Friday, March 24, 2017

Caffé Latté presents... THE TOP 100 ELTON JOHN SONGS. This post: #20-11. Concludes: tomorrow.
Celebrating Elton John’s 70th birthday on March 25 and a half century of songwriting with Bernie Taupin (for the Top 50 tracks, assume they were written by this talented duo unless otherwise stated) with a retrospective highlighting:
THE 100 GREATEST SONGS OF
ELTON JOHN
20
SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE
HARDEST WORD
Year: 1976
Album: Blue Moves
The heart-wrenching ballad "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" features Carl Fortina on accordion. The strings were arranged and conducted by James Newton Howard. Its parent album 'Blue Moves' was Elton's first released on his Rocket label. Its basic tracks were recorded in Toronto, Canada.
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word Single.jpeg
19
THE GREATEST DISCOVERY
Year: 1970
Album: Elton John
Bernie Taupin's lyrics deal with the arrival of a newborn infant from the perspective of his older sibling. "The Greatest Discovery", from 'Elton John', was dusted off again for Elton's 'Live Across Australia' tour and album with the M.S.O.
 
18
WE ALL FALL IN LOVE SOMETIMES
Year: 1975
Album: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
The mighty ballad "We All Fall In Love Sometimes" was featured on the 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy' LP. The title refers to the 2 songwriters; Elton being Captain Fantastic and Taupin taking on the Cowboy persona. The 2 characters were revisited in 2006 on the album 'The Captain and the Kid'.
Elton John - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.jpg
17
I'M STILL STANDING
Year: 1983
Album: Too Low For Zero
The upbeat song "I'm Still Standing" deals with resilience. It was a major hit single, going Top 10 in Britain, parts of Europe, Canada, Australia and South Africa.
Elton John StillStanding.jpg
16
HIGH FLYING BIRD
Year: 1973
Album: Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player
The 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player' album was Elton's first to top the British LP Chart. It was his 2nd American #1 album. Among its tracks is the underrated "High Flying Bird".
15
SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE 
TONIGHT
Year: 1975
Album: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
The epic ballad "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" was inspired by Elton's attempted suicide. It runs for almost 7 minutes. The single reached the Top 5 in America and Canada.
Ssmlt.JPG
14
SKYLINE PIGEON
Year: 1969
Album: Empty Sky
The original version of "Skyline Pigeon" appeared on Elton's debut album 'Empty Sky'. It was re-recorded during the sessions for 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player'. The adeptly crafted song was added as a bonus track on later re-issues of the LP. This new treatment - which is the take listed on this Top 100- is known as the 'Piano Version'. The song is considered by Taupin as a turning point in his collaborating with Elton.
Elton John - Empty Sky.jpg
13
TONIGHT
Year: 1976
Album: Blue Moves
"Tonight" is just under 8 minutes long. The protagonist is pleading for a night of civility instead of conflict. The track features the London Symphony Orchestra. Its input was recorded at EMI's Abbey Road studio.
Elton John - Blue Moves.jpg
12
BLUES FOR MY BABY AND ME
Year: 1973
Album: Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player
Davey Johnstone, guitarist in Elton's band, performed sitar on the impeccable "Blues For My Baby And Me". This gem from the Taupin / John catalogue is often overlooked.
 http://www.superseventies.com/oaaa/oaaa_johnelton5.jpg
11
I NEED YOU TO TURN TO
Year: 1970
Album: Elton John
Elton revisited this obscure track from his breakthrough 1970 album on his 'Live Across Australia' tour. In 1987, the album was issued featuring this resurrected love song. That version, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, is the one selected for the Top 100.
http://images.45worlds.com/f/cd/elton-john-elton-john-live-in-australia-3-cd.jpg

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