Reviews (page 6 of 13)
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
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.
Enduring singles highlight this 50+ years-old album that is playable start to finish.
Listened to this while on a road trip and it really fit. 4/5
A great classic, the intro gets me every time <3 I still find listening to the whole album a bit repetitive, but lyrics are fantastic and there is a lingering sadness that I can always appreciate!
how i imagined quintessential rock music as a kid
- great album - Elton John has such a sad voice, I swear it doesn't matter how upbeat the song is, if Elton's sings it, its a sad song Likes: - sound wise I love the album - no skips really Fav songs: - Bennie and the Jets - Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding - All the Girls Love Alice Dislikes: - some of the songs do bled together a little especially because you can't always understand what he's saying and he tends to sing his songs in the same way
I knew Elton John was an icon but I’ve never honestly spent time with his music — what a mistake!! This album was so much fun!! This album really rocks it on the keys, and Elton knows how to have a good time while he does it. Of course Benny and the Jets is a banger, but also found myself bopping to the second half of the album. The only really confusing song was Jamaica Jerk Off lmao. Anyway, I see why Elton is considered a king. Hats off to him as a legend and a musician. I’ll have to go explore the rest of his discography and give it a real listen.
He’s still got it
Elton John is an absolute legend. So many good songs on this album (Candle in the wind, Bennie and the jets, GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD, Saturday night’s alright for fighting…). I love Elton John and most of his discography, I just think this album was a little on the longer side and some of the tracks in the middle third didn’t feel like they necessarily needed to be there. Really wish there were fractional scores here because I’m definitely in the 4.5/5 camp here.
loved. it was so cool to hear so many classics come together in a way that told such a story. you can really see how influential Elton John was even at that time, but especially how those influences carried on through the evolution of music
O cara é bom
Nåken jævlig bra sanga, men og ein del fyllmasse. Kunne fint ha kutta ned albumet litt
Lots of classics here. He's great at what he does.
An icon of the genre. Love this album. If it was 20 minutes shorter it would probably be a 5-Star
This was just a fun listen all the way through!
Rocked harder than I expected + I knew some of the songs even if I didn't realized they were from Elton John. Amazing!
84/1089 pressing play on this album and hearing young elton rather than the older elton that i recognise more was a bit of an odd (but expected) experience didn’t expect for the album to open with an 11 minute prog rock song but it worked! it’s been a good listen, more so than maybe i expected. I personally would cut Dirty Little Girl, All the Girls Love Alice and Your Sister Can’t Twist, partly because i don’t love those songs but also to shorten the project a little 70/100 faves: funeral for a friend/love lies bleeding, this song has no title, i’ve seen that movie too, ballad of danny bailey, saturday nights alright
First 3 tracks incredible. Immediately loses steam for the whole B side of disc one. Picks it back up in the third quarter and closes out strong with some good ol country skronkin.
It's about time I got an Elton John album on this website. I had never listened to "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" before. To no one's surprise, it was great. There are a few tracks that should've been singles. Let's hope I get another good album. 4 stars for "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".
This album is full of bangers. Elton and Bernie did their big one. Very enjoyable.
It's a double album, but Elton put a ton of bangers in it. Listen to it, or not. I'm not your boss.
Nice album to have on in the background. Some great hits on here.
Classic album with some of Elton’s best hits in his career. This is really close to being a 5/5 for me, but the back half of the album is on the weaker side and drags on a little. Overall still a phenomenal album. 4/5.
There's a couple filler tracks but there's just so many bangers that I can't give this less than 4 stars
so fucking inconsistent it's not even funny but SHUT UP FOR A SECOND and let Love Lies Bleeding and Grey Seal and Bennie and the Jets work their magic and THEN KEEP LISTENING because even at his worst 70s Elton John knows how to put on a show. super fun times deserves to be one of the 1001? YES!
Fan erkänner mig besegrad. Fått för mig att Elton är sisådär. Men denna skiva var grym. Å då gillar jag inte ens candle in the wind. Skönt energi och varierande. Kommer lyssna mer!
