Elton John “Tiny Dancer” What Makes This Song Great

In this episode of What Makes This Song Great? I breakdown the Elton John classic "Tiny Dancer".

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[grahammorgan]

It never ceases to amaze me how many times Rick has added extra dimensions of enjoyment for songs that I thought I knew intimately already. Its like listening to a song in black and white sound, and then Rick comes along and helps you access the whole colour spectrum of sound. There isn't many people that really feel music like Rick does. Love what you do man, its priceless.

[Rosieballetgirlall]

Hello Rick, I’m Paul Buckmaster’s sister! I just came across your video analyzing Tiny Dancer. Thank you so much. I love the way you separate the tracks, showing the complexity of the parts, but when played together it all sounds so unified and perfect.
You remind me a little of Paul, his characteristics and personality.
He passed away sadly in 2017. He was only 25 when he worked on Madman Across the Water.
I miss him dearly.
But thank you for this. Kind wishes.

[morticialechatnoir]

"Count the headlights on the highway"--that line is embedded in my DNA.

[keithreck]

Aah Rick. Three things always happen when I watch these: 1. I learn; 2. I appreciate; 3. I smile. You’re awesome.

[dalezjc]

I'm 68 years old and am extremely fortunate to have lived in what is arguably the greatest generation of music. Elton John is just one of many great artists that filled our airwaves.

[bobbauer]

I love how Rick recognizes all the player by name. Drummers. Bass players. Mixers. Engineers. They all are given credit showing the collaborative nature of so much of music.

[stevek]

Eltons output just in his first 5-6 albums of the 70s is almost unparalleled. Up there with the Beatles.

[nancygarreaud]

And for Elton, it was just another day of great songwriting. No big deal for him. Genius.

[TomStrahle]

The best guitar I ever owned was an early 70's Strat that had been previously owned by Elton's guitarist Caleb Quaye. Sadly it was stolen a year after I acquired it in 1984 at the club Madame Wong's in Santa Monica. I took my eye off of it for a minute. Gone. Years later I got to be friends with Caleb who remembered the instrument and informed me that it's best that I don't know what tracks he used it on. I had to agree with him.

He shared with me a great story about growing up in London in the 60's. Caleb worked for a while for Dick James music, the Beatle's publisher, and among his many tasks was to pick up master tapes from studios so the Dick James company could transcribe the records so that the sheet music could be released at the same time as the album. This one particular time Caleb was summoned to Abbey Road to pick up a master, but instead of heading straight back to the Dick James offices he found his friend Reg Dwight (Elton John) and they took the tape to his house where they listened to it from start to finish. The recording left them speechless. It was Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

[KPD]

I was around 6-7 years old when my Mom bought Madman Across The Water. She would get high and listen to it into the early morning. I had the lyrics memorized by the age of 8. Tiny Dancer always sounded a little forlorn to me but strangely comforting. When she passed in 2015, I made a video of her life with Tiny Dancer. I just absolutely love this song and miss her so much. ❤

[alancampbell]

No digital short cuts, no Pro Tools, no auto-tune, genuine beauty and excellence.

[StarQueenEstrella]

Fun fact: the C. Bechstein piano used on this song was also used on “Bang A Gong”, “Seven Seas of Rhye”, “You’re So Vain”, “Martha My Dear” and countless other songs that were recorded at Trident Studios.

[aarontate]

I’d love to hear Elton John’s “Funeral for a friend” given the Beato treatment.
One of my favorite songs.

[SS-kiie]

For baby boomers, Elton John’s music is the best way to remember and maybe relive all the great moments in our lives. Thank you, Sir Elton John!!!

[damnyankeex]

I was mesmerized by this song when I was 17. I’m 70 now and still in awe. One of my fav albums. Love me some early Elton.

[leixiang]

The scene in Almost Famous where they sing this on the bus is one of the most perfect portrayls of what music means, or should mean. Truly uniting people in joy of something beautiful. Too many people just let the music play and don't really listen. Even those of us who truly listen need a Rick to help us hear what we are missing. Your love for the music is infectious amd we appreciate you, sir!

[davidgena]

The entire album, “Madman Across The Water” is absolutely terrific. It has always been my favorite of Elton’s. The title track is so moving and magnificent.

[antonisantoniou]

That scene in the "Almost Famous" movie really made me love that song..Awesome

[dcaCrush]

What amazes me is Elton was writing these songs in his early and mid twenties. There's like 20 great Elton John songs that Rick could breakdown.

[JC-blbo]

I mean honestly, one of the most beautiful songs ever written. It's just gorgeous. There aren't enough words to describe how beautiful it is.