Story Of Elton John's 70s Classic Rock Hit With The Most Misheard Lyrics Ever | Professor of Rock
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2021
- How Elton John and Bernie Taupin wrote the 1970s classic rock standard Tiny Dancer and why it should’ve been a #1 Hit. From the masterpiece album Madman Across the Water, Tiny Dancer became a hit years later when it was used in the iconic scene from Cameron Crowe’s Oscar winning film Almost Famous.
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#70s #Rock #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 70s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
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It’s time for another edition of Number One in our Hearts where we breakdown a classic song that was so great it should’ve been a number one hit but for reasons at the time, it fell short… This is one of those songs that will surprise many, since the artist had numerous #1s and this one seems like it would be a no brainer…
In 1970, Elton John and Bernie Taupin were in the early stage of their emergence as one of the most prolific songwriting teams in music history. After some very promising, but commercially limited singles in early ’70, the collaboration had a major breakthrough with “Your Song” off Elton’s self-titled second studio Album.
“Your Song” was a beautiful ballad that Bernie wrote while sitting at a kitchen table in Elton’s mother’s apartment in the Northwood Hills area of metro London. The song was a smash- busting into the Top 10 in many countries, including the UK, where it rose to #7, and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in America. Despite the success of “Your Song,” the dynamic duo were a few years away from their superstar status, where any song they released was given the benefit of a doubt, and rushed into heavy rotation. - Zábava
Best Misheard Lyrics Ever...Go!
"🎵🎶Scuse me while I kiss this guy 💋🎵🎶"
..OK, Prof., Ya GOT it...."..Two Pop Tarts..."....ha-HAAA!! (sung to, "Two Of Hearts" Stacey Q (#3 Pop, 1986)!! ..The BEST that I can do, with a short timespan, ha HAAA!!
Whenever "Big Yellow Taxi" by Counting Crows is played on the radio, I hear "They paved paradise and put up a fucking lot" 😅
Money for nothing dire Straits ppl think it say Money for nothin and chips are free when it says Money for nothing and your chicks for free ✌️
@@aleccopile lol. I like that better
My favorite memory of this song is my future husband and I dancing on a lonely road in the headlights of my car to this. He was singing in my ear and when it was over, he got on one knee and proposed. After 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter, I lost him 7 years ago to diabetes. But every time I hear this song, we're 18 and young and nobody believed we would last.
Btw, you forgot to mention Phoebe in Friends singing the Tony Danza version!
I come to the Internet for stories like this. I could see you both dancing in my mind eye as I read your words.
@@TheBerkeleyBeauty truth!!!
What a beautiful comment and am thankful to the Lord that you all had such a great life together! Thanks for making me cry!
My new bride introduced me to Elton and Bernie, she had all of Elton's albums. When I heard "Tiny Dancer" it struck a chord, musical poetry. We were married 41 years. Every time I hear the song it reminds me of her, truly art!!
"but then again....no" has always cheapened the lyrics to that song for me. Just a lazy way to look for a rhyme for "show"
@@gansosmansos Ba de ya 😁
@@gansosmansos I disagree. I think the lyric works in the context of the verse.
That's one of the greatest stories I've ever heard I'm crying that's awesome I'm so happy for you I only wish either of my wives would have actually loved me. But unfortunately when it came time to split up in counseling they both told the counselor that they didn't even like me that they just thought I was going to be a good husband.
@@jaredfleischer8966 It was a great story Jared. She passed away 7 years ago, but I know she's with the Lord. I pray you find that someone. Thanks for sharing, Don
Hang on Sloopy by the McCoys. My mom used to belt out "Hang on stupid, stupid hang on." Still cracks me up thinking about it.
I thought Snoopy.
We were watching karaoke at a restaurant one time and a lady was singing hang on snoopy…cracked us up….but hey, we have all miss heard lyrics, part of life!
My cousin thought, “ life in the fast lane,” said pass me the vaseline.😂
@@schrodingerszombie2401 hahah!! Me too!
@@jmad627 it did come out not long after Snoopy v. The Red Baron, so we had an excuse . . .
This song always brings me to tears. My boyfriend dedicated it to me for three days in a row and made sure I was listening to the radio so I wouldn't miss it but didn't say why or even to listen to the radio because he know I always was, (you could do stuff like that back then and the DJs were happy to do it). Parents are good for teasing their kids when "romance blooms" but it was all in fun. My BF and I were huge Elton John fans . We went to his concerts in NYC many times and yes, we were there for the concert in Central Park and were lucky enough to sit in the shade of a tree very close to the stage. The best time I had at one of his concerts was when he played at the Palladium in NY. It's a small theater and I brought my Minolta and actually got to sit on the edge of the stage. Security was heading my way (to ask me to please return to my seat) but Elton told the two gentlemen to let me stay - he wasn't worried about me getting violent with him. He passed out carnations and I still have mine. I was sitting maybe 10 feet away and I just knew I was floating at least two feet above the stage (pure heaven). Unfortunately, my boyfriend passed away in a freak accident; "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is engraved on his headstone. It will be 40 (in October) years I've been missing him and I still think of him daily.
