Song of the Day #1,302: ‘Goodbye’ – Elton John

When a random dip into 10,515 songs turns up a track from Madman Across the Water, arguably Elton John’s best album, something is going right.

In addition to the apocalyptically awesome title track, this album features ‘Tiny Dancer’ and ‘Levon’ — that trio alone qualifies it for the pantheon. I’ll admit I’m not as familiar with the other six tracks, including today’s SOTD.

‘Goodbye,’ the album’s final track, is a gorgeous little song. Clocking in at just a minute and 49 seconds, it packs a lot of emotional power into a small package. John’s beautiful minor key piano balladry is supplemented perfectly by the string section orchestrated by Paul Buckmaster, whose work on the whole album is simply transcendent.

And now that it’s all over
The birds can nest again
I’ll only snow when the sun comes out
I’ll shine only when it starts to rain

And if you want a drink
Just squeeze my hand
And wine will flow into the land
And feed my lambs

For I am a mirror
I can reflect the moon
I will write songs for you
I’ll be your silver spoon

I’m sorry I took your time
I am the poem that doesn’t rhyme
Just turn back a page
I’ll waste away, I’ll waste away
I’ll waste away, I’ll waste away
I’ll waste away, I’ll waste away

3 thoughts on “Song of the Day #1,302: ‘Goodbye’ – Elton John

  1. Amy says:

    Can’t say I’ve ever heard this song before today, which is odd, as I’m so familiar with some of the others (isn’t Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters also on this album?) Interesting how even before the iTune revolution, one could still find a way to seek out favorite songs without even being exposed to others on the same album. Mix tapes? Greatest hits albums? Something else I’m not remembering? Anyway, a lovely little song, but if my random/shuffle button returned it, I’d likely skip through until I got to “Tiny Dancer.” 🙂

  2. Dana says:

    Amy, no “Mona Lisa” on this album. That one belongs to Honky Chateau.

    I’m not sure how often I’ve made it through this entire album either, but this is a lovely closer.

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