and I love watching you two listening to old music...so enjoyable! 🥰❤
Elton John's songs are endless. My fav memory is the song OUR SONG, my boyfriend after during high school sang this to me when I met his dad. Great song . 👋🎶🤎💜💙👋
Ah one of the first ever 7" singles I ever bought! Beautiful song both musically and lyrically so hats of Bernie and Reg! (And "Ice On Fire" is a great line - also the title of the album this song comes from!)
The beautiful model was in one of the most iconic TV commercials of the 1980s - an Apple commercial where she ran into a room and threw a hammer at a screen. It was a take on the book/movie 1984.
My fav Elton John song. The sort of hidden side of the song is that Nikita is a male name in Russia. So, yes the video showed a woman, but it was made in a time when he had to be a bit careful.
Fun fact, the football/soccer club you see in the video, he was actually chairman of, Watford FC. It’s quite apt that you just done an Elton John reaction as just a few days ago he hung up his touring boots for the very last time. He’s been on tours for probably the last 2 decades, but has now just finished his final tour. I think with Elton John, when you start getting away from the “crowd favourites” which I feel Nikita is starting to, I feel you get to see just how amazing elton and Bernie taupin were. I would love you to react to either the song called Believe, or sacrifice. Both are beautiful songs.
David Paton laid down what I consider to be the best bass line ever played in the history of music. I've always loved bass solos and this track doesn't have one, but David inserted several little bass runs that just blow me away. This is my favorite Elton song by far.
Great anti-war song in the middle of the cold war. I think a lot of kids just met Mr. Elton John thanks to this song. My case. Best regards from Chile! 🙂
Love the bass line. "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy". Learned That George Michael is singing background harmonies. Great story, Jay. Cold War. Berlin. Great reaction. Thanks.
Ah yes! Cold war era theme and lyrics! Having lived in Berlin in the 70s as a kid, I always enjoyed this video. The Berlin wall would come down not too long after this was released.
This song means so much more to those of us of a "certain age" that remember the Soviet Union and the US and how times were back then. It puts some context unto this song.
After about 20 reactions to Elton John, I can honestly say "you've only scratched the surface". Check out songs like "Ticking", "Have Mercy On The Criminal", "Madman Across The Water", and "One Horse Town".
"And if there comes a time, guns and gates no longer hold you in and if you're free to make a choice, just look towards the West and find a friend." I've always loved this lyric.
Still relevant for those Eastern European nations trying to break those chains!
“Counting ten tin soldiers in a row.”
The backing vocals you commented on near the end belonged to the legend George Michael.
Same.
He’s only using it as a metaphor for unrequited love
This was written and performed in the time before the Berlin wall came down.
George Michael's backing vocals makes this song come to life. Such a great vocalist! Elton had some great songs in the 80's. Please play blue eyes next.
I had no idea George Michael's background vocals. I'll need to listen to this more intently.
LOL! I was literally just wondering that!
Also, another 80's icon, Nick Kershaw played guitar on this track.
Love Blue Eyes ❤
Ans alison moyet too
My Dad would be 92 if he were still alive. This was his favorite song.
It's hard to remember how split Europe was at the time this song was released. In Berlin, it was very possible for a Westerner to see Russian or East German Border Guards in Berlin on a daily basis. This was a video at a time where an illegal border crossing could still get you shot. The year this video was released four East Germans were shot attempting to cross from East Berlin to the West. Just knowing that history adds another layer to the song.
These two were probably born around the time the Berlin Wall came down, or very soon after.
And all this time, I thought the wall was to keep the West Germans from rushing to the joys of communism in the East. 😂
Yes, I was stationed in Berlin in the late 80’s. Going through a Soviet checkpoint to the west was always a bit unnerving. Similarly going through Checkpoint Charlie to East Berlin. People were regularly shot trying to escape. Then in Nov89 it all fell apart ❤.
Thank you Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorvachev for the freedom of some European countries.
Ronald Reagan? You must be joking...
On this song, George Michael was on backing vocals and Nik Kershaw on guitar. Nik is another 80s idol worth exploring.
I suggest Wouldn't It be Good constantly. It's a great song though I have a feeling there isn't enough synth for Jay.
Yes! Nik Kershaw is an underrated great from that decade. Still going strong as a live performer too.
I didn't know that! So George is singing the high background part?