...the episode of WKRP, where the Russian diplomat wants the crews help in defecting to America. When he tells Herb, almost intimately, 'Hold me closer, tiny dancer.' Best music themed tv show, bar none.
I recently binge watched the series. Fantastic sitcom.
@@covatembelmusic yeah...I had to find the episode in question and it was actually Les he said it to.
I swear turkeys could fly
@@squigtonianmayhem4602 I thought it was Bailey. She was the one really trying to help him.
@@Mrderwrtrhe recites the lyrics to her first, to Les, as he and his comrades are leaving.
Tiny Dancer and Levon are masterpieces by Elton and Bernie. I never skip those songs and I always sing along. They're just so good, especially in retrospect when I listen to what my kids hear today on the top 40, and these songs have always been around for me (having been released years before I was born), but I have to imagine what it would've been like to be a teenager or adult and hear these songs for the first time. I mean, I'm blown away to this day every time I hear them!
I would say no other artists have as many masterpieces as Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
@@Bulldbill I wouldn't argue with that. I'm a big Beatles fan so I may add them, and maybe Genesis/Collins, but I can listen to Elton for days and not get bored with it.
"The ants are my friends, they're blowing in the wind."
I love it!
That's all out the best!
🤣🤣🤣
LMAO!
Never mis-heard Tiny Dancer but boy did I mess up on 'Bennie and The Jets':
"She's got electric boobs..." 😂
Also the chorus I heard as "Banging on the chest..."
Was so surprised when I bought the album and read the true lyrics.
"Wrapped up like a douche" is most likely the most misheard rock lyric of all time. While it is actually sung, "Revved up like a deuce". The Manfred Mann singer's pronunciation on the recording is very hard to interpret. Still, their version is one of the rare examples where the "remake" of a song is much (vastly) better than the original. Sorry Bruce. ;-)
I totally agree. As a kid this was the first version I heard. I didn't know of Bruce Springsteen's version until I began playing sax. I picked up Born To Run and learned about his original afterward. Manfred Man's Earth Band also did a great version of the Police's song Demolition Man.
Manfred Mann sang what they heard. That is, "wrapped up like a douce." They were too cheap (poor?) to buy the sheet music.
Or there's a bathroom on the right 😁
Manfred Mann's version sucks!
@@billythekid5258 so wrong. thats one of the best cover songs ever. but as they say, to each their own.
When I was in boot camp in the summer of 1990 in Orlando, it was quite a time. In one week, our AC went out, and that weekend we had numerous suicide attempts. To say the least, the mood in the barracks was one of hopelessness and second thoughts.
That Sunday evening, earlier than usual, one of the Company Commanders (we called him "the CC with the red rope") told us to hit the racks for "lights out!" In the darkness, we quietly whispered among ourselves that this had to be the worst week ever of our lives. Suddenly, over the 1MC, piano music filled the barracks area, and "Tiny Dancer" came in a swept us away. For what seemed like an eternity, we were carried away by a song we had all grown up with but was now totally brand new to us as it brought us comfort. We forgot our depression and feelings of worthlessness and homesickness, and just soaked in the moment.
As the last note faded you could hear a pin drop in the barracks--I think most of us had forgotten how to breathe. As we drifted off, a voice came over the 1MC: "Now go to sleep!" Brought back to consciousness, we all laughed. 31 years later I still get transported to that magical, peaceful moment whenever the song comes on, and it makes me feel good. It still brings me comfort, too.
I've never been much of an Elton John fan. But, since I came of age in the 70's, his music always seemed to be playing somewhere. My favorite LP of his is still "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". I just like the atmosphere around that whole album.
I was in college at that time. I remember thinking how was it possible for a song to be so well crafted. The piano, the orchestra. To me Tiny Dancer is still John's best song. Nice to know who she was!
There is a term for misheard lyrics or poetry lines. It came from a 1954 Harper's Magazine essay, where an author penned the term "Mondegreen."
It was inspired by the last line of a stanza from a 17th century ballad, "The Bonnie Earle O'Moray."
Ye Highlands and ye Lowlands,
Oh, where hae ye been?
They hae slain the Earl o' Moray,
AND LAID HIM ON THE GREEN.
She had misheard the last line and would recite it as: "AND LADY MONDEGREEN."
The more you know [doot doot doot doooooooo]
A couple decades ago I caught my aunt singing along to Steve Miller's 'Jet Airliner' and it didn't sound quite right. I took a minute but she finally admitted she thought it was "Big 'ol Jed in the lighthouse..." lol
Forget Almost Famous. I'll always remember this song tied to an episode of W.K.R.P. In Cincinnati !
