LOVED IT!| FIRST TIME HEARING Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight REACTION
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- čas přidán 25. 01. 2023
- LOVED IT!| FIRST TIME HEARING Elton John - Someone Saved My Life Tonight REACTION
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This is not only one of Elton John's greatest songs, but also one of the greatest musical compositions of the 20th century!!
Lets not push it.
this is my favourite Elton John song. amazing song. google the backstory, I believe it had something to do with Long John Baldry.....
Absolutely correct.
@@johnnybmean74 Of all human history!
@@quikmart1 You can always rely on a stubborn moron to double down on being dumb.
You know it's a good song when they listen for a long time before stopping the video to comment.
Elton's producer, Gus Dudgeon, is not given enough public credit for his excellent choices for each and every album. And bassist Dee Murray, rest in peace, and drummer Nigel Olsson absolutely carry most of Elton & Bernie's songs, especially Dee. He did so much more than most bass players do, with his melodic bass lines full of tasty surprises.
British production at its finest. This album was the bench mark for so many rockers growing up in the 70. Just as Guns 'n' Roses and the Stone Temple Pilots.
"Saved in time, thank God my music's still alive!"
Indeed! That line always gives me chills.
Here too.
Soooo many times.
Hallo?
"It's four o'clock in the morning, DAMMIT, listen to me good."
The peak of the song.
Elton goes deep on this one. The desperation is real. You believe you every word.
It's about escaping a potential marriage situation that , although he hadn't come out at the time of writing the song, he knew would be impossible for him.
Yeah, Bernie wrote it about Elton's experience. How amazing for Elton to write the music to **that** story.
its very honest n real...just like Elton
Released almost 50 years ago and I’m sure I’m not the only one who has listened and gotten lost in Someone Saved My Life Tonight, thousands of times over and over and still want to hear it again. Friendship and love are our great sugar bears. You both are great hosts. Thank you
Listened to this & every Elton/Bernie song a million times. Got lost in them for many years.
💗💗💗
This was the first 45 single I ever owned. 12 years old and I played it endlessly. It started my love of records. I was a fan of Elton even earlier with "Crocodile Rock." I saw him three times live. Twice in the 80's, and then on this final tour. So yeah, Elton's music has followed me through my life. His music is eternally in my heart and soul.
"Just a pawn outplayed by a dominating queen"
One of the best song lines, imo.
Taupin is one of the best lyricists of the last 50 years.
Taupin loved classic American western novelists, and their ability to draw a strong image with few words. It shows. :)
This song resonates with me so deeply! My younger sister died last September. She had Down's Syndrome and eventually succumbed to complications with Alzheimer's. But as a child, she adored this song and always joined in with the "Sugar Bear" line. I am so glad you have covered it!
I can relate Michael. Two years ago we lost my wife’s sister at age 56. She also had Downs and passed as a result of Alzheimer’s complications. She loved music, had a vast collection of tapes and CDs, would dance every song at weddings and, if there happened to be a live band, would march right up on stage and sing a song with them in that typical Downs off key monotone voice. What a precious gift. My condolences on your loss.
That's so sweet Michael and Richard thank you for sharing with us ❤️
@@Paladin70I was in a local band that played pubs and such but we played for the ARC a couple times and it was so fun, fulfilling and uplifting. God bless you.
@@Paladin70 children with downs syndrome give off a heavenly glow i can feel. best i can explain the effect they have on me.
❤
“It’s 4 o’clock in the morning DAMMIT!”
Love that line.
Bernie's wonderful lyrics and Elton's talent in composing beautiful melodic songs made them a phenomenal team!
Great choice. This one often gets lost among his mammoth hits. But it’s a beautiful performance. You get virtually every part of Elton’s range in this one.
lol..no it doesnt...this is one of his best known songs...a classic
Thank you for not saying it is "under-rated". Everyone will admit is is a true "diamond in the rough"...
