Little known Elton John songs

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 3:05pm

As part of his 60th birthday celebration, Elton John has made his whole catalog available on iTunes. Since this encompasses hundreds of songs, I thought it might be helpful to point anyone interested towards a few of my favorites, specifically among the lesser known album cuts. Originally I planned to go in strictly chronological order, but then I realized that his ‘70s work is already pretty familiar, so I’m starting with the ‘80s.

This decade was a personal nadir for him, but not necessarily a creative one, and his voice was arguably at its best, much stronger than in the early ‘70s but still containing its full range. Up first is the best album by far from this period, and also the last one.

Sleeping with the Past
“Stones Throw from Hurtin’” - Elton’s unusual vocal sound makes this track stand out, and it’s also nicely funky
“Amazes Me” - a wonderful example of the gospel influence that governs a lot of his best work
“Blue Avenue” - one of his best lesser known songs, with a haunting synth/horn obbligato

And it's no use, each way we lose
You and me at the crossroads of Blue Avenue
Hit and run hearts collide here
True love passes through
Looks like we've got a wreck, babe
Up on Blue Avenue

21 at 33 The title refers to this being his 21st album, put out in 1980 when he turned 33.
“Little Jeannie” - not exactly unknown, but it’s getting listed as the perfect embodiment of Elton’s pop sensibilities
“White Lady White Powder” - a startlingly carefree examination of one of Elton’s demons

And she's a habit I can't handle
For a reason I can't say
I'm in love with a wild white lady
She's as sweet as the stories say
White powder white lady
You're one and the same
Come on down to my house won't you
And hit this boy again

The Fox
“Heart in the Right Place” - a cynical take on tabloid sleaze
“Chloe” - can’t leave this out, as it’s where I got my sn. A lovely ballad.
“Elton’s Song” - the gay lyricist Tom Robinson gave this default title to the words he was writing for Elton, and it stuck. It’s a starkly simple love song full of sadness and yearning.

Staring all alone
At your grace and style
Cut me to the bone
With your razor blade smile
I watched you playing pool
It's all around the school
That I love you

Too Low for Zero
“Too Low for Zero” - the wry melody is perfect for this insomniac’s lament
“One More Arrow” - not entirely successful and sung in falsetto throughout, nonetheless once heard, never forgotten

And he's one more arrow flying through the air
One more arrow landing in a shady spot somewhere
Where the days and nights blend into one
And he can always feel the sun
Through the soft brown earth that holds him
Forever always young

Breaking Hearts
“Breaking Hearts (Ain’t What It Used to Be)” - one of the most irony laden of Elton’s songs, with a theatrical feel
“Burning Buildings” - one of the few of his songs with a more interesting verse than chorus
“Restless” - a rocker with these rather prescient lines:

Well we could be children from the way we're acting
We feed ourselves lies and then we scream for action

Ice on Fire The title comes from a line in the single “Nikita,” another perfect pop confection
“Satellite” - fun and funky
“Shoot Down the Moon” - a sad, lovely ballad that hints at Elton’s classical training. The descending chord progression in the chorus knocks me out every time.

[mejusthavingfun]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 3:06pm

Are his demos on there from Lestat and Aida?

[DG]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 3:06pm

"The Fox" is one of my favorite albums ever (guess I just dated myself - again.)

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 3:16pm

I don't think any demos are included.

DG, I have all his '70s and early '80s stuff on vinyl - how's that for dating oneself?
Updated On: 4/4/07 at 03:16 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:18pm

His latest album was one of his best ever. After several disappointing records he really came back strong.

[Guido Contini]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:20pm

his live album with the melbourne symphony orchestra is my favorite. it contains a couple of my favorite songs: "Tonight" and "The King Must Die"

[tazber]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:32pm

Oh Guido, that is is such an awesome album. I also love the song about the little boy seeing his baby brother for the first time. I forget what it's called, but it gets me every time.

