There aren’t many upsides to being old, but having been alive when this came out is one them.

Hard to believe I was listening to this in the '70s on my AM radio while going to bed.. and I'm still listening to it ...one of the best songs ever

To all you self proclaimed KZfaq artists this is real music!! No auto tune no sampling just real musicians performing live on stage.

500 years from now, people will listening this stuff and thinking of Elton John the same way we think of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. We're witnessing history.

Elton John's best song by a mile. An absolute classic. One thing that is often overlooked is how good his band are. You can see why they have played together for so long now. They rock.

Born in 1950. I grew up in the best era. Long love R&R.

I have listened to this song hundreds, maybe thousands of times, over the last 45-odd years. It is one of my top 10 favorite songs of my lifetime. And yeah, I would want funeral for a friend played at my funeral. Who wouldn't?

Heard this first time in 1973, and here it is 50 years later! Holy crap, I went from being a young boy (15) to being an old man (according to my 32 yo son and 23 yo daughter (yes, same mother))! I don’t feel old and don’t act old. I really think the music from my (our) youth, 70’s keeps us young. It’s as relevant and popular today as it was back then. This music will still be popular and relevant long after I’m gone. No other generation of music or what they think is music will do this. And the memories! Every song from back then brings unbelievable memories, good, sad and bad and worth every moment reliving them. A few songs from the past, distant memories and it’s like a vacation to yesteryear. One thing is for sure, we are the lucky generation!

To call this a song is inadequate. This is a composition / masterpiece. It will continue to raise the bar for years to come.

Hard for me to believe I've been listening to this and loving it for almost 50 years! It's worth being old now to have been young then! I truly have lived thru the most amazing musical times in history.

Almost 50 years later, this song still kicks butt.

The piano coda just before Elton starts to sing is my phone’s ringtone. This is my favorite Elton John song.

There is no substitute for him. Icon, treasure for our generation.

This song is a masterpiece on so many levels. Timeless and powerful. In 200 years, the works of Elton John, Led Zepplin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and John Williams will be as revered and legendary as Mozart, Chopin, and Beethoven are now!

One simple compliment: Elton and his band are frigging tight. Enough said...😊

Ya know 70s music was enjoyed by us 60 somethings. No way it will ever repeated when l now listen to the stuff their making now. I feel blessed to experience that time in my life. Great chapter in my life!!! Unless you grew up then younger kids would never understand

This is Elton's Bohemian Rhapsody. Physically thrilling, bad-ass live version! Plus, they've all aged nicely!

I heard this preformed live by Elton John at his second concert at Melbourne Festival Hall the day after John Lennon was killed. The concert began with Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding and ended approx. three hours later with a long medley tribute for many of the departed rockers Buddy, Elvis, Lennon etc. It was incredible, everyone ended up dancing in the stalls, it felt like we were on another planet.

G.B.Y.B.R. is a masterpiece from start to finish. I think it was his best. I believe this year marks the 50th anniversary as well.👍 thanks for all the great music "sir Elton John"

"Roses in the window box has tilted to one side, Everything about this house is born to grow and die" Bernie is such a genius.

A genius just as Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. Perfect is his craft.

As a High School kid, I was lucky enough to see Elton perform this during the Yellow Brick Road tour. Back in those days, Elton wore cool sunglasses and outlandish outfits. ZZ Top opened the show.

That entire album, Classic!

I listened to this entire album a million times when it first came out as a teenager.

Saw EJ at Madison Square Garden in about '75,when I was a teen ... unbelievable show! Remember it clearly to this day. When he performed this, it was just EPIC. A masterpiece.

There are two things that have always amazed be about Elton John's talent: 1. He wrote the music to fit Bernie Taupin's lyrics and not the other way around like most song writers. 2. His voice and musical style doesn't sound like anyone else. After listening to music for close to 50 years, he is unique. I am surprised that nobody has tried to copy him, even loosely.