@@donkey3187 Just because it is one of yours and my favorites of his huge hit catalog does not mean it is up at the top for everyone. I have lived all over the place in my 54 years and some people prefer his "up-tempo" songs and others prefer his "soulful" songs. I may hear this one time in every 100 songs they play of his on the radio in most of the places I have lived...
@Wolverines77 this song is well known. Elton has bigger hit songs than this for sure, but this song is still well known, not only Elton among fans, but also among classic rock fans.
@@donkey3187 I was not saying it’s an unknown tune - I recognize it as a hit and said as much but, to me, it feels like it gets a lot less airplay so would not be as obvious a choice for folks who’ve not heard a lot of Elton to react to. Agree it’s a classic. But isn’t nearly as “best known” as Tiny Dancer, Crocodile Rock, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, Candle In The Wind, Can You Feel The Love Tonight, Circle of Life, Don’t Go Breakin My Heart, Daniel, Bennie and the Jets, Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting.. I mean there’s 10 arguably better known songs right there.
This song was written about Elton was who was engaged to a lady named Linda
Woodrow. He got drunk with Bernie Taupin and Long John Baldry and they convinced him to call off the wedding in 1970.
In 1975 Elton wrote the music while on a cruise ship and Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics. A lucky escape for sure. Beautiful
instruments, classic Elton's piano, and beautiful vocals made for a great tune.
Great reaction. Buckets of Maple Syrup love from Canada ❤️ ❤️ 🇨🇦🇨🇦
Exactly! And John Baldry's nickname was Sugar Bear.
Everyone knows what John is into so it probably took little 'convincing'.
@@karenduell1027 Yes indeed. 👍✌️🎶🇨🇦
Mostly true. The engagement broke off in 1968, though, not 1970, which is an important distinction because Elton's career took off in 1970. Linda was critical of Elton's efforts to do music as a career, and wanted him to get a "sensible job". There were certainly other problems (not the least of which was Elton's sexual orientation), but I doubt Linda wouldn't have complained so much once Elton started making the big bucks. That said, I'm sure Elton wouldn't have hung on for much longer either, since he met John Reid in '70, and it became clear to him then that he was attracted to men.
The thing about this song is that, beautiful as it is, there’s also so much desperation and anger in it as he describes this dysfunctional relationship he almost committed to before he attempted suicide and Bernie stopped him.
One of my favorite Elton John songs. Thank you for listening to it.
The man that actually saved him was a man he called sugar bear and that man was Long John Baldry.
Coming out as a gay man was much harder then than it is now - especially with an entire public facing successful career to lose
@@d-rock5235 Wow, didn't know that! Thanks for the info.
This is just one of Elton's fabulous songs. Also it's one of my favourite albums. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.
The title track is in my top five fave EJ songs.
Did you play the pinball machine?
@@O_Towne_Bear This. 1000 times this. It’s autobiographical.
One of my favorites too! ❤
Agreed. Every song on this album is fabulous.
One of my favorite Elton songs!! 😊🎹
Two of my favorite lines in a song: “Prima-donna, Lord you really should have been there, sittin like a princess, perched in her electric chair.” & “strangled by your haunted social scene, just a pawn outplayed by a dominating queen.” Ouch! I’d hate to be the person this is written about.
Bernie Taupin is an amazing poet, and this might be his best work.
You ain't just kidding man. Sadly that was my wife. I loved even though.
I heard it's about John Reid, his former manager and lover.
Might be my favorite Elton John song.
I remember this as my friends and I were in the car driving into the sunset. We all sang along, sadly two of the five have now passed on, but it remains a huge memory of my youth.
Know the feeling.
I'm right there with you man. My condolences to you. Two of mine are gone now as well. Long live the memories
Jay & Amber, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom", "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"!!!! Don't let the title scare you off on the second one, starts off slow, then its a banger!
His duet of Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me with George Michael is FIRE!
@Carolyn Cappitelli Also, check out the Oleta Adams (Get Here) version. It's totally awesome as well. It was on an Elton John tribute album called Two Rooms. That entire album great as well. There George Michael does the Elton John song "Tonight."
