I really enjoyed this interview. It's finally all about Bernie, not so much about Elton, although you automatically can't picture them one without the other. He's a fantastic lyricist, but he's so much more than that. He's created some beautiful pieces!
Bernie, I want to tell you how much I and so many others love your lyrics in songs that were not top 40 hits, but still awesome, such as: I'VE SEEN THE SAUCERS HIGH FLYING BIRD PINKY I'VE SEEN THAT MOVIE TOO SUZY AMY YOU'RE SO STATIC DIRTY LITTLE GIRL TOWER OF BABEL.
Bernie is a true artistic and creative force. I know this interview was primarily about his visual art projects, but I've been listening to Elton's music for most of my life. Listening to Elton's music as an older adult and paying more attention to the lyrics than I did when I was younger, I see the brilliance and greatness of Bernie in so many of those songs: the witty lines, the turn of phrase, the possible hidden meanings and poetic beauty in some of the passages. Elton has done work with other writers over the years and in some (but certainly not all) of those songs, Elton was working with lifeless lyrics that had almost none of Bernie's poetic touch, especially from the 1978-82 period where Bernie only contributed a couple of songs to Elton's catalog.
True. Thanks Frank, not shallow questions and not trying to be funny and give only positive answer questions. I feel like I know Bernie much better now. Cheers
Bernie you are the greatest storyteller!! Even if I didn't always understand the entire story, I always enjoy trying to figure out what you were saying!!
Bernie you are the most multi-talented human being on the face of the Earth! Thank you for your phenomenal music that has infused my life and I so appreciate your love for our country! You are a treasure!
"most multi-talented human being"? He can't sing or play the piano. You write as if he can do both and dance too. Let's be realistic. Bob Dylan was a good artist; he could draw... plus sing, play guitar, write lyrics, play harmonica, write books, etc.
Bernie and Elton just maybe the most perfect collaboration in the history of music. If they were never partners would we the public have ever heard of either?
Yeah, I like how he dared to throw in the odd, quirky detail other lyricists would not think to include, such as... 'FUNNY HOW YOUR FEET IN DREAMS NEVER TOUCH THE EARTH' 'FOR CHARITY AND ARGUMENT ONLY LEADS TO HARM' 'SAY, CANDY & RONNIE, HAVE YOU SEEN THEM YET? OH, BUT THEY'RE SO SPACED OUT.' 'PRETTY LITTLE BLACK-EYED SUZY - PLAYIN' HOOKY WITH MY HEART ALL THE TIME' 'THERE AIN'T NO NEED OF WATCHDOGS HERE TO JUSTIFY OUR WAYS; WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN MANACLES THE MAIN COURSE OF OUR STAY.' 'YOU NEVER CLOSED YOUR EYES AT NIGHT AND LEARNED TO LOVE DAYLIGHT'
I just so happened to go watch KTLA plus tonight, and I caught the tail end of this interview. I went to You Tube to find it and stumbled upon this one. I’m so glad I found it. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. What a treat to actually see and hear someone you have admired and loved his music. Thank you, Bernie and thank you, Frank, for a wonderful insight to one of my all time absolute favorites that filled my life with so much music, and of course, thank you, Elton, for putting the lyrics and music all together.
Nice interview. Per Bernie, he doesn't listen to Elton John music anymore (unless he encounters it as Muzak in an elevator). "We make music and I never listen to it again." Bernie's a highly talented artist, fluent not only as a songwriter but also as a visual artist.
It was modest & funny in an old interview when Bernie said something like... "I was the village poet, which means I would have been the village idiot without Elton."
This was fascinating bc I had no clue about Bernie's art and certainly not the amount of time he spends with it. I always picture him on his ranch in CA riding and training cutting horses. He's so effortlessly cool!!
Very cool to know this other artistic expression of the co-author of the most beautiful song of all time! Your Song takes me to tears every time I listen to it and that's almost half a century!