In memory of my twin sister... Loving and missing you so much..❤😢❤

The music and words of this song are hypnotizing . The song is more popular as time goes by . It is truly unforgetable .

Man, what gets me on this performance is how much energy Elton still puts into the piano. As if it were still 1973. Shivers.

They don't write music like this anymore. A pure classic!

How can there be so many dislikes? My God, this is a classic.

This song helped carry me, as a young teenager, through the loss of my Mother.

This song out does any song written these day, a pure masterpiece!

I swear to God Elton John is writing about my life from the 70s he is awesome there's no one like him

I saw Elton in Toronto Canada live in Maple Leaf Gardens live. His first of a Canadian/USA tour. An evening I will never forget till my last breath. I am 80 now and sooooo happy to find this again. I know I have it on Vinyl and CD. I really need to dig them out and make the neighbors windows rock eh, LOL

That damn guitarist is so humble sitting back and waiting to shine and then he just kills it.

Elton doesn't often get the due he deserves as a rocker. Love Lies Bleedin' and Funeral for a Friend are a classic combo that stands the test of time. I am transported back to the 70's when I listened to this part of GBYBR, one of the albums I would request if I were stranded on an island. Add this song combo to Saturday's All Right for Fighting, and you can't go wrong--then comes at least 5 more classics and some great throwbacks to EJ's early sound. A truly classic double album.

I am a straight up metal guy, grew up on Slayer, Flotsam and Jetsam, Testament etc But this guy is freakin awesome.

He actually wrote & played this song for his own funeral. INCREDIBLE pianist & singer!!! 💝💝

This is definitely my favorite Elton John song.

This song has withstood the test of time. Still relevant almost 50 years later.

Elton's masterpiece off of the fabulous double album.I can remember listening to this album back in the 1970s and marveling at it.

I just saw him Thursday night November 2022 at dodger Stadium and he sounded this good. He put on an excellent show. He performed the whole time he didn’t make the audience sing all of his songs. She got up after almost every song and thanked everybody. He told Little stories about his band mates his deceased bandmates, the songs that he and Bernie wrote it was amazing.

I grew up listening to Elton John. His music will always live on. He finally retired after 50yrs of Rock n' Roll and it's well deserved. 👌 I still listen in 2024. I'm 66 now just a month ago in April and have never had the chance to see one of his many sold out shows. Love his many glasses. ❤ Now he's still enjoying his family life. He's awesome! And always will be.

I saw this performed in 1973 during Yellow Brick Road show. He was thinner, had higher shoes and lots of feathers. Wonderful then. Amazing then. Still amazing.

A masterpiece by Sir Elton John 🎉 The ultimate showman!

My father used to put me on his shoulder and bounce me around when I was little to this song to calm me down. And he would narrate an imaginary story to go along with the instrumental first part. I still remember that despite it being around 33 years now.

This song is fresh and genius every time I hear it. It must be blasted at high volume. Get lost in it. Sir Elton John: magnificent! ♥️🎶

This is the song I have told everyone for years I want at my funeral.

YEAH!!! This is how we rocked in the 1970's. Salute to Sir Elton John! EPIC

This take me back to some of the greatest times in my life. Never ever will get tired of hearing this.

No less than a genius, Elton John wrote some of the best stuff going and it has lasted over the years . Funeral for a friend is truly an example of his best work.

im an old heavy metal guy, still had room for elton, just fantastic

Elton is in another stratosphere. Way up there...wow. I love this song...the guitar by Davey is incredible.

Saw him 13 times in concert ... he did a show after his throat surgery...many times he had started his show with this tune (one of my all time favorites) but at this show he did not ... my brother and I were a little disappointed but what we did not know was this was an extra special night ...he played Captain Fantastic we went crazy ... after almost 2 hours of playing non stop we heard the haunting beginning to this song and we knew that this night was extra special ...I was 10 feet away from him I will never forget it Standard US setlist (he played more than this in Montreal) Pinball Wizard The Bitch Is Back Take Me to the Pilot I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues Philadelphia Freedom Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) Simple Life The One I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Parts 1 & 2 Come Down in Time A Woman's Needs High Flying Bird Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding Rocket Man Bennie and the Jets The Show Must Go On Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me Candle in the Wind The Last Song

I've seen Elton John dozens of times since 70s - 2000s - I absolutely love this song and he never played it any time I've seen him. I'm delighted with this!

