My thoughts exactly. Whereas Major Tom was a pioneer and a celebrity, Rocket Man was a much more run-of-the-mill character, but they both deal with that same theme of idol/space loneliness.
Your videos are great and I thoroughly enjoy them. The song "Rocket Man" was always one I listened to when I was a cross country truck driver. It's a song that a trucker can definitely relate to and the way you broke the song down is spot on. The way you talked about the Rocket Man being in space but missing home then being home and missing space was like a page read from my memories of trucking that I can all too well relate to. These days I'm not able to drive anymore and I miss the road like the Rocket Man would miss space. Thanks for another great video.
@@bobbyberetta4206 that's a different mind set, man. I listened to that song many times running home happy to be heading that way. "Rocket Man" sets the tone for the lonely void between leaving home and coming back.
@Over Under Sideways Down i understand my friend. I have totally blurred vision in my left eye and maybe 50% in my right eye. Luckily i had procedures done in my right eye several years ago that helped to save what vision i have in that eye now. But i developed glaucoma in my left eye in January 2018 which, along with diabetic retinopathy, caused my eyeball to swell. I couldn't get treatment fast enough before permanent damage was done to the optic nerve in that eye. I know how you feel and what you've been through, sir.
How about a video about Richie Havens' woodstock performance for the 50th anniversary? The story behind it is really cool, especially how he made up "Freedom" on the fly for his like 3rd or 4th encore, he was pretty much stalling for the rest of the bands to make it to the festival
I could watch this guy do a video on a guy farting in a tuba.... And I'm sure he could blow me away some deep artistic meaning and the genius surrounding it.. Another fantastic video mate cheers from Central Illinois!
I am shocked that this wasn't mentioned. After Bowie died, Elton even gave credit to Bowie for how Space Oddity helped inspire and make popular Rocket Man, right?
I always thought that Rocket Man was a song about drug addiction, and trying to find a way to balance everyday life with your addictions. But I guess that's one of the beautiful things about music. It can be interpreted in so many ways, and give the listener the experience that resonates most closely to them.
Same I was just about to comment the same thing. I had never thought of rocket man as a metaphor for Elton's life so this video was incredibly eye opening.
Always found it amazing how Elton would interpret Bernie's words into musical ideas. Captain Fantastic is a brilliant album showing their working relationship.
Waiting for: -Death grips video -Jethro tull - Thick as a brick video -Father John Misty and the postmodernism video -J dilla video -captain beffheart video Edit: and a video about "clipping - Splendor & misery" about cosmic horror.
I always thought Rocket Man was about a man’s addiction to drugs and being kicked out by his wife because of it, and he wanted to get better but knew it would be a long road and he may not be able to do it. He was lost in the drugs, high as a kite, floating in space.
This video actually made me cry! I love Elton sooooo much - and I guess it feels so good to see someone appreciate him, and understand so much about what he was most likely "up to" when creating some of his earlier works. You are incredibly perceptive. Keep up the good work - Robert
As a fellow video essayist who makes a good amount of content about musicians, you are one of my biggest inspirations to keep going and to improve the quality of my content. Thank you so much.
You should do a video on King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's musical universe (known as the Gizzverse) that is shared across almost all of their albums, and tells stories of rebirth, humanity, the destruction of the universe, cyborgs, and more. Their forthcoming album Fishing for Fishies seems to be continuing the story of the Gizzverse, so it would be perfect timing. Keep up the good work, by the way!
I had heard this song a thousand times growing up. Then one day I got divorced, became homeless, and found myself illegally living in the attic (illegally) of a large house. All I had was my ipod and whatever food I could scrounge from my new job that day. Rocket Man came on when I was playing Shuffle on the ipod and I realized that this song was about my divorce and my situation in that attic. Only Bernie Taupin could write a song in the 70s based on me in 2010. Taupin would do it again with his song "Indian Sunset", but that will be a story for a different video.
That's very kind of you. Im doing better now. I live in a home I own and am just a town over from my daughter. I still look back on those times homeless/in the attic as the worst of my life...but there is no doubt that I learned a lot from those times and that the songs I heard all sounded new again in that situation. I miss the earth so much I miss my wife It's lonely out in space On such a timeless flight Mars ain't the kind of place To raise your kids In fact, it's cold as hell And there's no one there to raise them If you did
@@Gekokujo76 I'm glad to hear that brother. It's great that you can see ypur daughter often. You're a strong person that you never gave up. Keep that attitude.
