What Makes This Song Great? “Rocket Man” ELTON JOHN
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- Опубліковано 2 бер 2020
- In this episode we explore the music of Elton John.
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Hi Rick this was excellent! I am Elton's percussionist and backing vocalist. I was in the Atlanta recording studio when you and the band came in. That was my 1st studio album with Elton, Peachtree Road, a great experience. He would always check out the other bands in the studio and invite them over. This was so great and loved hearing your enthusiastic breakdown of that amazing song. Will be checking out more!!
It is Beyond cool that you commented here John! Love your work, and of course, your bandmates' work! Rock on!
Hey John, Dan Bernard's friend here from Texas, great show in San Antonio, sorry we didn't get to hang maybe next time around . Big fan of Rick, his love and passion for music is just great.
Love these videos best thing on you tube
I’m an accomplished musician and songwriter but every time I listen to this song I feel inadequate , love this song will forever be my yardstick ps your awesome Rick
You rock, John! 🤘🤘
Rick Beato is the Anthony Bourdain of music. He’s not merely expert in the craft. He loves this stuff and he isn’t afraid to let us witness his complete immersion and joy. That’s what is so compelling about watching him. He can dice a song with the dispassion of a scientist, but conveys it with the heart of a poet. Thanks, man.
The Anthony Bourdain of music. Ohh that's a bingo! I'm keeping that one :)
Omg yes!! Helps us get all excited bout music again!
He looks a lot like him too!
perfect description, although I hope he's more emotionally stable.
Perfectly stated,I just told all my playing,music loving friends they should follow Rick.
At this point in my life just hearing Elton's piano part soloed can nearly bring me to tears. His music sustained me during some turbulent teenage years.
Me too! Dysfunctional family. He and others saved my sanity. Singing to the top of my lungs, lost in space was the escape I needed. I was so sad to find out how sad he was while saving me. I couldn't be happier that he is happy now.
Lord knows he deserves it, because I bet he saved many others besides us two.
I have a music degree. I still sing. I was pretty good at melodic dictation. But I could never hear something like where the capo on the guitar was. Your joy in dissecting songs is completely infectious and I am so grateful to have discovered your UA-cam channel. You help me appreciate songs in a new way and that's really magical. Thank you! 🙏
It's ridiculous....I think that's a national steel guitar in open g, capo at third fret.....he's like one of those wine experts who can tell you the grape, vintage and soil the wine grew from.....and whether the person picking the grapes was lefthanded. These wine experts may only exist in films for all iknow but there's Rick, doing this daily. Crazy
To be fair it's about knowing what the guitar sounds like when it's fretted vs when it's not and potential chord voicings using 'close to the nut' inversions. You can hear the strings are open there, they are slapping on the fretboard, and that also means if it's open, it must be a non-standard tuning - tuned to a chord. That then gives you the sweet movement between the chords on that section by simply pressing, taking away, so no fret noise or kerfuffle on the fretboard, very simple and clean, which is the very core of the song across the board. A lot of acoustic rhythm guitar parts in pop songs use this technique, or have a kind of pedal note drone on the acoustic in an open tuning.
@@KennyEvansUK I'm definitely not listening hard enough....
@@KennyEvansUK Yep, these are things I have got a lot better at hearing in recent years as a guitarist. I'm also often telling others to write guitar songs around these "sweet spots" on the acoustic guitar where you can utilize a lot of open strings as opposed to fretting and barring so much. It really sweetens up the guitar sound and makes it jump off the track more.
The enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. Don’t ever change Rick, and thank you
Alison Mercieca Agreed. That enthusiasm is priceless and compelling. What a gift! Thank you Rick for sharing your deep love and understanding of ... music 🎶♥️🎶
Rick - Just as Elton & Bernie’s Rocket Man have been a gift to so many over the years; so is your enthusiastic breakdown of this wonderful song. Thank you so much for making me appreciate this song on a whole new level!
I think the same thing every time I watch one of these. I'm 58 and I still get excited when great drum, bass, guitar, keyboard and vocal parts are showcased in a song. My favorite song to do this with is Billy Paul (Williams), "Me and Mrs Jones", So much stuff going on in "pop song"
Alison - that's what I was thinking. He was completely involved in this breakdown. I can count the number of times I have been wrapped up in something the way he is here. He seems to spend a good portion of his life in that state. I think that is awesome. Also, he reminded me that there was a time when I really enjoyed Elton's' music. Then life got in the way and music changed so I got away from a lot of listening but I'm back for the duration now. People like Rick had something to do with that. Thanks for your intensity Rick.
@@78tag I came to the comments to say exactly the same thing. His childlike enthusiasm is catching. I know exactly what he means every time he says "Love it!"
As a non musician, Rick makes me appreciate the music I've loved my whole life. It's like seeing something for the first time
Ron Love so just go ahead and learn an instrument, it's never too late, and it's a turbo for a brain 😎
There is a Brit named Wings of Pegasus that is very good at the behind the music side also, and he's in a band also. I just found this site, got some catching up to do.
I agree.
As a musician, he can still do the same for me.
MrRondonmon I can also recommend Wings of Pegasus. He also has a complete different angle than Rick (less analytic, less the producer’s angle, more the live performance angle) kind of the same love for music.
The backup singers are absolutely ethereal on this song.