Funky narriative musical storytelling. I've heard many of these songs before this album from single releases. Distinct voice and showmanship style
Lots of lovely songs and a few bangers. A few hokey tracks admittedly, but it still didn't feel like it went on for too long even with the over-hour length
Yeah. This is some great psychey Elton
Hadde plutselig hørt igjennom et par ganger uten å tenke over det. Det må jo være bra?
Great beginning, great end. Dragged a bit in the middle
listened to again its a classic
Terrific.
I have a feeling we're not not in Kansas anymore
Honestly really great. 75 minutes is too long though.
mega good first part of the album is just banger after banger after banger
Sprawling and impressive with a few of the best songs ever written.
Saturday Night's Alright will never not remind me of Gnomeo and Juliet
Stary ale klasyczny, bardzo fajny mix basu, jednak wokal i gitary są dość płaskie. Ale mimo tego mi się podoba
Jako największy hater pianina jakiego znam muszę przyznać, że Elton John robił naprawdę dobrą muzykę
Wonderful album. Grey seal and Alice are two stand outs that, frankly, eclipse the hits. I don't love Elton John but I respect him and his song writing partner. It can all get a bit much but I guess that is what you sign up for.
This was the fun Elton John I grew up listening to. I really enjoyed the first half of the album but the second half began to drag a bit. It's completely not what I would ever have chosen to listen to in the past, but I think it will go to my 'background music' playlist. For me, not quite a 5 but a strong 4 - a bit too much pathos for me.
Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Tolles Album.
Elton’s always great. Enjoyed the country/blues elements. But very long.
Great album not much more to say
Some killer tracks, and I loved when the album went really out there, especially the intro. But did not care for Elton doing “reggae”
Elton John is just a phenomenal musician. I don't love every song he does, but his hits fucking slap hard, and his "lesser" songs still are pretty damn good in their own right. I didn't grow up listening to him, it was more of a post-teenage re-introduction to his music that really made me appreciate it.
good but somehow repetitive
This was Harmony.
Gotta love Elton John. Fun album, much better than the other one I've had of his, Madman Across The Water. A lot of good fun songs. Bennie And The Jets had good music. Jamaica Jerk-Off was a blast. The Ballad Of Danny Baily was fun, as was Dirty Little Girl, good guitar work in that one. Saturday Night's Allright is a classic, great song. Roy Rogers had a fun western sound. I would have picked that one as the best song. But.... this album also has a little song called Candle In The Wind. Such an incredible song, sad and sweet and just a pleasure to hear the piano and vocals. Best song: Candle In The Wind
Classic. Definite road trip music!
Great music. Fun album but also moody at times which I wasn't expecting from what I knew of his big hits. 4 outta 5
Best way to start off an album, an 11 minute mostly instrumental song. Very much enjoyed the album. A very strong start in terms of the first 4 songs, did tail off a bit and therefore a 4 star.
This is a great . Trim a few songs and this might have been a 5
truly the pick me up i needed today!!
Pretty good. A bit long, but some real hits.