It means a lot to hear you say that....probably the kindest thing anybody's said to me all year. If I was to say that my daughter and "that attitude" are all I have, that would be an exaggeration. That said, it is no exaggeration to say that, when I didnt have "that attitude" and my daughter, I had nothing. You are wise to see that truth in my silly "Bernie wrote that about me" story...and you are kind for sharing your welcomed/needed words with me. YOU keep that up as well, my friend.
@@Gekokujo76 Thanks for the kind words. I feel appreciated that my words could give you a smile on your face. If you feel lonely i will help you. You can write to me any time any place.
Love your channel Polyphonic! Your videos make me listen to old songs in a new way - your dissection never destroys the songs, it only ever enhances them.
@@ELENTE_ when I first heard it I heard that his wife packed her bags instead of her packing his bags so I imagine the wife leaving him which caused him to go on this drug addiction as a coping mechanism and I also like to mention the part where it goes you can’t raise a son on mars meaning you can’t raise a son with a drug addict and I imagine just him and his son and his son being neglected. The song also says I’m not the same person at home which I interpreted that as he’s a different person when’s he’s on drugs so I’m thinking he’s abusing his son or something. I think my first interpretation of this song is much darker than what the most people interpret it as
Elton's backing vocals were provided by Nigel Olsson (his drummer), Davey Johnstone (his guitarist) and the late, great Dee Murray (bassist). The four of them had a sound that, if they had made any songs with as much production, could rival Queen. Such a great backing band. Look to Candle In The Wind for other great uses of their harmonies.
@@darkkiss7247 Another prime example. The Yellow Brick Road album is (in my mind, anyways) Elton's best work. It's one of the few albums where I can listen to all of it, in order. Never skipping a song, just sitting and listening. And a double album, no less. To put 17 absolute bangers on one album is incredibly tough to do.
Thanks. Elton John is another of my all-times favorite artists. I think he's also a very underrated singer, as well. As to being on the verge of getting into space again (and this time for real, we presume): we need to make sure we've got nothing in particular to prove, this time. We need to move outward progressively - industry in orbit around Earth, then back to the Moon (to stay), then outward to Mars and beyond. Only by building slowly & steadily - making sure the foundations are solid - will there be any edifice to stand on in the future. tavi.
Cheers mate, really good video, loved it If you'd like my 2 cents I'd love to see a video about Warren Zevon, so underrated and yet so brilliant, both in music and lyrics in songs like Excitable Boy, Desperados Under The Eaves and/or Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner
To be fair, Elton recognizes that he wouldn't be much without Bernie, and Bernie recognizes his lyrics wouldnt have reached the same heights they did without Elton. It's a mutual, symbiotic relationship. EDIT: fixed the phrasing
I just saw him in Jacksonville, and man did he put on a show. For a guy of 71 years, he is incredible even to this day. The set list he performed had just as much, if not more, energy and emotion than the actual recording takes. What a legend.
I never even particularly liked this song, always thinking of it as 'that one Elton John earworm', and now ya got me trying not to cry over it. 10/10 job well done.
Is it related to the real life - The Farmer Astronaut ? There's a movie of that name and I've seen it several times and the guy did circle the earth several times and landed back down without being hurt. He used to be with NASA. His father died while he was at the end of his training and NASA said NO you can't go to your fathers funeral. He went anyway and NASA kicked him out so he and his family made his dream come true,and remember he was a farmer. He didn't have 16 million or billion dollars like NASA claim it takes to send a man into orbit, so what do they do with all that extra money? The Farmer Astronaut certainly didn't have the kind of money NASA has, but the guy still did it. Truth !!!
Wait really? That shit would have been nuts! "Hey, you know what this song about post-psychedelic despair with heavy mellotron and avant-garde jazz influences needs? Some piano music you can actually dance to. Maybe even a bit you can sing along with."
King Crimson considered hiring him to sing on In the Wake of Poseidon but decided against it and brought Greg Lake back instead even though he already left the band, I don't think they ever considered having Elton as a full time member of the band. Bryan Ferry did audition to replace Lake around this time, Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield didn't think he fit the band's sound but they were impressed and helped get Roxy Music their first record contract.
A choir of voices...well, really just his band at that point, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson. They really did great backing vocals AFTER booting Elton out of the studio so they could work in peace, haha, usually standing around one mic. They really show it off in Candle in the Wind.
My personal favourite of all of the lines has to be, "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids In fact it's cold as hell . And there's no one there to raise them if you did." Ahh, they don't write songs like that anymore.