Philadelphia Freedom was written for his friend, pro tennis star Billie Jean King, who played for Philly's pro tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. It was the only time Elton asked lyricist Bernie Taupin to write a song to honor someone.
"Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", are powerful opening songs to Goodbye Yellow Brick road double album.
Should be saved for around the Fourth of July, IMO
Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding is Elton's masterpiece. An opus or overture if you will. I feel privileged I got to see him perform it live 3 times.
Yes! Me too! Saw him in 1974 1976 and 2014. Opened with Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding each time. My most favorite song EVER! I so hope they do that one some day, they will be so blow away.
Long, long ago, while we were sitting in the audience waiting for Elton to come on, I told my sister that it was a dream of mine for him to start his concert with Funeral for A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. When the stage darkened and the sound of wind blowing with a bell in the distance rang out she gripped my arm so tight that I probably still have marks on it! It may sound silly but it was a moment that I won't forget with my sister who I love so much. Music is powerful!
Yes!! When we saw him with Billy Joel the first time they toured, when he broke out “Funeral With a Friend,” I was like, “the show could end right here and I’m perfectly happy!”
Never forget Sir Elton is only half the genius in these songs. Thank you Bernie !!
So grateful to Elton’s ‘sugar bear’ for helping to save him and help him along his journey to the wonderful icon he is today. Beautiful song
Interesting - I always (and still) have interpreted "Sugar Bear" to be the person from whom Elton was rescued - he's telling that person (Sugar Bear) that someone convinced him to leave SB. "Someone saved my life tonight, Sugar Bear. You almost had your hooks in me..."
@@moleman1976 Sugar Bear is Long John Baldry who, with Bernie, found Elton after a suicide attempt. Elton apparently tends to give out nicknames and/or drag names to friends - according to his autobiography.
Lyrically Sugar Bear is calling back to the line before it ‘someone saved my life tonight’
@@Carlyn88413 bear is slang for a burly gay man, grizzly adams type. But baldry was tall and thin IIRC so perhaps this predates the use of bear as a term and is just an endearment.
John Baldry is the source of the JOHN in his stage name.
@@markkauder1288 yes he got Elton from another member of bluesology - Elton Dean
It’s just such a HUGE sound! Everything grander than everything else; a masterpiece. Nigel Olssen’s drums are unreal.
Yes!!! The drums are outstanding
Nigel is one of my favorite drummers. Check out "Better Off Dead" from this album. Olssen is off the hook with his choices.
I worked in a Bar in Edmonton during the 80's and Sugar Bear would come around on tour an play there. He'd fill the house and what a great entertainer!
my favorite elton song of all. im so glad you got to listen to this one. legend has it, elton was about to get married to a woman that didnt like his music career and wanted him to do different, but also he wasnt in love with her but got carried away to plan the marriage until he saw no escape and wanted to shove his head in the oven and his friend and writing partner bernie taupin save him from ending his life that night and help him got out of that unwanted marriage. i think you would enjoy the movie rocketman, it is a biopic about elton life and i dont think you will be spoil that many songs, because you have listen to most of them by now
Elton was in a dark place in his life when he composed this song.
This is about being saved from marrying the wrong person.
This song is an account between Long John Baldry, Bernie Taupin, and Elton John on a night of drinking where they talked Elton John out of marrying his fiancee at the time, but it also gets very dark, talking about different suicide attempts.
It's a haunting song.
23 years ago I went to see Elton John perform live when he did a Solo concert and I sat in the fourth row right in front of his piano and watched him play his hits for 3 hours with just his voice and piano and no other musicians or backing band whatsoever. He would sometimes stand up to thank the audience for their applause and he would make eye contact and point at the audience members who were most vocal/active with their applause and cheering and a couple of times I was the one he pointed at and he mouthed 'thank you' at each person. Pretty magical night and a great showcase for his musical talent.
Memories to last a lifetime ✌️
Too cool very beautiful
That is a wonderful memory to have,
Amber & Jay, here are some Elton John songs you should check out that you haven't reacted to yet: "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Honky Cat", Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", "Philadelphia Freedom", "Sad Songs (Say So Much)", and "I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That".