@@sallyphillips9175 Yes! I could pick out that vouce anywhere. It’s such a sweet surprise at the end!
Wow, I never knew George was on this track. Thanks for that!
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom"!!!
This is the first song and video I ever saw by Elton John. I was in 5th grade. I’m 50 now. Elton became my favorite singer of all time. Thank you for including this underrated song by him. ❤
You should listen to "Empty Garden ", Elton's tribute to John Lennon
My Favourite Elton John Song and NIKITA, So Beautiful 💛
My music collection would be nothing without the British. It’s insane how many amazing musicians they produced in the 60s, 70s & 80s.
You can say that again.
Same. But I say the Uk. The amount of incredible music that came out of those tiny islands.
@@richardc8795 Agreed.
They didn't stop in the eighties, you just stopped paying attention
@@xmathmanx Tastes vary.
For me this was Elton's return to form from his iconic run in the 70's. ✌
It's when I realized he still had something left in the tank. Empty Garden shines.
This was 1985
@@downhomesunset OK. But if your comment is in response to what I posted I'm confused what that has to do with anything.
@@brucedillinger9448 I think he misread your comment, as in this song was in the 70s.
The 80s - when Elton’s voice was at its best.
I mostly agree. He'd had a great spell in the early '70s but had dipped in the last half of that decade. He had a peak again in the mid-80s with this track, "I'm Still Standing", "Kiss the Bride", "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues", "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" and "Passengers". Then he finished the 80s with the massive hit "Sacrifice", which was the last great original single by him IMO. After that it's been mostly re-recordings of his old hits (often with other stars) or rather "meh" tracks for me.
I'm personally a big fan of Victim of Love, thought that was a great album to dance to! And I love his post-rrhab work, The One and Made In England are fantastic albums! You're pretty accurate with his work after that, but he's still got one or two great songs in there, Captain and the Kid was a good song off a mediocre album and Hey Ahab is a banger off The Union!
Ok yes, I forgot Made In England. I did like that too.
Not me. 70’s Elton.
His early album "friends" was his best, yellow brick road was ok and after that everything was garbage
The divide between the East and the West during the height of the Cold War in the mid eighties was truly heartbreaking. Elton depicted our mood very well in this song. I bought the 45 rpm single then and I still own it. This was a huge hit in the UK.
It sure was.
You guys make me feel like I’m back in my bedroom as a kid with my friends and a record player. ❤
A very good Elton John song is Empty Garden (Hey, Hey, Johnny), a tribute he did to John Lennon
I grew up with him, receiving Tumblewood Connectio for Christmas in 1972. His voice is like an old friend. At only 66, I dread outliving him.
Would you rather go first? 🤔
@Julieroo28 No. I keepy old depressed self alive by rescuing animals.
Every song off Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is gold. So too the Captain Fantastic album.
Little Jeannie is another great Elton John song.
I've never heard a bad song from him he's one of the "GOATS"
Little Jeannie is another one I have been requesting for awhile.
One of my favorite Elton John's songs. I thought Nikita could never be free to meet Elton, but story changed when ussr was disolved. A lot of nikitas have come to America and many have found love. Beautiful story that i remmember well.
So glad you finally got around to “Nikita”!! This became, and remains, my favorite Sir Elton John song since it was released!!❤❤❤❤❤❤ I know I’ve suggested it numerous times, and also glad you did the video! Thanks, guys!! Y’all are the best!!
I was an exchange student in West Germany a year before this song came out. I remember traveling to the end of a road near a section of the wall separating East & West Germany. I looked at an East German guard tower through my binoculars - and saw the guard pointing his rifle at me.
I worked with someone back in the 1990s who was born in East Berlin. She had escaped over the Berlin Wall in the 60s. She was a good friend. R.I.P. Monkia.
When i hear this song, I am reminded of her.
That background voice was George Micheal ! One of my favorites.....Sir Elton thank you for sharing your talent with all of us. Enjoy Retirement...God knows you worked hard for it!
