Reviews (page 6 of 14)
Really good songs but not quite top tier Elton.
AWESOME ALBUM! I actually really enjoyed it.
Elon's best album overall. It may be a bit bloated, especially the later songs being somewhat subpar or forgettable songs ("Jamaica Jerk Off", anyone?). But the highlights and some of the best of his career: The proggy opener "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", the title track, and "Candle in the Wind", to name a few. Key tracks: Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding Candle in the Wind Bennie and the Jets Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
The first track on this album is unbelievably good. It’s one of those songs that gets added to a playlist and I listened to it over and over again during the day. Benny and the Jets obviously an absolute heater too. And anyone who says cocaine was not good for music needs to watch Elton John play Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting for half 1 million people in 1980 at Central Park. This album is great, but I can’t help but feel it would be even better if there had been some fat trimmed. It’s the reason I prefer Madman Across The Water to this record. I can go my entire life without hearing Jamaican Jerk-Off or Roy Roger again. Great record, might’ve been a 5 if it was 45 minutes long.
I loooved this album. 70s musis just was made different, with more soul, I love Elthon's voice and the whole concept of the albums, the instruments, I could listen to it all day
Nicerr
Lots of interesting ideas in the album.
If Weird Al thinks it's a good album, you know it's a good one. I enjoyed every minute, Elton John has such good sound even on some of his off-kilter songs. It's at least an 8/10 for me. Great album.
Very good album, probably a 4.5 but its not quite a 5. Well worth
First song started super strong. Goodbye yellow brick road was my favorite. The rest was nice too, but they started blending into each other quickly. Then there was reggae? Nice nonetheless.
Pretty good
love!
Peak
Great album, never been a big fan/haven't listened to many Elton John but even though it has "too many" songs for what normally people expect for an album, I would say it resonates a lot with my likings and most of them are a 5 out of five for me. Although there are like 2 or 3 songs that if they were not released, I would not have missed on anything big (it is the only reason for me giving 4 instead of 5 stars), the album in general is good enough to listen to it again.
This album contains really high points and also lows that reminds me of my main view of Sir Elton. Regardless of lows this was real surprise!
Son fan de algunas de sus canciones, el álbum es bueno, solo que no es mi total gusto
This could've been well higher it's too damn long!
Too many hits to not rate highly
Decent album - hits strong, but enjoyed more generally
Great ballads
Приятная музыка под пианинку, что тут еще скажешь
Элтон на мой вкус один из тех исполнителей, которых приятнее всего слушать сборником лучших хитов, потому что на альбомах у них достаточно много проходного материала. На GYBR такая проблема тоже присутствует, без песен типа Jamaica Jerk-Off можно спокойно было обойтись. Однако за Bennie And The Jets и Saturday Night's Alright готов простить наличие любых сомнительных треков на альбоме.
Great album throughout, didn't know much about Elton John or his music and i was really surprised I didn't feel like skip any of the songs.
Some absolute bangers, a few fillers along the way, but great lyrics and metaphors, some lovely piano too. It's not dated too bad either, the remix holds well.
Cooooool
I will keep banging on and on about how a good opener can make or break your entire album and opening with Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is such a powerful statement and I think it lands it. Rest of the album is a good mix of classics and I really liked the deep cuts too.
There's a few songs I don't care about but jezz. You got me good.
Épico e o ápice do maximalismo no Rock da década de 70. O álbum se inicia com uma canção progressiva de 11 minutos! Elton John não brinca em serviço. Mas é aquilo, maximalismo é uma faca de dois gumes. Você acaba sendo transportado e influenciado pelos sons magnânimos aqui expostos, além das melodias infectantes e pelo incrível alcance vocal de John. Mas simultaneamente, é difícil aguentar tanta coisa assim por mais de 1 hora seguida, é uma escuta laboriosa, desafiadora. Têm muito o que amar aqui, e eu amo muita coisa deste disco. Achei um acompanhante bem lindo pelo tempo que durou. Mas dava pra ser melhor. Não acho controverso dizer que o álbum poderia ser mais curto, há aqui faixas inconsequentes e algumas até mesmo irritantes (Jamaica Jerk-Off). Um foco maior para as baladas incríveis ajudaria o disco a se tornar realmente perfeito. Sua inflação é um grande defeito, é claro, mas não é o suficiente para eclipsar tudo de bom que este disco traz. Muitas canções memoráveis, icônicas, lindas e influentes. Liricismo brilhante, cheio de ironia e autoconhecimento, acompanhado de uma das vozes mais lindas da história do Rock. É um disco ótimo, que deve ser ouvido por todos independente do seu extremo e pomposo som. 4/5
Only got through about half of it; an ablum you can tell how much was poured into it. So many strong emotions behind it from the meaning and performance and I imagine strongly influenced the next decade of music
I have been sleeping on this. Really liked taking the time to appreciate the classics on this one but also experience this as a whole. Middle section wasn’t that interesting to me, too many similar tracks rhythmically, but from Saturday Night to the end it was really enjoyable.
I guess when you give coke to a theatre kid you get something close to a masterpiece. This album held my attention through its long runtime. I loved how many different directions he took it in and yet nothing really sounded out of place, except maybe for Jamaican Jerk Off.
There’s some all time goat tracks on here but also some more forgettable ones. The highs are extremely high tho
Good record. Probably a top 3 Elton John record.
Favorite: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Least favorite: Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock'N Roll)
Me pareció un álbum inesperado, sobre todo el intro de la primera canción que me encantó y sobre todo los ritmos que tiene cada canción
I debated about whether to give this a 3 or 4 - I absolutely loved the hits, those are the songs of my childhood. But some of the others felt a little unfocused. I decided on 4 ultimately because I could listen to this album again, and I really love the ones I do love.
real banger!
I really like it, it has lots of varieties and I love the rock and roll of it. Very groovy very fun. It did run long and it overstayed its welcome
I dig a white boy on a piano but the album ran a bit too long… great highlights though!
I feel like I say it over and over, but double albums are generally a Thing That Should Not Be, and almost all of the best ones* are one-and-a-half album's worth of good material. That's true here. The hits, obviously, are all great. Many of the deep tracks are too, though there are a few big misses (ESPECIALLY "Jamaica Jerk-Off"). And a big thumbs up for "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." Great, great song. Epic, rocking, moving. I'll probably put this back on again, but it'll have some skips next time. (* Exceptions include All Things Must Pass, London Calling, and Exile on Main Street. I will not be taking questions at this time.)
Great album
This is a great album, objectively. I'm not drawn to his music or style, but have tremendous respect for him.
Solid British pop that is consistently enjoyable
Friend of Dorothy reference almost went over my head. Great for locking in and was shocked at how good it was Expected: to be the type of old 80s song a british mom would put in the car Reality: maybe abit but like a really cool mom
Classic
I like Elton John, but I’ve never thought he had a five star album. This has a pretty big number of hits & classics. Too bad it’s almost 80 minutes.
i like it but it doesen´t match that much my music test ;)
Good album, a wide variety of instruments
The high notes are great but I can’t quite get to 5 stars because there are some very skippable songs here. Wishing for half stars. Side one was pure fried gold. Side two started dragging.
Haven't finished it but so far fucking fantastic and whimsical!
Operatic dopamine making me feel like human bedazzled cowboy boots
very good, reminds me of listening to music with daddy. a perfect album to start with I think
Souds like a claccis, something i could come back to years later, and it would still sound amazing!
Some really good songs on here. Breaks my general rule against double albums, and absolutely could have been cut down to a classic normal length album. First track is solid, dig those canastas, pretty good prog-ish rock and has the coolest guitar riff on the album. I've never cared for "Candle in the Wind" or "Benny and the Jets" (is the album version fake live, or is that just the streaming version I ended up with. I think it's like that on the album, and that's probably why I don't like it.) Safe to say he should have stayed away from Reggae. "Saturday Nights for Fighting" is a solid dad rock song, kinda fun. Awful lot of cocaine seems to have gone into the making of this. Not exactly my flavor, but he can jam on a piano. He has a thing were he moves away from the microphone and holds a note for a long time. To me it doesn't do his voice favors. He's of course a good singer, but I prefer when it sounds close and intimate. Not mad at it. Solid 4 star album that isn't a personal favorite, but is a classic with a huge cultural footprint.
