Your Song
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| “Your Song” | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Elton John from the album Elton John |
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| Released | 1970 | ||||
| Format | vinyl record (7") | ||||
| Recorded | Trident Studios | ||||
| Genre | Rock, piano rock | ||||
| Length | 4:04 | ||||
| Label | Uni, DJM | ||||
| Writer(s) | John/Taupin | ||||
| Producer | Gus Dudgeon | ||||
| Elton John singles chronology | |||||
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"Your Song" is a ballad composed and performed by musician Elton John. The song's lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin. It appeared on John's self-titled second album in 1970.
The song was released in the U.S. in October 1970 as the B-side to "Take Me to the Pilot". 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 ten charts.
Contents |
[edit] Composition and inspiration
"Your Song" is a soft blend of several different styles: soul, folk, and jazz, with the R&B hook of the chorus: "I hope you don't mind / I hope you don't mind / That I put down in words / How wonderful life is while you're in the world." The instrumental focus is on John's Leon Russell-influenced piano work, along with acoustic guitar, Paul Buckmaster's string accompaniment, and a shuffling rhythm section.
The lyrics express the romantic thoughts of an innocent. Taupin offers a straightforward love-song lyric at the beginning: "It's a little bit funny this feeling inside / I'm not one of those who can easily hide / I don't have much money but boy if I did / I'd buy a big house where we both could live." At times the self-deprecating narrator stumbles to get out his feelings, which despite being a melodramatic device, the All Music Guide calls "effective and sweet":[1] "So excuse me forgetting but these things I do / You see I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue / Anyway the thing is what I really mean / Yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen / And you can tell everybody this is your song / It may be quite simple but now that it's done."
The song was part of a stockpile of songs John and Taupin wrote in 1969 while living together. John pinpoints his composition of the music to October 27. Supposedly, it took him only ten minutes. Taupin had penned the lyrics earlier that day over breakfast. John cites the song as one of his favourites, and plays it at many of his concerts. In an interview, he commented that "[he doesn't] think [he has] written a love song as good since".
[edit] Reception
"Your Song" was praised by critics upon release and in subsequent years. The All Music Guide has stated that it "is a near-perfect song".[1] John Lennon stated the song is "the first new thing that's happened since we [The Beatles] happened."[2] Rolling Stone called the song a "pretty McCartneyesque ballad".[3] In 2004 Rolling Stone included the song in their 2004 list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at #136.
[edit] Chart performance and impact
The song was John's first pop hit. It rose to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100,[4] and in the UK peaked at #7.[5] In 2002, John rerecorded the song as a duet with opera singer Alessandro Safina for the first Sport Relief charity telethon, and it reached #4 in the UK.
The song heralded the era of singer/songwriters when it became a hit in 1970. Artists like James Taylor and John Denver would soon achieve fame with similar heartfelt songs featuring a prominent vocal and a soft piano or guitar.
[edit] Performances
- Ewan McGregor performed it in the 2001 film Moulin Rouge!.
- John performed it at the Concert for Diana on July 1, 2007.
- Mike Skinner (The Streets) recorded it for BBC Radio One as part of its 40th year birthday celebrations in 2007.
Other artists who have covered the song include:
- Billy Joel (duet with John at The Concert for New York City) on October 20, 2001
- Rod Stewart
- Ronan Keating (both with Boyzone and solo with Elton John)
- Rick Wakeman (piano only)
- Roy Orbison
- Cilla Black
- Ben Folds
- Al Jarreau
- Three Dog Night
- Billy Paul
- Keane
- The Streets
- John Frusciante (live)
- Josh Groban
- Andy Williams
- Noriyuki Makihara
- John Barrowman (both live for BBC Children in Need 2007 with Myleene Klass on piano and on his 2007 album Another Side)
- Mia Martini, who sang it in Italian with the title "Picnic" on her 1973 album Il giorno dopo ("The day after")
- Jyongri
[edit] Format and tracklist
- 1970 US 7" single
- . "Take Me to the Pilot" 3:43
- . "Your Song" 3:57
- 1971 UK 7" single
- "Your Song"
- "Into The Old Man's Shoes"
- 1978 UK 7" single
- "Your Song"
- "Border Song"
- 1985 UK 7" single
- "Cry To Heaven"
- "Candy By The Pound"
- "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On/I Saw Her Standing There/Twist And Shout [live]"
- "Your Song [live]"
- 1987 UK 7" single
- "Your Song [live]"
- "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me [live]"
- 1992 US 7" single
- "Your Song"
- "Border Song"
- 1999 US CD single
- "Recover Your Soul [live]" 4:40
- "Your Song [live]" 4:08
- 2000 US 12 single
- "We Belond [Pat Benatar] [remix]" 10:39
- "Your Song [Junior's Vasquez Mix]" 10:00
- 2002 US CD single
- "Your Song" 4:19
- "Your Song [instrumental]"
- "Your Song [video]"
- 2002 US 12 single
- "Your Song [Junior's Earth Anthem]" 10:31
- "Your Song [Almighty Mix]" 7:21
- "Your Song [Pretty In Pink Mix]" 6:29
[edit] Charts
| Chart (1973) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
| UK Singles Chart | 7 |
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 4 |
| Chart (2007) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Ringtones | 1 |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Janovitz, Bill. "Your Song". All Music Guide. Retrieved July 16, 2006.
- ^ Lennon, John. "Rolling Stone Interview". Rolling Stone Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2006.
- ^ Rolling Stone. "Elton John". Rolling Stone Magazine. Retrieved July 16, 2006.
- ^ "Billboard". Billboard Hot 100 airplay and sales charts. Retrieved June 11, 2006.
- ^ "BBC: The Official UK Charts Company". United Kingdom sales chart. Retrieved June 11, 2006.
[edit] External links
- SongFacts entry with trivia about the song