Bernie Taupin is the luckiest man who ever lived. He has churned out lyrics that range from trite to pure gibberish, and then had them placed within some of the most evocative and catchy musical settings in pop history. Even more, his musings were performed with whole-hearted sincerity by one of the most dynamic performers of the last 50 years, both in recordings and on stage. "Mars ain't the the kind of place to raise your kids, in fact it's cold as hell... and there's no one there to raise them if you did." Aren't we all wiser now the Bernie has shared this wisdom with us? I know it entirely changed my child-raising strategy. I hate to bash any successful artist but, jeeesh, Bernie Taupin's success is mystifying to me. Am I the only one?
W.D. Rhine. I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking that. Bernie is given too much credit for their success nowadays. Gus Dundgeon said it best when he stated there's no such thing as a hit lyric. No one buys a record for the lyrics. If they like the vocal/melody enough, then they'll pay attention to the lyrics.
While I am very conscious of lyrics, hence my strong response to Bernie Taupin (and don't get me started on the works of Yes or America - "Alligator lizards in the air"? alligators aren't lizards and even if they were what are they doing in the air?) I do agree that lyrics, especially in pop songs, are secondary features. Perhaps it is a testament to the talents of Elton John that he could have so many hits despite often singing drivel.
W.D. Rhine I've always thought that Elton had separate primes for different skillsets. For example, I think most would agree that Elton's creativity/songwriting prime was 1970-1976, but I think his vocal prime was from 1978-1983. It wasn't until 1976 when Thom Bell taught Elton how to sing with proper technique. It's too bad Elton handicapped his creativity and voice with weed and cocaine.
I'm probably more of an admirer than a fan when it comes to Elton John. His songs were so ubiquitous during my childhood but they were always sort of hit-or-miss to me. For every "Country Comfort" there was an "Island Girl" , for every "Rocket Man" (his peak, I think) there was a "Crocodile Rock" or other bit of fluff. Then, of course, there was "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" in which Bernie Taupin actually wrote "Nobody told us because nobody showed us", a lyric that I still can't believe a native English speaker composed. In general, I think Elton John had vastly greater talent than taste. Perhaps this was due to drugs but I think the tendency toward schlock was there from the beginning, e.g. "Sixty Years On". He had very talented musicians and producers (Gus Dudgeon, indeed) to help him fully realize his musical vision but someone should have be hired to guard against bombast. This sonic overkill, combined with lyrical underkill (to coin a phrase), leaves Sir Elton without any claim to a song, or songs, that defined his time. He made the radio a better place overall and he (eventually) spoke the truth about his sexuality before this was common in pop music. These are real contributions and I can even overlook the Taupin lyrics. Except when a middle-brow critic like Polyphonic exalts them.
Anyone who takes the lyrics of pop music seriously is a fair target, myself included. But I'm not expecting a novel, just coherence. Here's a great lyric: What I like about you, you really know how to dance When you go uptown, jump around, sing about true romance Here's a lousy lyric: Subway's no way for a good man to go down Rich man can't ride and the hobo he can drown. Or For unless they see the sky but they can't and that is why They know not if it's dark outside or light It's just pompous blather delivered with such tortured syntax that it seems like Taupin just couldn't be bothered. Bad work is bad work even when the stakes are low. Especially, perhaps.
My next recommendation is the album Ocean Eyes by Owl City. Even besides Fireflies, every track is a pop masterpiece and each song has a sense of familiarity. Great vid btw!
We know major Tom was a junkie. Strung out in heavens high but it seems like rocket man wasn't averse to drugs either. I wonder... Buzz and Armstrong? Did they enjoy a big one on the moon? 🤔
Yeah, it's a great song...but... "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids...in fact, it's cold as hell...and there's no one there to raise them...if you did..." I'm STILL scratching my head over that.
I thought that too! Wonder if it's an urban myth? I've definitely heard that story, possibly on some documentary airerl about Bowie following his death.
What I find fascinating is how the songs hang together musically...yet the individual band members created their own 'parts' of the songs. They don't get a lot of credit for this (except from the fans) but Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray and Davey Johnstone are pretty important in creating the Elton 'sound'. The 'choir' here is the band, singing the backing vocals. According to Elton (and the band) Elton let them do what they wanted, and gave no direction or input...they could do whatever they 'felt'.
can you do Michael Jackson and Prince analysis please. They are both great artist and i kind of wanna hear your take on them since you made a pop playlist. MJ's music is heavily inspired to magic, authority, cowboy or mafia stuff (which i can't explain directly) and Prince is funk. Just want to hear more analysis coming from you. ❤️ And i wish you couod upload the copyrighted video when you talked about MJ's rise in music. :/
Bowie as always, got there first. "Panic in Detroit" would be interesting research. Iggy told David about the riots. That line about "ran to the window, looked for a plane or two" seemed more like a prophecy of 9/11. Oh and Mick Ronson played guitar.
