You guys would have absolutely loved the 70's...

Elton was awarded a scholarship at age 11 to the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was asked in an interview how he could have a top 25 record every year for 25 years. He replied, “I write hymns. Everyone loves hymns. Everyone loves hymns.”

The song "Levon" on this same album is really soulful. Great reaction❤

You have enough music under your belt to fully get Almost Famous. Fun movie. This song is part of a great movie moment.

The lyrics are by Bernie Taupin, Elton’s writing partner. The song is about Bernie’s girlfriend and future wife (you’ll marry a music man). It also describes the LA scene of the early 70’s, Elton’s debut at the Troubadour on the Sunset Strip (the boulevard is not that bad…) The song is fantastic and one of my favorites.

The 70’s were such a great time to be a teenager, good friends, bonfires, beaches and whatever you felt like to help promote your consciousness 😎

The orchestration is masterful throughout the whole album👊

Back in ‘95 Billy Joel and Elton John toured together in the “Face to Face tour man what a show. Phenomenal

Elton touches your soul when he plays and sings... this is one of his best songs.

"Jesus freaks, out in the street, handing tickets out for God", has got to be one of the best lines ever! We really WERE spoiled!

The song is a huge part in the movie Almost Famous. The scene in the movie where this comes in just perfect. It really is the feeling of living through those years (70s) of such incredible music and the way it brought people together. We could use another musical revelation in this country like that again. You should definitely check out the film.

The whole album in my opinion was his best work. Thanks fellas for a excellent reaction. Appreciate you 🙏 ❤

Hi guys! They say who she is in the song in the line, "seamstress for the band " She made the band's outfits! Check out Elton John's amazing array of on-stage get-ups throughout his career.

"SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT"......!

Welcome to the greatest music era ever…. It just blows one mind… ☮️🎶

I miss hanging out listening to each others' records

1974, I'm in a little Italian pizza place in San Francisco to eat before going over to Oakland to watch Bob Dylan at the Colosseum. Tiny Dancer came on over the speakers. When I remember the day I saw Dylan play, the memory of Elton John singing Tiny Dancer always comes to mind first. And I'm a Dylan freak! Beautiful song.

Heard it a thousand times and still get chills... fantastic song.

Chills, and tears. "Hold me closer, Tiny Dancer." And who else pulls together pedal steel with a string section so well?

He tells you who she is in the first couple lines. “Seamstress for the Band”, written by lyricist Bernie Taupin about his wife Maxine, who also did all the needlework for art of the album cover/sleeve . On the road on one of his first tours of America. There’s a great tune on the same album called, “Holiday Inn”, which continues the road/touring theme.

La and Che... Luv yur reactions. You get it... in all genres. Man, Elton just makes it happen, right? His stuff holds up for decades.

Hold me closer, Tony Danza!

Sir Elton was the King of Pop in the 70s. Check out his songs "Levon", "Burn Down the Mission", "Take Me To the Pilot", "Have Mercy On the Criminal" and "Daniel". On a side note, you guys should do a reaction to the song "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" by Traffic. Great jam.

He and Billy Joel are epic pianists. Bernie Taupin writes his lyrics while Billy does his own so always respected that a bit more...hard to top this song

This album has always been my favorite of Elton John. I like every song, especially, Levon. Thanks for your good reviews.

I’m 63 and this is my favorite Elton John song.

My favorite Elton John song ... never gets old. Never.

I love when a song knocks y’all sideways. The chorus is one of the biggest sing alongs that I can think of for drunken nights, parties, anything. To really experience the fun, watch the scene in “Almost Famous” when they sing along with this. It’s just beautiful and encapsulates the joy and uplifting power of music to bring us together. ❤

Bought this when it came out. Cost $3.99, paid with my babysitting money. ($1.00hr) His best album. Played it for ten yrs. Wore it out. One of the few albums you could play through each side and every song was gold.

I love the way you two make me so much more appreciative of music I grew up with and loved along. Though I don't have the music verbage down pat as I am just a music listener and have no knowledge of bridges, hooks ect I still feel like I am learning to love these songs so much more thanks to you guys. Thanks for the reaction!

You guys definitely know your music excellent job at explaining the vibe and feel of this song.

The thing I love about him is that he may be this big "Queen", Rockstar, but read an interview and you see that he is totally down to earth, and not afraid to say what he thinks.