Elton's voice was possibly one of the finest in the world during the 70's, its pure, innocent, and unfiltered, like he is singing without anyone listening. pure soul.
during the 70s? Yes, that decade, and still tops in my memory
Agreed
What's really amazing is that he and Bernie were always looking for people to record their songs and literally got tired of waiting around. His first album wasn't even issued in the US until after he got some fame. When he and his band went to LA for his residency at the Troubadour and remarked that if it all went bust he could at least buy some new albums for his collection. Just goes to show that no matter how much talent you have, there's always that little nagging doubt. That's why the most talented people are usually modest, at least until they reach a certain level of success.
Agreed. The voice of a generation. After that throat surgery I completely lost interest in his vocal style.
@@mattdad8429plain ignorance
I'm imagining Elton sitting around with Bernie, saying "Yeah, I've got a Rick Beato story".
Mike Smith Rick is my Man! Beato Book n all!
haha
Now, there is some real thinking outside the box! Nice!
Best loveful comment on the internet today ❤❤❤
It's not MY story, but I've got an Elton story. My late father was a prominent musician in the Southeast for a while. Legend has it that his band once opened for Led Zeppelin. But my Dad was a keyboard player. And he once worked as a volunteer roadie for an Elton Show in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He wasn't a huge Elton fan (Billy Joel was more his speed) but he was a fan. I think that's why he volunteered for the gig. Elton's bus was stuck in traffic in Birmingham about an hour from Tuscaloosa. They needed to soundcheck Elton's piano before they opened the doors for fans.
"Can anyone here play the piano really well?" Dad raised his hand. "You know any Elton material?" Turns out, Dad's band covered a couple Elton songs.
I'm not sure what song that he started playing. Elton's band was already there and they joined in. Elton walks in through the side stage as they're doing this and they all stopped playing.
"Sounding pretty good, Kid."
Dad said that was the sweetest set of keys that his hands ever touched. He would've adored Rick's channel, BTW.
Brilliant story mate
That’s so fucking cool
Love it! Something to remember for ever that one mate. Your dad must have been one helluva keys player. Respect.
EPIC!!!
Ryan Hall - stories like that make it all worthwhile 👍🏻
I’ve heard the song Rocket Man hundreds of times but tonight I listened to it for the first time. Incredible song! Thank you!
This is my reaction every time I watch an episode of this series. It just opens up an entire universe I had no clue existed.
First time REALLY hearing it, right? I hear you.
Rick Beato has the ability to make one fall in love with every song he loves.
There's a reason the legends are legends. This was a great song 48 years ago; it's a great song now; and it'll be a great song 100 years from now.
Absolute F**kin classic song
That's because musicians were allowed to art all over the radio.
This came out 48 years ago WHAT THE FUCK
Exact!!
Rick may be in there alone, but his fuse never burns out.
Even though it's gonna be a long long time 🤣
Its a nice hideout for when the corona virus spreads to us all 🦠 💀👽
Tommy Leonardi 😜
What's the old saying even if your alone it's better to burn out than fade away.
You’re not kidding. It’s a pleasure to watch someone so thrilled to be doing what they love.
When my oldest son was 4, he would sing along to this song completely out of key. Two of the best things to have ever hit my ears. He is 32 now. And this song will forever bring back that memory of the two of us sitting in my truck, he’s feet dangling out from the front of his car seat, and me soaking it in knowing these moments are fleeting....
Beautiful! When I was only 3 years old I sang Azzurro by Celentano
They damn sure are
I have a memory similar to yours with my oldest son......sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the stereo with him on my lap (2 or 3 years old)...singing "City of New Orleans" along with Arlo Guthrie from the cassette. So miss those days..... indeed...soaking it in....oh...my son will be 32 in 2 more days..... :-)
For my oldest kid, it was Bowie BBC 1972 and also the Johnny Cash Children's album. I was never without these in the glove compartment of my car.
I still listen to a few Cash songs every now and then, and you know what? So does my son, now a young adult.
l place both of those artists as an equal, without effort or second thoughts.... And for my kid, it was like cross training for his soccer matches or his theater class.
He could sing "Oh You Pretty Things", or move directly into "I Got a Boy and His Name is John". Didn't matter. No Bias.
Pretty cool kid. 😎
My daughters are 11 and 12, but they have been listening to my music since they were first in their car seats coming home from the hospital. One cool memory I have in the vein of your memory is my daughters and I are driving home from somewhere and Accept's "Balls to the Wall" is playing (I had very eclectic mix cds in my car). When the part where Udo sings/quasi yells "Balls to the Wall...Maaan", my youngest just screamed it out like she was a death metal vocalist. I just started laughing so hard. Still such a strong memory seven years later (yes she was four when she did this). :-)
When I was 13 I bought the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" album at a yard sale for two dollars. I already liked the few songs I knew, including the title track, but this album introduced me to other great Elton John songs that I hadn't heard. Best two dollars I ever spent.
i know this has nothing to do with Elton John, but I had a similar experience last year. I always liked a few of Boston's songs and I went to Walmart just to look at what CDs they had, I was more or less trying to see if there was a Classic Rock compilation CD and there I saw "BOSTON" and $5! I listened to that album and every single song on there was sooooo good and best $5 spent.
I have an Elton song, as well. I got on an elevator with him here in Atlanta in the early 00s, and he told me he had a blouse just like mine, back in the 80s. I quickly replied, well, it came from a 2nd hand shop, so maybe it is yours.
He cracked up.
I made Elton John laugh.
Nice
Awesome!
Haha, hard thing to do...supposedly!!
Did he stroke you off at a medium pace?