-1 for an attempt at reggae
Sweet Elton, au e künstler wo mer mal muss glosst ha. 4 pinki pfaufedere
fantastisch! bi froh hani's endli glost <3
great
Seguimos con discazos. Este es uno que no tengo escuchado de pe a pa debido a su extensión y sus 17 canciones. Siempre que tengo ganas de escuchar a John, generalmente voy a otro de sus primeros discos, mucho más escuetos; o a alguno de los últimos, porque el tipo tuvo un gran comeback. Este disco tiene igual temas tremebundos que me vuelven loco. Las mejores: Mi canción favorita del disco es la primera: Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding, que también es una de las primeras canciones que me gustaron de él. A mi John siempre me gustó más como compositor y como pianista que como cantante (su voz es demasiado perfecta). Y la primera mitad de esta canción, los primeros 4 minutos, me parecen gloria pura. Después maduré y me empezó a gustar como canta John, así que también pasé a disfrutar mucho la 2da mitad de la canción, más rockera. Otra canción fantástica 10 estrellas es la homónima, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, con una letra buenísima y conmovedora (prefiero pensar que no es un mensaje de Taupin para John, eso le quita algo de magia) y una melodía eterna. Otra canción espectacular es Grey Seal (¿La canción infravalorada del disco?: es un art rock perfecto, con tal vez la línea de bajo más memorable de todo el disco. Es una canción que siento que si estuviera en otro disco con menos canciones hubiera sido el highlight; al mismo tiempo esta canción me parece superior a otras que sí fueron hits como Candle in the Wind, así que no sé. Otro temón: I've Seen That Movie Too. No sé si no es la 2da mejor canción después de Funeral for a Friend. Lo que hace John con el piano es espectacular. Y la letra!? Impresionante. The Ballad of Danny Bailey: posiblemente la mejor canción del 2do disco. Por alguna razón creo que hubiera sido una gran canción de Lennon. Social Disease: El disco vuelve a repuntar al final: Social Disease es un temazo mucho más memorable que los anteriores. Un pop muy melódico donde John se acompaña con un banjo que le da un factor un "toque" más country: una canción divertida en un momento en el que el disco se estaba volviendo aburrido. Harmony: el cierre del disco: una balada pop perfecta de las que solo John nos puede dar. En este disco se extrañaron (está Candle in the Wind que no me gusta mucho), pero viene al final y hay recompensa. Las que están bien: Otro hit del disco fue Bennie and the Jets. Está bastante bien. Me gustaría que durara un poco menos, pero es innegable la melodía que tiene. Y es una canción en la que John se suelta, ¿no? Siento que en un disco con 10 canciones sería una cosita más acotada y no se hubiera convertido en el hit que fue. This Song Has No Title es divertidísima, pero dura solo 2 minutos. Es difícil no verla como una coda a GYBR. Me hace acordar a esas canciones de Queen de vaudeville que me parecen divertidísimas pero tmb sé que son un poco pelotudas. Sweet Painted Lady también está bien. Lo que pasa es que es el tema 9 y, a esta altura, quiero MÁS Y MÁS como Karina (?). Es un tema simpático que en otro disco con menos canciones me gustaría más. Me hace acordar un poco a Francia (no sé si es la intención) con ese acordeón. Las canciones 11-14: están bien pero es una secuencia de 15-16 minutos de rockandrolles medio genéricos (un tema más twist que rock and roll): por separadas estas canciones son buenas (de hecho Saturday's night... fue single y es un buen single): todas juntas son mucho de lo mismo, y llegando al final del disco. Roy Rogers: está bien, pero me aburre un poco. Es el tema 15 del disco, quiero un tema que destaque acá. Las que no me gustan: "Candle in the Wind" es una canción que no me gusta mucho; nunca entendí a Marilyn Monroe, me parece sobrevalorada. Y cuando después le re-dedicó el tema a la pelotuda de Lady Di es peor. Me cuesta mucho disociar el tema de eso. No sé, está bien, pero prefiero skippear este tema. "Jamaica Jerk-Off" es un tema influenciado por el reggae. Bastante pelotudo. Seguro: es mejor que los intentos de Eric Clapton por emular este género, en un disco que ya revisé y que no debe ser mencionado. Al menos es solo UNA canción, y es relativamente divertida, si bien, boludona. En suma, es un disco excelente. Agrupé las canciones en tres categorías; la peor solo tiene dos canciones (y estoy seguro que la mayoría discreparía con una de esas dos), pero son muchos temas, muchos, muchos, muchos. Y es un disco que creo que pierde con tantas canciones. Hay discos como el álbum blanco que me parecen perfectos por sus imperfecciones; y hay otros como éste en el las imperfecciones son solo imperfecciones. Por todo esto le pongo 4 estrellas. Pero no se equivoquen. Algunas de las mejores canciones de John están acá.
