Madman Across the Water album is my favourite of his entire discography. I was 11 when it came out. At 63 I still return to it, like an old friend. :o)
I agree, the "Madman" album is really genius, especially the "Indian Sunset". I love this one very much and in 1986 I went to England to get this album because here in Germany I never found it. Not even in Cologne. Can you imagine how the English love Elton? It´s incredible.
@@johnscialfa7391 I think it does with a lot of people but music critics tend to not respect him as much as Bowie, Springsteen, or Stevie Wonder it seems.
"Underrated" (or in this case "Elton's name doesn't come up often...") is just another way of saying "I have no idea who this guy is but I like him and other people should too..." LOL
When first listening through the Madman-album, this song struck me like no other, I don't know why, and this version is even better than the album version!
Yeah I've listened to the record so many times and every time this one came on it surprised me, esp with the choir.. I finally got it in MP3 form so I could listen on repeat and in my car, very loudly. 💜💜💜
"If it came to pass that they should ask, what could I tell them?" Bernie wrote the lyrics, but I knew at the time this was about Elton's being gay. I speculate that at some point Elton knew he would be asked if he were gay, and he passed on these fears to Bernie. Elton says the song is about "criticism," leading you to believe it is about MUSICAL criticism. But it's not. It's about societal criticism and the meanness he knew he would face from "All the Nasties" when the truth came out.
Actually no. It had nothing to do with his sexuality although in hindsight it could be interpreted that way. It was about the British press' criticism of Elton and Bernie's work. They were saying that they were overexposed and coming out with too many projects at once, that the public didn't have the chance to appreciate one thing before they released something else. It was like "Not this guy again." Elton really didn't let it bother him but it irritated Bernie because he was the lyricist...this he said himself...so this song was his response to the criticism they were getting.
@@MzJanuary Well actually in his autobiography - "Me" on page 91 of that book he actually wrote that it was a song about Elton wondering about what would happen if he came out publicly. And he also wrote that "not a single person seemed to notice what he was singing about" so that is from Elton John himself in his book. But when Elton and Bernie gave the interview right after this performance they didn't mention any of that to the interviewer on the OGWT because it was in 1971 and it would have been highly controversial and probably extremely detrimental to his and Bernie's career. They just said it was about "criticism". I recommend you pick up his book and read it for yourself you can probably get it in a library or used online.
The song is actually about 'coming out' (he said so himself), just listen to the opening line...if it came to pass if they should ask (if I'm gay) what would I tell them?
Bobby D "Five years later Bernie would offer the song's true meaning. Bernie was asked by Rolling Stone, if they had planned to write a 'gay song'. Bernie responded, 'There was once once, All the Nasties, that no one picked up on. It says something about 'if they asked, maybe I would tell them'." - quoted from the EJ Biography, His Song, page 44. I assume the controversy on this issue is settled now?
@thespermdonor Yeah, I noticed it and recorded it on Sky+. I wondered if this would be included (from the DVD - which only included 'Tiny Dancer' and a shortened version of the interview apparently) or it was the 1974 appearance (promoting Caribou).
I think both sides of the interpretation of the meaning of this song are correct. True, the lyrics were written by Bernie, who is heterosexual, and was at the time of his writing about criticism of their music early on. However, I suspect, that when Elton took those lyrics and put them to music, he saw it as a song about him coming out.
Madman Across the Water album is my favourite of his entire discography. I was 11 when it came out. At 63 I still return to it, like an old friend. :o)
Me too! It was the first album I ever bought. I still have it and listen to
it.
Spirituals, just like 'Border Song'. The more I listen to Elton's work the more I find out. This is what makes his music so rich.
Same. Just so beautiful.
I agree, the "Madman" album is really genius, especially the "Indian Sunset". I love this one very much and in 1986 I went to England to get this album because here in Germany I never found it. Not even in Cologne. Can you imagine how the English love Elton? It´s incredible.
Indeed!
His best album. The songs hold up, even without the album's very dramatic production.
I love Elton. For his sweet voice and for the cutest face in the world!
Eltons name doesn't come up often when the all time greats are mentioned but some of us know better. Just pure talent.
Did you say eltons name doesn't come up when people talk about the all-time greats? What planet do you live on. LOL
@@johnscialfa7391 I think it does with a lot of people but music critics tend to not respect him as much as Bowie, Springsteen, or Stevie Wonder it seems.
Elton's name doesn't come up? What in hell are you talking about???
His name comes up all the time!!! He and Bernie are the peak, the benchmark!
"Underrated" (or in this case "Elton's name doesn't come up often...") is just another way of saying "I have no idea who this guy is but I like him and other people should too..." LOL
The guy's a genius.
thank god for utube- how else would we appreciate these golden warm memories
My receptivity to Elton John's music and the lyrics of Bernie Taupin lead me to buying 20 albums!! Love the early bbc recordings
I just re-listened to the album version of this song. Doesn't even hold a candle 🕯 to this soulful version.
Someone say Hallelujah. This is the gospel of (Elton) John. 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
Love how he is pleased with his work at the end
Vintage Elton John. Never tire of returning to his early works. One word, wonderful.
This is all gospel....so amazing. Elton is really primarily a gospel pianist. One of my fave songs of his.
simply masterful, Elton at his best
Him and Bernie owned the world back then. This song is on top of my favorite Elton John songs.
The songs they wrote through the Blue Moves album in 1976 still own all the others imo
When first listening through the Madman-album, this song struck me like no other, I don't know why, and this version is even better than the album version!
Yeah I've listened to the record so many times and every time this one came on it surprised me, esp with the choir.. I finally got it in MP3 form so I could listen on repeat and in my car, very loudly. 💜💜💜
Andreas Draganis Agree. The rawness of just his piano and vocals is always just the best.