Elton John song...
Elton John story...
What's the difference?
English is a BITCH!!!
Elton John at one point sold 2% of the entirety of the world's music.
I love that Elton John introduced himself when he popped into the studio. Some lesser and not as instantly recognizable artists can't even be bothered. 🌟🌟
That's because Elton has class. Something a lot of these newer artists are sadly lacking. ☺
Right, like he would have to introduce himself to anyone... especially a musician no less. AMAZING.
So, I began taking piano lessons last month, for the first time in my life, at the age of 68. And tonight, as I experienced this wonderful Beato journey into a song that has inspired me since it's release, it occured to me that YOU are partly responsible for my decision. You continually put on display the kind of joy and passion for music that I feel and want more of. That's why the piano lessons are happening. I hold the vision of being able to render an Elton John song with my own fingers (to the best of my ability) in the not too distant future!
Elton John was responsible for my continuing piano lessons as a teenager. I was determined to play this, and damn it, I can.
@@marils8452 YES!
@Mck Idyl Bless you.
@@cynthiahutchins6323 Yeah, and isn't inspiration an awesome thing?
Never to late to learn I am doing royal school of music grade 6 at 51 years of age...
Elton John is a Genius and worthy of Starstruckness.
F Smittick what a stunning word 👍
@@hanreality.7266 Gotta add that one to my vocabulary.
Nope, just a talent.
from the movie "Starstruck"
Elton AND Bernie are genius
I grew up with Elton's music. In the late 70's, someone at a local yard sale was selling all his Elton John albums for a QUARTER each after not being able to handle it when Elton John came out. I bought them ALL! I still have that original vinyl today!
Axess2084 , the guy couldn’t handle Elton coming out being gay. What a sad individual!! I’m sure he’s probably a “Christian” or something.
All my a-hole atheist schoolmates refused to listen to EJ, or Queen.
I couldn't care less, and never did. It's all about the music.🎶🎵
@@photohounds At the end of the day, that's all it's about! I don't care what someone's sexual orientation is. It's irrelevant. Do they make awesome music? Do they write awesome books? Do they make great movies/TV shows? That's what matters.
Their loss was your gain!
@@windnchgo Big time! I collected a LOT of vinyl in the 70's and 80's!
The guitar slides give a sort of meteor flying through space kind of effect ☄️ 🚀
The great Davey Johnstone...who was only 20 when the Honky Chateau album was recorded!
I'm a musician from way back, classically trained, so I understand the chord structures and progressions. But what I love is the way Rick teaches us about the music production side, something I have very little experience in, and the way he can pick out the chords by ear, it's just amazing, I've never been able to do that with such precision. I've only just found this channel, so I am going through all the content now, some really good stuff here.
Rick Beato has to be one of the most engaging personality/presenters on UA-cam. You can't but help be infected by his energy, passion and pure childlike joy in what he does. It's great.
So true. He makes us love music all the more.
I’m so happy for Rick’s success on UA-cam, what humble cool guy and a great teacher! So glad he’s getting lots of respect from his hero’s like having a 2 hour lunch with Joni Mitchell and spending time with Peter Frampton!
👏👏👏👏👏Rick is the best 😎👍🏻🥂
I just wish I could play along with the songs like he does.
Yes, I love when he picks it apart (literally) and shows me why I knew it was such a great song.
I never tire of Elton John songs. But listening to his vocals soloed...just...wow. What an incredible talent. Thanks Rick for this video.
Yes, it is easier to hear the natural talent in the vocals when they're isolated. Elton sounded so strong.
This is too cool 😎.....my mom met Elton in Atlanta when she was staying at the same hotel. They chatted and he was very cool 😎 and chill with my mom. My mother didn’t know who he was and he simply told her... “well I’m a pop star” 😂....my mother’s reply .....”I’m sure my children know who you are.” Great video as always 👏👏👏👏👍🏻🥂
And I think that today, I have become like your mother. Young people will ask me today if I know so-and-so and of course I have never heard of them. And don't give a ... because I am convinced that I already have had the privilege of listening to and experiencing the very best in rock/pop from the golden age.
I am not a musician, but love music...almost all kinds of music. It's wonderful to watch Rick geek out over "Rocket Man," because I feel the same way about this song. Incredibly beautiful and utterly unique.
everyone is a musician ... the ability to know what you like or dislike opens the door ... the rest is fight club, top gear and "happy" .. if you`re lucky
Had a long day at work. Poured myself a glass of red, flicked on UA-cam and found Rick doing my favourite Elton song. A good end to the day.
Elton John is arguably one of the greatest musicians of the past 100 years.
Roflmao
Not arguably. Elton John *is* one of the greatest musicians of the past 100 years.
@@pianosenzanima1 Strange reaction to a quintessential composer and performer of any time.
He’s a modern day Beethoven
Fact
One of Elton’s hidden heroes are his bands backing vocals and their perfect harmonies. Simply timeless.
So true, Lou.
Could not agree with you more, Lou! His band, THIS band gave Elton some of the most perfect harmonies ever recorded, imho.
I've always loved Elton John, but these videos you're making open up whole new dimensions of his music to me. The section with Elton doing the piano intro almost made me cry. I actually didn't know that a piano section with no vocals could move me to tears. Elton is amazing at communicating emotion through the piano.
“In our A.D.D. culture, there’s never any space” - It’s lonely out there in space.
Nice
maybe one of the silver linings of the covid thing, is that some "space" is being blasted out of that ADD culture by a pandemic.