To me, as a fan of sci-fi, the song is of a space equivalent of a trucker. Flying through the solar system, dropping off supplies to outposts five days a week (Thanks to FTL). But missing his family all the same.
![เปิดบ้าน พี่ตูน Bodyslam หลังใหม่คนแรก ที่ภูเก็ต l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/flFwcmyDQSk/mqdefault.jpg)
Major Tom's brother.
My thoughts exactly. Whereas Major Tom was a pioneer and a celebrity, Rocket Man was a much more run-of-the-mill character, but they both deal with that same theme of idol/space loneliness.
Piano man is Rocket man's cousin.
The brother who’s not a junkie
@@liam1558 their uncle is mr. tambourine man
@@tommymarquardt2870 lol.
Your videos are great and I thoroughly enjoy them.
The song "Rocket Man" was always one I listened to when I was a cross country truck driver. It's a song that a trucker can definitely relate to and the way you broke the song down is spot on. The way you talked about the Rocket Man being in space but missing home then being home and missing space was like a page read from my memories of trucking that I can all too well relate to.
These days I'm not able to drive anymore and I miss the road like the Rocket Man would miss space.
Thanks for another great video.
I kept thinking through this video, that the Rocket Man was basically a "Space Trucker."
@@someguy2135 haha, yeah pretty much.
DJ Cartwright what about Jerry Reed’s Eastbound & down?
@@bobbyberetta4206 that's a different mind set, man. I listened to that song many times running home happy to be heading that way. "Rocket Man" sets the tone for the lonely void between leaving home and coming back.
@Over Under Sideways Down i understand my friend. I have totally blurred vision in my left eye and maybe 50% in my right eye. Luckily i had procedures done in my right eye several years ago that helped to save what vision i have in that eye now. But i developed glaucoma in my left eye in January 2018 which, along with diabetic retinopathy, caused my eyeball to swell. I couldn't get treatment fast enough before permanent damage was done to the optic nerve in that eye.
I know how you feel and what you've been through, sir.
Goals for 2019:
1. Get polyphonic to make a Jefferson Airplane video
That’s it
How about a video about Richie Havens' woodstock performance for the 50th anniversary? The story behind it is really cool, especially how he made up "Freedom" on the fly for his like 3rd or 4th encore, he was pretty much stalling for the rest of the bands to make it to the festival
Goals for 2019
1. No Polyphonic video, no analysis, no graphics, he just plays In the Court of the Crimson King in full.
Aptly named...
I was thinking of Jerry watching this video. Captain Trips is thee Rocket Man.
That One Guy Or at least ‘in a godda da vida’
They on acid, that’s the story
Can you please do a video about Billy Joel (not “Piano Man”)?
"Miami 2017" could fit that request and this theme of science fiction well. ;)
the real question is: who was william shatner's rocket man?
Of course it was Kirk. He didnt understand the science and Spock stared at him failing to accept.
I could watch this guy do a video on a guy farting in a tuba.... And I'm sure he could blow me away some deep artistic meaning and the genius surrounding it..
Another fantastic video mate cheers from Central Illinois!
I don't think you can forget the influence of Bowie's Space Oddity with which it shares the record producer (Gus Dudgeon).
I am shocked that this wasn't mentioned. After Bowie died, Elton even gave credit to Bowie for how Space Oddity helped inspire and make popular Rocket Man, right?
@@jlyon1515 Yes, I remember reading that Elton really loved the production of Space Oddity and hired the producer for his debut album
These comments are really good. I feel exactly the same about DB
next do David Bowie
Space Oddity or Starman or Life on Mars
Vol deMort LIFE on MARS would be awesome!
Or queens ‘39
I always thought that Rocket Man was a song about drug addiction, and trying to find a way to balance everyday life with your addictions. But I guess that's one of the beautiful things about music. It can be interpreted in so many ways, and give the listener the experience that resonates most closely to them.
Same I was just about to comment the same thing. I had never thought of rocket man as a metaphor for Elton's life so this video was incredibly eye opening.