Thank you, i've not seen this before
This is GOLD.
He has the voice of an angel. 💜
i love how pleased he is with himself right at the very end hahaha.
Great great tune! Reminds me of my youth😊
the chord voicing are so great, so ethereal and beautiful and Elton in his prime? Amazing
thanks for posting this!
Beautiful :) The whole Madman Across The Water album is genius
One of my favorite albums. Love the rawness of this concert.
GENIUS!
the best
`oh my soul.. oh my soul...
💜😭👌
Hey Jude
Plain and simple genius
So many feelings. All good. All good. Thank you, Elton.
Nasties = the British music press.
Full bloodied city boy into a full bloodied city man" is a powerful message.
Thanks for posting this. It's one of my favorites and I don't know of any other live performance of this song besides this one.
God his playing and voice sounds just like the recording!! Love his live stuff ty Mr Elton
Alanya Sloane This was the first, and probably only live performance of this song (on record), and was done not long after the album recorded.
Absolute talent!
Oh my soul...
Oh My SOUL! Awesome song. Great video! Thanks for posting!
It was seemingly done a limited amount times in 1971 (maybe 1972 as well).
Not a popular pick, but still liked by fans - including me!
Best song on Madman without doubt!
Indian Sunset, Holiday Inn, title track, Levon, Razor Face!
Amen, lunymoony! Amen!
absolutely classic
It was an OGWT repeat and was on about 2am in the morning.
It has a watermark of the BBC.
Oh my soul indeed
I thought you'd sold it...remember?
Thanks love this Song
I looked. Thanks. How the hell did I not see this? I had no plans that Friday night.
info is on part 3 of 3, but it was in June or July of this year, 2009 on BBC4
Elton's auto brought me here. pg 91
"If it came to pass that they should ask, what could I tell them?" Bernie wrote the lyrics, but I knew at the time this was about Elton's being gay. I speculate that at some point Elton knew he would be asked if he were gay, and he passed on these fears to Bernie. Elton says the song is about "criticism," leading you to believe it is about MUSICAL criticism. But it's not. It's about societal criticism and the meanness he knew he would face from "All the Nasties" when the truth came out.
Actually no. It had nothing to do with his sexuality although in hindsight it could be interpreted that way. It was about the British press' criticism of Elton and Bernie's work. They were saying that they were overexposed and coming out with too many projects at once, that the public didn't have the chance to appreciate one thing before they released something else. It was like "Not this guy again." Elton really didn't let it bother him but it irritated Bernie because he was the lyricist...this he said himself...so this song was his response to the criticism they were getting.
@@MzJanuary Well actually in his autobiography - "Me" on page 91 of that book he actually wrote that it was a song about Elton wondering about what would happen if he came out publicly. And he also wrote that "not a single person seemed to notice what he was singing about" so that is from Elton John himself in his book. But when Elton and Bernie gave the interview right after this performance they didn't mention any of that to the interviewer on the OGWT because it was in 1971 and it would have been highly controversial and probably extremely detrimental to his and Bernie's career. They just said it was about "criticism". I recommend you pick up his book and read it for yourself you can probably get it in a library or used online.
The song is actually about 'coming out' (he said so himself), just listen to the opening line...if it came to pass if they should ask (if I'm gay) what would I tell them?
+ibji would-could, oops, still, follow the lyrics with this in mind
ibji Not sure about that.
Bobby D "Five years later Bernie would offer the song's true meaning. Bernie was asked by Rolling Stone, if they had planned to write a 'gay song'. Bernie responded, 'There was once once, All the Nasties, that no one picked up on. It says something about 'if they asked, maybe I would tell them'." - quoted from the EJ Biography, His Song, page 44. I assume the controversy on this issue is settled now?
@@zigner LOL--#TriggeredMuch?
@@waldenhouse It's in his autobiography
@thespermdonor Yeah, I noticed it and recorded it on Sky+.
I wondered if this would be included (from the DVD - which only included 'Tiny Dancer' and a shortened version of the interview apparently) or it was the 1974 appearance (promoting Caribou).
@hiadhiad no miming in them days my friend, theres mics there alright.. all real not liek these days.
My husband rates this song as eltons finest masterpiece 😂
Maybe he's trying to tell you something...
This song is too real for me :(
God loves us just as we are... Dont worry... Love is the answer... Warm regards from Montevideo, Uruguay
I never ever criticize
this song wasn't just about being criticized, it's about if elton should come out as gay publically or not.
Correct.
I adore this song so much. The title alone got my attention, but i always fucking hated criticism. Oh my soul, indeed.
This comes from’ Joe Gallo ‘ Beautiful boy.❤ Joe Gallo ❤️
@hiadhiad - ???? I can see 4 - 3 on the piano and one on him.
Goddamnnnnn.
When was this on?
British band James 'borrowed' this song's intro for their 1990s hit 'Say Something'...
Its "Madman Across the Water!
I think both sides of the interpretation of the meaning of this song are correct. True, the lyrics were written by Bernie, who is heterosexual, and was at the time of his writing about criticism of their music early on. However, I suspect, that when Elton took those lyrics and put them to music, he saw it as a song about him coming out.
this song has nothing to do with coming out...Bernie wrote the lyrics years before he new Elton was gay....great tune though.
Sorry, that's not true. It is indeed about coming out. Read page 91 of Elton's autobiography, "Me"
He KNEW Elton was gay from Jump Street. They were living together and Elton kissed him. 🙄
This is a song about whether to come out of the closet or not. Just read it in his autobiography.
They should've used this as the outro for MATW album instead of 'Goodbye', which by the way is Just a filler.