More than just the singles, the opening track was fantastic. Couple songs could have been removed and it would have been a 5 star
A lot of fun Muppets energy on this one, and Elton & Kermit are killing it!
There were some good parts.
Love this album
Great start to the album but drops off a little. Loads of great songs!
Åpner sterkt, tar noen rare turns, med foreksempel Jamican Jerk-Off. Tenker Elton ikke trenger å drive med reggea. Alt i alt et ålreit album. Elton er flink.
Classic album, Elton in his prime.
Familiar with the hits on this album but first time listening through. First song feels unnecessarily ornate with long lead in that never really builds. And this holds for most of the album. Candle in the Wind frankly always associated with Princess Di and found lyrics deeper than expected. Benny and the Jets live has a great vibe - realization that Ben Folds stole from EJ in terms of playing style and song structure. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road appeared in a lot of movies when I was young and listening today took me back to my childhood home and deep innocence - I could see an album label circling the spindle. The next 3 and frankly rest of the album largely forgettable. Alice is fun - good way to conclude a side of the record. Good enough to score highly for the hits but not near perfection I am seeking for a 5. 4/5
Classic. A few tracks I would have left off. Still, the singles are legendary.
Couple great songs and a bunch of filler.
Iconic standard. Lot of good stuff.
This is #day366 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… this has to be my first-ever full album experience with Elton John. And what an album to start with, right? There's something unmistakably '70s about it the moment you hit play. Glam rock is front and center, but so is progressive pop and pop rock. I mean, this is the same year Aladdin Sane came out. Some absolute highlights: the first four tracks (loving that synth in "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," and the title track is just golden). "I've Seen That Movie Too" and "Sweet Painted Lady" are also standouts. The piano work throughout is exceptional. Had the record been a tad shorter or spared a couple of inessential tracks, it'd easily be a 5. Still, this is a 4. Looking forward to #day367.
One of the better of the Elton Johns albums (in my opinion).
Some amazing songs mixed in with so really bad tracks (dirty girl and Jamaica jerk off)
Grew up hearing the first record of this two-record set on the radio, but this was the first time I'd listened to the whole thing. I don't know if I'm going to go out of my way to listen to the second record again, but I will say that he and Taupin crafted some amazing songs for the back half of this set.
This is my mom's jam. She loves listening to Elton John's songs.
Surely, Scissor Sisters’ favorite record.
The peak of early Elton John composition.
great
Damn. I somehow forgot this album in my 1973 album playlist and it shot up to the fourth spot. This one has bangers: "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," etc. This is a long album that starts with the operatic and double-digit long "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." Although the album slogs a bit on side three, the big singles more than make up for it. Top tracks: "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"
--Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding...love that bass starting around the 6 minute mark. A long but fun track --Candle in the Wind...great song. Prefer this over England's Rose (sorry, Diana) --Bennie and the Jets...I used to hate this song. I still do, but I used to, too --Goodbye Yellow Brick Road...good not great title song. --This Song Has No Title...very nice. I don't think I've heard this before. Great production --Grey Seal...has a nice groove --Jamaica Jerk-Off...I'm guessing Sir Elton is trying the old White Album-style genre stretch --I've Seen That Movie Too...not good enough to be six minutes long --Sweet Painted Lady...not bad but a little too old fashioned for me --The Ballad of Danny Bailey...this is weird. I love it! --Dirty Little Girl...decent. Could be shorter --All the Girls Love Alice...this one has a good groove and interesting tempo changes. Nice --Your Sister Can't Twist...trying a Jerry Lee Lewis thing. It's fun --Saturday Night's Alright...I'm not sure exactly whose ass Elton John thinks he's kicking, but this rocks --Roy Rogers...nice but basic, which is probably the point. Might like it more if I were more familiar with Roy Rogers --Social Disease...checking the volume on my headphones. I can barely hear him? Okay, it's getting louder. Intentional, I guess. It's a fun song --Harmony...fitting closer. Good stuff
Bennie And The Jets klingt einfach wunderbar, direkt gute Laune.