I think one of the reasons I've loved this music since the 70s and my teen years, is because of how "soulful" it is. That, and the mixing. You can hear every instrument. What an amazing composition. I so appreciate your comments on these songs. Thanks guys!!

My favorite Elton tune will always be Someone Saved My Life Tonight... A beautiful retelling of a critical turning point in his life.

You found the masterpiece and your lives will never be the same. I’m 59 and Tiny Dancer still touches my soul. Elton John and a select few other bands from that era are the Picassos and Michelangelos of music.

One of his very best songs...and there are MANY! This was used to great effect in the excellent movie "Almost Famous".

You have to see the superb movie, Almost Famous. Set in the 70s, a kid lying about his age tours with a band to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine. The music is top notch, and it's oh, so satisfying.

There's a fantastic scene in the fantastic movie almost famous with this song

This was all over the radio when I was a little kid. It's kinda crazy, but we grew up back then taking music like this for granted because the hits just kept coming with new classics nearly every month if not every week. How lucky we were...

This is their fourth studio album released in 1971 and this was Elton John's first "prog. rock" album. This album "Madman Across The Water" contains nine tracks each of which were composed and performed by John and the lyrics were written by songwriter and partner Bernie Taupin, along with "YES" keyboardist Rick Wakeman who plays a Hammond organ on two songs. There were two singles released from this album this one you listened to and here's the second, if interested. "Elton John - Levon (1971) Live at the BBC Studios" --the album was certified Gold in 1972 and followed up to be Platinum in 1998 by the RIAA. This has been really fun, and I thank you for sharing. peace out, bro.

Pure masterpiece, one of the best of the best Elton John songs! We've been singing along with this on the radio since the 70s, screaming the chorus. How lucky we were to have this kind of music.

This album came out when I was in 8th grade. It made me a life long fan of Elton John, and high quality 70's rock. More of a ballad.

Check out Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters 🔥🔥🔥 Also, please check out Empty Garden (hey, hey Johnny) which was his tribute to his friend John Lennon after he was so tragically taken from us ❤

My mom had everything he did and as a young kid with an uncle as a Radio Shack big wig and we had modified bad ass stuff with killer headphones and a system the whole town could ENJOY and wore his albums out. Saw him 3 times, and that guy rocks!

The producer and engineer are who really made this album so dynamic , especially this track

Possibly my favorite EJ song and that’s saying a lot! I was born in 1960, so my teen years were the 1970s and EJ ruled the airwaves, rightfully so!

My absolute favorite Elton song!

You two are two cool cats.. thank you so much every day..love your love of music..

That look you shared when the first chorus hit made me burst into tears, damn.

YOU KNOW THAT'S A GREAT WAY TO DESCRIBE ELTON'S MUSIC LAH 👍😊HE'LL TUG AT YOUR HEART AND SOUL, NO QUESTION THERE!💯

You guys crack me up, my friend and I were exactly like this back in college. We'd sit around listening to whatever new obsession we'd just gotten hip to and there a thousand times when we'd suddenly hit each other with that, "Did you hear that? Are you effing kidding me?" glance. There are few things better than art when it moves and surprises you.

Elton performed live with his piano on Soul Train back in the day, it was great! Yes, everyone loved him, across genres.

I seen Sir Elton 8 times (just like Billy Joel) and the right time they were together Rocket Man Meets Piano Man in the 90's.

Thank you so much for appreciating the early Elton John. This music brought me home after 3+ years in the Army and touring VietNam.

What a special time it was to be a young teenager with this kind of music in the background.

Great reaction guys. Elton always surprises. Who puts a slide guitar with orchestral instruments?! Elton....that's who! I highly recommend "Tell Me When the Whistle Blows" for a bluesy feel.

The strings on this album, and on this song especially are so amazing. They are sprinkled in, in all the right places and they just add so much richness to the song(s). This is my favorite EJ album, Yellow Brick Road, then Capt Fantastic. That period from his 1st album through Capt Fantastic were jaw dropping examples of his best writing, his most inhuman musical talent and genius during that period. Those are the albums that made him the legend that he is.

This is at its core a country song. An Eltonized country song. Classic and brilliant.

The album before this one is called "Tumbleweed Connection", some of Bernie Taupins most evocative lyrics. First heard "Your Song" when it came out in 1970, we just knew we had witnessed the emergence of a major talent. 50 years of music later, and Reg Dwight (his real name) can stll kill a piano..