@@tracyavent-costanza346 Unfortunately, many can't seem to handle it. Hole in the soul.
@@bethsnider9639
I used to dream of having a hole in my soul.
It’s lonely out there in space if you’re gay and can’t tell anyone.
I know you loose money on these videos. Just want to say thank you I love these break downs. As a person who loves music and doesn't play anything they give me a greater enjoyment of my favorite songs.
I just LOVE that first bass G. I can listen to it over and over again. It's just unreal...what an ingenious idea to let the bass start above the piano.
Elton is underrated in both piano playing and as a vocalist. And that's in light of the fact that he's one of the highest rated of both. He's just a bundle of magic.
Whenever I see a WMTSG about a song I don’t particularly like, I know I’m going to change my mind and become a fan by the end
Me too!
HA!! I did that with "Go Your Own Way". I just grew tired of the album at large, especially the "radio hits". Then heard that breakdown track by track. Instant fan again.
Yeah - happens every time. :-)
Yup
I agree but not this song, i loved this song before and even more after.
I was 14 years old when Rocket Man came out, and ever since I felt this is simply a perfect pop song. It took me nearly 50 years from then on to find a man who knows that much about music and is able to play Guitar, Bass and Piano (at least) on that level to explain to me, why I was completely right. Thanks a lot, Mr. Beato, you made my day!
You know, for all Rick's technical ability on bass and guitar, I feel piano is the instrument he was born to play. He's so naturally expressive whenever he's over a keyboard - just makes the music flow beautifully, and with instinctive touch.
You are absolutely right. Honky Chateau was the first album I ever owned, I am probably a year or two younger than you but I loved the song and must have listened to it several hundred times. But Rick's explanation brings out things in it that I hadn't appreciated before. 50 odd years later it actually enhances the song for me now.
Elton John is a modern day Mozart. There's so much to his music.
ABSOLUTELY agree in every sense of your comparison..the brilliance is in the ease in which the plunging depth of composition is brought to the surface to pour into every aspect of Elton's, the band's, Bernie's and the engineer's production of these songs..it's like the songs are left with nothing else to give to a listener's soul. Blondie said it best..."RAPTURE"
I love that Beato can back up what he says with illustration on whatever instrument, in the moment. Nice teacher, getting kids (especially) to LISTEN...to voicing, to harmony choices, to bass lines, to effects, to how to support the lyrics with the music...NICE teacher.
Elton was a machine at this point. He'd look over lyrics at breakfast, come up with a song (within minutes), record mere hours after writing. The band would learn, rehearse & record in the afternoon, overdubs and a rough mix by the evening. All this virtuosity & talent just sort of natural flowing -- for years! Almost unbelievable.
Yes, thx to cocaine
DJ Falko Hannover Actually no. Elton is honest and open about his drug use. He started cocaine during the Caribou sessions in 1974. No drug is a substitute for talent.
@@carlodave9 Well said...as if a drug was gonna make any difference to his extreme talent!
@@carlodave9 Exactly. Millions of cocaine users out there don't come up with stuff like Take Me to the Pilot.
Elton John ist one of those artists where u know that he really completely was born to be exactly that artist.
Elton John is such a badass. I'm not easily star-struck, either, but that guy is a legend. Wonderful song.
People like you are so important to the young and up coming writers - I’m hopeful my daughters generation goes back to the beauty of writing with an instrument and a friend by your side.
Elton's piano writing is so exquisitely beautiful and emotional as his vocal performances. Coupled with Taupin's stunningly evocative poetry and their is NO comparison. Sometimes I fear that their songs will be forgotten, if that ever happens it will be so sad.
“Fades. I’m going to do a whole show on that!”
We’re waiting, Rick.
Great show this one, by the way. 🤓
For real!
I think it's gonna be a long long time
Yes the fade out and also the Big Finish you don't hear that any more, Nugent did that a lot in concert
They don't do fades, (or intros,) as much anymore as it only gives all the yapping radio hosts additional time to hear their own voice running on since there's no lyrics. DRIVES ME NUTS!!! Musicians take time to craft an ENTIRE song, only to have some half-wit talk over it!!!!!
Favorite fade outs:
Cruel to Be Kind - Nick Lowe
You Make My Dreams - Hall & Oates
Hey, Hey, What Can I Do? - Zep
"And all this science I don't understand
, It's just my job five days a week" Such a thought provoking, haunting line...
Really? I always thought it was a pretty dumb line myself. I mean, the guy really ought to understand at least some of the science, if it's his job and he's going up there on his own in space. LOL. Unless I've missed something. That, which follows on from the line about Mars not being the kind of place to raise your kids, in fact it's cold as hell? Yeah. Great song. Not sure about the lyrics. LOL
@@PeterCamberwick Ray Bradbury wrote a book called ‘ The Illustrated Man’. 1951. One of the stories was The Rocket Man. It surmised in the future being a spaceman would become just another job. [ sort of like sailors working weeks on/ weeks off ]. So no need for science .
The rocket man loves going to space, but realizes he is ruining his family by being away. So he decides to take one last trip, which turns out to kill him.
The Illustrated Man was made into a movie, and Bernie was aiming to get the song in it. Didn’t happen.
Source: Article from a radio station .
a brilliant song, it's the melody to and I think it's gonna be a long long time that's the killer hook.
@@PeterCamberwick Well, there was only one geologist that went to the moon.
