And while the 80s' Candle in the Wind might not be my cup of tea, Elton also did much great early stuff besides the mega-hits that we all love like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Bennie and the Jets, Someone Saved my Life Tonight, Your Song, Rocket Man, Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting ... i.e. his cover of the Stones' Honky Tonk Women, etc.
In 1975, Philadelphia Freedom was released by Elton John -as "Elton John Band"- as a single. The song was written by Elton John and longtime co-writer Bernie Taupin as a favor to Elton's friend, tennis star Billie Jean King: King was part of the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team. Recorded in the summer of 1974, the only song Elton and Bernie ever consciously wrote as a single. Taupin reportedly said, "I can't write a song about tennis"... and so he didn't. He also maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philly Soul... or even flag-waving patriotism.
Nonetheless, his words have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting, and even though released in 1975, the song's sentiment, intended or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience already gearing up for the country's bicentennial celebration in July of the next year.
The song was also dedicated in part to the sound of Philadelphia, especially the music of the Delfonics, producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and the Spinners and that group's producer, Thom Bell (and thus the Soul Train appearance)...
Previous RR Rock n Roll Oldies features -here-
10 comments:
He is one of the greats, and I must say, I love his voice. It's unfortunate that he uses so many gimmicks, but that's his schstick I guess. He certainly doesn't need it.
Early on in this song he sounds a bit like Leon Russell to me.
I agree... and I adore the voice, what a talent
I look at the gimmicks from a different angle, he seems to delight in the tackiness of showbiz, like Liberace, you know? And it's kind of tongue in cheek... I think he knows he looks silly and just likes to see people laugh- as he does often on stage himself
jmho
Is it just me, or did actually sing this one live? It didn't sound completely like the studio version.
Thinking the same thing, Matt- I think he sang it live over a taped musical track, doesn't sound like that piano is miked tho
Maybe Elton insisted... he's had the pipes for it
Great talent, a lot of great music, but yes a bit strange......
HOLD me close tiny dancer.... count the headlights on the highway...
(pounding on air piano)
He's one of the few in your life you never can tire of hearing- at least in my case. Only a few have such everlasting quality like Elton John
I like it when an artist like Elton concentrates on his art, instead of using it as a vehicle to push stupid lefty policies.
(Bono, I'm looking at you)
Right on Inno
I like what Kieth Richards said cca 1970, when asked why the Stones did songs about chicks all the time and no politics as the Beatles where getting into- his angle was politics was boring... and he was in the entertainment business.
Thanks for the music, RR
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