Learned to play Funeral for a friend when I was thirteen and managed to play it pretty well by the age or fourteen... I grateful to have learned to embrace modern music thanks to the compositions of Elton John and my fathers love for his early work in music... What a sensational composer and a fine musician. Thank you so much for opening my eyes to the world of modern music Elton John...

To call this merely a 'song' is painfully inadequate.

Elton never disappoints ...he's an incredible showman.

Best Elton John song ever. Gives me chills to listen to it!That song is in my top 5 of all artists ❤❤❤

I think this song fits the definition of a "hauntingly beautiful song". Sounds great here in concert. Love that the guitar player gave his pick to somebody

I thank "the Powers" above who enabled me to grow up in this era of music with such amazing musicians, to watch them grow and refine their skills. It's no wonder us boomers feel a deep affection for these icons, because once they move on, they'll never be replaced.

One of my All time favorite Elton John songs A man so talented

INCREDIBLE. Gives me chills.♥

I have had the privilege of seeing Elton live twice....and both times he opened with Funeral/Love lies ..... what a great way to open a concert!!!!

There are some bands and performers from my teen years that I'm discovering just how great they really were beyond their greatest hits on the radio. I always loved EJ's music, from his earliest days, so to listen to it again gives me the pleasure of REDISCOVERY...again and again! I never tire of it! ❤

I listened to this over and over and over and over... I was 9... my sister bought goodbye yellow brick road. I listened and memorized every nuance of every instrument. Good times !

Sir Elton (and not because of any so-called "royal" decree! But because he earned it on his own) Davey and Nigel! (And others) They were all there in Sept. 1984 at the Wilkinson Center, what great memories! Thank you for a lifetime of the greatest music!

Thats gonna be a hell of a funeral.

Elton john is a musical God to me.... so immaculately talented at writing, singing, piano.... oh I only wish to see him live before I can't again. He hasn't made a song I didn't like. From early childhood... through my life. He started long before I was born. He's more than legend to me. Love Elton. So many musical and personal reasons why.

To those of a certain age this was the epiphany of Elton’s songwriting and composing - an incredible track from an incredible album that had his best guys on board - awesome

This was my first song of Elton. Is absolutely perfect

This is definitely one of the best songs of all time.No one can play or arrange music the way Elton can. I happen to consider myself very lucky knowing that I grew up to Elton John's

I cried when he took the stage when I saw him in Las Vegas in 2006. He is absolutely amazing!

If there is a better piano player out there I haven't heard them. Elton is the MASTER

Pure genius! An amazing man with a God given talent used to better the world!

Great tune. Great artist. Great times. What more can I say .

It will stay with me for the rest of my life........Yellow Brick Road Tour 1972. Same intro but a dark room the piano played in darkness then a single spotlight hit the piano and there right in front of your eyes was Elton John singing the flowers in the window box and the crowd lost their shit.........one of the greatest nights of my life......

My Main Man Elton! 50 years longtime fan here! I love Elton so much! He's the BEST! My boy! 🙏✌️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Nigel Olson is a very underrated drummer! He’s awesome

The absolute best Elton John song ever!!!

Seen him in 1985 at the Murfrees Center in Murfreesboro Tennessee. He walked out in a duck costume bowed to us then started playing this. Sir Elton is a fantastic performer and awesome pianist. One of the best concerts i ever went to.

EJ's best song, especially live. Saw him in November 1974 and 75 in Cleveland Ohio. What a performer! Hearing that brought tears to my eyes.