Always found it amazing how Elton would interpret Bernie's words into musical ideas. Captain Fantastic is a brilliant album showing their working relationship.
Ken Lee Captain Fantastic is, for my money, the best of Elton and Bernie’s work.
@@Heavenoid GBYBR and Blue Moves are also masterpieces.
I’d love a video on King Crimson sometime!
Wha-
@@francisduco8434 wha-
YES
Wha-
wh
Waiting for:
-Death grips video
-Jethro tull - Thick as a brick video
-Father John Misty and the postmodernism video
-J dilla video
-captain beffheart video
Edit: and a video about "clipping - Splendor & misery" about cosmic horror.
I want that clipping video so bad
Would love a video on FJM, Death Grips and J Dilla
Interested in a beefheart, not gonna lie
Death Grips would be a great choice.
One of these artists is next week's video.
Polyphonic, thank you so much for all your amazing work. I love every video and get excited seeing you in my notifications.
*Fun Fact:* Elton John wrote "Rocket Man" as a birthday present for Kim Jong Un.
Friendship Now that’s funny
Friendship, Hardy harr harr
Very good!
but Rocket man is from 1972 and Kim Jong Un got born 1984
And the song was written in words by Bernie Taupin first, then put to music by Elton.
Production Value feels crazy high.
I thought that it was about Eltons sexuality. "I'm not the man I think They think I am at home", anyone?
I'm a rocket man lol we know Elton we know
I love your profile picture and agree that such a video would be pretty cool
I always thought it was about a man dealing with drug addiction
so glad this relatively unknown artist and song were given exposure by the visionary that is Young Thug
/xs
Dkmo94 hahahaha
I always thought Rocket Man was about a man’s addiction to drugs and being kicked out by his wife because of it, and he wanted to get better but knew it would be a long road and he may not be able to do it. He was lost in the drugs, high as a kite, floating in space.
This video actually made me cry! I love Elton sooooo much - and I guess it feels so good to see someone appreciate him, and understand so much about what he was most likely "up to" when creating some of his earlier works. You are incredibly perceptive. Keep up the good work - Robert
As a fellow video essayist who makes a good amount of content about musicians, you are one of my biggest inspirations to keep going and to improve the quality of my content. Thank you so much.
YES!!! An Elton John Polyphonic video!!! Thank you so much!
You should do a video on King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard's musical universe (known as the Gizzverse) that is shared across almost all of their albums, and tells stories of rebirth, humanity, the destruction of the universe, cyborgs, and more. Their forthcoming album Fishing for Fishies seems to be continuing the story of the Gizzverse, so it would be perfect timing.
Keep up the good work, by the way!
Man, Polyphonics videos are probably the most beautifully made on TH-cam, every video of you is an absolute masterpiece.
I had heard this song a thousand times growing up. Then one day I got divorced, became homeless, and found myself illegally living in the attic (illegally) of a large house. All I had was my ipod and whatever food I could scrounge from my new job that day. Rocket Man came on when I was playing Shuffle on the ipod and I realized that this song was about my divorce and my situation in that attic. Only Bernie Taupin could write a song in the 70s based on me in 2010. Taupin would do it again with his song "Indian Sunset", but that will be a story for a different video.
Hope you're doing better now. I feel sorry what happened to you
That's very kind of you. Im doing better now. I live in a home I own and am just a town over from my daughter. I still look back on those times homeless/in the attic as the worst of my life...but there is no doubt that I learned a lot from those times and that the songs I heard all sounded new again in that situation.
I miss the earth so much
I miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
Mars ain't the kind of place
To raise your kids
In fact, it's cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them
If you did
@@Gekokujo76 I'm glad to hear that brother. It's great that you can see ypur daughter often. You're a strong person that you never gave up. Keep that attitude.
It means a lot to hear you say that....probably the kindest thing anybody's said to me all year. If I was to say that my daughter and "that attitude" are all I have, that would be an exaggeration. That said, it is no exaggeration to say that, when I didnt have "that attitude" and my daughter, I had nothing. You are wise to see that truth in my silly "Bernie wrote that about me" story...and you are kind for sharing your welcomed/needed words with me. YOU keep that up as well, my friend.
@@Gekokujo76 Thanks for the kind words. I feel appreciated that my words could give you a smile on your face. If you feel lonely i will help you. You can write to me any time any place.
Please do a video for Hal Blaine, the late Wrecking Crew Drummer.
Love your channel Polyphonic!
