Elton John and Bernie Taupin are responsible for a lot of legendary compositions… to me, between 1971 and 1975 they created four of the most perfect, most amazing songs ever recorded. Not saying they’re better than others, just saying that they haven’t and never will be topped: “Levon,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” and this one – my absolute favorite. It was as if Jesus Christ himself appeared to these young men in their dreams.
“Pssst! I have a song for you.”
These are also songs that would easily make my list of “All-Time Best Songs To Play Loudly.” I crank “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” waaay up through my Altec Lansings and get swept away by this fucking incredible arrangement. This piano that reverberates throughout my house… the Elton John Band was so damn perfect; you hear the late Dee Murray’s bass slip into the song like a cat burglar through a window – and then Nigel’s drums… boom, here we go. Nigel Olsson, not exactly a Neil Peart – but a glorious drummer with a signature sound.
Sometimes I think Elton John wore his crazy glasses and outrageous costumes – Donald Duck, even – to take the edge off of his genius, a bit, for the audience. Maybe for himself, too. Full on, with no distractions… it’s almost too much to bear. Like looking into a solar eclipse.
