Elton with this band (Elton, Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone and Ray Cooper) is amazing...the complexity and the layers of sound just makes my brain happy.
When I was 12 years old, I remember someone saved my life tonight was so vivid in my little mind. When I found out when the album was going to be released, I went to Target and stood in line with about thirty other people and we waited over an hour for the boxes to be brought in from the receiving area to the record department. I finally got it purchased and I took it home. Over the years i think i etched the vinyl from one side to the other. I still have the original album. I also own a copy of the SACD version, it's stunning!
From the first album ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart! You two haven't even scratched the surface. Try the song by Elton called Come Down In Time from the album called Tumbleweed Connection.
This is Elton's favorite album out of all he has done. He said it was the least commercial. I was 15 in 1975 when I ran out and grabbed this on vinyl (still have it)....sad very few people have reacted to this.
That’s interesting. It’s my absolute fav EJ album but it’s never listed or talked about as one of his best. I got it for Christmas when I was 11 and I love every song. 😊
This album is an autobiographical music book of the Elton and Bernie Taupin relationship. Elton as the Captain, Bernie as the Brown Dirt Cowboy. From their meeting, thru Eltons suicide attempt, the ups and downs of their writing careers, and even Eltons misplaced love for Bernie.
I saw a live performance of this song by Elton and his band. And Davey Johnstone was playing guitar and singing along for himself. He knew the whole lyrics by heart. that was so cute You could see it was his favorite song😄
This is auto biographical Elton was the City boy. Bernie was a country kid. there luck was to accidentally come together. The band Elton was desperate to leave was Bluesology with Long John Baldry, where Elton was not playing what he wanted. They searched the music papers for news of chart success. It was also through a newspaper add that Elton & Bernie met. The song goes on to show their feelings about their early success & the treadmill of touring etc. These ideas reoccur in several of Bernie's songs, especially the return to a simpler country life. But like most of us here in the UK in the 50-60's as kids growing up, he was fascinated with the American lifestyle as shown on our TV's, especially the westerns, of cowboys etc, & country music, jazz & blues, & Holywood films. In fact Bernie ended up buying a ranch & raising horses, so he got to realize his dream. Elton meanwhile lived his Fantastic life at the piano & on stage. He was trained in classical piano at the Royal School of Music in London having won a scholorship to attend, having started playing piano as a young child. He first performed in pubs etc, before working in a record publishing place, & doing backing work, & then in various bands before Baldrey's group. Many of the lyrics of Elton's early albums were written by Bernie as a teenager, as a sort of poetry. He would post them to Elton who would just pick a verse up & add music, often very quickly, sometimes just a few minutes were enough for a melody to be fitted to the words. The two of them never actually worked together in the same room, even when they lived together. Bernie always wrote the lyrics alone & Elton put the music to them independently, though I think they sometimes adjusted the end result between them. So the words are mostly the musings of Bernie, & his feelings etc, not those of Elton, though I think occasionally Bernie slanted the meanings as if he was Elton. Elton always had class musicians in his bands, & several of them, like Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone & Nigel Olsen etc have been with him right through the decades.
HE LIVED IN IN THE USA FOR DECADES YOU GUYS! 😊MAINLY GEORGIA BUT YEAH IT'S ALWAYS YOUR NEXT ELTON SONG IS YOUR FAVORITE ELTON SONG, CRACKS ME UP AND I LOVE IT!👍😊
"Captain Fantastic..." was the first ever album to go to #1 on the Billboard Chart in its first week of release. Elton was not only the first artist to achieve this, he was also the second, as his 1976 follow up, "Rock of the Westies", also broke onto the sales charts at the #1 position. Nobody else did this for decades. What is most amazing about hitting #1 right away is that the buying audience was hardly starved of Elton John music. The band was releasing two and sometimes three albums per year, between 1969 and 1976, but because of the greatness of the songs and their production by Gus Dudgeon, each album was better than the last, and so the public simply could not wait to hear more --- or to see more, in Elton's lively and imaginative concerts.
