CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS
THE TOP 10
#1 YOUR SONG
ELTON JOHN
(1970)
Writers: Bernie Taupin & Elton John
Few breakthrough songs retain their quality and beauty the way Elton John's 1st hit single has. Even fewer still stack up as a career highlight against more than 5 decades of recording output. John's career has produced many subsequent classic tracks, but "Your Song" remains a fan favourite to this day. Perhaps that is why the singer has performed it at almost every live gig since 1970.
Many of music's most successful and celebrated acts produce a song this great years into their career. The Beatles, ABBA, Queen, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles are some examples of acts that evolved their sound before creating what would be universally cited as a "best work".
Bernie Taupin's lyrics are basic and definitely unassuming. The words are plain. Taupin has adopted the "less is more" approach. Its simplicity is what has kept the song relatable to fans since its release in 1970. Its verses are almost informal. The lyrics add a sincerity and humility to the delivery. John's vocal is tender as it softly makes its way through Taupin's verses. Gus Dudgeon produced the track which features a string arrangement from Paul Buckmaster. "Your Song" was included on John's 2nd and eponymous album, which came out during the same year.
John had been releasing singles since 1968, foilowing attempts to have his compositions with Taupin recorded by other acts. This led to John deciding to record them himself. In 1970, "Border Song" made inroads in North America. Later that yrear, "Your Song" was issued in the UK, with "Into The Old Man's Shoes" as the B-side. For its US release, the flip featured "Take Me To The Pilot".
Suddenly, John was scaling the charts around the world. "Your Song" reached #7 in Britain. In America, it peaked at #8. The single made the Top 10 in Canada and parts of Europe. It also reached #11 on the Australian chart. The single led to the Top 10 success of its parent album in the same markets.
"Your Song" has been revisited by John throughout the decades that followed. He has re-recorded versions that have returned the beautiful ballad to the charts. In 1987, John released a live version recorded in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, his breathtaking re-interpretation with Alessandro Safina reached the Top 10 in the UK and Canada and raised money for charity. Over the years, John has also re-recorded the song with Ronan Keating and featured versions on live albums. The demo of "Your Song" was included on the box set 'To Be Continued'.
The song has been covered by other recording artists. These acts include Cilla Black (in 1971), Billy Paul (iwith an R&B makeover in 1972), Rod Stewart (for the 1991 Elton John tribute album 'Two Rooms') and Ellie Goulding (her 2010 remake peaked at #2 in the UK).
Many of music's most successful and celebrated acts produce a song this great years into their career. The Beatles, ABBA, Queen, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Marvin Gaye and Ray Charles are some examples of acts that evolved their sound before creating what would be universally cited as a "best work".
Bernie Taupin's lyrics are basic and definitely unassuming. The words are plain. Taupin has adopted the "less is more" approach. Its simplicity is what has kept the song relatable to fans since its release in 1970. Its verses are almost informal. The lyrics add a sincerity and humility to the delivery. John's vocal is tender as it softly makes its way through Taupin's verses. Gus Dudgeon produced the track which features a string arrangement from Paul Buckmaster. "Your Song" was included on John's 2nd and eponymous album, which came out during the same year.
John had been releasing singles since 1968, foilowing attempts to have his compositions with Taupin recorded by other acts. This led to John deciding to record them himself. In 1970, "Border Song" made inroads in North America. Later that yrear, "Your Song" was issued in the UK, with "Into The Old Man's Shoes" as the B-side. For its US release, the flip featured "Take Me To The Pilot".
Suddenly, John was scaling the charts around the world. "Your Song" reached #7 in Britain. In America, it peaked at #8. The single made the Top 10 in Canada and parts of Europe. It also reached #11 on the Australian chart. The single led to the Top 10 success of its parent album in the same markets.
"Your Song" has been revisited by John throughout the decades that followed. He has re-recorded versions that have returned the beautiful ballad to the charts. In 1987, John released a live version recorded in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. In 2002, his breathtaking re-interpretation with Alessandro Safina reached the Top 10 in the UK and Canada and raised money for charity. Over the years, John has also re-recorded the song with Ronan Keating and featured versions on live albums. The demo of "Your Song" was included on the box set 'To Be Continued'.
The song has been covered by other recording artists. These acts include Cilla Black (in 1971), Billy Paul (iwith an R&B makeover in 1972), Rod Stewart (for the 1991 Elton John tribute album 'Two Rooms') and Ellie Goulding (her 2010 remake peaked at #2 in the UK).
#2 NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS
BARBRA STREISAND
#3 I NEED YOU TO TURN TO
ELTON JOHN
#4 LOVE CHILD
DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
#5 THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL
ABBA
#6 CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU
FRANKIE VALLI
#7 AMOUREUSE
KIKI DEE
#8 WALK ON BY
DIONNE WARWICK
#9 ELTON'S SONG
ELTON JOHN
#10 THE WAY HE MAKES ME FEEL
BARBRA STREISAND
Each week, new songs from #1501-2000 are updated.
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