Elton John

Elton John's second, self-titled album, is thought by many to be his first, since Empty Sky wasn't released in the U.S. until 1975. But it is the first album that put him on the map, giving him his first hit singles, including the classic "Your Song."

I've heard "Your Song" just twice this week on Sirius/XM. It's got to be the most played song of John's catalog, as it's never gone out of style. And for good reason--it's a perfect number.

Written by Bernie Taupin while eating breakfast at John's mother's home, the lyrics are very clever, as they depict the writing of the song in the finished product, including scratch outs:

"If I was a sculptor, but then again, no!
Or a man who makes potions for the traveling show."

Later John will sing about how "some of the verses have got me quite cross." Then, "Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean, your's are the sweetest eyes, I've ever seen."

In addition to the brilliant lyric (hard to believe Taupin was under 20 when he wrote it) John's phrasing is impeccable, giving the song an extra ton of emotion. Whomever Taupin wrote it for, I hope she appreciated it.

There are two other songs of note on the album. "Take Me To The Pilot" was originally the A-side of "Your Song," but DJs liked the latter better. "Take Me To The Pilot" is a rousing rock number, with an obscure lyric. John, and more amazingly, Taupin, don't know what they mean. Apparently Taupin was reading a lot of science fiction in those days, so we get:

"Through a glass eye, your throne
Is the one danger zone
Take me to the pilot for control
Take me to the pilot of your soul"

"Border Song" is very interesting, a spiritual that invokes gospel, especially with the repeated "Holy Moses." It's quite haunting, especially with John's piano and the heavenly choir. He added the last verse, which is kind of "Kumbaya":

"Holy Moses, let us live in peace
Let us strive to find a way to make all hatred cease
There's a man over there
What's his color?
I don't care
He's my brother, let us live in peace"

John admits this is the only lyric he ever wrote, which is probably a good thing.

Elton John is a fine album, but still did not achieve the heights of his later offerings. Several of the songs are orchestral, which would become a staple of future John recordings. Viewed in context, it's a step up from Empty Sky.