Yessir
4.5 Holy shit, is this my first Elton? That’s crazy! There’s more Elton than this. Right? There SHOULD be. This album is amazing. A joy, so fun to listen to. The hour and fifteen minutes genuinely flies by while it’s rocking. Hits galore, and even the deep cuts slap. Would be five stars except “Jamaica Jerk-Off” is one of the worst songs ever recorded lol
Brilliant, so many hits. Not my taste in places but I'm surprised an Elton John got this high, honestly.
pederko za klavirom niskoključno vatra??? ugodno sam iznenađen... evo primjer albuma koji traje više od sat vremena potpuno opravdano! (za razliku od prošlog s popisa...). ne znam hoću li opet slušati, ali dosta mi se dopalo, pa evo četvorke
I've learned my lesson to not listen to double albums in one sitting.
YESSIR GOATED PULL AFTER TWO WEEKS OF BAD. LETS GO ELTON MY MAN. Bust it down sexual style for Bennie and the Jetts. Actually a few skips listening through but that's alright.
great album, i wish gay people were real
Great songs, classics even. It felt a wee bit disjointed though, nothing major, just enough to stop it from being a 5.
8.5 / 10
Some great songwriting. Poignant. Insightful. Interesting. Pretty solid musicianship too. Impressed. Has anyone ever heard of this guy?
So many great hits, but also SO long
4/5 Pop e roque de qualidade. Os singles são sobrelevados pelo contexto das demais músicas do álbum.
This was pretty nice
Wooah this is one of those albums which turns you from an Elton John appreciator to a fan. The opening track is so ambitious and kinda works. Candle in the Wind what can you really say. The original here feels more genuine than the Princess Di version which is definitionally contrived. Bennie and the Jets is a song I only knew by name, but it slaps. I hear the influence in Frank Ocean's Super Rich Kids, Beck's Debra, and probably countless other tracks. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is very similar, I'm only loosely familiar, shame on me. Jamaica Jerk-Off doesn't feel like a good idea. The Steely Dan part of my brain really enjoys this album. Fave Tracks: Bennie and the Jets, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-1934), 4.4/5
Vad ska man säga? Må vara en av de starkaste A-sidorna någonsin? Och sen kommer en av världens bästa låtar i form av titelspåret. Elton och Bernie var verkligen i kalasform under de första fyra. Sen finns det ett gäng dolda pärlor här också, typ All The Girls Love Alice, Your Sister Can't Twist, samt den Billy Joel-iga "I've Seen That Movie Too". Men, album i sin helhet hade tjänat på att stryka några låtar, det känns lite oförtjänt långt
Your favorite piano glam album. Some big hits here and the deeper cuts play well too.
Bloated but still gets a 4
Going into this, I didn't like Elton, hearing the most streamed songs from this album (Bennie and the Jets, Goodbye...) I was still pretty indifferent to him, until the second half came: Dirty little girl and All the Girls love Alice are much faster and I would have never guessed this is Elton John, I am glad I sticked through.
This joint lowkey smooth
Beginning and end were good, the middle dragged some. Benny and the Jets is an all time banger.
Not bad, actually. I liked it.
Not my favorite EJ album, but this is a fantastic album, and I’m sure it is not the only EJ on the 1001. That opening ARP on “Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” still gives me chills. The “Funeral” portion reminds me that EJ is one of the founders of progressive hard rock. The original “Candle in the Wind”, found here, is the superior version. Admittedly, part of that is probably my disdain for worshiping the royals, but it’s mostly because it’s just better musically to my ears. The “England’s Rose” version is a staid piano ballad-y take. Not my thing. Also, “Bennie & the Jets” = eternal jam. We do have to slog through the triteness of “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting”, but that leads us to some utter brilliance: “Social Disease” and “Harmony” just make a banger ending.
The best E John album I’ve ever listened to and also the only one. To be fair I enjoyed the majority of it. The reggae one and Candle in the Wind being notable exceptions. Title track is great and Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting are the better of the hits - not huge fan of Benny and the Jets. But other non hits also great such as Grey Seal and I’ve Seen That Movie Too. Another double album and yet another 4.
Very good, better than expected. Quite the start and still some pretty good ones later on
I’ve never sat and listened to an album by Elton John before, or really intentionally listened to any of his songs. I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but this was surprisingly good. Four or five stellar songs and a bunch of solid ones in between. The genre switching from prog, to rock, to ballad is seamless. The only downside was it dragged in a few moments - could have been 5 tracks shorter and better for it. Close to a 5…
👍
Packed with hits, and even some of the deep cuts are excellent!
good album.
FUCK I DID NOT REMEMBER THIS ALBUM BEING THIS GOOD. i know i'm a sucker for progressive pop but damn every song on this album just rocks in the best possible way. the intro to the album is just so good too ugh this really was elton john at his best. the guitar work on this album meshes so well with Elton's piano playing too I just can't get enough of this. the harmonies.... I'm swooning for '70s elton omg i need this on vinyl like right now
Love this record, reminds me of my youth. Classic Elton.
Lots of piano and some very well organized pieces
Always knew Elton John was a legend, but his songwriting chops really show in this classic album.
Big tunes on this one, never actually listened to an Elton John album but I do know the big hits, fun to listen to!
yeppp
Ok album. I enjoy Elton John ok. Not nearly as much as I used to.
I really wish the 70s weren't so chock full of double albums. That said, this album has a lot of depth beyond the singles, the reggae song not withstanding. The title track is my favorite Elton John song, so the album has a head start from my perspective. I can quibble about the cosplay of Saturday Night or the saccharine sweetness of Candle in the Wind, but there are a lot of good songs here. If Bennie and the Jets is good enough for Tribe Called Quest, it's good enough for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L400S6Flz2I&list=RDL400S6Flz2I&start_radio=1
I love the title track and Funeral/Love, and Saturday Night's better than all right. Candle is great too, and most of the rest is pretty decent. The exception being Benny and the Jets, which I hate so much it singlehandedly drops it to 4. Not a fan of the Jamaica song either.
4/5 - I tend to land on a 4 for albums that are clearly a big deal, but I'm not personally going to listen to a ton, so here it is. I like Elton John, but I definitely don't love Elton John. Great listen. Magnum opus. Belongs on the list.
Classic Elton John álbum :)
Love the energy and feel like this album pushed many boundaries when it came out. Not all songs were winners and it was fairly long
This was great. I’d obviously heard the big singles and bangers from this album, so it was a nice surprise to find out there are songs on this album like or just as good as those famous ones. Elton’s voice really works for me as a singer, and this mixed with the sharp songwriting always kept me engaged. Yeah loved this.
An enjoyable cross-section of Elton John's work (Jamaica Jerk-Off notwithstanding).
Never an Elton person. Mad Men across the water was the first full Elton album I've listened to, thanks to this 1001 album project. I found Yellow Brick Road much better than that and everyone seems to agree. The first side is just killer but I don't think the rest is filler; quite a few enjoyable songs.
Classic
There are some fantastic songs but this album feels very bloated.