An absolute master of his craft. Sounds just as good live as the original recording even how many years later. Legendary. Wow.

I was at Dodger Stadium in 1975 . Greatest Elton concert I ever attended.

This is everything you want/need in a great song. Im so blessed that I grew up being able to listen to this when it was born.

I went to so many concerts in the 70's and 80's and I understood from the beginning that people are different at these expressions of Music and Love from every one I went to. This is the way people - Not through the Hate that is being fed to us. I Really Love the reality that we all share at these incredible concerts from Jethro Tull, Hendricks, Grand Funk, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Pat Travers, Heart, Santana, Etc., Etc. No Riots, Killing and Racism, just love. Elton is still here to bless us with these Gems, and to keep the positive vibes Alive through his music. January 8, 2019 at the Oakland Arena was the last time I was able to see this legend in concert. This song is dedicated to my brother Rodney lost to us in 83 for now. Thanks EJ!!!

I was 13 years old when i first heard this....I'm gonna be 60 on the 23rd of May....still listening...rock on. Thank you for this upload.

My dad introduced me to this song when I was a young boy. My dad introduced me to classic rock in general and he is where I get my passion and love for music. When I first heard this song on GBYBR as a small child...it moved me to my core! Now, I sit here as a 43 year old man still so moved by this song it chills me to the bone!!! Jesus God in heaven...this is powerful and moves us like nothing else in this life can!!!! Music...good music...is the breath of GOD

I have to thank/blame Elton for starting me on my lifelong addiction to what is now known as "classic rock." i was big on The Partridge Family when on March 25, 1974 (his birthday, I was 13 1/3 years old) I was the number whatever caller the radio DJ requested, and when he asked me what album I wanted I asked for the Greatest Hits (I had heard of few of those songs). The original vinyl arrived, shared it with my friends and we all became rock FANATICS (discovering Zeppelin at the same time helped). Because of little money (the usual lawns, etc...) David and I made a plan to buy alternating albums and share them. So I bought Empty Sky, he got Elton John, I got Tumbleweed Connection etc...) We did the same thing with Zeppelin. But I will always thank Elton for being the one to turn me on to what became my number one lifelong passion. RIP to my prom date Margee - I will love you always.

Timeless!!! This is pure Rock/ pure music!! 2 summers ago I was on a road trip to the 4 Corners. At a diner for a late bite this song was on and my days when I was in grade school age flashed through my mind. See, back then in the 70s, my dad had the vinyl record with that song and played it very often. For the last 20yrs, or so, I've totally forgotten about Funeral for a Friend. That night at that diner somewhere in the 4 Corners with that Elton John masterpiece playing, I was reminded of what I've forgotten, and that I should never forget ever again. Kinda eerie and yet beautiful moment-- just as Elton's timeless masterpiece.

This is Elton John's masterpiece. His symphony. Everytime I hear this I love it even more. Bravo!!!

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting this genius twice, and seen him in concert 5 times - there is no one else like him, he is simply a once in a life time phenomenon. I do not want to think of the day when he is no longer with us. Thanks for the amazing 50 years Sir Elton.

I wish I had the words that describe how great this song and these artists really are. Fantastic!

The funeral for a friend portion really is a beautiful melody.

One of the best riffs in all 70s rock

Just saw him last month. This year they had smoke on the stage and he rode around on his piano across the stage for this song! He is so wonderful and this is such a great song!!

Sir Elton, we love you more than you will ever know..thank you!!

Saw him perform this back in the late 70;s - early 80;s in Dallas. He walked on stage with a full length white mink coat, top hat and a huge pair of glasses that spelled out Elton . I thought at the time it was one of the best songs I have ever heard, Still is.

Ive always been envious of the people in this world who actually put into practice (and are successful) at what they were put on this earth to do.Elton John (in my opinion) was clearly put here to entertain.Well, he has nailed it! Thank You Elton,my life wouldn't be the same without you in it!! I LOVE YOU.