We're going through "some stuff" in the UK right now ;) It's time to dethrone the king - Elton can be Queen - we'd see some humanity off the back of it too. With the utmost respect - long live The Queen at least there's a link to Diana - the last one that improved upon the shackles of "royalty". Anyhoo, just came off the back of the Deep Cuts channel that plays a lot of 70s Americana - Neil Diamond, John Mellencamp and Spanky + Gang - nice segue into this. I'm heading off to dig out the vinyl.. Elton's got a really nice "everyman" quality to his voice - kinda syncs easily with your internal/head voice - and just works. Peak era - you talk about '72 - '75 such an explosion of "content" and material - well done Sir - I'll kiss the ring ;)
This is THE song and THE album for sure. Much of the lyrics refer to the very early times before they “made it”. Bernie was from Lincolnshire “the woods”, and obsessed with cowboy films.
Vibra- slap is the rattle snake instrument. Thank you (cake lol)Thought You almost caught it when you described the slap. Glockenspiel by now I'm sure you realize was the flat metal bars tapped on with sticks. Great review awesome gem from the past when Elton was at his peak?
LOVED IT ALL... thanks Guys! I HOPE you both keep journeying further and deeper into the EJ/BT Musical Genius Rabbit Hole... you've only got over 50+ years (and counting) of "their" songs to go through...starting with Empty Sky all the way through to The Lockdown Sessions albums...I've been a Lifer EJ fan THROUGH IT ALL... since I was about 8 years old and back when the majority were still asking, "What's the name of that guy who sings that "It's a little bit funny" song?" (meaning "Your Song") lol I just turned "Sixty Years On" in September....so ya... HIS songs have quite LITERALLY been The Soundtrack for MY Life....and still does...Happy Holidays to you and yours guys, I appreciate ya both! I'll be checking in for MORE of your EJ song and musical INsights... Sincerely, from beautiful, but a WEE bit chilly, Calgary, Alberta, Canada! Shawn
I think you're absolutely wrong on the lyrics - reverse those positions. Bernie's tea and two, Elton's "chocolate biscuits"... lyrically this is 10/10 hilarious - the allusions are very "edgy" as the kids would say. I'd imagine Elton-Bernie talked a lot, Elton coked out his mind, Bernie taking it all in... It says an awful lot in a "pop" coded way - I'd imagine Bernie (as a straight guy) was exposed to the gay scene a lot via Elton - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari Thanks for this, cheered me this morning - it's a world I'm not a part of but imagine it with the British humour of the era in there too ;)
Couldn't wait to buy this album when it came out. (And I didn't, lol!) I devoured everything he put out all the way up through Blue Moves. But, with the release of Rock of the Westies, my interest waned since he "sacked" his core band. (Olssen, Murray & Johnstone).
could not hear anything from the guy wearing the ball cap whenever he would stop the playing. music level was ok, even louder than what other reactors play it by.
Great reaction, and discussion, but OMG you pick the absolute worst times to pause. And then double down by not even rewinding a little before starting again. You missed all the tempo transition experiences. Sorry,, I only criticize because i care.
@@intothemusic908 Thanks, I meant no disrespect. You were reacting to one of my favorite songs. I was waiting for that emotional rush that happens when he kicks it into another gear. There is a visceral reaction that is so much a part of the experience.
A classic off a very good album. Curtains is one of the highlights.
Elton with this band (Elton, Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone and Ray Cooper) is amazing...the complexity and the layers of sound just makes my brain happy.
Great Job Greg & Andy one of E.J.’s best songs for an artist who has dozens of gems. Great band on all those classic albums.
When I was 12 years old, I remember someone saved my life tonight was so vivid in my little mind. When I found out when the album was going to be released, I went to Target and stood in line with about thirty other people and we waited over an hour for the boxes to be brought in from the receiving area to the record department.
I finally got it purchased and I took it home. Over the years i think i etched the vinyl from one side to the other. I still have the original album. I also own a copy of the SACD version, it's stunning!
From the first album ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart! You two haven't even scratched the surface. Try the song by Elton called Come Down In Time from the album called Tumbleweed Connection.