Dont forget Madman across the Water
All excellent choices! 😊
" Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters" always gets me.. Great song! Especially the 9/11 Tribute Live concert version..
Can’t go wrong with Elton!!
He knows how to hook you….pulls you in with his deep meaning songs! Love him! One of his songs made a come back this year… I was on board!
This is just a powerful song based on a real life event that turned what could've been a tragedy into a saving grace. Elton was engaged and feeling the pressure of what was expected and considered and even tried a suicide attempt. Luckily Bernie was one of the friends who found him and convinced him that he didn't HAVE to get married and that he could walk away because what everyone else wanted for/expected of him was not more important than what he wanted for himself. Fortunately he had Bernie and his other friends who saw him struggle and refused to let him cave to that pressure and take the worst way out and helped him find his truth/way. So it's a therapeutic song for both Elton and Bernie.
So glad y'all listened to this one. It's not only one of my favorite Elton songs, but one of my all time faves. I knew Amber would love the Butterfly lyrics.
This is my favourite Elton John song. Great lyrics from Bernie Taupin...
me too...I knew she would like that lyric also. I saw Elton in concert 3 times and he was fantastic!
It's my favorite too!
Mine too
Love all his songs but THIS is my favorite. It touches my heart and soul.
Music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. Taking from a real life event when Taupin saved his friend from a suicide attempt in a desperate attempt to get out of a toxic relationship Elton was in at the time.The song talks both about the relationship and the way it held him down and suffocating him.
It wasn't Taupin, it was John Baldry that rescued Elton. His nickname was Sugar Bear. Baldry was the band leader of Bluesology, and gave a young Elton his big break. As the story goes, Baldry stopped Elton from attempting suicide, stayed up all night with him and convinced him to break up with the fiance he didn't love, and stayed with him until his parents could come and take him home.
Not quite, it may have been written by Elton and Bernie Taupin but it is about Long John Baldry who stopped Elton from committing suicide, at the time Elton was engaged to a woman who wasnt the right person for him.
@@denisemeredith2436 thanks for the clarification
It was an attempted suicide with him sticking his head in an oven but the windows were opened so there was no chance he would have died. I wasn't aware it was bernie who found him. Always thought it was long John baldry, a famous English blues singer who also gave Rod Stewart his musical break.
@@denisemeredith2436 Actually, both Bernie and Long John found Elton and stopped him from committing suicide. It was Long John who convinced Elton to break it off with Linda Woodrow.
One of my absolute favorites of his. This entire album is worth a dive.
Yes it is!!!!!
It's a grower and it is superlative
This is by far my most favourite Elton John song. I love to hear it, I love to sing it and I love people who appreciate it! :D
It's really stunning.
Me too 🎉
When this song came out, I was in high school and was extremely frustrated that, even though I was a good tenor in the high school and church choirs, I could not sing it--or, at least, not sing it well. Elton's works have served to train my voice, because I could never stop TRYING to sing them. It is a great joy to me that I can sing this song--and so many of his others--so much better than in years past. On a good day, I can sing "Tower of Babel" completely without falsetto. Sounds like I'm bragging on myself, but it's all because he has put a song in my heart every day of my life and taught me how to sing it, too.
My personal Elton John favorite!
This was Elton's best period, in my opinion!
This was the first album I ever bought with my own money. The drums on this song are Incredible.
You never forget that first album, right?
@@courtnayzeitler8564 Never! Love it to this day.
Elton’s masterpiece. The vocal, the drums, the bass. It’s all perfect.
Bernie Taupin wrote this about Elton when he almost got married for all the wrong reasons " You almost had your hooks in me, didn't you dear, you nearly had me roped and tied, altar bound hipnotized sweet freedom whispered in my ear " , what a great master piece, thanks guys, great reaction
Check out 'Empty Garden' ...it's about John Lennon and is another fantastic song by Elton
Have you heard "Goodbye Englands Rose"? His tribute that he performed at Princess Dianas funeral? It was based off of his song, Candle In The Wind. It will leave you speechless.
