While I lay in icu fighting for my life, my friends played this song at my fiancé's and her 6yro son's funerals. We had a car crash that killed them both and left me with full rib cage fractures and punctured lungs. I should've died, but I lived in their spirits. I miss them everytime this song plays. This is my first time to see it in a live performance. Our accident was memorial day 2/28/89. I love you both Sue and Joey, my little family is resting in peace. 33 years later I still miss their love
@@dojonaneI agree it means the song is always fresh. I don't think that's what ageist means though. I thought it meant treating someone differently because of their age, or that their input didn't matter etc. Such as "Elton shouldn't do this song anymore because he's too old. Only young people should be singers"
I was never a rabid Elton John fan, finding most of his music a bit too pop. But even as a teenager when I was most into hard rock and then punk, I knew that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was a special album. The first four songs - "Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Candle In the Wind", "Bennie and the Jets" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - have to be the greatest opening set for any album ever. This performance is incredible. Rock on!
Glad you have it but to me yellow brick road is way more pop than captain fantastic You just mentioned some singles from it where as captain fantastic had 1 (I'm not sure if someone saved my life tonight was released as a single)
I had the honor of seeing him open a show with this in Hartford once. Fog and all. Chills from second one. Been to hundreds of shows and countless bands. Don't think I even saw a better showman.
@@johnhill7058 Taupin is a lyricist, not a musician. Elton would have become what he is no matter who wrote the lyrics. The songs may have been different but not the music. Taupin needed John a lot more than John needed Taupin. Still, they were magnificent together.
Many people misunderstand where FFAF stops and LLB starts. It is not where he starts to sing. It is the note at 4:50. The ending note of the first song is the beginning note of the second song. Awesome to see it
Halloween night 1974 St. Paul Civic Center, I was 16, Elton opened with this epic of his, unforgettable, never forget it! I’m 64 now and starting to forget things here and there…the rock’N’roll stays however.
YUP ,Rod Stewart did the same thing to Jeff Beck the SUPER STARS did that back in the Day 🙂 they did not shine the Spot light on the Guiffidle player much . Except Ziggy Stardust interacted with his guitar player , nowadays the camera goes everywhere 🙂 but keeps going back to the FRONT PERSON right away
Ray Cooper was THE Best tambourine player...Ever. Best Ever! That being said, he was still just the tambourine guy. Oh and he played that shaky thing too.
Hard to believe the album (GBYBR) and the song were released almost 50 years ago (1973). I was in high school when it came out, and now I’m close to retirement. Where does the time go? Nevertheless, a terrific album and an unforgettable song.
I first heard this song while I was driving a shipmate to his home. It was almost over when we stopped at a store and I asked him to get the name of it. This song will never get old, and I like to think that Elton played it at all his concerts.
The most amazing talent out there. He is really something. Wow. Just blows me away ❤. I listen to him all the time. He brings me back to happier days ❤
I confess my unexcusable ignorance, for I found out this masterpiece not so long ago and after being an Elton fan for many decades. This is one of his best songs, hands down. I can listen to it 10 times in a row and the awe is the same.
My first concert....1974 Chicago Stadium....4th row main...he had 2 major costume changes. Yellow feather headress..and a blue iridescent jumpsuit...just wild to see Elton in his full glory. This song still takes me back to being 14... on my first concert date. To be born in the 60's feels lucky somehow now looking back. We were blessed to have all this new music as our companions while we navigated life ...and still to this day.
Karen, you are right. We were ridiculously blessed to have his music for all of our lives. Funny thing is, you don't realize how good you have got it until much later in life.
Great version, this one. But the live versions that top it (for me) are the ones on the Here and There live album and the 1973 Hammersmith Odeon performance, which can be now found on the 40th anniversary Goodbye Yellow Brick Road box set. That performance closely mirrors the album cut as it was performed live around the same time as the release of the album. For that matter, that entire concert was peak Elton and the original and best, band. Back in the mid-seventies, cuts from that Hammersmith concert made it's way to FM radio, I believe it was the King Biscuit Flower Hour that put it out on the airwaves....