Your videos make me listen to old songs in a new way - your dissection never destroys the songs, it only ever enhances them.
I always took this song as a man struggling with a drug addiction, the lyrics really portrayed that
Im gonna be highhhhhh
I’d like to hear why you think that because that makes no sense to me
I think the same.. and it is obvious thats the real meaning…
@@ELENTE_ when I first heard it I heard that his wife packed her bags instead of her packing his bags so I imagine the wife leaving him which caused him to go on this drug addiction as a coping mechanism and I also like to mention the part where it goes you can’t raise a son on mars meaning you can’t raise a son with a drug addict and I imagine just him and his son and his son being neglected. The song also says I’m not the same person at home which I interpreted that as he’s a different person when’s he’s on drugs so I’m thinking he’s abusing his son or something. I think my first interpretation of this song is much darker than what the most people interpret it as
Elton's backing vocals were provided by Nigel Olsson (his drummer), Davey Johnstone (his guitarist) and the late, great Dee Murray (bassist). The four of them had a sound that, if they had made any songs with as much production, could rival Queen. Such a great backing band. Look to Candle In The Wind for other great uses of their harmonies.
Or the song Harmony...
@@darkkiss7247 Another prime example. The Yellow Brick Road album is (in my mind, anyways) Elton's best work. It's one of the few albums where I can listen to all of it, in order. Never skipping a song, just sitting and listening. And a double album, no less. To put 17 absolute bangers on one album is incredibly tough to do.
@@mtthwskdmr2 I couldn't agree with you more. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a brilliant album.
YOU rock it man!
Love the history you bring too your videos. Well done!
3:20 I love it. You start by describing the lyrics, and then you pass the torch to Elton John's piano.
Thanks. Elton John is another of my all-times favorite artists. I think he's also a very underrated singer, as well. As to being on the verge of getting into space again (and this time for real, we presume): we need to make sure we've got nothing in particular to prove, this time. We need to move outward progressively - industry in orbit around Earth, then back to the Moon (to stay), then outward to Mars and beyond. Only by building slowly & steadily - making sure the foundations are solid - will there be any edifice to stand on in the future. tavi.
Could you make a video about Buckethead?
David Bowie
I just listened to this song, perfect timing
stupid hipsterdoofus or is it
Cheers mate, really good video, loved it
If you'd like my 2 cents I'd love to see a video about Warren Zevon, so underrated and yet so brilliant, both in music and lyrics in songs like Excitable Boy, Desperados Under The Eaves and/or Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner
Man, this song is so beautiful
At 15 yrs of age when this was released I never thought of it in anyway as impressive as this. Thanks for your interpretation.
Clearly its the astronaut from Cygnus x-1
Heh
I love what you just did
X-1 is a black hole, I don’t think that Astronaut will come back...I’m very fun at parties.
@@TealScarab Dude... Go listen to the songs
@@CrashfHackergames ooooh
I doubt ppl will see this but this song carries a lot of my emotions and memories my parents do the best cover I’ve ever heard and seen
Title of video should really be-Who was Bernie Taupin's Rocket Man?
To be fair, Elton recognizes that he wouldn't be much without Bernie, and Bernie recognizes his lyrics wouldnt have reached the same heights they did without Elton. It's a mutual, symbiotic relationship.
EDIT: fixed the phrasing
Maybe, but I think theres something that Eltons performance adds to it
this video interacts really well with philosophy tube's cosmonaut video
Amazing piece of work, as always. Thanks for uploading)
Do John Lennon's "God" or "Mother" or something of the Doors or CCR or Bob Marley or McCartney's "RAM"
Mother is so good, prefer Isolation over God though.
Agreeee
I just saw him in Jacksonville, and man did he put on a show. For a guy of 71 years, he is incredible even to this day. The set list he performed had just as much, if not more, energy and emotion than the actual recording takes. What a legend.
I never even particularly liked this song, always thinking of it as 'that one Elton John earworm', and now ya got me trying not to cry over it. 10/10 job well done.
Is it related to the real life - The Farmer Astronaut ? There's a movie of that name and I've seen it several times and the guy did circle the earth several times and landed back down without being hurt. He used to be with NASA. His father died while he was at the end of his training and NASA said NO you can't go to your fathers funeral. He went anyway and NASA kicked him out so he and his family made his dream come true,and remember he was a farmer. He didn't have 16 million or billion dollars like NASA claim it takes to send a man into orbit, so what do they do with all that extra money? The Farmer Astronaut certainly didn't have the kind of money NASA has, but the guy still did it. Truth !!!