I've never been an Elton John fan, but I may have to change that. This album rocks. Elton is obviously a force on the piano, but the rest of his band is tight too. This album is absolutely frontloaded with hits. Standouts for me were "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" "Candle In The Wind" "Bennie And The Jets," yeah yeah all the hits. They're good! Solid, fun album. The second half is definitely slower. It's packed with good tunes, but it just lost me a bit. The album could have been shortened a bit to be honest, but there's so much good music here this easily hits a 4 out of 5. Not 100% my shtick, but pretty damn close!
I feel like if I went to a record store right now and looked at a used copy of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the second LP would look brand new, except for that skip at the beginning of side D where people kept dropping the needle on Saturday Night. And the first LP would be completely worn out. Did this need to be a double album, I don't think so, but I still will give it four stars, because its classic.
This is truly one of the all-time great albums. This is a classic. Best Songs Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding Candle in the Wind Bennie and the Jets Goodbye Yellow Brick Road This Song Has No Title Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) Harmony
Hitsen är klassiska örhängen, men däremellan är det för många svaga spår för ett toppbetyg. Fyra
A fine album, but way, WAY too long. There is a good 5 or 6 songs that could easily cut to bring this down to a standard album length. Easy candidates would be songs like "Jamaica Jerk-Off", "Dirty Little Girl" and that ridiculously long opener that could be saved just for concerts. While I will always take Elton John's honktonk over pretty much anything The Rolling Stones ever did, there is only so many honkytonk show tunes I can take. Also, I don't think the concept of leaving stardom and returning to a simple life really comes off, but then again I'm not interested in lyrics anyway. The hits are great. And 4 hits makes this an easy 3 to 4. Personally I am in a 3 mood today.
3 of the most famous songs out there, in a row, on the same album. Iconic. It would be crazy to see Elton live during this period. Absolute energy freak. The weak spot is the second half of the album, with a bunch of bouncy tracks that all have the Elton John sound but aren't particularly unique. I mean, this is not the worst problem to have: the man was bouncing off of the walls with ideas. But I would have preferred the punchier, 40-minute version, with the A-sides plus Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting.
Do I enjoy other Elton John albums more? Yes. Was this still fun and had some bops? Also yes
A bit too long and repetitive in sound bur some good songs on here. And an extra star just because it’s Elton
This isn’t my favorite Elton John album but was fun and nostalgic nonetheless. Elton can do no wrong in my eyes.
Of course there are some really good songs, but there are also some really not good songs like Jamaican Jerk Off. This album could be a lot better as one disc. Mid 4.
I think the album starts off really strong then gradually weakens with the occasional gem in the second half. I've never listened to the album in its entirety until today and as I went through the first 4 songs I thought this is going to be fantastic but then we hit the Jamaican number and I started to become a bit uncertain. Its not horrendous but its bizarre and ruins any flow the record had started to obtain. There are then a good few decent tracks but nothing mind blowing. Dirty Little Girl is pretty wild, funny hearing Elton John talking about grabbing a 'bitch' by the ass and giving her a well needed scrubbing. Was not expecting that. Obviously Saturday Nights Alright gets things going again but the album fails to hit the early highs. As for the positives, when the album is good its amazing. Guitars are off the scale at times , some brilliant solos. Proper rock and roll piano is hard to top and the vocals aren't bad at all. Lyrics are a bit cringe at times but I won't judge that too harshly. Overall it was a decent listen but I could probably have cut a third of the songs and went standard album length. Sorry Elton fans! Favourite track- Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. 7/10
thoughts: it’s wild to see how many massive songs are on this album. it’s pure distilled elton john through and through. i love the opener, although i wouldn’t have expected something like that to open an album like this. the title track is an all-time fave of mine. “saturday night’s alright for fighting” showing up late is a nice little shot in the arm songs: “funeral for a friend/love lies bleeding”, “goodbye yellow brick road”, “all the girls love alice” rating: 8.3/10
The first side is like a greatest hits album
This is a very good album. The songwriting is very creative and interesting and I like the mix of different styles used. The instrumentation is great, especially the piano. It's a fairly serious album and it includes lots of thoughtful lyrics. I think it could be improved if a few of the filler tracks were removed. Also wtf was he thinking with Jamaica jerk off. Overall, it's a really enjoyable album
I love Elton John, this is a great album. Not my favorite one but solid
Not bad for a double LP - doesn't really seem to drag. All of the classic hits are still classics.