Top 3 Elton’s albums
Familiar with, possibly own on vinyl, good to listen to album start to finish though
saturday night's alright was the aew collision theme so i'm biased here you heard of this Elton John guy? he seems pretty good
Has surprising depth
many deep cuts
Benni!
no le preste muucha atencion pero me gusto y acompaño
Funeral for a friend: why is this one track, is there a story here or is this is just spotify being weird? Nice somber instrumental, interesting electronic take on the theme of funeral and a decent rocky song afterwards, but not really oustanding. 6.5/10 Candle in the wind: It‘s nice and all, certaibly popular and one of two tracks I already knew, But it doesn’t do much for me. He is a great storyteller for sure, but I don’t really connect with this song. I don’t maybe you needed to have been there. I don’t really care about Marilyn Monroe and this song really does. 7/10 Bennie and the Jets: Another period piece I feel like. It‘s kind of a fun narrative and song, which maybe proves the song right that I like that. I don‘t know, I mean she’s got electric boobs, what can you say against that. It got something wholesome to it, even if it‘s satire. And maybe accurate to our time, just a little subdued. I wish they had gone crazier with this song. But his high notes (the pitchy ones), they‘re an acquired taste. 8/10 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: Really nice, melancholic song. It‘s just a beauty and his stoytelling really comes through here. A timeless banger for a reason. Also I understood that refrence. 9/10 This song has no name: This is just a ballad. Like just a story. He does his pitchy chorus thing again and i don‘t know how to feel about it. Grey Seal: A rocky almot ragtime song, it‘s fun, it‘s good heart. Not bad, but not amazing either. 7/10 Jamaica Jerk-Off: What are we doing here. Why is there raggae here. I mean it‘s fun, but its weird. This album is all over the place. But I mean Eltons having fun and so am I. 6/10 I‘ve seen that movie too Another story telling song, another ballad. I think I am to young for this song. There is some deeper medsage here, something I could resonate with, had I shared the experience of being fooled by a woman, poorly apparently. Or the fakeness of dating. I think that is what this is about. 6/10 Idk about this one This album is long man.
Give it a 4 but I think it’s my bias to Elton I like Elton’s music
It’s a larger than life kind of album. The back half could use some editing but the front half is so dynamic. So many classic, timeless moments.
Gorgeous. Elton at his best
This could be a 3 depending on the song... there were some fun ones, but a lot of them kind of drag and started sounding very repetetive.
More like 3.9 The first song is so long and the first half of it is just instrumental. After getting through that though they’re bops. Kinda reminds me of Billy Joel. Also I’ve finally listened to Candle in the Wind, which is a good song
Real good, probs would be a 5 with another listen or two
Most of the songs are really great if you actually listen listen to them, but having them on in the background, a lot of the non bangers just sort of blur into the background. A lot of them feel like they have been playing for ages but when checking they are only like 4 minutes long. RYM reviews complain about Jamaica Jerk Off and Your Sister Can not Twist but did not think they were that bad. (3.5/5)
Yes pretty good. 4 stars.
haven’t really listened to Elton John before, this is perhaps the first album I tried to listen from the beginning to the end. maybe should give it a second try later, for now fave songs are: bennie and the jets, goodbye yellow brick road, i’ve seen that movie too, saturday night’s alright for fighting, grey seal. p.s. i just know bennie and the jets music video is the one i’m going to rewatch many many times 3,5/5
Classic album. Although sometimes I hear parts of one song that sound too similar to other Elton John songs.
First half is a five star record and it's not even a discussion, but where the hell did we go on this back half?? Jamaican Jerk-Off, Social Disease, how did these tracks make the cut? He makes phenomenal music for arenas and he's a clear showman, but this album lost its way and continued trekking down the Yellow Brick road far too long. Then as a final "fuck you" he ends with Harmony which is beautiful and reminds you just why this record is fantastic.
Surprisingly epic, definitely a statement piece of the '70s. Would probably improve with repeated listens
Grandiosity works when the songs are well written and well arranged. So many classics on here, and some of the b-sides are good too. I grew up idolizing Elton; he was the reason I started playing piano. I think his greatest hits are fantastic, but across albums he doesn’t always stick the landing, probably because most of the songs are treated the same; some story Taupin wrote over some interesting chords Elton wrote. They feel a little disconnected at times. But this album still spanks.
good vibes
11 minute song to start it off yeah ts is fire
Not something I’d return to, but can’t deny this is a good one
popular for a reason, there are some real hits. amazing album intro! but there is one flop who shall not be named on the album highlights: Bennie And The Jets, Social Disease
Rating: 8/10 No less than a great piano-driven pop rock/glam classic packed with hits. The first six track run is really excellent until Jamaica Jerk-Off, worst song on the album by far, comes along. I actually just looked and it turns out that is LITERALLY the only song Bernie Taupin isn't credited for writing lyrics, but given to "Toots Taupin" which seems to be a pseudonym for the pair of them, which is pretty amusing. It's like they wouldn't put their name on that one yet still included it to have one shit song on the album. There is rarely a miss on disc two, even though the best highlights have passed by on the first disc. Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting is definitely my favorite on the back half, but there's some other strong songs like Sweet Painted Lady, All the Girls Love Alice, Harmony. This is consistently wonderful and fun record, split between 8 and 9 for this one at the moment but what I know is that I really enjoyed it.
Classic dude, classic sound, not a lot for me to dive into. Pretty much what it says on the tin (it says "Elton John"). Favorite song Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 7.2/10
Great
Pick 'n mix bagatelle from the Watford Pixie
Bennie and the jets
intro goes crazy candle in the wind is pog rip da goat lots of electric guitars grey seal is really good
classic after classic
It’s a really good album, featuring some of Elton’s greatest songs like “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind.” The record offers a mix of genres, from prog rock to reggae, country, and rock ’n’ roll. The downside is its length - it’s just a bit too long and varied at times to fully hold the listener’s attention.
It was good!
i liked it, not much else to say
"What a guy."
Some absolutely incredible songs, could have done without a few of the filler tracks.
jamaica jerk-off
Listening Notes Another artist where I haven't listened to an entire record of theirs Great production and some all time tracks but feels a bit overstuffed Standout Tracks "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", "Candle in the Wind", "Bennie and the Jets", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "I've Seen That Movie Too", "All the Girls Love Alice", "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" First time? Yes Will it go into your rotation? No but its a classic
Most of these tunes were hits - great overall.
An absolute classic album. I wish my introduction to Elton was this studio album and not one of the 200 compilations.
I liked this album more, but still didn’t find something that would be totally for me. Album is good, you know it’s Elton John, but I just like different style 7/10
Some classics on here
Great album but sometimes double albums feel a little too much. Drop a couple of weaker tracks and I’d give it 5-stars (looking at you Jamaica Jerk-Off)
Enjoyable album. Lots of great songs. Gets a little long at the end. 4
First four song are great, but then nothing really stood out from the rest of the album. Still good though
Coldplay left me well, cold
75 mins is too long, but it's still great
A pretty fantastic album, but Jamaica Jerk-off was so bad that it made me question the other songs as well. Lowering a score because of one song feels petty, but god*damn* is it bad.
What can I say? The man can write a catchy tune. Elton John is the type of artist that I never seek out but always enjoy when it comes on. This was one of those times and even though I dreaded the run time, it was delightful.
8/10
Great energy, fun instrumentals, and toneful vocals that are a pleasure to sing along to. Didn’t love every song but would definitely revisit.
Quite the hefty album, but it's surprisingly easy to listen to, especially if you enjoy Elton John. I am quite partial to a bit of his musical style, so this was (mostly) right up my alley.
I could listen to Elton John all day. That being said, I did twitch when I saw this was a near-two hour double album. The absolute cheek of the man, opening with an eleven minute rock-opera track that Meatloaf would be proud of. Great all through, but truly excellent when he picks up the pace. Your Sister Can't Twist into Saturday Night's Alright is riotous. What it must have been like to see this guy live during this period. Jeez.
Parts of this slightly underwhelmed but the parts that didn’t absolutely made up for it
The first song took me by surprise! The first 4-5 tracks are really good, after that the focus kinda drops. 4/5
This album was great. You don’t see a lot of piano driven rock like this. Between him and Billy Joel, I can’t think of someone else that does it like them. Sure there are a bunch of bands with piano players… Axl Rose whips out his piano every now and then and he plays they really well, and has written some great songs with a piano. But Elton John is one of a kind in my opinion. I love how he basically just collaborates with artists now. Or covers their songs. From lending his voice to a Steven Wilson song, to covering Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Clib. Anyways, I want more Elton John. Also, I find it curious how he became less bald as he got older.