Elton had a distinctive voice. You recognise it instantly. It's also a great voice. And his piano playing is great too.
Hey, Rick, if you haven't already, you should do a video on "Funeral For A Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding" by Elton John.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaas!
AWESOME song!
Agreed!
Let us never overlook Bernie and his metaphor mastery. The poet.
Who was outlooking him?
Or the band. Elton writes the tunes...but the band translates it, in their own way, for their instruments, on their own, with no suggestions or interference from Elton (according to Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone). No one forgets about Bernie. Everyone forgets about Nigel, Dee and Davey...even the biopic 'Rocket Man' wrote the band out of the story, which was a shame.
I love Elton John hes a genius is far is Bernie goes I put him there next to Ringo Starr is one of the luckiest people ever born
What metaphors ?
@@groksr Compering him to Ringo Starr, what an absolutely stupid thing to say
Before this if you had asked me how good Elton John can sing I would have said, "he's o.k." I never realized how good the singing is on this song. Hearing it isolated gave me goosebumps.
Exactly. His vocal range was nuts; it gets overlooked because he made it all sound so effortless and simple. Then you try to sing it and...no.
Agreed
Elton and Bernie Taupin should be proud of you.
Hell with them, I’M proud of Rick!! I know he’s honored that I feel that way! 😇
Elton is a gift to the world!
My first girlfriend was a huge Elton John fan. I remember her putting on Your Song (late 80s) and I'd never heard it before. We didn't own a radio growing up and so I heard very little popular music. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I'd heard in my life. Hearing that song and experiencing young foolish love for the first time was one of the most innocently beautiful moments of my life. I hear the song and it brings me back to a different time & vibe. Thank you Elton.
I heard "Your Song" when it was freshly out on Top 40 radio, I was in a clothing store. I remember what they were selling (leather coats with the fur still on the inside (yeah, cruel, sad, but that was then)). I stopped and listened. I don't know why I like that song, it's not the kind of song I like, generally (whatever that means), but as long ago as that was, I do still remember how it got my attention.
Beautiful, thanks for sharing bro...
Definitely!!! An expression of innocence performed by inspired genius.
I grew up being raised by my Grandparents, so my musical background as a Kid was Chopin, the classics, opera, etc. My first concert was the Boston Pops. Hearing popular music as an older kid (13-14) was a weird experience...and when I discovered Elton, I was blown away (trying to educate myself, I was going through my dads old records, and I stumbled on a very worn copy of 11-17-70. I fell in love with the music, and never looked back. This was in the early 80s).
Hello, sdemosi, I just discovered the very young symphatical Piano-Playeress "Emily Linge" with her rather very extremely nice cover Version of Elton's "Your Song" here on UA-cam.
Playing on a real Concert-Piano (Flü
Decisively, the most enjoyable video I've ever seen. As a retired music teacher and lifelong Elton fan, this made my day. I only regret that I just found you. Thank you, kind sir.
Did he stroke you off at a medium pace?
Agree, the most interesting video I've seen in a really long time
rick will take you other places. enjoy it, he has a good brain and shares what hits him.
@@tracyavent-costanza346 Thank you! I have been. enjoying him!
Share with your classes.. that would be so appropriate and awesome.
I played this song in a gig last night, and just rewatched this vid tonight. Damn I love playing it, it really talks to me when I play it, in the groove there's so much space. Elton wrote his ass off back then, such a talent. I saw him play live on his last tour here in Australia: 3 hour gig, a true muso, just like us, working his ass off for the crowd, you can see the buzz he gets from playing live, it feels so good to see that, a true hero doing what we all do on stage. Elton is a fkn champion. ❤️
ELTON. There are no other words. I cannot convey how deeply I love him. I mean c’mon. The catalog. Wtf. You could do endless videos on him alone. The Ballad of Danny Bailey. Give that a whirl, Rick!
@@CookingAroundTheWorld Outstanding song. When EJ finishes touring, he claims he's going to do some residences at some venues, playing only non-singles. Hopefully Danny Bailey gets a look in. Would be very surprised if it didn't.
One of Eltons epics, that and Ticking.....
my favorite album of his will always be Captain Fantastic
@@automachinehead same here, it's a stunning album
I know what you mean - EJ has been the soundtrack of my life since I first discovered his music - hard to imagine my life without his music💖
This takes me back to my childhood in the early 70s, where my mom would have me sitting at the counter in my high chair while she had Elton John playing on her turntable. He was her favorite of all time. She passed several years ago and I felt some sadness watching this, though I'm glad you did it.
RIP to a great woman I'm sure. :)
I know exactly where you're coming from. My mom was a big Barry Manilow fan during his 70s heyday and also John Denver. I still have a Barry Manilow greatest hits double LP that my mom purchased at Kmart in the late 70s. She passed away in 1986, and I think of her every time I hear his old hits from that era.
Search on UA-cam for Sara Bareilles / Yellowbrick Road. The orchestrated version is best imo, the one where she is wearing the white and black dress. I find it stunning and changed my view and appreciation for the song.
mountain bear ..nice story....cheers to all the moms out there that are no longer with us...
Every time you hear Elton, sing it for your mom and when the songs done, you should have a peaceful feeling inside you with warm memories of your mom. Take care. Jpol.
I bought this album when I was a teen back in '72, along with a pair of Sennheiser HD414 headphones. I put on Rocket Man and when that huge, spacial chorus kicked in I shouted out my first f word in front of my folks! lol
I should grab my trusty pair of Sennheiser HD414SL I bought in the 80s and listen again 😎
@@bobbythecajun7869 Yes, I saw them worn by big band conductor's on TV a lot too (mine had the blue foam).