Most underated youtube channel ever.
Elton John was about to join King Crimson
Wait really? That shit would have been nuts! "Hey, you know what this song about post-psychedelic despair with heavy mellotron and avant-garde jazz influences needs? Some piano music you can actually dance to. Maybe even a bit you can sing along with."
then again the guy from Foreigner actually did play with King Crimson for a while so I am probably overthinking it.
So was Brian Ferry
King Crimson considered hiring him to sing on In the Wake of Poseidon but decided against it and brought Greg Lake back instead even though he already left the band, I don't think they ever considered having Elton as a full time member of the band.
Bryan Ferry did audition to replace Lake around this time, Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield didn't think he fit the band's sound but they were impressed and helped get Roxy Music their first record contract.
Brie Russell, very interesting
I thought it was about drugs
Who's is always waiting for this to happen 0:51
They are one of music's iconic duos
Am I the only on that at 415 it sounds like he's singing burning down a field with Carol's bones
A choir of voices...well, really just his band at that point, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson. They really did great backing vocals AFTER booting Elton out of the studio so they could work in peace, haha, usually standing around one mic. They really show it off in Candle in the Wind.
My personal favourite of all of the lines has to be, "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact it's cold as hell
. And there's no one there to raise them if you did." Ahh, they don't write songs like that anymore.
Bernie Taupin is the luckiest man who ever lived. He has churned out lyrics that range from trite to pure gibberish, and then had them placed within some of the most evocative and catchy musical settings in pop history. Even more, his musings were performed with whole-hearted sincerity by one of the most dynamic performers of the last 50 years, both in recordings and on stage. "Mars ain't the the kind of place to raise your kids, in fact it's cold as hell... and there's no one there to raise them if you did." Aren't we all wiser now the Bernie has shared this wisdom with us? I know it entirely changed my child-raising strategy. I hate to bash any successful artist but, jeeesh, Bernie Taupin's success is mystifying to me. Am I the only one?
W.D. Rhine. I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking that. Bernie is given too much credit for their success nowadays. Gus Dundgeon said it best when he stated there's no such thing as a hit lyric. No one buys a record for the lyrics. If they like the vocal/melody enough, then they'll pay attention to the lyrics.
While I am very conscious of lyrics, hence my strong response to Bernie Taupin (and don't get me started on the works of Yes or America - "Alligator lizards in the air"? alligators aren't lizards and even if they were what are they doing in the air?) I do agree that lyrics, especially in pop songs, are secondary features. Perhaps it is a testament to the talents of Elton John that he could have so many hits despite often singing drivel.
W.D. Rhine I've always thought that Elton had separate primes for different skillsets. For example, I think most would agree that Elton's creativity/songwriting prime was 1970-1976, but I think his vocal prime was from 1978-1983. It wasn't until 1976 when Thom Bell taught Elton how to sing with proper technique. It's too bad Elton handicapped his creativity and voice with weed and cocaine.
I'm probably more of an admirer than a fan when it comes to Elton John. His songs were so ubiquitous during my childhood but they were always sort of hit-or-miss to me. For every "Country Comfort" there was an "Island Girl" , for every "Rocket Man" (his peak, I think) there was a "Crocodile Rock" or other bit of fluff. Then, of course, there was "Don't Go Breakin' My Heart" in which Bernie Taupin actually wrote "Nobody told us because nobody showed us", a lyric that I still can't believe a native English speaker composed.
In general, I think Elton John had vastly greater talent than taste. Perhaps this was due to drugs but I think the tendency toward schlock was there from the beginning, e.g. "Sixty Years On". He had very talented musicians and producers (Gus Dudgeon, indeed) to help him fully realize his musical vision but someone should have be hired to guard against bombast. This sonic overkill, combined with lyrical underkill (to coin a phrase), leaves Sir Elton without any claim to a song, or songs, that defined his time. He made the radio a better place overall and he (eventually) spoke the truth about his sexuality before this was common in pop music. These are real contributions and I can even overlook the Taupin lyrics. Except when a middle-brow critic like Polyphonic exalts them.
Anyone who takes the lyrics of pop music seriously is a fair target, myself included. But I'm not expecting a novel, just coherence. Here's a great lyric:
What I like about you, you really know how to dance
When you go uptown, jump around, sing about true romance
Here's a lousy lyric:
Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can't ride and the hobo he can drown.