They did indeed. However, his voice in the early 70s was nowhere compared to this, and the piano could barely be heard on the 70s recordings due to its mic array/EQ.
What a great sound, this was my first EJ concert aged 16, and about to see my last EJ concert, I cried back in 1977 when he said it was his last. No doubt I will shed a tear this year. Thank you Elton for 50 great years of watching you live.
I used to play this on piano. I took lessons so I read sheet music. This song was very difficult to learn. I haven't played in ages but learning this was my best accomplishment.
E.J. (and Bernie) had so many hits but this one is iconic. Don’t know about nowadays but for many years he would open with this song (songs) Funeral for a friend & Love lies bleeding. Saw him in the 70’s in Hawaii with the Memphis Horns. Not 100% sure but I think Tower of Power was the original horn section on the Caribou album. Elton = Legend. 🌴😎🌈Aloha 🤙🏼
Honestly, I really don't know where to put this one on my list of top versions. I think I'll just leave it as a collective top 3 with Central Park 1980 and Kansas City 1982. The backing singers in the outro really elevate this one, and oh my good god, James Newton Howard going ballistic on that poor clavinet. Also I think it wouldn't be too far an assumption to say that Elton's coke addiction was fueled in part by the producer at the video switcher. Everything about this has chaotic energy, and I am most definitely here for it.
This was an amazing performance! He performed the song in early 1984 as well - but we don't have much of that sadly. I can imagine its an even better performance. Central Park is good but the mix is horrid - I do like the one at Anaheim though.
After All these years, this is my 1ST Time hearing, seeing, or even Knowing this performance EXISTED!! TRULY Amazing!! A Lifetime, Legend, Keeper, Performance!!!!!!!!
At the time, Elton John was the brightest-shining star of hard rock music. This song was one of top three reasons rockers listened to FM radio. It's just spectacular. It almost seems impossible that they could play it this well in a live show. (Holds up Bic lighter to ask for more)
I see that this was posted a year or so ago, i love Funeral for a Friend/Love lies Bleeding, always have, when the video was done i happened to see your post and all of the love sent to you, i am so sorry for your loss, i too have lost 2 loved ones who were my world, in 2018 i lost my 19 year old son Jack in a freak accident, in which his younger brother Vinny found him and i tried to revive him to no avail 1 month before his 20th birthday, then just as i and my family were finally coming to grips with his passing, last summer 2023, 1 month after graduating from college and a month before his 22 birthday, my son Vinny, who found his brother dead back in 2018, passed away from a massive heart attack which after an autopsy, was found to be Covid related. Then most unbearable pain that i live with every day, not from 1, that any parent should have to endure, but the loss of 2 sons is unimaginable, Jacks favorite song was Levon, and Elton was always playing in our home, i don’t know why or what i believe in anymore but just know that i feel your pain and that i cry now not only for my loss but for you and your loss, but also for all of the other well wishers . Keep strong and be well!! GD 🙏
UMA GRANDE PENA QUE ELTON JOHN JÁ ESTEJA COM 77 ANOS DE IDADE, NÃO FAZENDO MAIS SHOWS MUNDO AFORA. EU INFELIZMENTE NUNCA TIVE OPORTUNIDADE DE PRESENCIAR UM SHOW DELE E VEJO QUE O SONHO FOI EMBORA PRA SEMPRE. O TEMPO NÃO PERDOA SENHOR NINGIÉM TODOS NÓS UM DIA VAMOS ENVELHECER E PARTIR AO MUNDO ESPIRITUAL. EU JÁ ESTOU COM QUASE 66 ANOS DAQUI MENOS DE UM MÊS. É ISSO AÍ.
A huge effort to keep a piano in tune while touring, but worth it. The sound of the grand piano makes this number. And a tip of the hat to Bernie Taupin for his lyrics.
