Friday, January 16, 2015

CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS
THE TOP 100
#61 SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT
ELTON JOHN
(1975)
Writers: Bernie Taupin & Elton John
In 1975, Elton John dropped 1 of his longest singles, "Someone Saved My Life Tonight". At a time when most singles were around 3 minutes in duration, John's epic clocked in at 6 minutes and 45 seconds. The track was featured on his very successful 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy' album, which was issued during the same year.
Underneath the perfect harmonies and the song's resplendent structure, lies a fragility; not only in Bernie Taupin's personal lyrics but the vulnerability in John's vocal. The aureate track refers to John's suicide attempt and periods of depression. 
While scaling the heights of fame in the early 1970s and working an exhausting schedule, John was near breaking point. "Someone Saved..." features a dark mood, harkening back to how John had felt when contemplating taking his own life. He was feeling pressured to marry his girlfriend Lisa Woodrow. The "someone" referred to in the song title is British blues singer Long John Baldry, a long-time friend of the pianist who helped him through this period. As the lyrics about the butterfly flying away suggest, John opted out of the engagement.
Gus Dudgeon produced the track. The stunning cut features members of John's band playing and singing background vocals. Released as a single, "Someone Saved..." reached #4 in the USA and peaked at #22 in Britain. The song remains another live favourite.  
This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.
A new song from the remaining Top 100 is added each weekday, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000 daily. Check back here every 12 hours for an update of the 2000.

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