Border Song

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"Border Song"

Single by Elton John
from the album Elton John
Released	1970
Format	vinyl record (7")
Recorded	Trident Studios
Genre	Gospel, Rock
Length	3:22
Label	Congress
Writer(s)	Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer(s)	Gus Dudgeon
Elton John singles chronology
"Lady Samantha" (1969)	"Border Song" (1970)	"Take Me to the Pilot/Your Song" (1970)

"Border Song" is a gospel ballad originally performed by British musician Elton John. It was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his 1970 album Elton John.

The song was released in 1970 (1970 in music) as the first single from the album. It was John's first song to chart in the United States, peaking at number 92 on the Hot 100. A cover by soul icon Aretha Franklin fared better the following year reaching the top 40.

[edit] Music and lyrics

The song's melody is similar to that of a spiritual. A choir sings during an instrumental break led by John's piano.

John has said that the song is about the alienation Taupin felt in and about London at the time ("Brand of people who ain't my kind"), and his desire to visit home as often as he could. Some believe the song is speaking against bigotry. The last verse, written by John himself, seems to support this idea: "Holy Moses, let us live in peace/let us strive to find a way to make all hatred cease/there's a man over there. What's his colour I don't care/he's my brother let us live in peace."