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:38pm

It's called "The Greatest Discovery" and was originally recorded on his first US album, Elton John. Putting out such a good album as The Captain and the Kid while entering into his fifth decade of writing music isn't too shabby.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:41pm

Fifth decade? Didn't he just turn 60?

Btw, major EJ fan right here.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:43pm

thanks. I think I have almost all his albums. He is truly a legend. I saw at the Garden once however and I was underwhelmed by his live show.

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:44pm

Entering his fifth decade. He started writing songs with Bernie Taupin in 1967. It's nice to know there are younger fans too.

[vmlinnie]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:47pm

It's an inherited trait, my dad's old enough to remember them all when they first came out. I just love it, he and Billy Joel are probably my favourite artists. When I was born, Billy Joel was already beginning to revert to classical music.

[vbplayer]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 6:50pm

I've always liked "Carla Etude"

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:00pm

I like it too and considered listing it, but was afraid an instrumental might be a little too esoteric for my purposes. It's on The Fox also, if anyone's interested.

Posted: 4/4/07 at 7:47pm

Elton's Song was made into a video that was incredible-- set at an English Boys' school, a young boy watches a handsome older boy around campus. I believe it may have been the first video "banned" by MTV for objectionable content. Worth hunting down-- I am going to go try to find it on THAT site right now.

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 8:02pm

Thanks for mentioning it, JoeK. I'd never seen this video before. Wow.

Posted: 4/4/07 at 8:22pm

Yeah it's there. Better than I remember even. I can't tell you young whippersnappers how it felt to see that video for the first time. I had a lump in my throat the whole time.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 8:23pm

Mama Can't Buy You Love

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 8:47pm

Now there's quite a rarity. I had to think for a while. This is the single from a "mini-album" of three tracks called "The Thom Bell Sessions." Bell is a legendary R&B producer. None of the material was written by Elton, nor was his usual band involved. Probably the best thing that came out of it was Bell's vocal coaching, resulting in a more relaxed sound after that. It was recorded in 1977, released in 1979, and then released as "The Complete Thom Bell Sessions" in 1989, with three additional tracks included.

Yes, I did look a lot of that up.

Posted: 4/4/07 at 8:53pm

I'm a big Elton fan too-- one thing to remember about his amazing career: He was releasing 2 or 3 albums A YEAR at his peak! He was incredibly prolific and could write 10 songs a day when he was "hot." He once bragged that he wrote "Your Song" in less time than it takes to play it.

There are so many "Forgotten" albums: I always recommend his first US Album "Elton John" to people. The Live albums Here and There (recorded at an intimate royal performance and at Madison Square Garden) and Live in Australia (Previously mentioned-- recorded with a symphony orchestra) which made 'Candle in the Wind' a US chart single for the first time. Let me echo the endorsements for 21 at 33 and The Fox, also. He is so brilliant!

[Guido Contini]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 9:53pm

I'm a 27 year old Elton fan. I've seen him live twice, once with Billy Joel. (AMAZING, btw) I think he is an absolutely fantastic idol for any singer/songwriter/pianist.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 9:54pm

I'm not a HUGE fan of Elton, but I have a lot of respect for him and would've LOVED to see him & Billy Joel tour!

[Chloe]

Posted: 4/4/07 at 9:57pm

The main reason I started this thread is that everybody knows the big hits, but there is so much other worthwhile material, often more interesting to my mind. Elton seems to be one of those people for whom music is his first language. His piano teacher famously recounts how for his first lesson at the Royal Academy of Music she played him a four-page Handel piece, and he promptly played it back to her, note for note.

Blue Moves is probably my favorite "forgotten" album, with "Tonight," "Cage the Songbird" and especially "Someone's Final Song" what I listen to over and over.

[Guido Contini]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 12:12pm

I think my favorite Elton songs of all time will probably always be "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and "Philadelphia Freedom". (yes, i know they're both fairly well known)

[Elphaba]

Posted: 4/5/07 at 6:00pm

I remember in 1971 or 1972 the movie "Friends" had as it's musical soundtrack his songs, his early dons...only good part of the movie