While I lay in icu fighting for my life, my friends played this song at my fiancé's and her 6yro son's funerals. We had a car crash that killed them both and left me with full rib cage fractures and punctured lungs. I should've died, but I lived in their spirits. I miss them everytime this song plays. This is my first time to see it in a live performance. Our accident was memorial day 2/28/89. I love you both Sue and Joey, my little family is resting in peace. 33 years later I still miss their love
❤️
Bless you and your loved ones memories. Music has healing power…may this and more continue to heal you all these years later!
May you one day reunite with them in glory
@@sibkiss2009 Thank you for your kind words
Que triste noticia amigo, no se que decirte.
Without a doubt, one of Elton John's finest achievements. This song will never get old.
i hate when someone says that. Growing old is the nature of life...if you are lucky you GET to grow old...
@@WeatherWeasel66that's not what the expression means. They're referring to a song that remains fresh forever, not being ageist about an individual.
@@dojonaneI agree it means the song is always fresh. I don't think that's what ageist means though. I thought it meant treating someone differently because of their age, or that their input didn't matter etc. Such as "Elton shouldn't do this song anymore because he's too old. Only young people should be singers"
Elton at his very best, performing perhaps his greatest song. What more can you ask for!
One of Elton's best songs.
YES, TRUE!........BUT there are SO MANY..!
Until he starts singing.
ABSOLUTELY
Replace the word "elton"' with the word "the"
I can think of 15 off the top of my head@@douglasknoll3500
I was never a rabid Elton John fan, finding most of his music a bit too pop. But even as a teenager when I was most into hard rock and then punk, I knew that Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was a special album. The first four songs - "Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Candle In the Wind", "Bennie and the Jets" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - have to be the greatest opening set for any album ever. This performance is incredible.
Rock on!
I agree with what you said at the end: Definitely THE VERY BEST opening set of any album ever!
May I suggest you listen to the captain fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy album sometime
@@barbaracaroll I have that album...and still consider Goodbye Yellow Brick Road to be Elton's peak.
Glad you have it but to me yellow brick road is way more pop than captain fantastic You just mentioned some singles from it where as captain fantastic had 1 (I'm not sure if someone saved my life tonight was released as a single)
@@hermannmiskelly2759 and like you said you're not a fan you only casually like a couple songs from 1 album so enjoy
Now that's one of the BEST ROCK SONGS EVER!
Hate to say it, yet, I'm proud...Until hearing this, tonight, on tube, I'd forgotten ( old), how wonderful Elton made my life
Чувак, как я тебе завидую
Glad to brighten your day up!
Elton John's music ended in 1975...everything afterwards is forgettable garbage.
@@stephenbrown7545 By and large I'd agree with you bar a handful of exceptions.
@@moodyblue1964 A handful?...your too kind.
There’ll never be another tambourine player like that guy again. Masterful, energetic performance…
He plays much more than the tambourine, that's Ray Cooper probably the world's greatest percussionist. He plays piano too
Ray still plays just as energetic now than back then! I saw Elton at the MSG in New York in 2022 and they were amazing!
@@birdwatts007 Vibraphon Marimba all that Percussion stuff brilliant
I had the honor of seeing him open a show with this in Hartford once. Fog and all. Chills from second one. Been to hundreds of shows and countless bands. Don't think I even saw a better showman.
Elton is as gifted a piano player as he is a vocalist & both those talents equal the fantastic Sir Elton John. ❤
Elton at the height of his powers performing a timeless masterpiece with his original band.
The 20th century Mozart. This is the new classical music from Rock & Roll's most talented musician.
not quite, Bernie Taupin shares that accolade.
@@johnhill7058 Taupin is a lyricist, not a musician. Elton would have become what he is no matter who wrote the lyrics.
The songs may have been different but not the music. Taupin needed John a lot more than John needed Taupin.
Still, they were magnificent together.
I love watching these old performances and seeing how insane his energy is throughout his younger years.
Lots of cocaine to add to the energy
@@keithhayes844 mountains of snow
Many people misunderstand where FFAF stops and LLB starts. It is not where he starts to sing. It is the note at 4:50. The ending note of the first song is the beginning note of the second song. Awesome to see it
This should have a billion likes.