Or
For unless they see the sky but they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
It's just pompous blather delivered with such tortured syntax that it seems like Taupin just couldn't be bothered. Bad work is bad work even when the stakes are low. Especially, perhaps.
No sub title?? Come on, it's not a polyphonic video without it.
Do some Alan Parsons Project....terrific collaboration(s) with technical mastery focused on the music
Do a review on I Heard It Through The Grapevine cover by CCR!!
Some really great editing and after effects in this video!
Being a rock star is a lonely job.
Rocker Man! Rocket Man! Same flashy but mundane job. Genius!
Bearnie Taupin didn't write songs for Elton John. He wrote the lyrics.
Kim Jong Un, that's who.
So maybe Bernie and Elton wrote this about Captain Kirk ... so that someday Shatner could cover it :)
😂😂😂😂
Wasnt there an interpritation the same as it being a refugee in the 2006 show life on mars
Totally awesome ❤️🇬🇧🍾🥂
If you haven't yet, definitely listen to the Me First and the Gimme Gimmies version of this already amazing song. A mind blowing take on a classic.
This episode of Polyphonic is brought to you by Month-Old Franks: The hot-dogs with experience!
Could you do a video on Conor Oberst and his Bright Eyes Album, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" ?
Seconded that album is so good
Seems like Alice Cooper would provide a plethora of material for this channel. Just sayin.
“She said one thing and I said another and the next thing I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life in the middle of that conversation.”
Greta van fleet please and thank you
4:48 I always heard that line as "burning all the fuels I never know", which is similar to "all the science, I don't understand".
ANYONE HERE READY FOR THE MOVIE ROCKETMAN?
I love how amazing the visuals are on this channel, especially since it's about music! Spectacular work, once again!
Neutral Milk Hotel next?
Yes please!!!!!
My next recommendation is the album Ocean Eyes by Owl City. Even besides Fireflies, every track is a pop masterpiece and each song has a sense of familiarity. Great vid btw!
excellent choice. Now let's just jump- in & blast off! I Love the song btw - Rocket Man. 🚀📀
I always thought rocket man was about elton john and his.. rocket. Thought it was his out of the closet song.
Great video, great song.
We know major Tom was a junkie. Strung out in heavens high but it seems like rocket man wasn't averse to drugs either. I wonder... Buzz and Armstrong? Did they enjoy a big one on the moon? 🤔
You need to do something on Andrew Bird, man is a genius
my brother, you keep doing elton john songs, and you can just have my wallet.
Better question is Who's Eurica Garren and what the hell is a Spatnick.
I've actually read that book, I never knew it was the inspiration for the song though. It's a great read!
Make a video about yes!!!
Please do Fugazi?
Yeah, it's a great song...but...
"Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids...in fact, it's cold as hell...and there's no one there to raise them...if you did..."
I'm STILL scratching my head over that.
I always thought it was about drugs lol
Thank you! Here trying to understand Cold Heart by Elton John & Dua Lipa in 2022!
It was about Jack Parsons.
It was Major Tom
I thought that too! Wonder if it's an urban myth? I've definitely heard that story, possibly on some documentary airerl about Bowie following his death.
please do a video on the genius of Kate Bush.
So it's not Kim Jong Un???
What I find fascinating is how the songs hang together musically...yet the individual band members created their own 'parts' of the songs. They don't get a lot of credit for this (except from the fans) but Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray and Davey Johnstone are pretty important in creating the Elton 'sound'. The 'choir' here is the band, singing the backing vocals. According to Elton (and the band) Elton let them do what they wanted, and gave no direction or input...they could do whatever they 'felt'.
can you do Michael Jackson and Prince analysis please. They are both great artist and i kind of wanna hear your take on them since you made a pop playlist. MJ's music is heavily inspired to magic, authority, cowboy or mafia stuff (which i can't explain directly) and Prince is funk. Just want to hear more analysis coming from you. ❤️ And i wish you couod upload the copyrighted video when you talked about MJ's rise in music. :/
Bowie as always, got there first. "Panic in Detroit" would be interesting research. Iggy told David about the riots. That line about "ran to the window, looked for a plane or two" seemed more like a prophecy of 9/11. Oh and Mick Ronson played guitar.
Dude, You love music, how can someone can read so much into music it amazing weather your interpretation is right or not it is still great to hear
To me, as a fan of sci-fi, the song is of a space equivalent of a trucker. Flying through the solar system, dropping off supplies to outposts five days a week (Thanks to FTL). But missing his family all the same.