A very timely reaction. Sir Elton just this week played his final concert of his worldwide farewell tour. It has been 61 years since the then 15-yr old formed a blues band. Now he deserves a well-earned respite. For me his crowning achievement was the musical Billy Elliott. ❤
I was and still am an Royal Dutch Air Force Officer. When i was younger I protecting the Wall as an K9 in 84 till 92 in Germany. An very exiting time for a young guy like me over there far from home. I'm glad i didn't mis it. I was there and grow up with all the music from the 70's, 80's and 90' s like Queen, Abba, Bee Gees, Kate Bush and on and on , such an beautyfull time. Thanks that both of you bring back that feeling with your first time hearing programm. ❤
the lady in this video is pretty famous: Anya Major (born 1966) is an English athlete, actress, model and singer who starred in Apple Computer's "1984" commercial, and in 1985 appeared as "Nikita" in the video to Elton John's song of the same name.
One of my favorites. I own every album Sir Elton has released. There are hidden gems on each one. My favorite is "Teacher, I Need You" on the "Don't Shoot Me. I'm Only the Piano Player album.
Elton John is one of a kind!❤
The setting for the video is from the Cold War between the Soviet Union and its client states and the U.S. led western alliance. Crossing between the two sets of countries was tightly controlled and both sides maintained guard stations and patrolled the border areas. In Berlin, which was divided into western and eastern sectors, there were quite a few people shot trying to get from East Berlin to West Berlin over the infamous Berlin Wall, which was built to hinder people trying to get to West Berlin.
Speaking of Sir Elton, he gave the last concert of his farewell tour this past Saturday. I'm so glad I was able to see him a few times and even take my children to one of his performances.
Red Convertible- Rolls Royce Phantom.
It was Elton John's personal car at the time.
My absolute favorite Elton John song, and that's saying a lot because he's one of my all-time favorite artists. This was great! Thank you for reacting to this beautiful song.
My favorite Elton John song!
It kind of builds towards the end and George Michael’s falsetto backing vocals are the icing on the cake ❤
New info.Didnt know George also contributed wow 😍💜
Couple thoughts:
* Glad you caught the "Ice on Fire" line. That was actually the name of the album this song is from.
* That "sax" is actually a synthesizer, played by Canadian keyboardist Fred Mandel. Apart from his work in the '80s with Elton, Fred had also played on some of Queen's '80s material, notably on "I Want to Break Free". Queen bassist John Deacon and drummer Roger Taylor performed on the Ice on Fire album, though not on "Nikita".
* That backing vocalist you loved so much at the end was none other than George Michael. He sat in on a bunch of the sessions for the Ice on Fire album, and in fact featured on the album's other single, a lesser-known Top 20 single called "Wrap Her Up". While not a great song, "Wrap Her Up" is hilarious in that you have two of the most famous gay men in the world (both in a way closeted at the time with George not being out and Elton being married to a woman) singing about the sexual virtues of women.
* George's input saved one of the Ice on Fire album tracks from the cutting room floor. "Shoot Down the Moon", the album's closer, was submitted by Elton for consideration as a James Bond movie theme. However, Duran Duran's "A View to a Kill" won out, and Elton was so upset he wanted to shelve the song. George persuaded him to keep it, and good job he did, because "Shoot Down the Moon" is one of the finest tracks on the album.
* The other notable guest artist on "Nikita" was Nik Kershaw, who played guitar on the track.
* Nikita is actually a male Russian name. There were no women among the border guards on the Berlin Wall, either.
Fantastic facts! Thanks for sharing.
Good work. I’m glad I looked at the comments first because I was going to add two of yours.
I knew a few female Nikitas growing up who are about the same age as this song 😊 I’d never heard the name as a child growing up in Cold War America, and thought it was so pretty it became the name of one of my dolls.
@@allieren yeah, I think the name started being given to girls after this song was a hit. There was also the title character of the TV show.
Elton John is gay, so Nikita could very well have been a guy. 🙂
One of my 80s favourites of his.
A deeper cut you might like is Cry to Heaven. Warning though, it’s sad.
Hi again Jordan and Amber. William Lee in NOLA. I would please like to request again for y'all to react to "Ticking" and "Indian Sunset" by Elton. Both masterpieces. "Ticking" is on the Caribou album (Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me and Bitch Is Back) and has 'other-worldly' piano. It tells a very affecting story. "Indian Sunset" is on the "Madman Across The Water" album (Tiny Dancer, Levon); and is an orchestral phenomenon - but actually starts out with Elton singing acapella about the plight of Native Americans. I really believe y'all would both LOVE these. Thank you :)
Thank you guys for listening to this one,for me one of the best Elton's John songs,a classic
indeed this is quintessential Elton John the way he delivers his songs ...its like listening to his 70's self....with songs like DANIEL and SKYLINE PIGEON in which if you have not listened to yet...youll never know what Elton John the singer, the man, and the artist and the writer truly is from the inside...throw in the song CANDLE IN THE WIND in there (The Original Version) that was written for NORMA JEAN A.K.A----Marilyn Monroe and then later on tweaked to honour the late Princess Diana
Skyline Pigeon is my favorite Elton tune!