@@arndgronenberg Do it! it's a superbly engineered production for sure 👍
No one in music was loved more than Elton by all kids growing up in the 70’s. There was no one like him. He could ballad ‘Your Song’ and rock ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting), with the best of them. Tiny Dancer, Levon, Daniel, The Bitch is Back, Philadelphia Freedom, Crocodile Rock, Honkey Cat, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Yes, a couple of covers - but to us they were Elton.
At the roller skating rink in the 70s, it was just one Elton John song after another. :)
This song is achingly beautiful and deceptively complex. The backing vocals are transcendent, and I'm glad Rick highlighted them.
One thing about this song is that it has a meta element to it, in that it always leaves me wanting more and to hear it again and again. The very theme of the song is having this position of glory but being unsatisfied, so it fits perfectly with this feeling.
I can't say enough good things about it.
Rick barely discussed the lyrics, but they are so beatiful, so deep as well. They have so many levels of interpretation... just recently, after learning about Elton's struggles with heroin, I realized the clear allegory of a man suffering from an addiction in them. "I'll be high as a kyte" and "I'm not the man they think I am at home, oh no no no": it was like listening to these lyrics for the first time, and I was so moved that I actually cried, which had never happened to me while listening to music. I guess I always perceived the deep, sad quality within the music of Rocket Man, but I could never understand it while listening to it as a kid. It left me subconsciously puzzled, innocently comparing that deepfelt sensation to what I thought was just a touch of melancholy, in mostly uplifting lyrics. The song is a masterpiece for the ages.
Elton John is easily one of the most influential and iconic musicians to ever emerge! A fine treat for today to hear Rick's take on Rocket Man!
This is one of your best, Rick. One of these days someone's going to do a series called "What makes Rick Beato's Analyses Great?" Thanks for posting your work for us all to enjoy.
Yeah, he doesn't just analyze what makes music or musicians great, but what defines being human. And that is the truest measure of music...Humanity.
@@roberthouston3824 OK whatever, hippie.
Hahaha j.k... well said. 😀
Derivative of a derivative.
He loves production.
Rick's always great, because he always does what he's sincerely passionate about.
However, for me, all I could take away was that piano part... My god, it's beautiful...
Elton is a genius. And of course Bernies lyric writing. Match made in heaven.
His musicality set him apart a natural thing you can't teach it's either in you or it isn't.
This was great. Those isolated vocals blew me away.
Davey Johnstone is one of the most underrated guitarists out there. He's just an incredible guitarist and when it comes to epic riffs with a hook, he is second to none. Just listen to Elton's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and you'll hear Davey all over with masterful riffs.
On a side note, I actually met Davey Johnstone near Portland, Oregon at a.....wait for it, tanning salon! Davey is equally known for his year-round tan as much as being Elton John's guitar player.
I'd say the same about the EJ band, excepting the tan part. Dee Murray (sp?) was very musical on bass, Nigel was very solid. Their harmonies were as good as the Eagles or the Beach Boys.
Find out how Davy got the job.
Davey kicks ass.. Saturday night alright for fighting. Great guitar hook. Drives that song.
Marco Polo
Yep, Daley’s playing was phenomenal. I’m sure most Elton John fans really appreciate what a great player he is.
But, being a bass player, I can’t tell you how phenomenal Dee Murray was in the minds of most young bass players at the time. (Consider his work on GYBR).
I just wanted to pipe in and tip my my hat to a wonderful musician. R.I.P.
Funeral for a friend. Awesome riffs!
Madman Across the Water, while not Elton's favorite album of his, is definitely mine. Every single track is flawless. Title track is killer, Rocket Man, Indian Sunset is a slow burn but absolutely mind-blowing storytelling and vocal performance, Razorface, Mellow Mood - the list goes on. Perfect album start to finish.
I can't imagine Elton John introducing himself in conversation. Wild.
Rocket Man is one of themost beautiful short stories ever written.
Courtesy of David Bowie's Major Tom. But that was Taupin not Elton.
Taupin was inspired by Ray Bradbury's short story R IS FOR ROCKET. Story of a man compelled to do cargo runs through space like Sailors are compelled to return to the sea.
Paul Gandhi perhaps, but not heavily. That bit. But the main character in the story is the son, whose relationship with his father is the central. RocketMan the song is about the fathers point of view.
'Levon' by Elton John is my absolute favourite song of all time. It is incredible.
"Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" is the one that blows me away... but he has so many. As a melodicist, Elton is in Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson's league.
Agree about Levon!
Whammy Bard Agreed. At their level it’s silly of me to even say this but as a lifelong die hard Beatles fan I recently admitted to myself that if I had to pick one or the others albums I’d pick Eltons. Not as cerebral but just more fun to listen to. I think. I dunno. :)
Oh, Rick! You are like the most expert surgeon explaining to us what is found in the MRI scan of each of these amazing songs. Just a fascinating job!
Unbelievable song. The interplay during the Glastonbury performance was astonishing
I love how the song just begins, voice and piano, and the lyric is explaining the mission, and it assembles around that, like the ship is being loaded. Then lift off! Those ascending and descending guitar slides. Taking off and landing.
This is incredible theatre of the mind. Just the arrangement!
The lyrics bring detail of the internal and physical journey he's setting off on.
Fantastic!!