This is Elton's favorite album out of all he has done. He said it was the least commercial. I was 15 in 1975 when I ran out and grabbed this on vinyl (still have it)....sad very few people have reacted to this.
Glad we could do it on this channel!
That’s interesting. It’s my absolute fav EJ album but it’s never listed or talked about as one of his best. I got it for Christmas when I was 11 and I love every song. 😊
This album is an autobiographical music book of the Elton and Bernie Taupin relationship. Elton as the Captain, Bernie as the Brown Dirt Cowboy. From their meeting, thru Eltons suicide attempt, the ups and downs of their writing careers, and even Eltons misplaced love for Bernie.
Absolutely love this info you shared! Thank you. ❤️
I saw a live performance of this song by Elton and his band. And Davey Johnstone was playing guitar and singing along for himself. He knew the whole lyrics by heart. that was so cute You could see it was his favorite song😄
Great comments, glad y'all liked it so much. Overall my favorite Elton album.
Never heard this song before, but it was a really nice sound I think it was a Rhodes piano he used here. They wrote some fantastic tunes.
I would recommend the closing song "Curtains"; my favorite Elton John song.
Mine too ❤
This is auto biographical Elton was the City boy. Bernie was a country kid. there luck was to accidentally come together. The band Elton was desperate to leave was Bluesology with Long John Baldry, where Elton was not playing what he wanted. They searched the music papers for news of chart success. It was also through a newspaper add that Elton & Bernie met. The song goes on to show their feelings about their early success & the treadmill of touring etc. These ideas reoccur in several of Bernie's songs, especially the return to a simpler country life. But like most of us here in the UK in the 50-60's as kids growing up, he was fascinated with the American lifestyle as shown on our TV's, especially the westerns, of cowboys etc, & country music, jazz & blues, & Holywood films. In fact Bernie ended up buying a ranch & raising horses, so he got to realize his dream. Elton meanwhile lived his Fantastic life at the piano & on stage. He was trained in classical piano at the Royal School of Music in London having won a scholorship to attend, having started playing piano as a young child. He first performed in pubs etc, before working in a record publishing place, & doing backing work, & then in various bands before Baldrey's group. Many of the lyrics of Elton's early albums were written by Bernie as a teenager, as a sort of poetry. He would post them to Elton who would just pick a verse up & add music, often very quickly, sometimes just a few minutes were enough for a melody to be fitted to the words. The two of them never actually worked together in the same room, even when they lived together. Bernie always wrote the lyrics alone & Elton put the music to them independently, though I think they sometimes adjusted the end result between them. So the words are mostly the musings of Bernie, & his feelings etc, not those of Elton, though I think occasionally Bernie slanted the meanings as if he was Elton. Elton always had class musicians in his bands, & several of them, like Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone & Nigel Olsen etc have been with him right through the decades.
HE LIVED IN IN THE USA FOR DECADES YOU GUYS! 😊MAINLY GEORGIA BUT YEAH IT'S ALWAYS YOUR NEXT ELTON SONG IS YOUR FAVORITE ELTON SONG, CRACKS ME UP AND I LOVE IT!👍😊
Oh, easily top ten!! Top one in my book! The whole album is great.
"Captain Fantastic..." was the first ever album to go to #1 on the Billboard Chart in its first week of release. Elton was not only the first artist to achieve this, he was also the second, as his 1976 follow up, "Rock of the Westies", also broke onto the sales charts at the #1 position.
Nobody else did this for decades.
What is most amazing about hitting #1 right away is that the buying audience was hardly starved of Elton John music. The band was releasing two and sometimes three albums per year, between 1969 and 1976, but because of the greatness of the songs and their production by Gus Dudgeon, each album was better than the last, and so the public simply could not wait to hear more --- or to see more, in Elton's lively and imaginative concerts.
Interesting context. Thank you!
We're going through "some stuff" in the UK right now ;)
It's time to dethrone the king - Elton can be Queen - we'd see some humanity off the back of it too.