Bangin good shit
Great listen with some of Elton John’s best songs. Wasn’t a fan of the seemingly random reggae style track, but it was a fun change. Candle in the Wind is an absolute classic and is definitely my favourite song off of the album.
Really solid, but that Jamaica song is a little too much for me. 3.5 stars here.
4/5
Amazing vocals and musicallity Great variety Simply wonderful Very good
Really good. EJ put out a solid album here.
I like most things Elton John!
Great album front to back. This album has most of John's biggest hits, but the other tracks on here are equally as good.
Always great songs from Elton John. This album was great, it had a lot of hits. My favourite song was, “Bennie and the Jets”. But, you can listen to the whole album through and recognize most of the songs
Mr Piano himself. Great album full of energy and variety. The Jamaican song was particularly good. EJ has a certain charm with the piano that is iconic. Paired with a voice of an angel, he is a legend amongst men.
Some Ogs in there, rest of album p good too
Top Songs: Bennie and the Jets Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Sweet Painted Lady Roy Rogers
Some massive bangers on here. Love this album. My only ding is 1 hour and 16 minutes is just too long. Too much music. A little curation always goes a long way.
It's got some of Elton John's top-tier greatest hits and also some surprises. Prog Elton (Funeral for a Friend/Loves Lie Bleeding, Grey Seal) works so much better than I would have imagined, reggae Elton (Jamaica Jerk-Off) not so much.
Delightful!
A classic, and rightfully so. Starts with Elton doing prog (Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding) and doing it fantastically well, then segues nicely into a great 3 song bracket, with Candle In The Wind, Bennie and the Jets, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road being among Elton's (and anyone's, for that matter) finest tunes. Things get a bit more uneven after that - what the hell were they thinking with Jamaica Jerk-Off??!?!?!? Was there a contest to see how many times you can say 'Jamaica' in the one song?? The 2nd half of the album is saved by 'Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting' which is a rocking good time, and Dirty Little Girl, although some of the lyrics are a bit questionable. Social Disease is also pretty good. I really would like to give this a 5 given the strength of the first 4 songs, but unfortunately the middle just drags it down a little too much for mine. 4 stars (probably 4.5 if I was able to give 1/2 marks)
That first track is great. Some very good songs on this, cut about 5 and it's a potential 5 star record.
This album is truly a 4.5 for me. It’s an amazing double album. One of Elton’s finest. So many styles.
Amazing lyrics, great instrumentation and catchy, dreamy melodies. Amazing album, a little long, but thats ok
One of those albums that announces itself straight out of the gate — Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is genuinely one of the best opening songs ever: big, melodramatic and gloriously pompous in the best possible way. Elton John and Bernie Taupin are firing on all cylinders here, blending glitter, grand piano, and proper songwriting ambition. It’s a long album and not every track is a knockout, but its peaks are so strong that it barely matters. From camp excess to genuine tenderness, it’s indulgent, messy, and hugely enjoyable — not all killer, but absolutely a great listen.
Rv/g
Almost perfect but I'm taking one star off because of "Jamaica Jerk-Off". Like why did he do that.
banger
Being a double LP, this one kind of splits itself in half for me. Album one is easily five stars on its own, while album two is more like a solid three. That said, the highs here are really high. The first four songs alone are ridiculous. Most artists would kill to have a run like that across their entire career, let alone right out of the gate on one album. This is Exhibit A for why Bernie and Elton are one of the best songwriting duos of the 20th century. The ballads are beautiful, and when they decide to rock, they really rock. It does lose a little steam as it goes on, but the sheer quality of the best moments carries the whole thing. Favorite song: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
No. 351/1001 Funeral For A Friend 3/5 Love Lies Bleeding In My Hand 5/5 Candle In The Wind 5/5 Bennie And The Jets 4/5 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road 4/5 This Song Has No Title 4/5 Grey Seal 4/5 Jamaica Jerk-Off 4/5 I've Seen That Movie Too 4/5 Sweet Painted Lady 4/5 The Ballad of Danny Bailey 4/5 Dirty Little Girl 4/5 All The Girls Love Alice 4/5 Your Sister Can't Twist 4/5 Saturday Night's Alright 4/5 Roy Rogers 4/5 Social Disease 4/5 Harmony 5/5 Average: 4,11 Pretty great listen. A bit too long for my taste, could have cut some songs and it wouldn't have lacked in diversity.
Hitmaker
First half of the album 5+ second half falls off a bit…very good through and through
Chalked full of hits!!
Was expecting wall to wall bangers. Got mostly bangers. If I could give it 4.5 I would. Giving it 4 as I wasn't absolutely blown away like I have been with some of the other 5s I've given out.
A good album, I liked Candle In The Wind, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Saturday Night's Alright the most.
Hello, baby, hello open your heart let your feelings flow
A friend of my fathers had this album in 1973, I was still at school, some excellent songs on here, “Bennie and the Jets” reminds me so much of that year, I bought candle in the wind on 7”, BATJ on the B side.
Great album. Candle in the wind hit me yesterday with it being my dads birthday.
15/17 songs added, really fire album I would listen to this whole album in one sitting depending on the mood I'm in but no its great giving it 5 is overkill
good! had some peaks and troughs but I thought it was solid all round would listen again :)
Me gustó que duran más de un minuto. Que me transmitió calma con lyrics que poco se ve. Elton otra vez me extasiaste.
Some absolute bangers here, super fun album. I don't know exactly what it is about Elton John's music that I don't completely resonate with, but there's some intangible factor that I just haven't got over yet. I think it's good and even great at points, but doesn't reach that upper tier for me.
Iconic album!
Here's the thing - on some level, it makes sense why this record was included. This is the classic Elton John record that a lot of people point to as the best of his '70s run. Odds are good that if you have heard of Elton John before, it was from hearing one of the singles off this record. The title track, "Candle in the Wind", "Bennie and the Jets", and "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)" are all still in considerable rotation. Then you check out this record and realize there are more bangers than just the singles. The 11-minute sprawling medley of "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding", the bouncy, funkin' ode to the sea mammal on "Grey Seal", the smoky cabaret-esque rejection of courtship on "I've Seen That Movie Too", the showtune character portraits of "Sweet Painted Lady" and "The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-34)", the fuzzed-out rocker of "All the Girls Loved Alice", there's a good degree of high-quality piano-driven glam rock on this record. When Elton and Bernie Taupin worked in their pocket, they wrote some wonderful tunes. But here's the problem - for as much as Bernie and Elton were an amazing songwriting duo, even during their most successful run, there were a few bad ideas that slipped through the cracks. At best, the problematic tracks could be viewed as misguided, and at worst, they could be viewed as teetering on cultural appropriation. I've noticed this with "Indian Sunset" on Madman Across the Water, and "Slave" on Honky Château, and it's unfortunately the same case here. "Jamaica Jerk-Off" is a faux-reggae pastiche with Elton singing in a put-on Caribbean accent over a drum machine, and it's as bad as it sounds. Even if it was likely done as a tribute to the country where they recorded this album for a week, it was such a grave misstep in paying homage. I would also argue this is a similar case with the country-aesthetic slow-burn of "Roy Rogers", with Elton sporting a fake Western accent and paying tribute to TV westerns. Even if I do like a warm pedal steel, it's not enough to save the song. The following track, "Social Disease," gets away with the Western aesthetic marginally better, as Elton revels in the drunken debauchery over the banjo twang and glossy guitar licks. Honestly, if Elton and Bernie had taken some time to trim down a few more tracks, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road would have been a slam-dunk in my eyes. I'll still call it a good record, if slightly flawed, where most of the tracks have withstood the test of time.