Elton really has a falir for using music to tell the lyrical story. Its what made him amazing at creating musicals.
Great lyrics. This song being right in the context of the Apollo program, along with Space Oddity - which I think came out before. I like both of them but Rocket Man was definitely less dark. I also think of this being in the genre of country music truck driver songs - by 71 - 72, the moon missions were less novel and there was a sense of 'what next?' - the logical conclusion being that being a 'rocket man' would eventually become just another blue collar job.
@@uhklem Rick barely talked about the lyrics, but they have so many levels of interpretation... just recently, after learning about Elton's struggles with heroin, I recognized the clear allegory of a man suffering from an addiction in them. "I'll be high as a kyte" and "I'm not the man they think I am at home, oh no no no": it was like listening to these lyrics for the first time, and I was so moved that I actually cried, which had never happened to me while listening to music. I guess I always perceived the deep, sad quality within the music of Rocket Man, but I could never understand it while listening to it as a kid. It left me subconciously puzzled, innocently comparing that deepfelt sensation to what I thought was just a touch of melancholy, in mostly uplifting lyrics. The song is a masterpiece for the ages.
Wold love to hear Rick's analysis of Funeral for a Friend/Love lies Bleeding.
Oh yes, what an epic song man that would take some time to do though, and Rick would have to dig out all his synths!!
Haha ,,, just thought of that and saw ur comment !
Agreed
That's one of the most intricate songs that I can think of. Every time I listen to it I'm amazed at how it transitions from one part to another. Would love for Rick to tackle it.
And I think it's going to be a long, long time until we get another song this good.
Rick's passion for music is contagious. All those little details that one hears but now understand. This is a master class. Lovely
My older sister died too young in 1981, she was a huge Elton John fan, every time I hear him it takes me back to a better time listening to records with my big sis.
Glad they're good memories for you, Alanzo.
Music is way better when you enjoy it with your loved ones. Sorry for your loss
Big sis, a gift from God!
I’m not a musician, and don’t understand a lot of technical stuff Rick talks about, but the breakdown of the songs makes me appreciate even further the music I’ve loved since childhood. Thank you Rick for insight on music. I always enjoy watching your videos! 🙂👍🏽👍🏽
Anytime I hear a classic Elton John song from the 70s, I always think of my older brother who was Elton's biggest fan and his songs were constantly played in our house while growing-up. Also, what makes the songwriting team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin so great is that even their lesser-known songs could have been huge hits as well! 🎹
Exactly! It’s impossible to imagine one without the other.
His joy at analysing complex elements sparkles. I could watch him for HOURS. I am a classically trained pianist and I KNOW NOTHING. Thank you Mr Beato.
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It’s incredible that Elton has always said he never liked his singing voice, but in this period he was a great singer with a beautiful voice.
John Lennon was the same. He would always ask Geoff Emerick to add effects to it.
But it's not his voice. He sounds American; indeed, when he first emerged my first thought was, "Wow, this chap has been listening to Jose Feliciano."
Most people are self effacing it`s a human trait , that`s what sorts out the wheat from the chaff :)
@@musik102 Both Elton and Bernie not only grew up listening to American music but Elton also started his playing career playing piano for touring American singers. Bernie's a huge 'wild west' fan and his lyrics couldn't get more American if you tried. Roy Rogers, Tumbleweed connection (Album), Texan Love Song, Country Comfort, My Father's Gun, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy... Notice a theme? It's Bernie's lyrics that Elton sings and he sings them in character.
As for 'Rocket Man' the UK didn't have a space program so that was American-themed too.
@MusicManMaurice Yep. I'm aware there's more to 'Roy Rogers' than just the wild west ("I'd rather have ham on my sandwich than cheese... etc."). However it does have a wild west theme. Yeah, agree about the rest of those songs. I own Elton and Bernie's first 10 or so albums and know them intimately. I owned a few of them on vinyl even though I was very young when they came out (GYBR was the first LP I ever bought). When CDs came around I replaced my vinyl and bought the ones I'd lost or didn't own until then.
I'm not really a fan of much of their music after the mid/late 70s - at least not until Peachtree Road etc. lately.
Dee Murray's bass playing was sublime. Very underrated.
The bass and drums could not possibly have been more tasteful. Less is more, when it's done immaculately
Davey Johnstone did an instructional video a number of years ago where he broke down the guitar parts of some of the Elton songs from his catalog including Rocket Man. Davey also demonstrated the song’s guitar part not that long ago on his Instagram page. The guitar secret is that he uses a Bb tuning (low to high: F, Bb, Bb, F, Bb,D) which accounts for the unusual guitar chord voicings that you hear in the song. The tuning is also used on Curtains from the Capt. Fantastic album.
This song means a lot to me. It got stuck in my head the night before I had labor induced to bring my daughter into the world because I felt like I was going to Mars and it was going to be a long long time before I came back to where I was. I won't ever go back to who I was but that's fine with me. I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you Rick for showing how beautiful and genius it is.
What's most impressive about the backing vocals is that those weren't some studio singers brought in to do the backing, that was Elton's band musicians Dee, Davey and Nigel.
gotham61 Is that Davey of its Magic fame ?
@@ianmuir3640 Huh? No idea who you're referring to. Davey Johnstone is Elton's long time guitarist and backing singer.
@@gotham61 I'm guessing he means David Paton, singer/bassist for Pilot ("Magic"). Under-appreciated musician and band.
Ian Muir that’s Pilot..