This is a great interview. The only regret in my life is having a chance to go to see his art show and I didn't for work reasons. Then the pandemic hit. Bernie was as much of an influence on my life and music as Elton. Maybe more. I started writing poetry before music and was very inspired by Bernie and also by Jim Morrison.
There is super big contrast between his art and his music. Also, it seems that he has lost most of his British accent. He is a very interesting human. I have always loved his songs.
I'm proud you're an American, buddy. As a patriotic person, flag burning was an uncomfortable topic. There are many times when I see an American flag and tear up knowing what it means to me and to millions of people around the world. It IS special. Did it deserve special protections? But first and foremost it means individual liberty, freedom. Some people look at it and see only everything wrong with America. They see only oppression. I disagree with them mightily but that flag promises them the freedom to burn what they feel is evil. So that's where I came down on it. Burn the flag to strengthen it. And in your case, burn it to express a love of it I feel everyone should have.
Bernie Taupin's relationship to Elton John is a total fabication and I should know because I wrote all tha lyrics in question as a 12 year old boy living in Louisville Kentucky USA where I met him as a guy from the neighborhood going by the name of Chris Miller , but we only met once privately. He was more of a friend to my Stepfather the attorney William O Guethlein . Since it was all a big conspiracy and being just a child what they did with the true story is just a crime and they left me in the dark about everything. There are many villains in this story but the pricipal character would have to be Robert Sprawls who I once called my best friend . Together with my Stepfather they would subsequently destroy my entire life and all my personal hopes . Ive been telling this story for 50 years now but have been gaslighted and have been kept a political prisoner and being nevertheless an extraordinary individual have in some sense prevailed. The experience has made me a prophet with more claims to fame of great significance than can possibly be imagined . For ten years ive been on Facebook telling my story and growing my art , go see it and ask yourself,what is reality ?
i would have asked bernie if he has a melody in mind and how it differs from what elton comes up with, but listening to him here i literally don't think bernie is a person who has any melodies. very interesting. also i'm glad he's a patriot. the intelligent people are, and he's not intelligent but brilliant
Yes. He is most certainly an American citizen. He's been an American citizen for over half of his life. Maybe next time do a little research before commenting. ??? I'm not trying to be mean but this is pretty common knowledge. And he doesn't "like America", he loves America.
![Elton John & Bernie Taupin • Interview (A 40-Year Collaboration) • 2006 [RITY Archive]](/img/n.gif)
I really enjoyed this interview. It's finally all about Bernie, not so much about Elton, although you automatically can't picture them one without the other. He's a fantastic lyricist, but he's so much more than that. He's created some beautiful pieces!
Terrific interview! 🙏🏻
Bernie, I want to tell you how much I and so many others love your lyrics in songs that were not top 40 hits, but still awesome, such as:
I'VE SEEN THE SAUCERS
HIGH FLYING BIRD
PINKY
I'VE SEEN THAT MOVIE TOO
SUZY
AMY
YOU'RE SO STATIC
DIRTY LITTLE GIRL
TOWER OF BABEL.
Great interview Bernie is a very special and very down to earth human being ..
Bernie is a true artistic and creative force. I know this interview was primarily about his visual art projects, but I've been listening to Elton's music for most of my life. Listening to Elton's music as an older adult and paying more attention to the lyrics than I did when I was younger, I see the brilliance and greatness of Bernie in so many of those songs: the witty lines, the turn of phrase, the possible hidden meanings and poetic beauty in some of the passages. Elton has done work with other writers over the years and in some (but certainly not all) of those songs, Elton was working with lifeless lyrics that had almost none of Bernie's poetic touch, especially from the 1978-82 period where Bernie only contributed a couple of songs to Elton's catalog.
This guy knows how to conduct a professional, well researched, interesting interview. First time seeing his work. Great job.
true. it's nice to see an interviewer let the subject answer a question without interjecting himself into it. very well done.