Great album. 70's Elton can't be beat. We were there.
This era , for me, is the quintessential Elton John. Captain Fantastic is a phenomenal album. I remember being mesmerized as a child with the artwork on the album cover of my Sister's copy.
The restrained emotion in this song... taking you right to the brink of out of control, then pulling back. Amazing.
My favorite Elton song!
As I understand it, this is a true story from Eltons life. Not sure of the whole thing though.
My favorite Elton John song. And very autobiographic. He was suicidal about his marriage, but a friend saved him.
The Sugar Bear from those old "Super Sugar Crisp / Super Golden Crisp" commercials saved his life tonight! 😁
I cannot think of any song of Sir Elton John’s that has ever been a disappointment. The man is just pure charisma and talent. We are just lucky and blessed to be able to hear his music 🎶❤, that he never gave up on his passion and the rest of the world is better for it.🎹🎧
Your song comes to immediately mind....
There is NO one like Elton - such a huge musical influence of mine. I even like "Victim of Love" - his one disco effort! Who would have ever though that Elton would try disco but that is how huge the genre got at the time! :-)
Dang, what a beautiful song. Might be my favorite of Elton's.
Hands down, my favorite Elton John song!
My absolutely favorite Elton John song. Came out when I met my husband in college. He truly saved my life as as I was drinking and doing way too many drugs at that time. Song means so much to me.
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is his best, in my opinion. In fact, the whole Yellow Brick Road album is a masterpiece.
Agreed. Every tune on that album is a classic.
I think Grey Seal is an unknown gem from this album. Bob and Tom am famous radio show in Indy was the only people I ever heard played this song and they loved it also
Both these albums are golden. I could honestly listen to them over and over. (And I have). ❤️👍
I brought it on vinyl back in the early 70's. First time hearing. It blew me away I couldn't believe what I was listening to. Fav track was Roy Rogers although the whole album is classic..
Please listen to that whole album. You don't have to do it on the air, but if you like this, you'll love the rest of it. Every song is a story of Elton and Bernie's journey.
One of the greatest works of modern music.
This is a masterpiece. I can listen to this song on repeat for hours.
My favorite Elton song. It's just gut-wrenching. Thank you so much for reacting to this. If I had to name my second-favorite, it would be "Philadelphia Freedom" or "NIkita", both of which I hope you get to some day. Also - your next Sir Elton song will be your TWENTIETH. :)
How is it gut wrenching...he was saved from marrying the wrong person? lol
@@donkey3187 Maybe "exhilarating" would be a better word. Elton's passion when he hits the final chorus, declaring his freedom, still gives me goosebumps after forty years of hearing this song.
@@Shrykespeare I agree with all that. I think you just picked the wrong word initially. lol Gut wrenching would indicate something tragic.
One of my all time favorites. It just takes you places.
For me, this is Elton's greatest song and one of the greatest ever.
My favorite Elton song. Can listen to this over and over.
I love the simplicity of the drums on this song...simple yet very impactful
💜💜💜 Love Elton John!
Fun facts:
This song is about when Elton was going to marry a woman named Lisa Woodrow, however a friend of his named, Long John Baldry gave him advice not to do it, which Elton heeded. The "Sugar Bear" lyrics refers to Baldry.
Exactly!
Riding in the back of dad's 1964 Ford Falcon van, 9 hours to Spokane, listening to and memorizing this song and the whole album, and can recall it all almost 50 years later.
Oh I loved this song… it was everything!
This is a true story of when Elton John almost married a girl who basically trapped him into it. Sugar Bear is a real person. A friend who talked him out of it.
Aside from the musical quality, Elton John's transparency makes his songs so real and approachable. It resonates with us below the surface.
I clicked on this fast. This is Elton John’s most intense song and hits hard with every listen.