You guys are so entertaining watching and listening to your reactions! Madman Across The Water has one of the best first sides of an album in music history!

That Pedal Steel Guitar was a stroke of genius. Gotta do the album. Good times…..

Yes! Chills! That’s how I know I’m listening to a masterpiece. When the chills rip up and down my spine.

Billy and Elton toured together. Search Face to Face tour. It was phenomenal. Saw it twice

I never considered myself an EJ fan until I saw him live in the mid-70’s, unforgettable talent and showmanship!

What a freaking recording. It's sick.

Iconic song! Great album! Elton John was the best in his early years! Thank you!

Elton was and is worth every penny he ever made..If you grew up in the 70's Elton John has a song for everyone's life at certain times in our past..Now these young folks can appreciate this Man's music .

From Songfacts... The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's writing partner, and were inspired by Taupin's first trip to America. John and Taupin are from England, and Madman Across The Water was the first album they wrote after spending time in the US. Taupin and John spent a lot of time together in the '70s; Bernie traveled with the band and would usually stand by the soundboard during shows. The "blue jean baby, LA Lady, seamstress for the band" sure sounds it's Maxine Feibelmann, who was Bernie Taupin's girlfriend when he wrote the song and who became his first wife in 1971. She traveled with the band on their early tours, often sewing together the costumes and fixing their clothes. Plus, on the Madman Across The Water album, it says, "With love to Maxine" under the credits for this song. Elton John even said at one point that Bernie wrote it about his girlfriend. Well, Taupin says that the song is not about Maxine. Here's the story he tells: "We came to California in the fall of 1970, and sunshine radiated from the populace. I was trying to capture the spirit of that time, encapsulated by the women we met - especially at the clothes stores up and down the Strip in LA. They were free spirits, sexy in hip-huggers and lacy blouses, and very ethereal, the way they moved. So different from what I'd been used to in England. And they all wanted to sew patches on your jeans. They'd mother you and sleep with you - it was the perfect Oedipal complex." Taupin adds that the "tiny" was poetic license, although these women were all petite. And "Tiny Dancer" sounds a lot better than "Small Dancer" or "Little Dancer." This song ripened into one of Elton John's classics, but it didn't even crack the Top 40 when it was released, peaking at #41 in America in 1972. In the UK and most other territories, it wasn't released as a single. Its chart failure has a lot to do with its 6:12 running time, making it too long for many radio stations. Also, Elton was only on the precipice of stardom at the time, his biggest hit being "Your Song" at #8. Part of the song's enduring popularity owes to how it was never overplayed - when it comes on the radio, it seems special. The Madman Across The Water album was much more heavily produced than Elton's first three. It was one of his first songs with a lush string section arranged by Paul Buckmaster, who arranged the stings on many of Elton's albums as well as songs by The Rolling Stones, Train, and Leonard Cohen. Ron Cornelius, who played guitar on Cohen's album Songs Of Love And Hate, told us: "Buckmaster is a wonderful string arranger, he's just one of these guys who can make an orchestra talk. In other words, if the strings aren't saying something, it ain't on the record." Ten different backup vocalists are credited on this track, including bass player Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson, both of whom became played on many of Elton's later recordings, but not on this one: session man David Glover played bass and Roger Pope was on drums. Other backup vocalists include songwriter Roger Cook ("Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)" by The Hollies) and the duo Sue & Sunny (Sue Glover and Sunny Leslie). Additional personnel are: Davey Johnstone - acoustic guitar Caleb Quaye - electric guitar B. J. Cole - steel guitar

"Ticking" from Caribou is my favorite song by Bernie and Elton.

Early Elton is like honey to the ears.❤❤❤

I’ve been listening to this song for as long as I can remember and it still brings tears to eyes. Beautiful song.

Elton wrote this song on his early 20's. Brilliant music

Elton is a masterful composer and melody writer. His music was played on black R&B stations in the 70s. Bennie and the Jets and Philadelphia Freedom were staples on black stations. He was the first white pop start to appear on Soul Train. The second one was David Bowie.

And you're right, he appeals to just about everyone. First white artist to appear on Soul Train. And he was on it twice. 😊❤

my brother loved Elton John so i had the honor of hearing this from the time iwas 6 yearsold. he and Billy Joel were fans of eachother🎉🎉

Hold me closer Tony Danza.