I agree it wonderful to watch
We're lucky to have in LA
True. Thanks Frank, not shallow questions and not trying to be funny and give only positive answer questions. I feel like I know Bernie much better now. Cheers
Bernie you are the greatest storyteller!! Even if I didn't always understand the entire story, I always enjoy trying to figure out what you were saying!!
Bernie you are the most multi-talented human being on the face of the Earth! Thank you for your phenomenal music that has infused my life and I so appreciate your love for our country! You are a treasure!
"most multi-talented human being"? He can't sing or play the piano. You write as if he can do both and dance too. Let's be realistic. Bob Dylan was a good artist; he could draw... plus sing, play guitar, write lyrics, play harmonica, write books, etc.
Loved the Interview, It's great to hear from Bernie Taupin a greatest lyricist and artist! Loved seeing his visual art.
Bernie and Elton just maybe the most perfect collaboration in the history of music. If they were never partners would we the public have ever heard of either?
It's possible that they would have found another avenue to stardom, especially Elton, but it certainly wouldn't have been the same.
yep, they’re brilliant together.
@Deco Electra would you like to collaborate on a song? I’m good with chords and coming up with interesting melodies
“Musical Archeology”! Love it! So true!
Genius guy as a star came to earth just once each 10000 years, never we will have other like him....
Yeah, I like how he dared to throw in the odd, quirky detail other lyricists would not think to include, such as...
'FUNNY HOW YOUR FEET IN DREAMS NEVER TOUCH THE EARTH'
'FOR CHARITY AND ARGUMENT ONLY LEADS TO HARM'
'SAY, CANDY & RONNIE, HAVE YOU SEEN THEM YET? OH, BUT THEY'RE SO SPACED OUT.'
'PRETTY LITTLE BLACK-EYED SUZY - PLAYIN' HOOKY WITH MY HEART ALL THE TIME'
'THERE AIN'T NO NEED OF WATCHDOGS HERE TO JUSTIFY OUR WAYS; WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN MANACLES THE MAIN COURSE OF OUR STAY.'
'YOU NEVER CLOSED YOUR EYES AT NIGHT AND LEARNED TO LOVE DAYLIGHT'
A once in a lifetime collaboration.
Congrats to Bernie on his CBE award. I think an honourary knighthood would have been appropriate for this great man.
I just so happened to go watch KTLA plus tonight, and I caught the tail end of this interview. I went to You Tube to find it and stumbled upon this one. I’m so glad I found it. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview. What a treat to actually see and hear someone you have admired and loved his music. Thank you, Bernie and thank you, Frank, for a wonderful insight to one of my all time absolute favorites that filled my life with so much music, and of course, thank you, Elton, for putting the lyrics and music all together.
He and Elton even look alike now!
Thank you for this insightful moment with this creative man who‘s words have brought so much joy to so many peoples’ hearts, including my own.
Nice interview. Per Bernie, he doesn't listen to Elton John music anymore (unless he encounters it as Muzak in an elevator). "We make music and I never listen to it again." Bernie's a highly talented artist, fluent not only as a songwriter but also as a visual artist.
It was modest & funny in an old interview when Bernie said something like... "I was the village poet, which means I would have been the village idiot without Elton."
Brilliant interview. Thank you. Am I the only person who thinks Bernie and Elton have an eerily similar air about them?
Well they’ve been friends and collaborators for over 50 years. They have very different interests, but the each has influenced the other, for sure.
This was fascinating bc I had no clue about Bernie's art and certainly not the amount of time he spends with it. I always picture him on his ranch in CA riding and training cutting horses. He's so effortlessly cool!!
The best boss I ever had,very down to earth with a big heart....miss u boss!💖💖👍
Who knew? Not me! What a fascinating man.
I just adore who bernie is. Very authentic ❤️
Very cool to know this other artistic expression of the co-author of the most beautiful song of all time! Your Song takes me to tears every time I listen to it and that's almost half a century!
This is a great interview. The only regret in my life is having a chance to go to see his art show and I didn't for work reasons. Then the pandemic hit. Bernie was as much of an influence on my life and music as Elton. Maybe more. I started writing poetry before music and was very inspired by Bernie and also by Jim Morrison.
