Madman Across the Water (song)

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"Madman Across the Water" is a 1970 song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin which appeared on the album of the same name in 1971. The lyrics, written by Taupin, are very surrealistic in nature. The song tells the story of a psychotic individual who only utters nonsensical phrases in a mental institution. Its opening lines, "I can see very well/There's a boat on the reef with a broken back/And I can see it very well," give the listeners a sense of a psychotic man singing. The lyrics, combined with John's spooky vocals, dark piano playing, and Paul Buckmaster's string arrangements makes "Madman" one of Elton's best-loved songs.

The original nine-minute recording of the song (featuring electric guitar by Mick Ronson) is included on the remastered CD of Tumbleweed Connection.