Classic that I love
I didn't think that Elton John rocked, but I was clearly wrong. Elton John FUCKING ROCKS.
Opens with several great classic songs that totally justify this album's status and that was making me thing I'd rate this thing a 5, but as it dragged on, there were several instances where I had to resist skipping tracks. (More specifically, the first 4 tracks are all fantastic, but much of the back half of the album is just annoying, e.g. the Jamaican one, the Twist, etc.)
enjoyed thoroughly! good vibes and fun songs
es un muy buen álbum con un sonido muy de los 70s mi canción favorita fue your sister cant twist, un rock m n roll muy movido y entretenido
A classic!
1/9 Classic album. Heard the big hits from this before but never listened to a full album from Elton John. Good stuff
Liked the happy vibes
7.5/10 Amazing intro. I love the energy of this album. It is a bit long though Highlights: Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Saturday Night's Alright All the Girls Love Alice Candle in the Wind I've Seen That Movie Too
Okay my review for goodbye yellow brick road…I often consider music an art form. And this is a perfect representation of that. It almost feels like a theatre performance in a sense. It is full of passion and creativity. Excellent song selections and progression of the album with the song placement. I also have been finding it interesting how many variations there are of rock and roll. Cause technically Elton John is rock and roll and at some points I can hear that typical rock and roll sound come out but it just goes to show how vast the genre is.
Elton, you gotta tighten this thing up. Some real all-timers on this album, but have you considered cutting some of the chaff…. Like, say, Jamaica Jerk-Off, just as an example?
I found the production a little hit or miss, as in some songs just over-produced. But the rest is just perfect
The highs here are incredible. Some of the best music ever recorded...and I didn't know all these songs came off one album. But there's some filler here, too. Jamaica Jerk-Off is terrible. Ultimately, the whole album is just too damn long, too.
Lovely album, expected the vibe as heard half the tracks before. Funeral for a friend is epic and immense. Great stuff
Most enjoyable albums ------- I listend half of them due to the time limit but all of them are nostalgic -------
Really good! I liked this much more than I expected and will definitely listen again 👏👏
Good songs near the end slow start
I always think I don’t like Elton John, but then hear his 70’s output and realise just how much of his music I actually know and like. This album also really reminds me of the Scissor Sisters (especially Social Disease) which gives it big plus points. Pleasantly surprised at how good this was.
I'm a big Elton John fan and this is his best album. The sound is really varied and I love that. Was reminded on listening how far superior this version of Candle In The Wind is to the 90s one, which has very bland and basic production (fair in the circumstances).
This was really good - more of a ballad track. OFC I like the title track.
Great album with some absolute classics in it. It does overstay its welcome with some songs getting pretty weird later on, but it's still good overall.
Funeral for a friend/Love Lies Bleeding - Ts 11 minutes im crine. Feels very ELO at first. Big p (iano). Any song over 9 minutes can't be higher than a 9 no offense. Third section feels almost Pink Floyd. Surprised no Jeff Lynne anywhere. Would be interested to see an orchestral/wind ensemble version. Almost feels like a mini album by itself. Meaty bass lines. Very good rock overture melody. 8.7/10 Candle in the wind - Piano rock soft. Ahead of its time in a way. Kind of whatever overall but not bad but nothing stands out. 8.2/10 Bennie and the jets - went in knowing this was going to be in the top 4. One of the greatest rock songs. 9.2/10 Goodbye yellow brick road - probably the more underrated of the two songs that are known from this album. Not my personal favorite pre listen though. 9.5/10 This song has no title - funny guy. Quick little tune banged out. Nothing special but interesting. I stand corrected this chorus is peak. 8.3/10 Grey seal - rainbow road? Almost feels like crocodile rock. Also very ABBA. Goofy turnarounds. Very spacey. 8.9/10 Jamaica jerk-off - feels like a John Lennon solo. I don't hate it but it's not my favorite. 7.6/10 I've seen that movie too - jazz club feel. Saddest song so far. 8.0/10 Sweet painted lady - lowkey spaced out during this one got distracted but it's still good. 8.4/10 The ballad of danny bailey - very story based. Feels like rocky raccoon. A little too gimmicky to be taken seriously. 8.6/10 Dirty little girl - honky Tonk piano/organ reminds me of white album beatle. Lots of seemingly filler songs on this album not that any of them are bad. 8.2/10 All the girls love Alice - queer rep in the 70s how interesting. Chugs along good and tight. Has a big sound like the rest of the songs. 8.5/10 Your sister can't twist (but she can rock'n roll) - songs like these are a dime a dozen for Elton but I can't say it's bad. 7.9/10 Saturday nights alright (for fighting) - I came into the album knowing this would be my favorite. I played this song with the university of Arkansas marching band when I was in high school and it was a lot of fun. 9.6/10 Roy rogers - calm waltz. Feels like nearing the end of an album. I think it's about a guy. 8.1/10 Socials disease - with such a long album a few random expirements have to make it through. This is one of them not that it's bad. Animal farm ahh song. 8.0/10 Harmony - the finale. Come back sorta song. Sweet little song to end it off. Ironically the vocal harmony is nice. 7.8/10 Overall - 8.44
An enjoyable album that’s too long. It slows down toward the end. Could’ve been a near masterpiece if condensed down to one disc. No matter; he’s a hit machine, especially during this era.
It's elton he's awesome, some great stuff here just a few songs I didn't need
Theatrical, creative chord progressions and song structure. 70s production sound. Classic Elton hits
Very good like all Elton John’s album !
sounds good, i would listen to again
Favorite Songs - Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Candle In The Wind, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Grey Seal, I've Seen That Movie Too, Sweet Painted Lady, The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-1934), Dirty Little Girl, Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting), Roy Rogers, Social Disease, Harmony
I haven't listened to much Elton John, but this was a pretty solid album.
Me gustó mucho, ya conocía 2 canciones definitivamente seguiré escuchando varias de las canciones de este álbum me gusta mucho la vibe que tienen. 9/10
Listnened Before? N Never heard this one all the way through but I like all the songs in between the big hits. It's honestly pretty gritty lyrically - also pretty funny. Really dug it. Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John regele meu, coaie prea bun
Liked this one a lot more than the other Elton album I’ve gotten recommended. I think the style was key to that; this one was much more of a rock effort than Madman. It started off really strong with Funeral for a friend/Love Lies Bleeding, which I found really cool even with its length. Then followed some well known, iconic tracks, leading to the ones I wasn’t familiar with. It tapered off some toward the end, but overall was very strong. The surprising star of the show for me was the guitar. It had a real rock sound and feel on most of the tracks. I prefer it to piano, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much here. Even the slower, piano-based songs were good, for the most part. My only real negatives here were that a couple songs were not good and the length of the album. Jamaica Jerk Off is a likely skip if I listen again. A couple others were just meh, especially when compared to how good the rest of the tracks are. Cutting a few of those out would make it an even stronger, shorter record. And, even though I liked it despite the length, I do think it ran a bit too long. I get it more here than on some others, because the number of good songs was probably too many for a normal record. But it really didn’t need to be 76 minutes long, and that showed as it went on. This one wasn’t perfect, but it still was really good. Overall: 4.1/5
What's left to say about this album...
Elton John at his finest. Some absolute classics here.
A very enjoyable listen. Somehow, I've never gone out of my way to listen to Elton John before, his stuff has always just been in the ether and I'd picked up bits and pieces but never just put on his work to intentionally check it out. This was really well made and it's obvious why it's on the 1001 Albums list. Favorite tracks were Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I've Seen That Movie Too, Social Disease, and Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting). I think I've Seen That Movie Too was my number one favorite on the album. I was going to include Benny And The Jets because it started strong but then idk it just kind of lost me. Anyway, good stuff. 8/10, 4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
if this were put at the beginning of the list, I would've given it a 5 hands down....after listening to so many great albums, I'm not sure it actually deserves all the 5's it gets though :/
What an amazing opening track. An album like this, spanning 17 songs at nearly an hour and a half, is likely to have some duds. There are some fantastic songs and a few duds. The album starts to drag in the end and the piano ballads start to become tiresome. Still, I can’t deny the ambition of this album and how significant it is in the grand scheme of music history. Great record.