Yeah!
Hell yeah!
Johnny Fever!!
I bought the Elton John song greatest hits song book when I was 14 and was fascinated by this amazing artist with the eccentric clothes and big glasses. His music and Bernie's lyrics still move me.
I had that one as well. Used it to teach myself piano and guitar. My fav collection of sheet music ever.
Eclectic Cloths were a 1970s folk band? were they not?
@@portcullis5622 Ha ha, I corrected... eccentric clothes.
Tiny Dancer is the song that any young man that fell in love with a beautiful young lady could envision. In the hearts of guys during this era, (I was one of them) the euphoria of gazing into the eyes of a young vibrant girl as the world stood still in that moment was personified within this song. Of course, it didn't always work out so well, but those moments were priceless. Thank you Adam, for taking us back to those fleeting moments of eternity when things seemed so very perfect in our own personal worlds. Great video and as usual, concise and factual commentary.
Keep the music alive Adam.
perfectly sad, Kodiak.
@@georgebarry8640 Why sad George? Those moments burned themselves into the very fabric of our souls and I for one, will cherish them until my dying day.
What a thrilling adventure it was to be young, alive and in love with my own tiny dancer, as I hope it was for you as well in your own memories.
@@kodiakbearson8815
"..perfectly *said^^
And it was well said-your comment and reply.
Thank you for the memories. I sang ‘Your Song’ to my baby boy Jason, and it still means so much to both of us. He’s now 50 years old. I had the pleasure of sitting up close to Elton at the Oakland Coliseum, I believe in 1975… Amazing. Now when I hear ‘Your Song’ it always takes me back to when I had a beautiful baby boy with blue-green changing eyes. Thank You! 🙏🏽
Dad is that you?
How spectacular a mom memory! 🙏🏽🤗
Many years ago, smoking grass with some friends, we were discussing lines in songs that we thought were one thing only to find, years later, it was a totally other. Back then, it was hard to get your hands on lyrics because there wasn't an internet. The best was my friend Ann who though the line "life in the fast lane" by the Eagles was "passed out the Vaseline." Laughed so hard... of course... the grass helped.
Yeah, we had to depend on the liner notes...if they had them. Not all albums had them.
For years I thought the line was "Might have been the best thing".
@@nevarmaor How would you like to go around singing "Blinded by the light...wrapped up like a douche & then they roll ya through the night"? Me & my brother! Hahahaha! I was almost 14 before I caught on to the real lyrics!
@@angelabarnes7588 Hysterical! And I always sang douche too!
im 51 years old, the song was made before I was born. My life was rock and heavy metal, but every time I hear tiny dancer i get goose bumps and i smile. its just a perfect song...
Minor correction, Someone Saved My Life Tonight was released as a shortened single and most AM stations played hat version. (The bridge was cut) We were in for a treat when they occasionally played the full song, as we'd hoped for. Captain Fantastic was my favorite EJ album due to the honesty in Bernie's Biographic Lyrics of he and Elton.
Madman was another masterpiece, as was Tumbleweed Connection.
Someone Shaved My Wife Tonight!
@@billgrabbe9992
Me: Reading OP, thinks, “Only 1 reply to this comment. For sure, it’s not somebody saying Someone Shaved My Wife Tonight.”
Another song of John & Taupin that has the most misquoted line is “Rocket Man” burning out his fuse up here alone .
?
I just now know what it says. Thanx
Actually I misused the quotation marks as I was just gonna say it was from Rocket Man & then give the line. But Rocket Man was the actual start of the quotation. Now I understand the ? .
For years I ever knew what he was saying in rocket man….and I never wanted to look it up in case it would ruin the song for me. I don’t know why, I just couldn’t do it…but finally I learned “burning up his fuse out here alone”.
@@chucksracingchannel377 That was "Burning OUT his fuse UP here alone". Just saying.
You should do a feature on the whole “Madman Across the Water” album.
Madman is my favorite Elton album. Great Album!
Levon is amazing!
In May 1990, I was treated to a front row Elton John concert ticket by a friend who worked for Elton. Two minutes before the concert, my friend upgraded me to a seat onstage. Seated next to me was BERNIE TAUPIN, in the flesh! After shaking hands, and telling him who I knew in the crew, I watched Elton mouth the words to Bernie's lyrics for nearly two hours. A surreal, unforgettable experience!!!
Omg- share more please! Did Bernie hum? Sing along?? Tap his foot? Did the two share looks or smiles? What was he wearing? Lol. Wait, maybe don’t tell me, I’m having fun creating a whole 2-hour scene. 🤣
Another Bernie Taupin lyric, Bennie and the Jets. Instead of “electric boots,” I knew many people who thought it was “electric boobs.” 😂
I would have been electrocuted a long time ago
@@DonByronDukeoftheArctic 😂
Guilty
It wasn't?? Dang!