Elton John has always been great. This song is a masterpiece.
First album I ever bought. Still great after 50 years
Halloween night 1974 St. Paul Civic Center, I was 16, Elton opened with this epic of his, unforgettable, never forget it! I’m 64 now and starting to forget things here and there…the rock’N’roll stays however.
Wish I was around back then to soak it all in
WOW, When music was live, no in ear monitoring, no auto-tuning, just talent
His LAYLA... his STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN... his HOTEL CALIFORNIA... Johnstone's killing it on guitar and we watch tamborines shaking instead. Sheesh.
I felt the same
My thoughts exactly.
YUP ,Rod Stewart did the same thing to Jeff Beck the SUPER STARS did that back in the Day 🙂 they did not shine the Spot light on the Guiffidle player much . Except Ziggy Stardust interacted with his guitar player , nowadays the camera goes everywhere 🙂 but keeps going back to the FRONT PERSON right away
exactly that tambourine guy always gets way too much attention
Ray Cooper was THE Best tambourine player...Ever. Best Ever!
That being said, he was still just the tambourine guy.
Oh and he played that shaky thing too.
Elton's finest hour by far.
Goodbye Yellow brick road is one of the best albums of all time
Ray Cooper is a master
This is the greatest concert opener in the history of..... ever.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Saw Elton perform it at MSG....was unreal.
1970s Elton was so awesome, and Wembley's had such amazing concerts. Would have loved to seen this spectacle!
Hard to believe the album (GBYBR) and the song were released almost 50 years ago (1973). I was in high school when it came out, and now I’m close to retirement. Where does the time go?
Nevertheless, a terrific album and an unforgettable song.
Wow I was 10. Timeless music
I first heard this song while I was driving a shipmate to his home. It was almost over when we stopped at a store and I asked him to get the name of it. This song will never get old, and I like to think that Elton played it at all his concerts.
Never heard a tambourine so high in the mix in life! Rock on!
The most amazing talent out there. He is really something. Wow. Just blows me away ❤. I listen to him all the time. He brings me back to happier days ❤
Another example of why he was so dominate in the music world. Amazing performance.
This generation should see this m❤usic
A true genius....
Absolutely
One of my ABSOLUTE favorite songs
A remarkable piece of work created by passionate geniuses. As a musician, I'm in awe.
I confess my unexcusable ignorance, for I found out this masterpiece not so long ago and after being an Elton fan for many decades. This is one of his best songs, hands down. I can listen to it 10 times in a row and the awe is the same.
Elton John and Billy Joel are treasures from both sides of the pond. Their musical contributions will last forever.
I saw them together in Pontiac mi. Back in early nineties…great!
I saw them together Wrigley Field 2009, just amazing.
I did not see them together.
When Elton was a true genius & before he became boring. Amazing music!
A FRIEND OF MINE JUST PASSED YESTERDAY…WHEN I OPENED THIS SIGHT THIS WAS WHAT I SAW!!!! ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVS
So sorry
My first concert....1974 Chicago Stadium....4th row main...he had 2 major costume changes. Yellow feather headress..and a blue iridescent jumpsuit...just wild to see Elton in his full glory.
This song still takes me back to being 14... on my first concert date. To be born in the 60's feels lucky somehow now looking back. We were blessed to have all this new music as our companions while we navigated life ...and still to this day.
Saw him there in ‘76 when I was 13.
I seem to remember seeing Elton at the Chicago Amphitheater in the 70s.
Karen, you are right. We were ridiculously blessed to have his music for all of our lives. Funny thing is, you don't realize how good you have got it until much later in life.
Saw him at the Amphitheater the year before with the true EJ band….NO, DJ and DM… this was a highlight… Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was just out.