One of the best overall albums ever….the title song is amazing and haunting…You two are very knowledgeable and respectful.

You guys and every single person born after 1990 would LOVE to have live in the 70's. I am Soooooooo Blessed and Grateful for not only growing up as a young kid through my high school years (class of 1989) but also as a musician (pianist / percussionist) and played these wonderful songs you are exploring now... Better late than never! This was Elton at his best. He collaborated with Tupin on so many hits. The song Mad Hatters and Mona Lisa is one OUTSTANDING song. The albums Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, this album you're listening to now, Captain Fantastic, Tumbleweed Connection, Honky Chateau, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player are classic authentic Elton John days. A MUST dive into if you want to really understand and appreciate the mastery of the music of the 70's.

The way they blend the classical strings with the Steel Pedal guitar is so cool!

This song has so many nuances that cut right to the soul

Of all the things I've accomplished in my life, being a teenager and growing up in the 70's with all the music at that time, is an accomplishment I would gladly do all over again. Old school class of 77...

This song is about Bernie Taupin's (Elton's lyricist) future wife. She actually was a dancer and sewed costumes for the band. He's also referring to the L.A. music scene in the early 70's. Always one of my favorites.

Early Elton John albums had a certain Je ne sais quoi (special feeling quality), that reached out and touched people's hearts and emotions. That difference you hear then is less prevalent in much of today's hits. Different times, different feelings. Great job bringing the Madman Across The Water tunes to light for so many of your fans. Great job; we appreciate your hard work.

What a great album ! I was lucky to have a beautiful older sister who would be given albums like that one by guys who wanted to score points with her. She wasn’t even much of a music fan, so all those classic 70’s albums became mine by default as they stacked up next to our living room stereo.

How lucky some of us were to be young when this album came out.

PS. "Tiny Dancer" is Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin's wife, who he met on their first trip to LA, where they were blown away by the beauty and freedom. This is a love song to his wife. "Piano man, he makes his stand, in the auditorium "Looking on, she sings the songs, the words she knows, the tunes she hum" Yes, early Elton is like nothing else, and soulful and brilliant.

This entire album is a masterpiece! My favorite Elton John by far.

Love his song "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatter's"... just killer tunes. Amongst TONS of others! AMAZING to have grown up with the best music ever!😂❤

There was a time when he was just putting hits out like no other…He’s a musical genius!!! Prodigious talent!!! Should watch the movie about him.

Elton John was a child prodigy on piano, awarded a scholarship at the Royal Academy of Music at the age of 11. In the 60's he was in a rhythm and blues band called Bluesology. Heavily influenced by R&B and gospel music. I know he played piano and sang backup for a few Motown groups as well, including the Isley Brothers and Patti LaBelle. Along with "Madman Across the Water" he released 4 albums in a 1-year period, 1970-71. Elton John is the REAL DEAL.

I have been lucky enough to see Elton live on stage a few times over the years and believe me when I say that he is even better in concert! Im so glad you opened the door to the brilliant pairing of Bernie and Elton and their amazing catalogue.

Elton John has tons of music. You two have alot to look forward to 😊😊

These guys understand music and they talk all the way through a song, great review boys!

Do you guys know anything about Bernie Taupin and Elton John. Bernie Taupin would send Lyrics to Elton John, and Elton would put it to music. hit after hit after hit......Two geniuses

EJ and his team were hitting on all cylinders during this period. One would be hard pressed to match his first 5-7 albums. His sound was so incredibly unique at the time. A British singer with a bluesy, soulful, country sound was fresh. This album is a masterpiece, though I have to go with Tumbleweed Connection as my favorite. In fact, I have TC on right now as I am typing this. I enjoy your videos.

Music IS the magic! It transcends time, sex, age, race, religion. It trumps all ! Peace

I would love to watch an several hours long interview with both Bernie & Elton at the table, describing songs and the process in which they were created. The back and forth and the inspirations that went into each song. I've enjoyed Elton since i was a kid, I'm 62 and one of my first record albums was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, I was 12. Please, please someone make this masterful collaboration duo sit down and have this conversation for all of posterity.

We're so fortunate that he likes to rock, could've easily been a successful classical concert pianist

Gentlemen you have reignited my soul by your reactions to the music I grew up... thank you.🎶

Loved your reactions, Elton’s voice can bring you to tears.