12 year old self raises hand...
just from reading the thumbnail, The first one that came to my mind was "Revved up like a deuce ya know the roller in the night" in "Blinded by the light" By Bruce Springsteen performed by Manfred Mann. That one was the reason for many whispers and laughs in high school.
When my friends and I first heard this song as kids we thought he was saying "wrapped up like a douche", seriously.
it's "revved up like a deuce another runner in the night..."
@@billybatson8657 exactly what I thought it sounded like. I would think it couldn't be that, at the same time not being able to think it could be anything else.
So I just found out what it actually is saying by a couple replies in here.
This was my instant thought as well. I dont know anyone who actually knew what the lyrics were supposed to be
No, no, no, it's "wrapped up like a douche with a boner in the night" LOL
Your depth and breadth of knowledge of so many of these songs, artists, music, etc… is quite impressive and much appreciated by a guy like me, who is old enough to be your father. We , like your Dad share much of the same tastes in music. Again kudos for all you do!!!
And I could be your mother!!! You are so impressive and totally appreciated by me and my 53 year old son. 😊
Cam
You hit the nail on the head with the fascinating ability of this song to create nostalgia for things yet to be experienced.
One of my favorite live albums of all time is "17-11-70." Just Elton, Nigel and Dee in a studio rocking' out. So cool.
Also my favorite album! I never did get to pick up "11-17-70+" It has SIX more songs on it. Phenomenal album.
Oh yeah, I used to love that. That cover of Honky Tonk Women when you hear the crowd sort of chuckle at the way they're fooling around at the start but then it turns into an incredible cover
That album was recorded on my 2nd birthday. I wish iTunes would offer it in its library.
I love rock history and rock trivia. I can't get enough. Most of these stories I know but you always pull something out of a hat I didn't know. I love the interviews and the stories that come to life with the artist's version of what really happened. I love the way it takes me back to my childhood and fills my imagination with pictures of my life song by song.
Well said. You could be a lyricist yourself judging from that last line in your comment; sounds like poetry
Love the scene in almost famous, everyone sings along when this song was on, great insight professor
I love it too!
@Devil Shark that scene captured the whole feel of the song and the time
@@ProfessorofRock I found it that even though all of them were completely falling apart and disconnected on a personal level, that the love of music was the one thing that they shared and brought them back together.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin are my favourite musicians. I got so excited to spend my hard earned babysitting money on a new album. The thrill of running a fingernail file down the plastic wrap, pulling that away, and reaching into the cardboard for the lyric booklets, then staring at them while the vinyl spun gave me such a boost. I get nostalgic every time I hear Elton John.
Once Tony was starring in 'Who's the Boss?' in the 80's we were singing it as "Clean my house now Tony Danza, sew a short skirt for Samantha"
In the early 90's I would listen to my Mom and Dad's records when they were away for the afternoon and this always found it's way onto the record player. I had always imagined that he meant to say "Hold me close, I'm tired of dancing" and it got changed or whatever. This makes more sense, thank you Professor for passing on knowledge.
Thanks for sharing the story!
"Tiny Dancer" was MY song, I was 13 when it came out. I lived In Silverlake in LA, next to all the hippie shops. I embroidered and pieced patches on blue-jeans, always had an embroidery hoop at hand. I was short, I danced on the beach, and I played the piano really well. (I like to play "Amoreena" from Tumbleweed Connection more than Tiny Dancer.)
Later, all my then guy friends from school have since told me that even to them, I was the Tiny Dancer, a big compliment and thrill.
I had moved the needle of my music /record affections, directly from the Beatles/George Harrison to the early Elton in 1970. Heard him at the Troubadour befor he became famous; Bought each album up to Blue Moves, many times over.
Each one was like a Schubert song cycle backed by a symphony. At the time I heard perfection on all of them. As I grew older, I dropped out of love with "Yellow Brick Road" but from the EJ album to Blue Moves/Caribou albums (as well as his two songs from the soundtrack Elton and Buckmaster did for a French movie called "Friends"---no longer available sadly) I keep them still on my player rotation.
I’d love to hear more about your experience of being at the Troubadour before he was famous. The atmosphere? His clothes? His demeanor during that time? Did everyone love his music right away? Was your experience similar to how it was depicted in the Rocketman movie?
I'm not a music nerd per se, but professor of rock has that special passion and personality that makes it interesting and wholsome. + the Music.
The best song writer EVER in my opinion, you just can't beat him.
He has entertained millions of people around the world. Without him it would be,
Elton who ? Never heard of him.
Awesome upload Brother.
GREAT job sir. 👍👍
Thanks for watching. It's up there for sure.