Great version, this one. But the live versions that top it (for me) are the ones on the Here and There live album and the 1973 Hammersmith Odeon performance, which can be now found on the 40th anniversary Goodbye Yellow Brick Road box set. That performance closely mirrors the album cut as it was performed live around the same time as the release of the album. For that matter, that entire concert was peak Elton and the original and best, band. Back in the mid-seventies, cuts from that Hammersmith concert made it's way to FM radio, I believe it was the King Biscuit Flower Hour that put it out on the airwaves....
GREAT COMMENT!!
They did indeed. However, his voice in the early 70s was nowhere compared to this, and the piano could barely be heard on the 70s recordings due to its mic array/EQ.
Agree, Here and There were phenomenal live recordings!
I thought Elton's voice on Here and There was raspy.
@@CaydenWilsonMusic Thanks, Cayden, for pointing that out. It was really a pain to mic piano and get any gain out back then.
It's astounding what Elton John has done time and time and time again over the years with Bernie Taupin's verses.
What a great sound, this was my first EJ concert aged 16, and about to see my last EJ concert, I cried back in 1977 when he said it was his last. No doubt I will shed a tear this year. Thank you Elton for 50 great years of watching you live.
Easily his greatest song . Unbelievable talent
It is a masterpiece Elton did good. Perfection
Unbelievable! So good!
The Elton John Band was one of the greatest
Saw them do this on the '77 tour... one of my favorite concerts for sure.
My all time favorite EJ work. And Ray Cooper is a master percussionist.
Was fortunate enough to see the goodbye yellow brick tour as a 13 year-old blew me away Thanksgiving 1974 Madison Square Garden
Classic Elton and the band for sure. You know it is a respected song when Dream Theater has covered it in its entirety over the years.
wow - ray cooper had hair? Who'd have ever thought :) - wait a second - I had hair then too
this song is stuck in my audio memory... but at least its a great song to keep hearing over and over in my mind...
I used to play this on piano. I took lessons so I read sheet music. This song was very difficult to learn. I haven't played in ages but learning this was my best accomplishment.
E.J. how can any say more
Best Elton John song ever. Elton and Bernie and the band completely killed it
Greatest live song ever………..
E.J. (and Bernie) had so many hits but this one is iconic. Don’t know about nowadays but for many years he would open with this song (songs) Funeral for a friend & Love lies bleeding. Saw him in the 70’s in Hawaii with the Memphis Horns. Not 100% sure but I think Tower of Power was the original horn section on the Caribou album. Elton = Legend. 🌴😎🌈Aloha 🤙🏼
This beautiful medly is so passionate. It always brings tears of sadness and joy to my eyes ☮️
The best performer I’ve ever seen.
A Master At Work
I love Elton John
Its a Masterpiece
Honestly, I really don't know where to put this one on my list of top versions. I think I'll just leave it as a collective top 3 with Central Park 1980 and Kansas City 1982. The backing singers in the outro really elevate this one, and oh my good god, James Newton Howard going ballistic on that poor clavinet.
Also I think it wouldn't be too far an assumption to say that Elton's coke addiction was fueled in part by the producer at the video switcher. Everything about this has chaotic energy, and I am most definitely here for it.
This was an amazing performance! He performed the song in early 1984 as well - but we don't have much of that sadly. I can imagine its an even better performance. Central Park is good but the mix is horrid - I do like the one at Anaheim though.
After All these years, this is my 1ST Time hearing, seeing, or even Knowing this performance EXISTED!!
TRULY Amazing!!
A Lifetime, Legend, Keeper, Performance!!!!!!!!
Who would have thought that a tombrine could make such a difference in a masterpiece
Freaking Fantastic!
The day Len Bias of the Boston Celtics died, I was listening to WBCN that night and the DJ came on weeping and played this.
I wept with him.
It's one of his best works! Elton's said himself it's the kind of music he wants played at his funeral.
I wept that night too, it was such a tragedy.
Masterpiece!
John Kurasic and Mitch Hall Forever in My Heart and Prayers Class of 78
I remember seeing this right after the album came out. Actually it was my first real concert. Awesome show !😊😊😅😅😅😅😅
At the time, Elton John was the brightest-shining star of hard rock music. This song was one of top three reasons rockers listened to FM radio. It's just spectacular. It almost seems impossible that they could play it this well in a live show.
