Elton John’s third album, Tumbleweed Connection, is one I own but I’m not very familiar with it. ‘Burn Down the Mission’ is the best-known track, and the only one I know by title alone.
In the Rolling Stone interview, John singles out the second track, ‘Come Down in Time,’ as a favorite from this album, citing its melancholy nature (a quality that should make it a favorite of mine as well).
About sad songs, John has this to say: “They’re the ones that stay with me for life, and when you write one of those songs, oh, does it feel good! If it were down to me, I’d write that sort of shit all the time!”
He might not have written many song lyrics, but the man has a way with words.
And I came down to meet you in the half light the moon left
While a cluster of night jars sang some songs out of tune
A mantle of bright light shone down from a room
Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I’ll meet you half way
Well I don’t know if I should have heard her as yet
But a true love like hers is a hard love to get
And I’ve walked most all the way and I ain’t heard her call
And I’m getting to thinking if she’s coming at all
Come down in time I still hear her say
So clear in my ear like it was today
Come down in time was the message she gave
Come down in time and I’ll meet you half way
There are women and women, and some hold you tight
While some leave you counting the stars in the night.
Meet Me In Montauk 
I first heard this song when I bought the Two Rooms album, a compilation of Elton John songs performed by other artists to celebrate the work of John and Taupin (who are known to write the music and lyrics apart from each other, thus in “two rooms”). Sting does a beautiful job covering this song. It is arguably the best cover on that album (that’s right Sting haters!). Sting’s ethereal voice amplifies the haunting nature of the song. For those of you who haven’t heard Sting’s version, here it is;
By the way, I would recommend paying more attention to this album as I consider it one of John’s best. Unlike yesterday’s Rolling Stones inspired track, this album contains Elton’s more mellow acoustic material I really love.
I’ll echo Dana’s thoughts on the Sting cover. I bought that CD when it was released and Sting’s cover was the immediate standout track. Actually, if the truth were told, Sting didn’t have to put much effort in it … most of the covers on that CD are lame. Wilson Phillips singing “Daniel”? Really?
Ha! Totally with you, Rob, on the Wilson Phillips cover.😄
If you enjoy your music with a touch of “melancholy” I highly recommend you look up Mickey Newbury … if you’re not already familiar with his work. Songs like “An American Trilogy”, “How Many Times Must The Piper Be Paid For His Song” and “Frisco Mabel Joy” are just a few of his better known tunes … drenched in melancholy and heartbreak. They bring me to tears every time I hear them.