Normally, I can’t really be doing with Elton John, which is why this album is a first listen for me. I know the hits and they don’t really put me up nor down. Much to my surprise, I really enjoyed this album. There is a lot to like on it, despite its vaguely prog aspect. It’s got a good mix of genres, from ballads, to rockers; prog to boogie woogie, and it’s really light. Even the album title is a nice piece of self-aggrandising fun. Reginald himself might be a prize wanker, but this is a damn fine album.
My favorite of his that I've listened to.
Strong opening, a few questionable tracks, Jamaican Jerk-Off is a poor man's Dreadlock Holiday.
'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' is fun, surprisingly versatile and exciting. I once had the opportunity to buy this one on vinyl, but I didn't, because I thought Elton John wasn't really an album man. Now I know I was wrong.
A good album as it happens! Never listened to it in it's entirety before but will be doing just that from now on.
Lots of amazing stuff on here, maybe stagnates a bit at parts but overall really nice. 4 stars
Love the heavy use of piano in some songs. Very joyous and whimsical.
Great ballads. Fun songs like "Bennie and the Jets." Loving it. Wait... "Jamaican Jerk-Off"?!? Okay, and we're back to some ballads.
Listened
Generally a nice album. My faves were 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Candle in The Wind', and 'Grey Seal'. 17 Elton John songs in a day was a bit of a challenge though I must admit, his hyper energy style of music doesn't always fit the mood!
So good.. So close to a 5 but I'm just thinking of other albums I consider 5s and don't know if I can justify this one. Sorry Elton.
yesterday i came up with the brilliant theory that i can self insert myself into everyone from the wizard of oz and dont feel weird. and today i got this. i just really don't know why. but anyway the album is rly decent. i know that ive said similar words over and over again but ill still say it. also the output of sir elton and bernie on the album is rather instable. there's classic songs like the title track while something will make you think "what?". 4/5
The rockier and more upbeat songs really elevate this album to a great place. It's not back to back banger but there are some superb songs on it.
A classic
One of his better albums
WOW this opener is good...... All the Young Girls Love Alice, another standout
The first 3 tracks are great Bbbbbbenny and the jets! very good all the way through liked it alot more than anticipated
yellow-dressed piano man
Sold 4 heard this one before that outro was bananas🙏
Magnificent singing, the best Elton album and his top songs are on here.
I listened to this album a lot with my dad growing up, but it’s been a while. There’s less filler than I remember, but I do think this juggernaut would be greatly improved with editing. Just for kicks, these are the songs I’d cut: - Jamaica Jerk Off (there seems to be universal agreement that this song sucks) - I’ve Seen That Movie Too (snooze) - Dirty Little Girl (this is just “Bennie and the Jets” but not good and kind of gross) - Roy Rogers (snooze) Still, most of this record is truly great. The 11-minute opener kicks ass, the hits hit, “All the Girls Love Alice” made me queer, and “Harmony” is a lovely closer. I agree that this is probably Elton John’s magnum opus, but I wish it was unburdened from the weaker tracks.
It’s Elton John, this album includes iconic single realesses, I enjoyed the album as a whole
some of his best, and some forgettable tracks. Not sure I've heard an Elton John album that floors me start to finish yet
muitcho bom, nao ouvi tudo
Candle in the wind is actually excellent but was ruined at the time by the Diana version. Really good album, shame about the Jamaica jerk off