I've just said a similar thing. Elton is decent enough at what he does (musically speaking) but it's Bernie's songs that made him. Without Bernie, Elton would nothing.
Oh come on they both need each other not taking anything away from Bernie he wrote many many timeless classics but Elton brought his lyrics and song to life without Elton no Bernie without Bernie no Elton.
@@PedroRodriguez-bw6fb
No no no, please don't get me wrong, With Elton there is nothing also. I'm not taking ANYTHING away from him.
He is the face and voice of Bernie, He IS the on stage talent for sure.
And Bernie IS the back of the house.
One would not work without the other that is for damn sure.
One of my absolute favorite songs (after Hey Jude, of course). I was surprised to hear that it was never a #1, I have always thought it was one of Elton/Bernie’s best. Perfect marriage of music and lyrics, as you mentioned so aptly. And I think it really conjures up the feeling of the 1970s in Southern California. It’s one of those songs that ages well and just always sounds right. When I saw the bus scene in Almost Famous, it completely endeared me to the movie. What a brilliant choice, the character of Penny seemed more than a little inspired by Tiny Dancer. Thanks so much for doing this video. You really paid tribute to this classic, beloved song.
I love the channel. I high functioning autsic son is 21 year old that is a music fan. He studies music history and trivia. I have started sending him these shows. He and I, discuss rock and roll the way you do, thank you.
Thank you for sharing that! My son has autism. We share music as well.
That's awesome. I'm a huge believer in music therapy. My fiancée's young nephew is autistic. He and I instantly bonded because of music. I would bring music by the house and we would listen together. It became cool to see him greet me at the door and smile in delight because he knew new music had come. He has become a successful working young man with a sense of pride and purpose. I'm very proud of him. The power of God's gift of music.
Every time I hear this song, I think of that iconic scene on the tour bus in Almost Famous. Great use of this song in a movie!
I consider Tiny Dancer one of the best rock classics of all time, the Madman across the water album is definitely in my top 5 albums of all time list. I can't believe that the song didn't do better on the rock charts. John/ Taupin were definitely one of the best song writing teams of all time!
Thank you, prof. I have ALWAYS loved this song. My favorite pop culture use of this song was in an episode of “WKRP in Cincinnati”. Russian diplomats were in town and one of them was enchanted with Bailey Quarters. Every time I hear this song, I see her character. Amazing what sticks with you from your childhood.
EVERYONE was enchanted with Bailey Quarters! What a dish!
It's funny you should say that. When I started to watch this video, that's the first thing I thought of also.
Watching Friends that night when Phoebe sang that "hold me closer Tony Danza" I almost fell off the couch laughing & to this day EVERYTIME that song comes on I sing it the same way & it always makes me smile!! My kid's do the same & it's become a "tradition" as we singing it together
One of my absolute all-time favorite Elton John Bernie taupin songs thank you so much for all the background on that
Growing up in the SoCal surf scene, many of us thought Bowie was singing "Surferchick city". When told the real lyrics, I asked what's a suffragette?
Wham, bam, thank you, Ma'am
My first hearing of Elton John was in late '69 or early '70 with the song "Friends" written for a British movie with the same name. I have fond memories of the song and it showed the talent Elton and Bernie had as song writers, wished that more people had heard it though! Great Song!!!
One of the best songs ever written. It moves me almost to tears everytime I listen.
The Almost Famous moment on the tour bus is a perfect way to get across the emotion of the song.
I attended college in Glassboro, New Jersey, and listened to an FM radio station out of Philadelphia.Most of the time I would not hear the announcer tell who the artist was before introducing the song.
In 1974, my roommate and our friend across the hall were talking about attending a concert at the Spectrum. Some guy called Elton John. I asked “who is that?” Vickie and Suzanne looked at me really weirdly and said something like “you gotta be kidding me right? You sing his songs anytime they come on the radio.” Then they listed off some of his current songs. I said, “OOOH, that’s him?” The three of us met Vickie’s brother at the Spectrum. We had tickets for the cheap seats but meandered our way down to the floor. I remember my jeans getting wet from the ice under the tarp melting through.
What a magical experience! Kiki Dee was the opening act.
My friend LuAnn and I went to see him in 1976 at the same place. Billy Jean King appeared and sang a duet with him doing “Philadelphia Freedom”.
Professor,your backstory on "Tiny Dancer" was fantastic!-I'ts unbelieveable that this song stalled at # 41-However,there's an adult contemporary station here in Connecticut,WEBE 108,that plays it on a regular basis.
It was Captain Fantastic!
It had my top 40! I had 100s of albums by this time, and Captain Fantastic, Madman Across The Water, and Rock of the Westies were in my HEAVY rotation.
Over time the top ten become more and more meaningless. A lot of top ten songs have been forgotten, while lower charting songs have become classics, played on classic rock stations constantly today.