With the utmost respect - long live The Queen at least there's a link to Diana - the last one that improved upon the shackles of "royalty".
Anyhoo, just came off the back of the Deep Cuts channel that plays a lot of 70s Americana - Neil Diamond, John Mellencamp and Spanky + Gang - nice segue into this. I'm heading off to dig out the vinyl.. Elton's got a really nice "everyman" quality to his voice - kinda syncs easily with your internal/head voice - and just works.
Peak era - you talk about '72 - '75 such an explosion of "content" and material - well done Sir - I'll kiss the ring ;)
very whimsical! matches the imagery.
This is THE song and THE album for sure. Much of the lyrics refer to the very early times before they “made it”. Bernie was from Lincolnshire “the woods”, and obsessed with cowboy films.
Love this input! Thank you!
Vibra- slap is the rattle snake instrument. Thank you (cake lol)Thought You almost caught it when you described the slap.
Glockenspiel by now I'm sure you realize was the flat metal bars tapped on with sticks. Great review awesome gem from the past when Elton was at his peak?
Thank you!
Guys ... consider hitting Bitter Fingers and Better off Dead from this album as well. The drumming by Nigel always blows me away. ✌
LOVED IT ALL... thanks Guys! I HOPE you both keep journeying further and deeper into the EJ/BT Musical Genius Rabbit Hole... you've only got over 50+ years (and counting) of "their" songs to go through...starting with Empty Sky all the way through to The Lockdown Sessions albums...I've been a Lifer EJ fan THROUGH IT ALL... since I was about 8 years old and back when the majority were still asking, "What's the name of that guy who sings that "It's a little bit funny" song?" (meaning "Your Song") lol I just turned "Sixty Years On" in September....so ya... HIS songs have quite LITERALLY been The Soundtrack for MY Life....and still does...Happy Holidays to you and yours guys, I appreciate ya both! I'll be checking in for MORE of your EJ song and musical INsights... Sincerely, from beautiful, but a WEE bit chilly, Calgary, Alberta, Canada! Shawn
whistle blows is best
Elton would have been Beethoven had he lived 500 years ago.
Not disagreeing but your comment still made me laugh.
Would Beethoven have been Beethoven if he lived 500 years ago? 😂
I love Elton's early stuff. Didn't care for him going all pop. I consider Captain Fantastic to be his last great album.
I agree that this album marked (for me anyway) the end of Elton's classic/iconic Era. That said he reallyvwas pretty pop from the get go.
I think you're absolutely wrong on the lyrics - reverse those positions.
Bernie's tea and two, Elton's "chocolate biscuits"... lyrically this is 10/10 hilarious - the allusions are very "edgy" as the kids would say. I'd imagine Elton-Bernie talked a lot, Elton coked out his mind, Bernie taking it all in... It says an awful lot in a "pop" coded way - I'd imagine Bernie (as a straight guy) was exposed to the gay scene a lot via Elton - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polari
Thanks for this, cheered me this morning - it's a world I'm not a part of but imagine it with the British humour of the era in there too ;)
Couldn't wait to buy this album when it came out. (And I didn't, lol!) I devoured everything he put out all the way up through Blue Moves. But, with the release of Rock of the Westies, my interest waned since he "sacked" his core band. (Olssen, Murray & Johnstone).
Also I loved the use of the mandolin and melotron on this song. Especially the mandolin, which I am a sucker. (Think Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters).
could not hear anything from the guy wearing the ball cap whenever he would stop the playing. music level was ok, even louder than what other reactors play it by.
Great reaction, and discussion, but OMG you pick the absolute worst times to pause. And then double down by not even rewinding a little before starting again. You missed all the tempo transition experiences. Sorry,, I only criticize because i care.
Appreciate and respect the opinion.
@@intothemusic908 Thanks, I meant no disrespect. You were reacting to one of my favorite songs. I was waiting for that emotional rush that happens when he kicks it into another gear. There is a visceral reaction that is so much a part of the experience.
It’s called a Vibraslap… en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibraslap
Thanks!