How Elton John Met Bernie Taupin

Bill Demain talks about Elton John's amazing run of albums in the 1970s and his songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.

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Elton John
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

[otisgibbs]

What's your favorite Elton John song?

[aisforapple]

I'm a big fan of Elton since childhood, but Bernie never gets the credit he deserves!

Bernie Taupin is one of the greatest lyricist ever!

[leftwrite]

When I was in high school it was either "Honkey Cat" or "Rocket Man". I saw Elton touring that album and also 'Goodbye Yellow Brock Road' (with Steeley Dan opening). That to me was when he was at his best. The fame, drugs and whatever else seemed to change him after that and I never quite connected with the music in the same way. But, whenever I watch the scene in 'Almost Famous' where everyone is singing "Tiny Dancer" on the Stillwater bus and I always think that's Elton and Bernie's best song.

[TheOldYellers]

Looking forward to reading this article. I love Elton. Especially the 70’s. Have you listened to his album 11-17-70
Side 2. Wow.
What a great story about how Elton and Bernie met.

[DaveShooter]

Met Elton's Drummer Nigel Olsen in Nashville back years ago. When I was Recording some songs Nigel was totally Awesome to talk with..

[ldoylerd]

Great story, love hearing how how they started and collaborated!

[michaelgregory]

A staggering amount of high quality output from this Dynamic duo in those classic years! Way too many faves to pick one. In my Nashville years, I lived 2 doors down from Elton's bassist from those classic years, Dee Murray, in Brentwood, which was his last residence. He was a super sweet guy. After his passing, Elton came to Nashville to do a concert and gave all the proceeds to Dee's widow.

[kevindonohue]

Your installments are just freaking great Otis. Great treat for my Tuesday

[GRWiley]

Wonderful video! Bill's narrative here really evokes the song "Holiday Inn" off of Madman Across the Water.

[I-Libertine]

I love classic rock magazine. Truly. Great read. Can't wait for Bill's story.

[johnrosier]

They were a very unique songwriting team. I can’t think of anyone else that has a songwriter that can write like Bernie did for Elton and make it fit so well.

[Caperhere]

Oh, so many. I’d like to have a dollar for every hour I’ve spent trying to decipher EJ song lyrics. Back when cassettes were on the go, if you bought a Greatest Hits, or bargain bin cassette, they didn’t include lyrics. The lyrics to Someone Saved My Life Tonight has some difficult phrases “ paying’ your HP demands forever”, “A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams”, I would have walked head on into the deep end of a river”.
Think my favourite is a tie between Elton’s Song and One More Arrow.
There are 2 really good songs/videos of his on YouTube. This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore ( Justin Timberlake plays Elton), and I Want Love. Robert Downey Jr is in it.
And there is an interview, think it’s called The Red Room, where Elton explains the meaning of Daniel, and talks about his writing process.
Thanks to both of you for the Elton discussion.

[godoftone]

Another fantastic installment. Bill, you're a natural storyteller. Please keep doing what you're doing. Otis, thank you for consistently bringing us such interesting and viral content. My hat's off to you (*though probably not as cool as the one you wear . . . ) Favorite Elton song . . . ? Gotta' be b-b-b-b-b-b-Bennie & The Jets. Still have my original 45 rpm single that I bought as an 9 year old, music-loving kid back in 1974. I knew that it was going to be one of my all-time favorite songs then, and still is 48 years later. You know I read it in a magazine . . .

[garydavenport]

Another wonderful story!!! Love em all!! “ i shit you not”🔥😎

[alanadams]

For me it's Madman Across the a bad song on the Madman album. I remember being fresh out of high school working a night shift at my local grocery store. Getting to my apartment at 7am after a long night and playing the album over and over again. Otis, thanks for the memories.

[songsmithy]

Elton was always a little too "pop" for my tastes, especially when he became such a massive superstar. But "Madman"... wow, man; that tune kills me. I have spent hours upon hour's listening to it, and I still never tire of it. Brandi Carlisle did a bang up cover version of it in the not too distant past, and I love her version too.

[normandodson]

Great story! I had seen a special about how these two wrote. Seemed very unique for sure. Great talents both. I had the Yellow Brick Road album on 8 track and literally wore that thing out my freshman year in college!

[LTTunage]

Hey Otis, Given Elton's guitarist Davey Johnstone's great rocking & crunchy rhythm (& his lead here too), plus all the great musicianship from Elton's incredible piano track to his soaring vocals & the as-usual great 3 part back up harmonies from the guys in the band, it's Funeral for a Friend for me...

[regunter]

I remember the first time I heard Elton John, I was driving to work on a construction project. I was on an interstate with an AM radio and one speaker and "This Is Your Song" came on. I know where I was when I heard it. Now I remember a few other great songs that I can remember where I was when I heard it like "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Doctor My Eyes" and "Night Moves". The list is not all that long, it includes some other genres too but I knew the minute I heard the song that it was going to stick with me forever. John Prine's "Paradise" is another. Another great interview with a really interesting guy, you seem to bring out the best in them.

[martymcmannis]

A friend told me that Elton had a record on the top ten at least once a year for wow! You know his candle will burn out long before the legend ever will. Thanks for video