I went to see Rocketman in a movie theatre in June of 2019.  (Remember going to a theatre to see a movie?)  It was a revelation- as big of an Elton fan as I have been throughout my life, I never knew many details of his childhood that are wonderfully depicted in the film. Like many people I noticed that the songs in the film were not in chronological order, but this hardly mattered- the songs served the screenplay well.  Rocketman is exceedingly honest, and it’s hard not to develop a deep empathy for Elton that is rare in such biopics.

After seeing the film I went back to some mixes I had started 10 years earlier, and began to refine and expand them.  I had started with the mix below- my own personal favorite Elton songs, popular or not.  I had also done a Country mix, and a Gospel mix, which were obvious categories to place his songs in.  The scene in the film where Elton writes Your Song really touched a nerve- I hadn’t listened to that song with an open mind for many years, and now I went back and made a mix of his most famous songs, favorites or not.  And then I realized ALL of his songs were worth listening to, and I was determined to use EVERY song he recorded between 1969 and 1976.

So I ended up with TEN mixes.  Having listened to his albums so many times over the years it was liberating to hear the songs out of their original context and instead put them together by subject matter, style, etc.- essentially these mixes are curated like paintings in an exhibition.  The mixes reinforce the point that ALL of his songs were of the highest caliber, whether they were obscure album tracks, instantly recognizable singles, or rare B sides.  I also included a few songs that Elton played on with other artists during his meteoric career from 1969 to 1976.

I secretly wished I could send the mixes to Elton and Bernie.  I actually sent Bernie a message on his website about them.  Then, lo and behold, in November of 2020, Elton released a box set of HIS OWN curated mixes, along with two discs worth of rare B sides.  I haven’t seen the actual track listing for this set, called Jewel Box, but I know that mine is more detailed, and Monika can tell you just how much time I spent listening to and making slight changes to each one last year.  (A LOT of time.)

The idea was out there in the universe, and now it’s here for you to enjoy.  The premise of my blog is to point people back to deep listening- not an attack on the Spotify concept, but rather an invitation to look up songs for your playlists.  Most of my posts consist of a mix that was done on an 80 minute cd, and this one is no different.  I’ll be posting all ten throughout the year.  

(For some background on my history with Elton, see my previous post about Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.) https://jeffsanchezwordsandmusic.com/2013/10/.

#1 Desert Island Elton 1970-1976

1. Your Starter For…  A rare instrumental track, this was actually written by guitarist Caleb Quaye and shows off the tight Elton John Band mach II, as well as Gus Dudgeon’s outstanding recording and production skills.  From Blue Moves, 1976.
2. Friends  Elton has SO many more-than-great songs- although lesser known, this album is well worth finding.  From the Friends soundtrack, 1971.
3. Skyline Pigeon  The original version of this was on Empty Sky- this version is a sublime remake that wound up as the B side of the Daniel single, 1973.  
4. This Song Has No Title  This song took me a while to appreciate- as an 8 year old it sailed over my head, but now it’s obviously a favorite.  Artists only.  From GYBR, 1973.
5. Come Down in Time  Beautifully arranged, written and performed, an exquisite love song.  From Tumbleweed Connection, 1970.
6. Philadelphia Freedom  Written for Elton’s friend Billie Jean King, a perfect song in every way.  Released as a stand-alone single, 1975.
7. Sweet Painted Lady  A true depiction of a sailor’s life, this one became quite dear to me during my time in the merchant marines, especially when visiting the former Soviet Georgia on the Black Sea.  GYBR, 1973.
8. Amoreena  I wonder if Bernie made up this name as a play on the Latin word for love.  From Tumbleweed Connection, 1970.
9. Bennie and the Jets  Elton was surprised when this became a MONSTER hit- it even went to #1 on the soul charts.  Sheer perfection. One of Donald Fagen’s favorite songs as well.  GYBR, 1973.
10. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds  Such was Elton’s confidence in the mid-seventies that he chose to remake a Beatles classic, and actually IMPROVE on it.  Featuring John Lennon on guitar and vocals, this was a stand-alone single in 1974.
11. Whatever Gets You Through the Night  As I was refining these mixes it occurred to me there was nothing stopping me from including this, even though it was written by John Lennon.  From Walls and Bridges, 1974, Elton on piano and vocals.
12. One Day at A Time  A rare B side, again written by John Lennon, and featuring a beautiful piano solo from Elton. It was the B side to Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.
13. Empty Garden  This particular sequence of Elton/John Lennon collaborations had to include this sad tribute.  It was a single from the Jump Up album, 1982.
14. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters  The penultimate song in the Lennon sequence on this mix, made ever more poignant in this context.  From Honky Chateau, 1972.
15. Levon  It’s hard to pick just one favorite Elton John song, but this one comes mighty close.  From Madman Across the Water, 1971.
16. We All Fall in Love Sometimes  Another one that took me years to appreciate, but of course it’s never too late.  From Captain Fantastic, 1975.
17. Harmony  Yet another nearly perfect song.  GYBR, 1973.
18. The King Must Die  Long Live the KING!  From Elton John, 1970.
19. I Saw Her Standing There (live)  The last song of my Lennon sequence, this is from John’s last concert appearance in 1974 with the Elton John Band, mach I.  Elton thought Whatever Gets You Through the Night was good enough to go to #1, and he made Lennon promise that if it did he would make a guest appearance at one of his concerts.  B side of Philadelphia Freedom, 1975.
20. Variation on Friends  Another instrumental, with kudos to Paul Buckmaster.  From Friends, 1971.