I absolutely LOVE the original "Candle In The Wind"; the one for Princess Di is fine but the original brings back so many memories of my youth...will always prefer it.
Love Elton John. Grew up with his music. One of my top artists. I love a “A Word in Spanish “.
They absolutely need to react to A Word in Spanish
This is my second favorite Elton song, my first favorite is “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues”. Hubby took me to see Elton over 20 years ago when he & Billy Joel were touring together and I loved the concert, but he didn’t play my favorite song. Thankfully he took me to see just Elton on his Farewell tour and he most definitely played it and I cried through it I was so happy. He also took me to see P!nk & Heart that same year. P!nk’s concert was the best one I’ve ever been to, 2nd being Elton.
That background vocal (07:03) is none other than GEORGE MICHAEL.
Nikita, Sacrifice and Candle in the Wind are my favorite Elton John songs.
My favorite by John!! Classic rock, easy listening and so smooth! One of his more under-appreciated productions!
You REALLY should react to ‘Empty Garden’, which Elton wrote to honor his longtime friend John Lennon. I think both of you would love it. 🎶
one of my favorites, and definitely one of his best.
She's in East German & he's on the west (free) side. Only a few years later, the wall actually came down.
This song was during the height of the Cold War, and the Berlin Wall which separated East and West Germany. Little did we know that 4 years later the Berlin Wall would come down, and Nikita would have been able to be with him according to the video.
One of my favorites. Very under rated
when i think of elton jhon this is always the song that pops in my mind
George Michael doing the backing vocals toward the end of the song.
This is one of my favourite Elton John songs
nikita was one of my first favorite songs from Elton ❤❤❤ guys i was checking and i cant believe you still havent reacted to Elton s a circle of life from the lion King movie... it is one of the best movie songs that exist. also, please come back to tori amos, react to winter the live at montreux versión where she has a blue outfit, it Will blow your minds and warm your hearts
One of my favorite Elton songs...An awesome song...Been listening to this one forever.
I just came across your UA-cam site yesterday ... I am completely hooked!! And at 64 years old, I may be your oldest subscriber. Love watching the 2 of you discover new music especially the songs I grew up with., songs from the 60's and 70's & then ones I came to love from working in bars & nightclubs as a bartender all my life. Elton & Cat Stevens are 2 of my all time very favorites. By the way, if you have not seen the 1971 cult classic, Harold & Maude (f'n hysterical) all the music is by Cat Stevens. And if you haven't heard Elton's "Levon," "Tiny Dancer," or "Holiday Inn" - go forth. Love you two!!
Thankfully you guys haven't even scratched the surface of his catalog. You have so much more to explore with Elton John and you are going to continue to go on an adventure, a musical adventure.
Believe is definitely one of Elton John's BEST songs ever.
My favorite Elton John song. Rock on
Elton wrote this song about the Berlin Wall and how it divided people, and separated people, people who you loved and couldn't tell them 😢
right. i lived in west germany at the time this came out. the boarder between east and west really did have that feel with a bunch of soviet guards on the east side, and american guards at checkpoint charlie in west berlin
So glad you guys got to this one. One my favorites by Elton John! It's a forgotten gem. So beautifully done!
When the wall fell, it was a time of real liberation. This song came out in 1985, the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. It's been 34 years. A new generation doesn't know how that East and West division was like. I have always loved this song. Let's not forget how it was so we protect what we have.
@Rob Squad Reactions , Jay that backing vocalist you heard at the end was George Michael & Nik Kershaw was on the guitar .
🥰🥰🥰 Love Elton John!
I love you listened to this one. Elton was so versatile.
A nice tribute to the one and only Elton John who just finished his last tour with a concert in Sweden. He has said he will no longer tour. I hope he still puts out new songs.