I've heard that they never knew how good they sounded until they recorded Harmony. That's when they realized that they were onto something.
The singing starts right away so no DJ can ever talk over the song for the first x amount of seconds on the radio!
Ha! Good point. A DJ came to my H S. years back and told us about having the song clock so they'd stop talking before the singing. Missed some good intros that way.
@@johncook7281 A few years back, I spoke with "Cousin Brucie" a DJ from NYC. I asked him why the "talk over". He explained to me about AM radio. The DJ was paid by the amount of words they used at that time.
@@Goffix2009 I'm a bit amazed. Talking is not the reason I listed to stations. But I completely believe you. Because I remember DJs talking right up to word one.
John Cook I don’t listen to modern pop but I want Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga to have a bunch of songs that also start with vocals instantly to pave the way for the next generation.
My introduction to Elton John was his Madison Square Gardens show in 2000 or 2001. Saw him on TV at my nana's house, who would then play his Very Best Of album in the car every time I came to visit. My parents bought me Songs from the West Coast (still one of my top 20 albums), and One Night Only, and I'd stay up late at night listening to these CDs playing air piano in my bed.
Busted and The Darkness would switch me onto learning to play guitar, but Elton John made me want to be a musician first.
Finally got to see him at the Hydro in Glasgow, on the first of his two nights there. I cried during his last song.
Why do I like watching these videos so much? I'm understanding about 5% of what Rick is explaining, yet it's all totally absorbing.
I didn't even know there was such a thing as a pre-chorus! Awesome!
Because he helps label and dissect WHY we love the music so much. It isn't "just because," there are actual reasons why some songs are flat out amazing.
5%?i can only dream of 5%
I’m so immersed in these videos. Trying to work out harmonies in my head.
I have loved Elton's music for 40+ years, but hearing his voice isolated was mind-blowing.
Agreed. Isolate today's "singer's" and all you here is that robotic auto-tune (crap).
I am a huge fan of What Makes This Song Great (and a proud owner [and user!] of the Beato Book), and I am so, so glad to see you doing an Elton John song here!
So am I. I would like to see Rick speaking about All in love is fair (Stevie Wonder), A song for you (Ray Charles) and Steppin Out (Joe Jackson)
In glad Rick is doing Elton too... I mean, one of his songs.
Amen, massive fan of Rick, have been waiting for an Elton John track since the start... Ben Folds next...?
Beato could easily dissect Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. That song grabs me emotionally every time. I already know what makes that song great
Along the piano theme anyone else hoping for The Way It Is or Mandolin Rain episode?
Elton is such a master songwriter.
And God said:
"I will create a UA-cam so my silver music man can fill mankinds' heart with joy"
Brilliant!
Brilliant comment!
“...let the song breathe and groove.” YES!
I hear that in blues discussions a lot. It's a prime ingredient. Rage on children - you don't know what you are missing. Sit down for a minute and let the adults show you something.
As a songwriter, I've often thought of fades as evidence...like the writer(s) painted themselves into a chordal corner, and they just couldn't figure out how to get out of it. It's cool to hear songs like this that _use_ the fade as a place to "hide Easter eggs." As a lyricist I never liked this song; too much empty space and lines that don't rhyme or resolve. _However,_ it recently popped up on my Pandora playlist, and I _finally_ realized that musical _emptiness_ totally accentuates the feeling of _loneliness_ the character feels, and the unresolved vocal lines beautifully mimic the way everything in his life is "on hold" until he gets back...and he's not sure how life will be upon his return. Between _these_ realizations and Rick's revelations in this video, I LOVE IT!
Songs like this by Elton and the original band do something to my brain that I have trouble explaining exactly. Because the music is so complex, and each instrument both meshes so well with the others while at the same time being different really grabs me. It's like my brain starts popping with all the different sound lines at the same time. The music has an almost fractal quality.
Saw Elton John perform in Fresno. He only took a couple of short breaks in more than a two hour performance. His Rocket Man lasted about 20 minutes. Some of the best improvisation I have ever heard!
"You would never have something like that in our ADD culture today. There is never any space where you can just let the song breath and groove." I have been saying that for a long time. What makes a great song is space in the music. Space to give it definition.
I remember Keith Richards saying something similar about guitar riffs, it's the pauses that make them great.
Have you been saying that for a long, long time...? :)
Hemingway said a good writer knows what to put in, but a great writer knows what to leave out.
@@circulati It's not what you play, it's what you don't play! Not 100% sure it was him but might be the quote you're looking for.
It's the distance between notes that lets the inner light of the artist shine out...
I share a birthday with Elton albeit many years after his. Back in the 70s when I was a wee lad, my aunt had a son who sadly died shortly after birth. He was also born on March the 25th. She had to name him so Elton John Cox was born and died on 3/25/1976. Obviously, she was a huge fan and one of my earliest memories is standing at her bedroom door in my parents house looking at her lava lamp and blacklight posters while 'Madman Across the Water" played. I was 3 years old so this would have been 1974. I grew up to Elton and his work in the early 70s remains among my favorite and he and Bernie provide a significant contribution to the soundtrack of my formative years. Rest in Peace little cousin. You were taken far too soon. And thanks Elton for the memories.
When you have Dee Murray, Nigel Ollhson, and Davey Johnstone backing up a generational maistro it’s becomes a magical song.
Exactly. Those 4 guys were born to play music together.
Elton loved the old high church chord cadences from English hymns. Reggie was a church pianist at heart.