| "Sixty Years On" | ||||
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| Song by Elton John from the album Elton John | ||||
| Released | April 10, 1970 (UK) July 22, 1970 (USA) |
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| Recorded | January 1970 | |||
| Genre | Folk, Symphonic rock, Chanson | |||
| Length | 4:35 4:55 (1st CD pressing) |
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| Label | DJM (UK/world) Uni (US/Canada) |
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| Writer | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | |||
| Producer | Gus Dudgeon | |||
| Elton John track listing | ||||
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"Sixty Years On" is a song written and performed by Elton John which first appeared on his eponymous album, Elton John. The lyrics were written by long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin.
The original recording featured a dynamic, characteristic string arrangement from Paul Buckmaster. A concert performance captured on John's 1987 live album Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is also heavily orchestrated and the song is traditionally played in concert with orchestral backing. However, the recording which appeared on John's 1970 live album, 17-11-70, or 11-17-70 and performances on John's Rocket Man Solo Tour have proven that the song can be played with minimal instrumentation.
The song tells the story of a handicapped war veteran who lives alone with a dog but is unwilling to continue living in such conditions.
John used the song to open his show at Madison Square Garden on 25 March 2007. The show was performed on, and in dedication, of his sixtieth birthday. The performance was also Elton John's record breaking sixtieth performance at Madison Square Garden.
A recent cover of this song by Brandi Carlile appears on the Bonus Track Version of her self-titled debut album released in 2006. Her live album, Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony (2011), includes the song live with orchestral backing.