Maybe not so popular but levon is my personal favorite song of Elton's ✌️

Characters are fictional according to Bernie Taupin, but Levon was the son of Alvin Tostig, born as the War (presumably WWIi) was starting. As war generations do, Levon focused on making his money. His son Jesus, born into a rich family business, just wanted to get away from it. Just a beautiful song about fairly typical family generational dynamics. Elton can make anything sound bigger than it is and this song is sonically gorgeous.

It's a perfect record. You can imagine the impact Elton's music had for those of us who were teenagers in the 70s.

"Burn Down the Mission" is another Elton John that's got incredibly energetic piano in it..

Besides all the tremendous elements of this fabulous recording, it just needs to be said that Elton sang the shit out of this thing.

Levon epitomizes the songwriting dynamic between Taupin and Elton. No one but Elton could have turned Taupin’s lyrics - which do not seem at all like any song I’ve ever heard - into this masterpiece.

Elton will never be duplicated in a million years.

This song STILL gives me chills EVERY TIME I hear it!!! ❤

Levon has the best piano intro of any pop song ever, and I think you guys are discovering, track by track, that Madman Across The Water is Elton's masterpiece.

And another double meaning, He shall be Levon and He shall believe on. Love it.

His old stuff like this is by far his best. Take Me to the Pilot, Burn Down the Mission, etc

Paul Buckmaster strings are epic.

Madman Across the Water is by far my favorite Elton John album. He became more pop oriented after the early 70s.

After more than 50 years this song is STILL a banger!!! What a masterpiece! Love you guys!

Paul Buckmaster's orchestral arrangements on this album are monumental. Check out Indian Sunset and the transition into Holiday Inn. Not only is it outstanding but does a wonderful job of transitioning from the heartbreak reflected in Indian Sunset into the commercialism of Holiday Inn. Great Album. One of his all-around best

Philadelphia Freedom by Elton…. Pure magic.

You can be guaranteed everything from Elton will be a huge fantastic production... I'm going to second the "Burn Down the Mission" suggestion.. The piano is magnificent and drives the entire song.

In Susan Black's book Elton John in His Own Words, Elton says of "Levon": "It's about a guy who just gets bored doing the same thing. It's just somebody who gets bored with blowing up balloons and he just wants to get away from it but he can't because it's the family ritual." When Rolling Stone asked Taupin about the song in 2013, he insisted that he has no idea what he intended as the meaning. "It was a free-form writing," he said. "It was just lines that came out that were interesting."

levon Helm - the band

“Alvin Tostig had a son today… and he shall be Levon” Greats drumming by Barry Morgan! Great reaction 😊

I've been waiting for you guys to do this song. This is definitely my favorite song by EJ. I think the lyrics are very interesting but the delivery here, everything about this recording is perfect. The elegant piano intro, the arrangement, the vocals. But the orchestra was brilliant the vocals and the strings complimented each other beautifully. This album didn't have any top 40 hits but Levon, Tiny Dancer, Madman, Razor Face and Holliday Inn are all first rate. Elton really hit his stride with this album. The performances and production were top level. This era - 1970, 72 and 73 was, in my opinion, the best time for Rock music. So many masterpieces hit at this time.

What you’ve experienced and just voiced about Sir Elton John is the reason he was knighted.

Beautiful strings 🎶🎼🎵

Great reaction, guys! Would love to see you react to Someone Saved My Life Tonight, and Rocket Man!

You two appreciating this song is making me smile ear to ear. I just adore you guys for your ability to see talent!! ❤❤ Do the rest of side 1 from this....do Razor Face!! It's another banger!!

YEAH, HE STARTED BANGING AWAY AT 4 YEARS OLD SO, OVERRRR 70 YEARS OF INSANE PLAYING! 😊

The most mind blowing thing for me about EJ, is how Bernie Taupin could finish the lyrics of a new song, hand them off to Elton, and the dude sat down and would knock out these brilliant and amazing songs we all know and love, right off the top of hi head, in less than an hour a lot of times...some greats he wrote in 20 minutes! How does THAT work!? The man's musical genius is on another level..