Beste albumet hans
1. Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding I love the way this song builds, it's so cool. Auuuuugh the piano is beautiful. Could kinda do w/o the synth but that's okay (especially at the beginning it's really piercing and annoying). The tempo change into like the lilty sound was a little interesting, still kept a nice groove though. The guitar solo makes my heart happy though. Love the lyrical part, so like unusually happy for what the song seems like it's about. Classic Elton John stuff, honestly this songs would be so much more popular if it were two songs, cause most people don't have the patience for the beginning. But yeah, I get that isn't what music should be about. Also gotta say the second time Love Lies Bleeding lyrics came out it felt a little repetitive. Kinda want some more variation or something, repeating the chorus and same lines doesn't really match the vibe of the song. 7/10 Not revelatory, solid song, would recommend, wasn't good enough to make me smile. 2. Candle In The Wind Nice, slow tempo, balances out the quick tempo of the other song, nice break. Nice twist on what my generation would call a classic slow song. Very good pace of song, 1:50 and I barely noticed. Nice message too I actually relate with this a lot, I am not good at making decisions, kind of a wake up call, I gotta make decisions and put my life in order. 7/10 Would have liked some more actually, but maybe I would have gotten bored, the message was cool and kind of needed. 3. Bennie And The Jets I love this beginning it's so good. Makes me think of The Walters (at least the feel of the vocals), good band, would recommend them. Nice jazzy feel, it's really nice. I'm disappointed at myself for not listening to Elton John enough, he's actually got some really cool sides. Piano solo is peak, kinda want more, but I'm also a little bit of a jazz kid so I guess I'm biased. Kinda interesting there's always like this random synth coming through and other strange sound effects, I really don't like it, cause it's kinda to distract from the repetitiveness of the song, gah, I thought I was gonna like that one. 6/10 Weird synth sounds, did not match the vibe. I liked it otherwise though. 4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Classic, this is one of the few Elton John songs I had already listened to. Gives off some sort of Beatles vibe, like Yellow Submarine type stuff. Love the classic background vocals, the aaaaaaahs really get me. Kind of nice message, leaving what you have been doing and going forward 8/10 Classic, nice message 5. This Song Has No Title The meaning of this song is a little beyond me, I probably need to read the lyrics. One sec. Kind of an interesting message, it seems like a story about learning through life, and getting prepared for death. Seems like there is also some sort of identity crisis going one, especially with the last line being "this song has no title just words and a tune" or something like that. 6/10 Not particularly spectacular just by sounds, does have an interesting message, but kind of no answers, and I don't relate to this songs as much. 6. Grey Seal Like the beginning good piano riff. Nice tempo, very contrasting to the previous piece. Like the little wuh-da wuh-da wuh-dah doot dah or whatever, fun little pause. Never a dull moment, nice and cool song. I also love the drums, they are not boring at all really nice. The guitar solo is cool, maybe a little extra on the reverb? but honestly fits the silly feeling of the song. 7.5/10 It was interesting and fun, but the lyrics would have needed to be more impressive to be an 8. Jamaica Jerk-Off Kinda like the different style of drums, grooves very well. I think I could like this song a lot, instruments aren't overpowering but they are still interesting, would like lyrics to change more, but I'm kinda seeing that that isn't Elton John's thing. Kind of interesting mumbling part in the middle, but I won't hate on that (too much). I think Imma move to Jamaica 7.5/10 Nice vocals, interesting at the beginning, began to be repetitive I've Seen That Movie Too Very nice mellow and slightly jazzy sound, good bass line, at least for the message, maybe a little boring for the bassist (but that's okay they are used to it). Never mind the bass line's kicking up. Very cool song though, like the violins, also the piano in Elton John's music is always on point, probably one of the high points of his music. Background guitar is cool, very nice touch, love the way it transitions into a solo. 8/10 I liked the lyrics, the feel, the piano was very nice, I didn't get bored, in fact the whole song was pretty engaging. Sweet Painted Lady Okay the start of this one is pretty promising. Getting subliminal Billy Joel vibes, which is always a plus. I think the accordion? is very fitting, makes it feel like Venice or France. I could see this playing in the background of some sort of romance movie. I don't like the seagulls 7.9/10 Sorry it was great, but the seagulls The Ballad Of Danny Bailey (1909-1934) Wow, huge mood change. Piano weirdly made me think of Under Control by Parachutes, I dunno why, they aren't really similar (I listened to it earlier today). But Under Control is a peak song, a little repetitive, maybe. I like the feel of this song, nice, rigid, a little driving. I haven't really been paying attention to the lyrics, but poor Danny Bailey, sounds like a cool guy. Okay this is scary, I'm getting Coconut Mall vibes (Mario Kart), never quote me on that. But also thinking of two songs that are peak is a really good sign. This is song is cool. 8.5/10 Loved the piano the feel, felt like I was riding a wave the whole time. (Elton John has a weird thing about making sad songs happy) Dirty Little Girl Sorry this song has too similar of a feel to The Ballad Of Danny Bailey, my brain is getting bored. But it is a good song, nice guitar riff and good piano. The vibe isn't quite right to me though, it's like Elton John is a little out of his element maybe? Or I'm just in a different mental space, I can't tell. I could do without the random blaring synth. 7/10 I just couldn't with this song, my brain tells me it's good, but my ear doesn't jive with that. All The Girls Love Alice Okay, we back, Imma like this one, nice driving beat, good riff. I'm Still Standing type feel, except not quite the same, it's good. Love Elton's voice on the one (I can call him Elton, right?). Ooooooh nice good slow section, like the disappearance of the backgrounds. Oooooaugh, the bass, the guitar, perfect. Okay, I'm like mentally praying to music gods (that don't actually exist, I'm Christian) that this song doesn't get boring. Yesss, this beautiful, like the nice experimental sounds, they weren't right in some of the other song, but this style is messy enough that it fits, at least better. 8.5/10 I would love to say higher, but it still wasn't quite top tier, but it was truly a work of art. Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock'n'Roll) What's this funky-ahhh honkty-tonk rock that decided to show up? I dunno, but at least it's mostly grooving. Like the little organ, and like the classic a'cappella thing. Okay, what the freak, who asked the circus to join? This has gotta be the most interesting mash-up I've heard in this album. 6.5/10 Kind of random, kind of liked it, kind of was scared of it, but not the worst thing ever. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) Okay, back in the groove again, this one is pretty good. Moved past the honky-tonk and into more classic stuff. Pretty good, kind of just classic stuff, definitely not a bad song, nothing too special though. Nice drums, solid guitar, but really no huge wow factors. 7/10 Solid song, good groove, wasn't too boring, maybe a little repetitive, but I didn't want to die, or skip (I haven't skipped a single song, I ain't disrespecting anyone like that). Roy Rogers Good, nice slow song, much needed contrast to all the upbeat songs. Very classic, pretty similar to Candle in the Wind. Finally thought of the song they both remind me of, God Bless the U.S.A. which is obviously very well-known. So it's kind of hard when a song sounds a lot like it, not that God Bless the U.S.A. isn't annoying but it also makes the other songs harder to listen to. But this is a good song too. 7/10 Good solid song, won't make anyone go crazy, but very nice. Social Disease Love the slight bluesy-ness, and the little growls in his voice. Nice country feel, very cool. He said tequila +.1 points. I always have to give points for a sax solo, even if it sounds a little fake (I play saxophone). Pretty good style, impressed with the high notes if it is real, it is a little basic, but that's how all pop sax solos are, soooo.... eh. I can kinda agree with the message of the song, of being a social disease, I don't always get high, but I am not good at talking to people. 8.1/10 Good song, I liked it, sax solo, interesting and good Harmony Good upbeat slow song, seems to about a girl named Harmony. Could have three meanings, he loves Harmony, Pennsylvania, he likes the girl or he wants to have good harmony (which Elton John already has). Probably the girl one, but who cares. Anyway it was a good slow song, it was engaging, and he said Harmony a bunch, what more can you ask for? 7.5/10 Honestly about halfway through I got tired of the album, but I pushed through and it was really cool. Most of the songs were pretty good, Elton John laid a couple eggs but that's okay. I like Elton John a lot more now and am pretty sad that I didn't like him as much before. 4/5 for the whole album because there were no songs at or above 9/10, but nothing that was worse than a 6/10, it was all some pretty good stuff.