(Holds up Bic lighter to ask for more)
I wouldn’t equate Elton with “ hard rock music” that’s more zeppelin or Sabbath etc
Hard Rock 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
That always was one of my favorite songs....
He's tremendous. And a beautiful song. All those musicians' contributions.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for posting this. The best performance of this song I've seen.
I've watched this video over and over. Great performance!
Thank you! 😮 Great song+ video!
Lots of knowledgeable Englishfolk on here! I am humbled!
I see that this was posted a year or so ago, i love Funeral for a Friend/Love lies Bleeding, always have, when the video was done i happened to see your post and all of the love sent to you, i am so sorry for your loss, i too have lost 2 loved ones who were my world, in 2018 i lost my 19 year old son Jack in a freak accident, in which his younger brother Vinny found him and i tried to revive him to no avail 1 month before his 20th birthday, then just as i and my family were finally coming to grips with his passing, last summer 2023, 1 month after graduating from college and a month before his 22 birthday, my son Vinny, who found his brother dead back in 2018, passed away from a massive heart attack which after an autopsy, was found to be Covid related. Then most unbearable pain that i live with every day, not from 1, that any parent should have to endure, but the loss of 2 sons is unimaginable, Jacks favorite song was Levon, and Elton was always playing in our home, i don’t know why or what i believe in anymore but just know that i feel your pain and that i cry now not only for my loss but for you and your loss, but also for all of the other well wishers . Keep strong and be well!! GD 🙏
❤❤❤ LOVE RAY COOPER. HE ADDS SO MUCH TO THE OVERALL SOUND. DAVEY'S SIGNATURE GUITAR RIFFS, ELTON IN TOP FORM
UMA GRANDE PENA QUE ELTON JOHN JÁ ESTEJA COM 77 ANOS DE IDADE, NÃO FAZENDO MAIS SHOWS MUNDO AFORA. EU INFELIZMENTE NUNCA TIVE OPORTUNIDADE DE PRESENCIAR UM SHOW DELE E VEJO QUE O SONHO FOI EMBORA PRA SEMPRE. O TEMPO NÃO PERDOA SENHOR NINGIÉM TODOS NÓS UM DIA VAMOS ENVELHECER E PARTIR AO MUNDO ESPIRITUAL. EU JÁ ESTOU COM QUASE 66 ANOS DAQUI MENOS DE UM MÊS. É ISSO AÍ.
Talk about giving all you’ve got? Amazing Elton.
He used to play this to open his concert it is electrifying
Dynamic performance!
Billy Joel will always be my Piano Man. That said, Elton John showed Billy how it’s done!
BADASSS SIR ELTON😮
A true Anthem !!! From one of the Greats !
Ray Cooper never changes... he's always creepy looking!!!
But that aside.... Old Elton music is AMAZING!!! Love hearing this so much!!
You think he may perhaps is a vampire?
Great music maker.Immortal 4 the ages❤🎉
A masterpiece amongst many from Elton. 👏👍❤️
that my friends is what a true music prodigy is
I love how Ray Cooper throws the timpani stick way up in the air over his shoulder after he's done playing it.
Perspective on this rock and and roll from
“Goodbye yellow brick road never matched or duplicated”. Timeless
👍😎 Seeing him perform this live in 1975 made me a life long fan.
He is playing this just as good ( if not better) 46 years later.
A huge effort to keep a piano in tune while touring, but worth it. The sound of the grand piano makes this number. And a tip of the hat to Bernie Taupin for his lyrics.
Awesome!
thank you so very much for posting this treasure !
God bless you 🙏 ❤️ sorry for your loss
Love it! If I were mixing it, I would bring up the lead guitar just a touch. But what a great performance!!
Got to be kidding me
.Someone giving E.J. advice. Who are you A.Mosert
Voice and talent from God ❤❤❤