Elton is such a legend. Good song. It reminds me of the 90's show La Femme Nikita on the USA channel.
I first saw Elton John live in concert in 1976 in Buffalo NY. He was performing with Kiki Dee and Boz Scaggs
Just wanted to say how much I love you two! I am 72 years old and live in Indiana. I just recently discovered your channel, and I enjoy your videos so much! You seem like such a sweet couple, and I love watching you two listening to old music...so enjoyable! 🥰❤
Elton John's songs are endless. My fav memory is the song OUR SONG, my boyfriend after during high school sang this to me when I met his dad. Great song . 👋🎶🤎💜💙👋
I had forgotten about this Elton song... its sweet.
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding please, please,please. You won’t regret it!
Ah one of the first ever 7" singles I ever bought! Beautiful song both musically and lyrically so hats of Bernie and Reg! (And "Ice On Fire" is a great line - also the title of the album this song comes from!)
The woman in the video did have stunning eyes.
“I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” is one of my favourites…you should give it a listen! ❤
The beautiful model was in one of the most iconic TV commercials of the 1980s - an Apple commercial where she ran into a room and threw a hammer at a screen. It was a take on the book/movie 1984.
Elton whipped out those old Tommy boots!!!!! So glad he insisted on keeping them.
Elton John...one of the 5 best of the last 100 years...
One of my favourites from Elton. Beautiful track!
Good under the radar song. Can't wait for Madman Across the Water!!!
My fav Elton John song. The sort of hidden side of the song is that Nikita is a male name in Russia. So, yes the video showed a woman, but it was made in a time when he had to be a bit careful.
"That background vocal" was George Michael.
Anyone who has or wants kids, should hear his song "Blessed" a really moving message, and great piano!
This song is both my first and favorite Elton John song.
My #3 song of his, loved this when it first released. Definitely a sing-along song.
Fun fact: the lyric in this song “Ice on Fire” is actually the name of the album that this song was in, released in 1985.
Fun fact, the football/soccer club you see in the video, he was actually chairman of, Watford FC. It’s quite apt that you just done an Elton John reaction as just a few days ago he hung up his touring boots for the very last time. He’s been on tours for probably the last 2 decades, but has now just finished his final tour. I think with Elton John, when you start getting away from the “crowd favourites” which I feel Nikita is starting to, I feel you get to see just how amazing elton and Bernie taupin were. I would love you to react to either the song called Believe, or sacrifice. Both are beautiful songs.
You should check out his deeper cuts. His "have mercy on the criminal" and "skyline pigeon " are phenomenal.
David Paton laid down what I consider to be the best bass line ever played in the history of music. I've always loved bass solos and this track doesn't have one, but David inserted several little bass runs that just blow me away. This is my favorite Elton song by far.
I love his song Candle In The Wind and then the version he had for when Lady Di passed away. Goodbye Englands Rose. Both beautiful
❤❤ "Nikita" is my favorite Elton John song I love this song so much ❤❤
Great anti-war song in the middle of the cold war. I think a lot of kids just met Mr. Elton John thanks to this song. My case.
Best regards from Chile! 🙂
*Sir Elton John. He was knighted in 98
@@BLew657 Yes Sir. That's right. Regards!
Love the bass line. "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy". Learned That George Michael is singing background harmonies. Great story, Jay. Cold War. Berlin. Great reaction. Thanks.
One of my fav songs of all time.
Ah yes! Cold war era theme and lyrics! Having lived in Berlin in the 70s as a kid, I always enjoyed this video. The Berlin wall would come down not too long after this was released.
This song means so much more to those of us of a "certain age" that remember the Soviet Union and the US and how times were back then. It puts some context unto this song.
After about 20 reactions to Elton John, I can honestly say "you've only scratched the surface". Check out songs like "Ticking", "Have Mercy On The Criminal", "Madman Across The Water", and "One Horse Town".
Omg its been a minute since I last seen this video and heard the song
This is one the best songs of the 80s and its still a masterpiece in 2023 thanks guys for listening to my request. ❤❤
George Michael backing voice at the end is so cool. RIP
I have always loved this song but I know woman who loved it even more. She named her daughter after this song. This woman was a huge Elton John fan.
You can never go wrong with Elton John, he has so much music✌❤🎶
This is by far my favorite Elton John song. He is so much of an amazing talent