16/1089 I don't know what's letting this as a 4* but it's got a line up of songs that were #1s with others that are also loved and overplayed for 50 years. After a slow first 3 minutes, it takes off and is just another classic EJ album. Fyi, I think Elton John might be gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Hits...funeral, candle, Bennie, GYBR, grey seal, painted lady, Saturday night, and my favorite All the Girls Love Alice
3.5 - Good
Elton John’s cinematic magnum opus double LP is chock full of classics and showcases his talents for drama and flair while keeping things boogieing.
I have always liked 1970s Elton John but have leant more towards Madman Across the Water and Tumbleweed Connection than this album. And, on the whole, having listened to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road in its entirety for the first time in years, I have to say I still prefer the other albums, and the wonderful live album, 17-11-70 to this double album. That said, the opening “Funeral for a Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding”, all 11 minutes of it, may be the best thing Elton ever recorded, and is prog-rock to rival Genesis or Yes, and the rest of side one, “Candle in the Wind”, still a triumph, and one of Bernie Taupin’s most affecting lyrics, despite the maudlin Princess Diana ‘90s version, and “Bennie and the Jets” represent perhaps the best LP side of Elton’s career. It could be argued that a single album of sides 1 and 2, dropping the poor “Jamaica Jerk-Off” and squeezing on “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” and “Harmony” would be an undeniable 5-star triumph, but there are good songs elsewhere which do more than just fill the space. Aside from the best known songs, there are surprises like “Grey Seal”, “Sweet Painted Lady” and “I’ve Seen That Movie Too”. Elton’s regular band are excellent thoughout and Gus Dudgeon’s production is crisp with a wide soundstage.
it’s good alright it’s a good fucking album
Hard to think of many classic albums that start stronger than this one.
So good
I think this review would be more fair if I had listened to it as the double album it originally is, because listening to every song in one long sequence makes the album feel too long. But the songs that hit, hit hard. Especially in the first half, because the second half was a bit weaker in my opinion. But 'Social Disease' picked it back up. And as I said, the songs that hit, hit hard. So I still want to give this album and mr John his credits. While the songs were swinging and groovy, there is a real emotional rawness behind it. I appreciate that.
I really liked Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. It sure has been a while since i last reviewed Elton John which makes sense as the two i have done (including this one) are his only ones. I still like this one quite a lot more since it has a lot more to it and the songs here don't have any super long build-ups which did kinda plague Madman Across The Water. The music here was absolutely fantastic and while the album did go on for a bit long, i didn't feel like it was too bloated as the songs then were still very good. It does unfortunately get docked a star because there are some points where John's voice isn't great along with the ones where it is but this is still a great album. Best Song: All the Young Girls Love Alice Worst Song: Bennie and the Jets
It’s gooood
did not finish, but will try to finish
So fun.
Great genuinely, really enjoy this
7/10 Classic, very listenable. Not what I'd choose to listen to very often but would own on vinyl and listen in the background or for an event.
Great album. And 1973. Crazy that he's still going strong.
This album is a surprising mix of an incredible journey and a complete slog to get through. No wonder it's a double LP. Honestly though, while I loved this thing, the first half is really what carries the entire record. I found myself wanting to skip songs as I got towards the end. Once the overall idea of the album was prescribed to me in the beginning, the lack of fresh ideas or creativity towards the end made this drag. This sounds like an overtly negative review, but it's not. The album is so widely praised I'm not going to bother typing something out that I'm sure a heap of people have before. It's a great album, I just think it's a big loaded and could be way more concise.
Knew the big ones, of course. But enjoyed this as a total package (even if it was a bit long). A proper album with a vision.
longtime listener of A Select Few Elton John Songs, was nice to finally sit down and listen to an album beginning to end
Great album overall. Lots of hits. But also lots of just generally good songs as filler.
the 70's continues to deliver. Elton at his best?
Very good album worth a listen
Great album front to back. Classic
Surprisingly good. Had no idea that so many of his hits were on this album. Really good.
Medium
мне нраица!
Album is a classic for a reason, the highs are incredible and rightfully iconic. Not much else to say other than a few songs in the middle dragged a tiny bit for me
This album has hit after hit on it. Insanely good. Elton John cooked with this one, as they say.
Album is lit 🔥
Wouldn’t say i am a big fan of Elton, but they are a great song writing partnership, and he is definition of star power, and these 70s albums are well good. Classic album without doubt, not sure what Jamaica is but whatever you gotta try. It’s probably should be a 5 Star but for me 4 Star
Elton John is great here, but this album stumbles a bit as it goes on. The 11-minute opening track is phenomenal, and there's quite a few great, classic Elton John sounds throughout the album. Some of the tracks make me cringe a bit - "Jamaica Jerk-Off" especially - but despite those missteps it's a really fun listen. Favorite track(s): "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Elton John writes pretty good material. He is also a great performer. This is good quality rock.
This was great aside from the Jamaica sing
Not always my personal style - too show tuney for me. But excellent musicianship, culturally iconic, and the best songs are fantastic. There are low points - Jamaican Jerk-off is an inexplicable embarrassment.
Nice album, one of the best from Elton John
I was shocked how many songs from this album I recognized and I am by no means an Elton John fanboy. Prior to listening to this that is. There’s so many bangers in this album alone it’s no wonder Elton is still relevant today. Probably won’t return to the album too often but I’ll enjoy the tracks when they come on fs.
Some great songs, but could have easily been cut down to make a better single-disc album.
8.23 - Musically good, not exactly my favorite. Solid voice, some good beats/vibes. Best: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, This Song Has no Title (8.7). Worst: Your Sister Can’t Twist (7.9)
Suffers from the bloat that affects most double albums, but just enough brilliance to make it an all time classic. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Awesome
ξαναακουω πολυ καλο 4.5
I like Sir Elton, many of these songs are objectively good, but it's just a pop album. End of the day, it's not much to write home about. Not even a real message. He gets a star for this being Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - i.e. yes, you absolute must listen to it before you die.
4.6
Was familliar with the hits on this one, assumed the rest were filler. Any song on this album could have been a single. Elton and Bernie could sure render a fine tune.
I had never listened to this one all the way through before but now I’m glad I did. Elton John is a gem and this album is fun and cheeky and deep all at the same time. Favorite Song(s): Bennie and the Jets, All the Girls Love Alice (but really, I loved the whole album)
So many stellar classics on this one. Title track never fails to give my goosebumps. My headphones revealed so many small details in these tracks which I had not heard before. For instance, I was never able to catch the lyrics which reveal that Candle in the Wind is an ode to Marilyn Monroe.