Starland vocal band had a number one hit. Hendrix never did. How many people remember the starland vocal band? How many who remember wish they could forget them?
@@imacmill I think this was his best album!!
I Hope You Don't Mind me expressing my gratitude for finally making this song make sense to me! Now I can feel slightly less like a poser when I belt it out on my, like, 30th rewatch of Almost Famous! 👩🏽🎤 🚎
Happy weekend, Professor 🙏
Thank you! Happy Weekend to you!
Manferd mann " blinded by the light " 😝
The Christmas of 1971 I got a Panasonic cassette player, which I had requested for the holiday. I had made a list of 10 cassette tapes of which my mother said she would choose three. I ended up getting Madman Across the Water, Who's Next and Chicago at Carnegie Hall. I played them to death. Unbelievable time for music. I asked my Mom for three more tapes for my birthday, and working off the same list I got Tumbleweed Connection, Rare Earth Live and Every Picture Tells a Story. My God, it was glorious listening to this music. I eventually had them on vinyl when I was on my own and bought a good stereo and I still listen to Tumbleweed and Madman more then any of Elton's other albums, although they all were great. Incredible artist and incredible songwriting dual. Thanks Professor for these memories.
September 1984, my second date with a girl who would become my wife 4 years later, we saw Elton John in concert at the Marriott Center in Provo. The first song Elton and band performed, Tiny Dancer. I've never forgotten that. I've been fortunate enough to see Elton John four times, always phenomenal! Still married to this girl going on 35 years. We gave our oldest son the middle name of Levon. Our 4th son, named Daniel.
Against the Wind, Bob Seger in the last chorus he sings “Well those drifter days are past me now, I’ve got so much more to think about, deadlines & commitments, what to leave in what to leave out” and I’ve listened to it 100,000 times and I swear he says “deadlines and coolie boots” and it’s driven me crazy for 40 years.
Against the Wind is the most underrated Rock ballad in history, and there’s a time stamp emotionally for me with that song. I’d broken up with my fiancé, who I’ve never gotten over, and the tears just start to stream. From the 1st few keystrokes on that piano board, I can feel the rush of wind against my face until the last note. (But later I found out it was inspired by his time on the track team.
Who would’ve thunk Against the Wind was about a track team?
This is one of my favorite CZcams channels. I totally relate to this guy and feel like we were there together except I knew we weren’t because he’s too young. I don’t even think he was alive when I first saw Led Zeppelin open for Spirit and Vanilla Fudge December 26, 1968. Tiny dancer was my dream and one of my favorite songs.
Your deep dives into the music are the meat of your channel but your personal stories make it special. Great episode.
I first heard this song in the fall of 1975 in a classroom at Laguna Niguel Jr. High in CA. I was 13. Back then our teachers would let us listen to the radio. From the first few notes I fell in love with this song. It helped that it was talking about a LA lady and even though I was 13, I was enthralled by all the beautiful Girls around, Laguna Beach and Dana Point, where I lived. But what has vaulted this song into my top 10 sings of all time is throughout the years I have heard this song more than any other song. Be it in radio, record, cassette, CD, satellite, streaming or Sirius and XM, this song I have heard the most often. It is a timeless piece of music that defies any genre or age. It is just as a great listen today as it was in 1975. It has been woven not just into the fabric of my life but into my very soul.
"She's got a tick in her eye, and she don't care! Beep-beep beep-beep, yeah!"
I thought it was a chicken to ride!
Ha ha. Good one.
@@alliswede42 "Pour some shook up ramen!"
Ouch
Love their music, Elton John is one of the greatest and Tiny Dancer has always been my favorite of his songs.
Great episode again. Love the depth of your research and knowledge. Growing up in L.A. as a little kid was great. I do sometimes wish I saw it as an older teen or a young adult for the first time. That would have been such an awakening! The closest I got was my cousins coming out to visit and being in awe and wonder at driving down Sunset Ave. and their reaction to seeing the people walking and fancy cars and ending at the Pacific Ocean. The lyrics to 'Tiny Dancer' will now have a different feeling as I listen to them.
My wife was 5 foot 98lbs when we met. I introduced her to 70s Elton John with that song and told her about how Berne had wrote it for his wife, but I didn't know the whole story till now. I've allways believed that most of the absolute best love songs came out of the 70s. We may have had some crazy big collars and wide belts but we had so much really great music. I was only 12 at the end of the 70s but no other era of rock affected me as profoundly.
I just love "Tiny Dancer", the epitome of fantastic songwriting and singing. It is such an evocative song. Funny that the Brits (according to Elton himself) most times seem underwhelmed by this song when he plays it! I always thought that shows that while some songs will chart well in both countries, that there are some songs that will speak more to one of us more than the other! Either way, one of my absolute favorite Elton song. I also love "Someone saved my life tonight" for its incredible autobiographical story! Professor - DO ONE FOR THAT ONE!! It is fantastic! And I bet you can find out more about it then I did!!
