Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is Elton John’s timeless creation. It has invited listeners on a captivating musical journey now for over 50 years and is not showing any signs of slowing down. This record remains one of his most popular and celebrated works, and for good reason.
Beginning with the album's epic centerpiece, Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, is an ambitious musical triumph. It transitions seamlessly from absolutely haunting instrumentals to a powerful rock anthem, showcasing Elton's virtuosity as both a pianist and a songwriter. If I had to make a list of the Top Five Songs that I wish I could go back and listen to again for the first time, this song would make a strong case for the top spot. I could not believe what I was hearing the first time this song played and I will forever chase that feeling in music. This song has the power to leave you speechless, much like it made me long ago.
Following that, we delve into one of the emotional core tracks of the record. Candle in the Wind emerges as a song of poignant elegance. Elton's vocals are delicate and emotionally charged, and the harmonies are breathtaking. It's a track, dedicated to Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe), that can and should genuinely move you. We shift after this to Bennie and the Jets, an anthemic rocker framed as a live recording. It's flamboyant, infectious, and bridges generations with its sing-along chorus. This songs cultural experience is just as grand as the song itself, and it is eccentrically glamorous in all of the ways you would expect from Elton.
The album's title track, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, sets a melancholic yet uplifting tone with its emotive vocal delivery. Yearning for something real, this farewell to glitz and glamour drives the theme of the album hard, and it shows Elton's ability to continually elevate his vocal performance. Every record you think to yourself that there is no way he could get better or improve, and then he does.
This Song Has No Title is a bit of a departure following the album's highs. It's shorter and instrumentally impressive but it doesn't match the others overall impact. Grey Seal, on the other hand, brings back the energy with lively piano-driven melodies and an upbeat tempo. The piano playing rivals the impressive feats of ‘Pinball Wizard’, which is yet to come.
Critics of this record pick out Jamaica Jerk-Off as a weak point in the album. It is a loose fit thematically on this record and it may not resonate with everyone due to its reggae-infused rhythms, but it adds a dash of diversity. Should it belong on this album? Maybe not. Do I skip it when it comes on? No, in fact I sing to it.
I've Seen That Movie Too follows and I firmly believe it is the most underrated track on the album and one of Elton’s overall most underrated tracks. Elton's vocals are filled to the brim with emotion as he sings of the weight of life's experiences, creating a slower yet climactic journey. The Deluxe Anniversary edition of the record features a Live rendition of this song that CANNOT be missed.
Sweet Painted Lady is a very sweet and colorful addition to this albums diverse repertoire. Its added sounds of water and ocean birds make me feel like I’m near the gondolas of Italy, especially with the accordion accents. The Ballad of Danny Bailey is a narrative-driven bluesy rock track, reminiscent of the American Western storytelling of Tumbleweed Connection. The opening crack of the snare drum emulates a gunshot, really putting you into the story of the early 1900s gangster.
Dirty Little Girl rolls in and adds a grittier edge to the album, subtly departing from the poppier top-half style. Although it fits pretty snug right at the back end of this record. Especially with All the Girls Love Alice up next. One of my favorites on this whole record with its bold, spirited bluesy vibe and iconic guitar riff. Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n Roll) celebrates early rock 'n roll with youthful energy, reminiscent of the Twist and Shout Beatles style. That being said, for a song done in this style, it isn’t the most memorable and the album I feel could do without it.
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting then kicks in hard and has since become one of the most famous songs of Elton’s entire career. This tour de force anthem is a foot stomping showstopper with high-energy. It demands sing-alongs and leaves an unforgettable impression on anyone who listens.
The final three tracks of the record start with Roy Rogers, a cowboy ballad with lush orchestration that may not resonate as strongly as other tracks on the album. The cowboy might be memorable to Elton and Co. but it is not the most memorable to me. Social Disease maintains a good bit of the Western twang of its predecessor, but picks up the energy, making you almost want to shout “Yee-Haw.” Both songs could’ve fit on Tumbleweed Connection. Although that record is perfect so don’t you dare touch it.
Harmony then closes the album beautifully. Thematically and sonically, Harmony fits into Goodbye Yellow Brick Road perfectly. Its soaring harmonies and heartfelt melodies bring this mid-tempo ballad to grandeur, making it the perfect conclusion to this musical journey.
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is an absolute timeless triumph in the world of music. While a few songs may not match the album's highs, the record as a whole remains an enduring classic. It transcends genres and generations, a testament to Elton's artistry. Whether you've been listening for decades or just discovered it, this album will always leave you in awe.
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Highlight Songs:
Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Candle in the Wind
I’ve Seen That Movie Too
Bennie and the Jets
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting
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Own It, Stream it, Forget about it
Don’t waste your time wondering what the right choice is. Own it. The right choice is owning it. It is Elton’s most popular record for a reason, and it is a record that should be celebrated, rather than shrugged off for being “mainstream” or “popular”. Do the highs of certain tracks on the record elevate it to that universal top spot more than it should? Perhaps, but there are a million other reasons to own this record and play the hell out of it for decades to come.
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Overall Rating:
4.5 Stars