Decent
Quick note, Elton John knows how to deliver a banger. Also listened to today: Fontaines D.C., Romance. Great. 220
For an extended period of the 70's, Elton John's mix-cutting tenor voice was one of the greatest powers of popular music. This record shows it without a doubt. The hits here are incredible. The just hit different. Weather it's the touching Candle in the Wind or the glorious Saturday Night and Benny. They all become benchmarks of a hit pop-rock record, and rightly so. They are all so well written, performed and produced. Above all- the title song. In my opinion, one of the greatest melodies in popular song. Period. But it's a long album, and there's a necessity for the dip cut to go hurd as well. And most do. 5 6 8 9 10 12 15 17 all great songs. In the Elton spectrum of rocknroll-pop-country most of them lean on the rock-pop side but the folks elements are present. It's hard to say, but it might be a little bit to long. It doesn't matter anyway... because once you reach the second half (which is a test for most double album) you just want to listen more and more. It's all just a tour de force of a very talented and enthusiastic musician and preformer who, at the time, could do whatever he wanted. It's a very very solid 4.6
Ooh, I actually never heard this The album's an hour long and all of the most famous songs are the very begining, oh well Is funeral for a friend inspired by wendy carlos version of funeral for queen mary? Clockwork was 71, so maybe? Really cool intro! Guitar part aswell is fucking great (8 minutes in), just a great fucking song isn't? The falseto part in the final chorus (pre chorus) of Bennie and the jets is so satisfaying. Wow. At least, I had heard the title track before, obviously it's fucking good Grey seal, the bass and the piano following each other is so tasty, good song! Elton what is this I've seen that movie too is really catchy I kinda hated dirty little girl, but then the ending rocks a lot, goddamn you got me Ok thiis one's the worst haha (13) I dislike saturday Just looking at my notes it's clear that the record starts really strong for me then it fizzles out. The closer is pretty decent tho.
This was way cooler than I thought it would be. I grew up listening to a greatest hits CD of his, and I had no idea how proggy he was capable of getting. That being said, the momentum fell off pretty quickly and I felt like the ending was kind of weak for such a gargantuan album.
I've heard more covers of Bennie and the Jets than there are albums on this list. It's a joke in my family that my dad is just completely obsessed with this song. I've never actually listened through this album before. It definitely has some all time classics and I'm pretty stoked that he opened this album with an 11 minute prog song. Only complaint is it starts to drag a little bit.
This record rocks. Its long as shit, but almost every song is fun to hang out with. Its really good pop rock. I wonder how I would feel about this album if it came out today vs. 1973? Or how I would feel about it if I was around in 1973. Would I hate it? Would it feel like Benson Boone? I think not.. because he's way more willing to mesh genres and get weird than most contemporary pop artists. I think pop artists today have learned a formula from big data to deliver what users think they need. I don't see Taylor Swift or Ed Sheeran putting "Jamaica Jerk Off" on a record today. Its too weird and users wouldn't like it. But he does a great job of mixing pop, blues, soul and rock with really good songwriting. I like how so much of is piano based, with other instruments throughout (brass, organ, blues guitar, etc.) This is an excellent record.
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is the 7th album (and a double album at that) by British singer, pianist and composer Elton John. Pop rock and glam rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Fair enough. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics in two and a half weeks and Elton John composed most of the melodies in three days while staying at the Pink Flamingo Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Recording for the album started in Jamaica but moved to the Château d'Hérouville in the village of d'Hérouville, France due to difficulties with the sound system and studio piano in Jamaica, logistical issues arising from Joe Frazier-George Foreman fight in Kingston and protests over the political and economic situation in the country. The bandmembers included Elton John (vocals, piano, organ, Mellotron), David Hentschel (synthesizer), Davey Johnstone (guitars, banjo, vocals), Dee Murray (bass, vocals), Nigel Olsson (drums, congas, tambourine, vocals), Ray Cooper (tambourine), Leroy Gomez (saxophone) and Kiki Dee (backing vocals). The album was a big commercial success hitting #1 on the US Top LP & Tape Chart and #1 in the UK. Critics cite this album as one of John's best and, in 2025, it was inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for its artistic significance. The album opens with the 11-minute "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." A swirling synth and organ in the first epic part instrumental. Drums, piano and time changes. Apparently, it's an instrumental for Elton's funeral and does have a church feel. In the second part, the band kicks it in to a rock song. A lost love. "Candle in the Wind" is more of a piano ballad. Guitar accents and nice harmonies. A tribute to the tragic life of Marilyn Monroe and later was used to tribute Princess Diana. Audience cheers start "Bennie and the Jets." A drum tick. Piano led. Elton's vocals are all over the place in a song about an androgynous fictional rock band led by a woman named Bennie. Elton also shows a fairly large vocal range including a falsetto in the self-titled "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." A melancholy start with the piano. Strings are added giving a baroque vibe. A song about the disillusionment with a fame and a desire to get back to a simpler. Speaking about getting back to a simpler life, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" opens with a great, great guitar riff. Probably Elton's most rockin' song and inspired by a neighborhood pub from Taupin's youth. I am a fan of the Elton snarl. The album ends with the lovely "Harmony." More of a serious love song with strings and you guessed it, great harmonies. The songs on this album are varied including rock, ballads, pop, baroque pop and Queen-like glam. They're mostly piano led and the band is tight, particularly the guitar, bass and drums. Great backing vocals and harmonies and Elton shows a wide vocal range including a falsetto and angry and snarling Elton. The lyrics can personal, philosophical and story like. I really enjoyed the song placement which balanced the soft, loud, epic and baroque. It seems to be a theme so far this week but the third side kind of dragged. But overall, there are a number top level well-written and performed songs showcasing Elton, I imagine , at his peak. A strong recommendation.
4.5 This is probably Elton John’s masterpiece, and a masterpiece it is. Over an hour of pop rock ballads, and while not all may hit, there’s plenty here to enjoy. This may be long for some, but it’s enthralling and almost runs like a greatest hits album. He certainly has a lot of bravado in his voice and the music is so vast, clear and well played. Could probably trim a song or two off the track list to really make this special.
So spooky
Even though I had to skip 'Candle in the Wind' every time I listened (if you were a child of the 90s, you get it), I loved this album. I know Elton John is sort of like the Bee Gees...his most famous hits aren't truly representative of his best work. This album was the proof. I loved the different styles he played around with and, while long, this album had cohesion and tightness that I appreciated. It all kind of makes sense.
It’s hard to review a classic objectively. With the exception of only a couple songs, I’d say these are confirmed bops.
I have definitely hear a lot of this, but I don’t ever recall listening to this straight through. * Funeral / love Lies: all over the place in a good way. Piano and some decently ripping guitar. * Candle in the Wind: perhaps a touch overdone for me at this point. Classic song though. * Bennie and the Jets: another classic. This one holds up better, IMO. Such a great syncopated beat. Elton’s voice amazing as always. * Goodbye yellow brick road: third straight classic! * Next few are fine but forgettable * Seen that movie: liked the feel of this one * Sweet painted lady: good not great * Danny Bailey: enjoyed this one * Dirty little girl: digging the guitar change of pace. Feels a little skynyrdy, tuesdays gone??? No, I hear a little Curtis Lowe. Loved this. Would love to hear phish cover this. * Alice: keeping with more guitar…ok. * Sister twist: meh * Saturday: fourth classic. Love this song. * Roy rogers: meh * Social disease. Decent. * Harmony: meh Enjoyed overall. Liked the guitar-driven tunes. Not what I would’ve expected for an Elton John album.
Good album, some tracks are quite a bit stale and Jamaica Jerk-Off is just outright bad in my opinion. However, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding is too good to not give the album as a whole a 4
121/1001 Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❓ Elton John really throws everything at this, from the long proggy Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding to the ballads of Candle In the Wind to the pure rock n roll of Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting). It's ambitious, it's top heavy, it needs a couple of songs cut (Jamaica Jerk-Off). I'm not sure when I'd revisit it, but I had a great time with this, this morning.
Tough one to rate. A couple classics but too long of an album. 4 is probably about right.
Let me get something out of the way: I can't do long albums. 60 minutes is pushing it, and anything over that tends to drag on. That said, this album is full of emotive ballads, driving rockers, and a couple duds. The tracks are for the most part highly enjoyable and well made, with a handful of exceptions(Dirty Little Girl, Jamaica Jerk Off) that brought the album down a couple pegs.
Bangers and belters. Only one listen though. Girls liked it.
Decent. Many hits which are still hits.