In the latest issue of Rolling Stone, Cameron Crowe interviews Elton John about the songs that mean the most to him. The Elton John songs that mean the most to Elton John, that is.
Some were obvious, and popular — ‘Your Song,’ ‘Burn Down the Mission,’ ‘Madman Across the Water,’ ‘Rocket Man,’ Crocodile Rock,’ ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues’ — but just as many were deep cuts. Songs I’ve never heard, at any rate.
This week I’ll feature five of those tracks, experiencing them for the first time myself and sharing John’s thoughts on why they stand out for him.
Starting things off is the title track from John’s first proper solo album, Empty Sky. By most accounts (including John’s) this wasn’t a very good record, but it did have a couple of highlights.
John says, “‘Empty Sky’ has something magical about it. It came together so brilliantly, and still sounds so good. It’s hard for a piano player to write a rock & roll song. It sounded like a Stones song. I thought, ‘I can do this.'”
Definitely agree on the Stones comparison. This is indeed a great song.
Those bars that look towards the sun at night look towards the moon
Everyday the swallows play in the clouds of love
Make me wish that I had wings take me high above
And I looked high and saw the empty sky
If I could only, I could only fly
I’d drift with them in endless space
But no man flies from this place
At night I lay upon my bench and stare towards the stars
The cold night air comes creeping in and home seems oh so far
If only I could swing upon those twinkling dots above
I’d look down from the heavens upon the ones I love
Hey the lucky locket hangs around your precious neck
Some luck I ever got with you and I wouldn’t like to bet
That sooner or later you’ll own just one half of this land
By shining your eyes on the wealth of every man
Just send up my love ain’t seen nothing but tears
Now I’ve got myself in this room for years
I don’t see no one, I never see anyone
Meet Me In Montauk 
Great idea for a theme week.
What do you mean by first “proper” solo album?
I have never heard this song either. On first listen, I can’t say I’m immediately drawn to it. Of course, I’m not the biggest Rolling Stones fan, so perhaps that explains it. I think I prefer Elton being Elton, or at least drawing on other influences,
THe first album was so great. Have you got it? It’s the one with Your Song, Take me to the Pilotetc. I loved him from that point forward but not his more commercial hits.