....don't you DARE change that thumbnail, with Tony Danza, Prof.! ...caught my interest IMMEDIATELY...But then, ALL your posts do! ....Thanks for the 'rose colored glasses', and, the Top 5 countdown back when! ....gotta split, THANKS, n' keep Rockin'! ; )
Thank you! Appreciate your comment.
Great job Adam. Elton John has contributed massively moving songs. Daniel reminded me of my young cousin Danny who was killed while doing his paper route. His mother was on duty as a nurse in the ER when the ambulance brought him in. RIP my dear cousin.
In the mid 70s into the 80s, FM stations in north Georgia and western South Carolina were giving Tiny Dancer, Levon, and a bunch more Elton John tunes quite a lot of airplay. And we were definitely smack in the Bible Belt.
I love these videos! I just wish you would end them by playing the whole song.
I have a nine year old grandson. His all time favorite song is Levon. Asks me for it every time he gets in my car!
Professor of Rock could explain how to boil water and make it the most meaningful and exciting thing ever.
Wow. That song has a lot of personal meaning to me. I was crying watching your video. I'm still crying as I type this.
Professor, I am so glad you did an episode on one of Elton John's most classic songs. Elton John and Bernie Taupin are definitely one of the greatest songwriting teams of the rock era. Elton was the most successful solo artist of the 1970s. He was one of many artists that really defined that decade. Although it didn't make it to #1 on the pop charts, "Tiny Dancer" is regarded as one of his very best. Whenever I see people ranking their top 10 to top 20 favorite Elton John songs, "Tiny Dancer" usually makes the list. Elton John announced that he will be retiring so, very soon, he is going to be doing one last concert tour. Since it is such a favorite, I'm sure he will include "Tiny Dancer" on his playlist.
Elton is fantastic. The stories of his songs are very cool as well. He'll be missed. His live shows are amazing!
“I need a rubber that won’t dry and chafe me !”
- John Mellencamp
Lol
Never heard it like that personally but I will from now on. Lmao
I'll spend the next month trying to get that out of my head...
Levon is my all-time favorite EJ/BT song, ever.
Dire Straits: “Do the walk, do the walk on by, yeah do the walk on by.”
Thought those were the words for years!
I grew up in East Hampton, NY. A lot of artists, poets and musicians were around in the 70s. Nigel Olson walked into the grocery store where I worked. I wanted to say "hello" but I was gobsmacked! One of my favorite Elton John's songs is "Come Down In Time". I also LOVE the whole Tumbleweed Connection album.
I don’t know, Professor. The lyrics for “Louie Louie “ by the Kingsmen are completely baffling to me, like Sanskrit or something. “Tiny Dancer” is a great tune, though. It always reminds me of that episode of “WKRP In Cincinnati “, where Bailey Quarters helps the Russian guy defect to Cleveland. He told Bailey, in a thick Russian accent, “Hold me closer, Tiny Dancer”.
I had forgotten about that. I need to track down that episode.
Hold me closer "Tony Danza"
Perhaps it’s a copyright thing, but I never see clips of “WKRP” when mentioning cultural references. That show had MANY rock’n’roll references, including that touching scene with the “Tiny Dancer” quote. My fave was always the episode with ‘Scum of the Earth’ (although that’s not technically a straight cultural reference).
The closing theme to the show
was totally different, with lyrics
that sound like gibberish,
because, in fact, THEY WERE!!--
czcams.com/video/FhAfXTzR2rQ/video.html
played by Michael Pataki, who played 1 of the Malachi brothers on Happy Days
The line “Voices Carry” by Til’ Tuesday always sounded like “This Is Scary” to me.
I have a friend who used to do the singer/acoustic guitar thing in bars/clubs back in the day. He always sang, “It’s so scary”.
"Life's so scary" 🤣
I thought it was “you’re so scary”. Kinda fits with rest of the lyrics too.
Thank you once again for a fantastic ep. I remember Elton and Bernie's "Your Song" when it first came out - truly wonderful and still one of the 50 songs in my all time top 10!
I agree, wife took me to see Moulin Rouge ages ago and when Ewan McGregor sang this to Nicole it was so beautiful.
Awesome, Professor. You do great work. Thanks so much for your efforts.
Every time I think of Tiny Dancer I remember that Friends episode where Phoebe sang "Hold me close young Tony Danza" lol
My thoughts on team Elton & Bernie were summed up in Eddie and the Cruisers.... Words and Music, man, Words and Music. Elton himself has said many times that he would've been lost without Bernie's genius writing.
It reminds me of the good times with my father when I was little. I can see the headlights on the highway.