Not only is this song fantastic, this entire album fantastic, but the artwork on the album is creatively weird and wonderful. Elton is my second favorite artist. I imagine you can figure out #1. 🤭😁
Such a great album. 13 yrs old & on my way.
This song will FOREVER SNATCH MY SOUL .
My friend and I were 12 years old when this was a hit song. We sang along every time it came on the radio. Best days of my young life!
This song along with Don’t let the sun go down on me are two of my favorite songs of his.
Yes, Don't let the Sun go Down on me is my favorite. Someone Saved My Life Tonight is #2 and then Madman Across the Water #3.
More Elton John!
The Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy album is a great album, and sadly not talked about enough. From start to finish the songs are about Elton and Bernie's journey together. Elton is Captain Fantastic and Bernie The Brown Dirt Cowboy. So many songs on that album that I love. From the title track to, Bitter Fingers, Tell Me When The Whistle Blows and on and on. The lyrics in this song are mind bogglingly good.
My wife and I recently attended Sir Elton's final American performance in Los Angeles(although we pray its not) it was the day after the mass shooting in Colorado at a gay nightclub and when he performed this song it just hit different. There was not a dry eye in Dodger Stadium!...His final words to all of us were"Be kind to each other". ❤✌🏽🌈
Can’t go wrong with Sir Elton!! Brilliant!!🤘🔥
Absolute master of key, tempo, shifting time signatures and mood... most phrases in pop tunes are 4 bars before the return to chorus, stay in the same key and time signature for the most part.... his are about 30+bars, have 5 or 6 key changes and similar time signature changes...there are also unique "coda" phrases in another pitch altogether... and it fits perfectly. They literally don't write them like this anymore.
Elton and Bernie were heavily influenced by the songwriting legends of Tin Pan Alley. Tiny Dancer is the best example of the Tin Pan Alley influence on their music.
_you nearly had me roped and tied, alter-bound, hypnotized,_
_sweet freedom Whispered in my ear:_
_'You're a butterfly, And butterflies are free to fly, Fly away, high away, Bye bye'_
One of my Elton favorites
That’s a beautiful song, one of my favorites from Sir Elton John.
Elton John's songs enter your heart residing there forever as a cherished friend who always makes you smile. Thank you Rob Squad for making me smile as well.
"It's one more beer and I don't hear you anymore..."
Great line
Elton John and the bee gees were my moms favorite singers, because of her I know every word of these songs....
******* This Song was Awarded a GRAMMY for Best Male Pop Vocal in 1995. It's a deeply personal ballad about Elton's turmoil over an impending marriage and even references to self-harm.
My all-time favourite Elton John song. Thank you!
By far my favorite Elton song
Oh wow! One of my FAVORITES! Making choices and "getting out" before you make the WRONG choice for all of the wrong reasons. Choose LOVE over money and "position".
I LOVE how this song builds up throughout until the end......classic Elton John ballad
Elton's melodic soft rock is very hard to beat. There is a fullness to his work that simply satisfies. The musicianship is absolutely incredible as well.
Great reaction!
This song relates to Elton John's contemplation of suicide, but a friend was able to save him. You can feel the passion in the song. All of Elton John's songs are great, but this might be his greatest of all. Thank you, Sir Elton John, for living to share your music.
elton singing with just the piano is sublime...
I am not really an Elton John fan, but this is one of my favorite songs of all time. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
It seems like It would be pretty difficult to be a music fan, but not an Elton John fan.
@@neuvocastezero1838 Not for me
I discovered this track on his second greatest hits album in the mid ‘70s. Had the cassette and played it on an old school tape recorder, before the days when I had a proper stereo. They don’t make music like this anymore.
From AmericanSongWriterDotCom:
In the summer of 1970, Elton John nearly married then-secretary Linda Woodrow. John knew things weren’t quite clicking in the relationship, going on two years at this point, and he didn’t know how to call off the upcoming nuptials. During a night of drinking with blues singer Long John Baldry and long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, they convinced John not to go through with it.
