Take Me to the Pilot

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“Take Me to the Pilot”
Single by Elton John
from the album Elton John
B-side "Your Song"
Released October 26, 1970
Format vinyl record (7")
Recorded Trident Studios
Genre Country Rock
Length 3:47
Label Uni (US/Canada)
DJM Records
Writer(s) Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer Gus Dudgeon
Elton John singles chronology
"Rock n' Roll Madonna"
(1970)		 "Take Me to the Pilot"
(1970)		 "Your Song"
(1970)

"Take Me to the Pilot" is a rock song performed by British musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his eponymous second album in 1970.

It was released in 1970 as the second single from the album, backed by "Your Song." Both received airplay, but "Your Song" was preferred by disc jockeys and replaced "Take Me to the Pilot" as the A-side, eventually making both the UK and U.S. Top Tens.

[edit] Composition and inspiration

Many have cited the song's lyrics as incomprehensible. "If you feel that it's real/I'm on trial/and I'm here in your prison/like a coin in your mint/I am dented and spent with high treason" reads the first verse. The speaker in this odd tale then observes. "Through a glass, eye, your throne/is the one danger zone" and exhorts his captor to "Take me to the pilot for control/take me to the pilot of your soul."

Bernie has said that he has no idea what the lyrics mean, comparing his writing style in the song to poets like "Baudelaire and Rimbaud...(who) just threw things together and went 'Wow! That sounds good'." The lyrics possess many elements: betrayal, either political or personal ("treason"); the illusion of danger ("through a glass eye"); and fearlessness toward the unknown ("take me to the pilot of your soul"). According to Elton, this and other songs recorded during this period were inspired by the science fiction books Bernie was reading at the time.

[edit] Song history

Since its 1970 release, "Take Me to the Pilot" has become a staple of John's live shows and can be heard on many of his concert recordings — ranging from a performance with his early '70s backup musicians, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson on 11-17-70 (1970) to Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1987) with a full scale orchestral reworking the original Paul Buckmaster score. There have also been numerous notable cover versions from the likes of Jose Feliciano, folk/blues guitarist Buzzy Linhart, R&B vocalist Ben E. King, blues icon Odetta, piano legend Nate Hopkins, a duet between singers Al Jarreau and Gloria Loring, and third-season contestant George Huff on American Idol.

[edit] Format and tracklist

  • 1970 US 7" single
  1. . "Take Me to the Pilot" 3:43
  2. . "Your Song" 3:57
  • 1988 US 7" single
  1. "Take Me to the Pilot (live)" 3:58
  2. "Tonight (live)" 7:26
  • 1992 US 7" single
  1. "Nikita"
  2. "Take Me to the Pilot"
  • 1995 US CD single
  1. "Blessed" 4:19
  2. "Honky Cat (live)" 7:05
  3. "Take Me to the Pilot (live)" 5:55
  4. "The Bitch is Back (live)" 4:26