I forgot to mention he wrote a song for John Lennon when he died. It was called Empty Garden. You should check it out. Its different

Check out his live album 11-17-70, recorded in a radio studio on his first trip to the States. He was hungry and fierce.

Fun Facr Most of all heavy metal artists Love EJ I’m a metal head myself Nothing but Metal and Hard Rock But when I wanna chill Elton is the gateway When you head Bang 24 hours a day our relief sometimes is Sir Elton

One of my favorites off the album.

This is by far my favorite EJ song. I crank it every time and it brings tears to my eyes. Goosebumps for days no matter how many times I hear it.

keep going. this record is perfect, start to finish. :) paul buckmaster was a genius producer and string arranger. elton's piano hero is leon russell.

Amazing... this song gives me chills! Elton's voice and piano are positively commanding❤

No one makes songs like this anymore.

This album and the ones before them are, in my opinion, much better than the commercial stuff, which I also loved....🎉❤P.S. Where to Now, St. Peter? Was a favorite of mine. The entire Tumbleweed Connection album was truly a great album. 🌠

Elton is the Mozart of our generation...

My favorite Elton song😊

So glad you got here. Tumbleweed Connection and Madman are two very special albums from the many successful LP’s throughout his long career. Enjoying your reactions. 👈

I remember being like 6 yrs old, Mom's would take older sis to Kmart to get some clothes. She'd come back with a 45 record of Elton. We'd play it on our little catalog bought record player. We didn't have much in those days but we did have some great music.

A great song is just that. Doesn't matter who you are, what you believe, or how you think. A great song just rises above everything.

Another great and unique voice of the era. My era....

Mad man across the water .. EPIC LEGENDARY

Incredible song both lyrically and musically. A little context: In January 1966, the New York Times ran a piece about the then-new debate about how society was becoming more secular and God was being “written out” of science and stuff like that. The article had the headline, “Religion; ‘God Is Dead’ Debate Widens.” There was a text box on the bottom of the page that said “God is Dead.”

Great Elton song!!!

Well done guys, a true time tested masterpiece…. Hard to hear better. Thanks for sharing/stay safe

This is one of those Elton John tracks that when you hear it you cry and then you never can get away from that feeling. it's beautifully produced as well

Early Elton is incredible those were the great years.

I danced with my son on his wedding day because I love the line and he shall be a good man,and he is a really good man

Great choice & an absolute classic..Another off the same album & title track, Elton John "Madman Across The Water"

It's one of my favorite songs.❤

Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters next!

This is from my adolescence. We all were spoiled in the 70s with artist's such as Elton John, That's why it's harder for my generation to accept today's music as something valid. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule, such as Metallica or U2. Modern Rock Music was pioneered by artist's that existed in the 70s, and has expanded exponentially from that source. The 70s are the greatest decade in Rock history, and if you don't believe me, look it up.

He shall be Levon, and he shall believe on!

"Love Song" off of Tumbleweed Connection as well as "Talking Old Soldier". "Friends" is a lovely song as well.

Nothing like Elton in the morning. We need some All the Girls Love Alice or maybe even Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. More Elton please!!!!!!

One of my favorites of Elton...thanks again guys

A prog snob here requesting "Ticking" from Caribou by Elton John. Sparse, haunting and wrenching. One of Bernie's best lyrics.

You're discovering Elton's greatest music--his early 70s work, Elton John through Honky Chateau. Please keep it up, you won't be disappointed--so much better and more soulful than his later better-known albums.

Definitely one of my favorites! Great all around! Love your reaction, thanks for the play..Cheers!

Enjoy watching you react to some of my personal favorites by a true legend. This era of Elton actually helped me through some tough times..Brings back memories of having to report for draft physical, pending induction. These were anxious times for high school grads without college options.... Thanks guys.