Will have to check out a display of Bernie's art once we are free to travel again.
This is a great interview! So enjoyable to watch and to listen!
Never would have thought him to be a true American patriot. It gladdens the heart.
Happy 70th Birthday Bernie Taupin
Wow what nice too see and hear your perspective
There is super big contrast between his art and his music. Also, it seems that he has lost most of his British accent. He is a very interesting human. I have always loved his songs.
He and EJ wrote the backdrop of the early to mid 1970s for us. We were kids (In new jersey) and that was the sound
great interview. loved it! 🥰 thank you
Good interview
Great interview
What a cool little story 🇺🇸🖼 art and 🎶 music go hand and hand 🖐. For him 😎
Taupin has a good set up. Worth over 100 million but can walk down any street and be completely unrecognized.
Living the dream. He's earned it.
He’s an incredibly talented man. It’s truly amazing.
Awesome man
Good interview.
They look like brothers to me 😇😇
Pure Passion
I'm proud you're an American, buddy. As a patriotic person, flag burning was an uncomfortable topic. There are many times when I see an American flag and tear up knowing what it means to me and to millions of people around the world. It IS special. Did it deserve special protections? But first and foremost it means individual liberty, freedom. Some people look at it and see only everything wrong with America. They see only oppression. I disagree with them mightily but that flag promises them the freedom to burn what they feel is evil. So that's where I came down on it. Burn the flag to strengthen it. And in your case, burn it to express a love of it I feel everyone should have.
The Captain & the Kid 🤠❤🤠
Bernie Taupin's relationship to Elton John is a total fabication and I should know because I wrote all tha lyrics in question as a 12 year old boy living in Louisville Kentucky USA where I met him as a guy from the neighborhood going by the name of Chris Miller , but we only met once privately. He was more of a friend to my Stepfather the attorney William O Guethlein . Since it was all a big conspiracy and being just a child what they did with the true story is just a crime and they left me in the dark about everything. There are many villains in this story but the pricipal character would have to be Robert Sprawls who I once called my best friend . Together with my Stepfather they would subsequently destroy my entire life and all my personal hopes . Ive been telling this story for 50 years now but have been gaslighted and have been kept a political prisoner and being nevertheless an extraordinary individual have in some sense prevailed. The experience has made me a prophet with more claims to fame of great significance than can possibly be imagined . For ten years ive been on Facebook telling my story and growing my art , go see it and ask yourself,what is reality ?
i would have asked bernie if he has a melody in mind and how it differs from what elton comes up with, but listening to him here i literally don't think bernie is a person who has any melodies. very interesting. also i'm glad he's a patriot. the intelligent people are, and he's not intelligent but brilliant
15:46 my man 😁🙌
I wanna be a cowboy, baby.
The lower arms on Bernie have some serious muscle on them, not what you'd expect on a songwriter.
sounds a bit like our ringo now
i lked
20:38 deep tought
so sorry
He’s not nostalgic, but his art is all about America and it’s history 🤔...
I took that comment to mean he doesn't feel nostalgic about his own personal history.
@@Lupin788 yes
Bernie tauper é casado?
i be tsainge i will be happy
Bernie's leg are *so* skinny.
WTF
So this is what you took from that interview??? That Bernie's legs are skinny??? Sheesh!
He's not American. He may like America for some reason, but he's more French than anything.
He doesn't claim to be American. He's British but loves ALL things American.
@@nalir3828 Tragic.
Yes. He is most certainly an American citizen. He's been an American citizen for over half of his life. Maybe next time do a little research before commenting. ??? I'm not trying to be mean but this is pretty common knowledge. And he doesn't "like America", he loves America.
@Anne Day Of course I'm not. I'm European. From the civilized part of the world.
@Anne Day Bernie Taupin is English. England is in Europe. Ergo, this IS my neck of the woods.
You're trespassing, Anne.