1. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by rock artist Elton John (1973) his 7th studio album
Artist Background Information:
This album is considered by many to be Elton’s best and most popular record, since it has a lot of his
hits.. I’ve even heard some reviewers call it “his Sgt Pepper or his Pet Sounds” , while this album may not
be to that level of popularity yet it has influenced a lot of today’s musicians.
The story behind this albums creation is very unique.. Elton went with his band to Jamaica’s Pink
Flamingo Hotel in Kingston to record it because the Rolling Stones had just finished recording there and
maybe they felt it would bring them some inspiration… Anyway the process didn’t go as planned; the
recording studio didn’t have enough equipment for Elton entire (massive) band to use. So they went to
France to really record it where it was just a relaxing and fun trip to write. A very interesting and funny
story for sure lol
Anyway..
Three of his best songs, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Bennie and the Jets" and "Saturday Night's
Alright for Fighting" were released as singles in the US.
In 2003, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The album was ranked No. 91 on Rolling
Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time and No. 59 in Channel 4's 2009 list of 100
Greatest Albums. To date the album has sold 31 million copies. This album has gone platinum
worldwide…
Track by Track Review:
1. Funeral for a friend/Love lies bleeding - This instrumental is an interesting way to start off the
album, its very dark sounding, like its retro 70's feel... great piano work.. when there are vocal
they are very dark sounding… The meaning behind the track is interesting.. he first part,
"Funeral for a Friend", is an instrumental created by John while thinking of what kind of music
he would like at his funeral.. This song was actually too long as a single to be played on FM,
however it is still a fan favorite.
2. Candle In The Wind – My favorite Elton John song, it was originally written to honor Marilyn
Monroe, who passed away in 1962. It regained life again in 1997 when it was written and
performed as a tribute to Princess Diana.. (This was one of the events where we all remember
where we were when we heard the news). The song itself is great; I love the piano, the powerful
lyrics and passion.
3. Bennie and The Jets – In was surprised to find out this the “Live version” is the only version; I like
the feeling of the crowd…. The meaning has to do with music satire in the 70’s by telling the
story of "Bennie and the Jets", a fictional band of whom the song's narrator is a fan… he wrote it
as an homage to glam rock… I like the high vocals.. And awesome piano work as well as the
weird clicking background noises. GNR’s Axl Rose has stated that listening to this song inspired
him to be songwriter…. He would perform with Elton at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.

2. 4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Like the vocals and over instrumental work.. Very calming
sounding song… It ranked within the top ten of both the UK and US charts at the time of its
release… The song was inspired by the 1939 movie the Wizard Of Oz which features Dorothy
and her friends are instructed to follow the yellow brick road in search of the magical Wizard of
Oz, only to find that they had what they were looking for all along. MEANING: The road leads to
the Emerald City in the Land of Oz, often referred to as a metaphor for "The road that leads to
life's fantasies" or "The road that leads to life's answers."
5. This Song Has No Title – Like this track, very random sounding, almost poppy with its quick
vocals, Meaning: A guy wanting to know and experience "Everything" in life, Or maybe a song
about everything we experience in a normal day.
6. Grey Seal – Like the piano opening, good vocals, very catchy.. The lyrical meaning is still a
mystery.. Love this songs’ jamming feel
7. Jamaica-Jerk Off - Like the tropical feel of this song, great vocals… his song is about the total
disaster that was the original attempt to record this album in Jamaica.
8. I’ve Seen That Movie Too – Like the soft calm, classic sound of the background music.. Good
vocals.. This song is about heartbreak, so it has a depressing feel
9. Sweet Painted Lady – Like the piano, vocals.. This song has a depressing tone to me, kind of
mello… Its meaning is about sailors back from the sea and the "sweet painted ladies" -
prostitutes - waiting for them at harbor brothels.
10. The Ballad Of Danny Bailey – Tells the story of gangsters and thieves.. Really good song.. The
pianos opening “bang bang” really drew me in.. Elton’s vocals become kind of mono-tone but
very theater like.. Love the jamming feel
11. Dirty Little Girl – Like the rock feel to this song, good vocals; very rough sounding, a pretty funny
song lol about a girl who would be considered a player.. for the lack of better words
12. All The Girls Love Alice – Love the rock feel, very happy sounding classic Elton (Awesome
vocals).. Meaning: A look into the gay lifestyle of England through the eyes and lyrics of Bernie
Taupin, Elton's songwriting partner. He made up the tragic story of a young lesbian who died in
the streets
13. Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n' Roll) – Love the opening to this song, pop rock..
another classic Elton song.. About a girl “who can’t dance, but she is good in bed”.. like the fast
paced feel
14. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) – Love this song, great rock feel… awesome vocals,
Meaning: Going to British dance clubs, where fights were common. Nickelback did a cover of
this song with Kid Rock, I like that version because of the different take they used .. but this
version is definitely my favorite.
15. Roy Rogers – Like the rock and calm mix to this song, about the famous singing Cowboy Roy
Rogers.. A great tribute song, good lyrics and vocals
16. Social Disease – Like the experimental country and rock feel to this song, powerful vocals… This
song is about an alcoholic who humps his landlady and "pays the rent in human kindness.
17. Harmony – Like the slow rock feel, Pink Floyd esk with the slower lyrics.. Good vocals, seems
sarcastic during the vocals. Meaning: About a naive sensitive boy, and he's unfortunately in love

3. with a girl who uses him. he knows this, yet there remains this delusion that they could exist
forever in love.
This is one of those album that everyone should listen to.. I loved everything about it, it had
rock, pop, and some r&b sounds. The album is really well produced despite its rocky start; It
seems like Elton and his band were relaxed during this album which make the music better.. I
give it a 10/10… I recommend this album to anyone regardless of your favorite genre..