You guys need to check out the album "Tumbleweed Connection". Another masterpiece by Elton.

Two other great tracks from this album are 'Madman Across the Water' and 'Indian Sunset'. This is one of Elton's best 5 albums and personally my fav. Others being, 'Tumbleweed Connection', 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', 'Honky Chateau' and 'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy'. Cheers ✌

Hearing Elton play this song live made me cry 😢. One of his/Bernie's best.

Elton was a master of building emotion in a song.

Elton is always amazing

Don’t know if you guys can appreciate how much this DEBUT album shifted the Earth on it’s axis. A huge change in music.

Paul Buckmaster arranged those fantastic strings on Levon, and many other early Elton songs. And yes, you nailed it: Elton came out of the womb playing the piano--a true prodigy. As a youth, Elton applied to a music school--the interviewer played a classical piece on the piano, and asked Elton if he could play it. He said yes, played for a while, and stopped. The interviewer asked him why he'd stopped, and he said "Because that's all you played." He didn't know the piece, but immediately played it by ear.

This album...SUBLIME!! My personal fav of any of Elton's entire collection, Masterpiece. Appreciate your expertise and enthusiasm!! 😍

Enjoyed this reaction brothers. Another great album by Elton is "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy".

Another great reaction! Add Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (their bio) and Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters to your list.

This song always struck me as so sad, even the first time I heard it in the 70s at maybe 11, 12? Caught my ear early on and it’s still a favorite. The strings catch you by surprise and from there it’s just majestic.

YEAHHHH, TUMBLEWEED CONNECTION, MADMAN, HONKY CHATEAU & DON'T SHOOT ME, ALLLLLLLL BEFORE THE HUGE GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD 👍😊

"He got flames!' Comment of the day. LMMFAO! Loving this trip I'm on with you guys. So MANY great tunes. Keep it going!!!!

Madman across the water is incredible. Please listen to that piece of art.

elton's voice sounds so perfect.

This is such a great song on a stellar album

He shall be-lieve on. Great album. Early Elton is the best

EJ and BT have so much good material that you could dedicate your channel just to them. Good reaction....I enjoy you guys.

My co- favorite EJ song, along with Tiny Dancer.

"He was born a pauper to a pawn...." Love that line.

1970's Elton John is some of the best music ever made.

EXCELLENT SONG, EXCELLENT REACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of my favorite Elton songs , it’s beautiful , I’m glad you enjoyed it .

Respect his drummer I repeat Respect his drummer 😅

Loved that your getting to know who Elton was in his early years. Great reaction, keep up the good work❤

Guys go back to the beginning.His 1st 5 or 6 albums were the best. His roots in the small club scene brought out his greatest works. Bad side of the moon is bare bones Elton and awesome. 11/17/70 is a album to explore. Go from there and understand. So much talent. I saw him 4 times in the 70s. Magnificent!

Elton one of the greatest

Elton's music could be classified as rock/pop, but he draws on many genres for his compositions, of course. Taupin's lyrics are sheer poetry. Thanks for your reaction.

AHHHHHH YES, VERYYYYY NICE GUYS!!! 👍😊 BEAUTIFULLLLL

Your reactions make me happy

When you said he came out of the womb playing the piano that’s pretty much the way it was I think he around four and started playing on his own

His voice has emotion to the soul

One of my favorite if not my favorite song by Elton John. Along with Someone Saved my Life Tonight.

"I would always say, this album is his masterpiece! Until the next one came along!" THANK YOU for reacting to this sonic masterpiece from a certified genius on the piano! "Burn Down the Mission"; "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"; "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters"; "The Bitch Is Back". THANK YOU!

Damn...just one of those tunes that takes me back decades....Great song great reaction

One of my all-time favorite songs of anybody!

Definitely my favourite Elton song. Keep up the good work.

This was my first concert at 13, Elton John. We had to see him. In the 70s his music was awesome!

Gorgeous storytelling musically & lyrically… so lush..