This is one of my favorite Elton John songs. I just had the good fortune of seeing him in a concert 3 days ago on his final tour. The music that came from this group of people was astonishing. It was such a treat to see him perform for the 1st and only time. The way he left the stage on an escalating platform that disappeared through a hole in the wall was prophetic because we all knew we're not going to see him again. Thanks for telling the story behind this song. I also love Daniel and Empty Garden. Would love to know the back stories.
I've misheard my fair share of lyrics over the years, but I've never heard Tony Danza instead of Tiny Dancer. That one's always been hilarious to me as well.
I loved that scene in Almost Famous with the sing along to Tiny Dancer. Well I've always liked the song, that scene enhanced my enjoyment of it. A well-placed scene in a movie has a way of doing that.
It was on an episode of Friends. I'm sure you can find the clip.
Elton John had so many great songs, it's difficult to pick an absolute favorite. Even though his songs are amazing, I've often wondered what Elton thought of some of Bernie's lyrics. Have you checked out the lyrics to "Bennie And The Jets"? What about some of the lyrics to "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," like when he mentions a horny back toad? LOL! I'm just imagining myself writing those lyrics. Elton would've said, "OKAY, Bill. Get serious! These are some weird lyrics." LOL! Elton can turn anything into a classic!
Bennie and the Jets. It's a classic if there ever was one.
@@ProfessorofRock No doubt!
Thanks for the putting this song into historical perspective -- I had always assumed it had been a hit from its beginning. The context with the band's lives is also interesting. Great mini documentary -- really enjoyable!
Dont forget the stations playing 13+ minute Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding.
"Watch me while I kiss THIS GUY!"
"One BURPIN', One scotch and one Beer"-(my young daughter)
Don't go out tonight, it's bound to take your life and there's a bathroom on the right.
@@ladnitnnyldivad I still sing it like that 😆
Ha!! After 50 years, I still hear: “…THIS GUY”
I never met a single person who ever thought those lyrics sounded anything like Tony Danza.
The only reason this has even become a thing was because Phoebe made the joke on "Friends."
I have no proof of this, but I think the most misheard lyric is “There’s a bathroom on the right’ for “bad moon on the rise.” John Fogerty sometimes even sings it that way in concerts as a joke. The funniest one I’ve heard is “gorilla disguise” for Springsteen’s “brilliant disguise.”
Bathroom is a solid #2 (sorry) the most misheard lyric is Jimi: "'Scuse me while I kiss this guy"
I love your thumbnail for this one…haha! My favorite Elton song is Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Thanks for the light you shed today on Dancer…I always learn something with your videos!
I always loved the Stones song "I'll never be your pizza burnin".
I worked in a pizza place and sang this:
I can smell the pizza burnin',
the cheese is hot, the crust is smokin'
Whenever I listened to "Groovin'" by The Young Rascals, I always thought the line was "Life would be ecstasy, you and me and Leslie", and I'm thinking 'who the hell is Leslie?'. Many years later I would find out it's "Life would be ecstasy, you and me endlessly". There were no lyric websites back in the 60's, 70's or 80's. Live and learn.
My favorite memory of Tiny Dancer was at a Yardhouse restaurant in the suburbs of Chicago. A large group of college frat boys were sitting around this long table (several tables pushed together), drinking beer and being a bit loud and rowdy as you might expect. Tiny Dancer was playing over the PA system. The second the chorus hit, 30 college frat boy jocks sang out the chorus of the song in their best falsetto voices. It was a funny moment that I likely will never forget.
Great episode. Tiny Dancer has been a favorite of mine since the first second I heard it. I still have it on my Itunes and listen to it frequently.
Excuse me while I kiss this guy.
That's up there as the most misheard.
bernies description of California girls back then vs what is out there today is quite the dichotomy
I still remember where I was when I first heard the Madman Across The Water album. All of the “A” side is still some of my favorite music to this day!
California in the 70s was a different world than it is today. I was born in southern California in the late 60s and it was a great state to grow up in during the 70s and 80s, but that magic is long gone.
I've never heard anything BUT "tiny dancer."
Elton and Bernie are a magical combination only to be outdone by Chocolate and Peanut butter. The Chubby Chick Declares it so.😂
Yet, Elton John's in the RRHOF
& Bernie Taupin isn't!!
I was a starving 19 year old musician in Chicago along with 4 other guys in the band In 1971 in a run down house that the promoter had for bands that were hired. We were so hungry and the promoter wouldn’t front us any money. We started looking through the cupboards in the kitchen and I found a full new box of Super Sugar Crisp cereal with Sugar Bear on it and as soon as I said that, Elton John on the radio sings,
🎶Someone saved my life tonight , Sugar Bear🎶🎶 I found out later it really says She’ll be there. I’m 71 years old now But every time I hear that song I remember those days as a starving musician. Ah youth, it is but a fleeting moment.