The marriage was less than a month away. Quite intoxicated, John came home later that night, around 4:30 am, and called the whole thing off. To make matters worse, Woodrow, John, and Taupin were all sharing a flat in London’s East End while Woodrow had been supporting the household, financially.
In 2010, Woodrow (married name Hannon) recounted the the break-up and its emotional toll. “I was devastated. My whole family was feeling for me, because they were expecting a wedding,” she told The Record. “I suppose I just carried on and put it down to an experience. As he got more and more famous, I thought, ‘Wow.’ It was incredible. I never at that time imagined he would be who he is today.”
The chorus lays John’s emotional cards all out on the table. “And someone saved my life tonight, sugar bear (sugar bear) / You almost had your hooks in me, didn’t you, dear?” ponders John over glistening harmony work. “You nearly had me roped and tied / Altar-bound, hypnotized, sweet freedom whispered in my ear.”
While Woodrow/Hannon does not harbor any resentment or ill-will, it is such lyrics that always struck a little bit icy for her. “In a way, I was disappointed,” she explained. “It was Bernie that actually wrote the words. Bernie has probably said more negative things than Reg has. I mean, unbelievable things that were said. In some of the songs, I was very hurt.”
“Someone Saved My Life Tonight” also makes reference to John’s sheer desperation and suicide attempt. “I never realized the passin’ hours of evening showers / A slip noose hangin’ in my darkest dreams / I’m strangled by your haunted social scene,” he sings on the second verse. John once tried to asphyxiate himself with a gas oven, the kitchen window was wide-open, rendering it fruitless.
Woodrow/Hannon told Mirror in 2019 that she and Taupin “found him lying with his head in the gas oven with the window wide open. At the time he said it was because his music career wasn’t taking off as quickly as he hoped. He was in one of his big depressions.” Later, John opened up about the experience in a piece for The Guardian, writing, “I really had staged a completely ridiculous suicide bid that involved sticking my head in a gas oven. Rather than tell my fiancée I’d made a mistake, that was my brilliant plan to try and get out of the wedding.”
While the song fuses various narrative threads together, it all culminates in one sweeping arc. “For the most part, most of the things I write are an amalgam of several subjects or feelings that I then cut and paste to create one entity,” Taupin once stated. “Not always, but a lot of the time, I guess you could even say that with this song, the crux of its meaning is sort of surrounded with visual props that are intended to help set the scene for the main event.”
The emotional ballad was the only single released from John’s 1975 studio record, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. It eventually rose to No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
That was great, and I haven't seen it. Thanks, Greg. That was great, and I haven't seen it.
It's been wonderful having Elton John and Bernie Taupin in my lifetime! Their music is, is, is ... beyond compare!
You probably have heard this, but Bernie Taupin writes the lyrics, hands them to Elton, and Elton then works his magic. Bernie says he is a poet and cannot write music. Elton says he cannot write lyrics. What a pair!
My favorite album by him. Capt. Fantastic is an awesome song.
Yes it's a very underplayed song. Brown dirt cowboy 🤠
This is one of the most personal songs that Elton John ever wrote with Bernie. In the summer of 70, Elton John nearly married then-secretary Linda Woodrow. John knew things weren’t right in the relationship, after two years and he didn’t know how to call off the upcoming nuptials. During a night of drinking with blues singer Long John Baldry and Bernie Taupin, they convinced John not to go through with it. The wedding was less than a month away. Quite intoxicated, John came home around 4:30 am, and called the whole thing off. Elton John was very suicidal about this entire situation. Obviously fighting with his own sexuality at the time. When you listen to the song back again and hear it from that point of you. You can see calling her sugar bear and that she was a butterfly it was made to fly. It’s quite amazing
Actually, Sugar Bear was his friend John Baldry's nickname.
Yeah, that makes sense. I’ve just always elaborated in my mind after hearing the story.
He was referring to his ex girlfriend he almost married but Berny Taupin talked him out of it and that's what inspired this song
This has always been my favorite Elton song! I saw him last year in concert and it made my day to finally see him play this song live! Keep On Rockin'