"Bernie Taupin's lyric refers to a time in 1968, before John was popular as a musician, when John was engaged to be married to girlfriend Linda Woodrow. John and Woodrow were sharing a flat with Taupin in Furlong Road in Highbury, London, hence the opening line "When I think of those East End lights." John did not love his girlfriend, and felt trapped by the relationship. Feeling desperate, John contemplated suicide, and even made a half-hearted attempt at asphyxiating himself with a gas oven in his home.[5] He took refuge in his friends, especially Long John Baldry, who convinced John to abandon his plans to marry, in order to salvage and maintain his musical career. His parents arrived the next day, in a van, to take him home.[6] As a sign of respect and gratitude to Baldry, Taupin wrote him into the song as the "someone" in the title, and also as "Sugar Bear"." ~Wikipedia

I saw Elton John in concert recently and he made the statement, “This is my favorite song.” before beginning this song. Mine too.

Out of literally hundreds of Sir Elton songs this is my personal favorite. 🤩💙

Many years ago I was working on the Lion King music video. All us technicians had come in early to set up the lights, props and camera so that everything would be ready when Elton arrived. We hadn't been working that long when Elton appeared. He came in quietly with no entourage, sat down at the piano and started to play. He didn't play any of his many hits or rehearse The Circle of Life, which was the video we were shooting. He played pop tunes we all knew from our youth. He just played some music to make our hard work a little more pleasant. Now that was a pretty good day.

This is a literal reference! He was so distraught about feeling obligated to marry this woman who was going to take control of his life and snuff out all the things he loved. He almost committed suicide when I think it was Bernie who found him and pulled him back from the death spiral he had descended into .... So this one means exactly what the words are telling us. Thank you for everything y'all do. You make the world more beautiful by just being in it!! Love you ♥️

Elton was super freaking huge in the 70s..... obviously his music will go on for decades but his popularity in the 70s was enormous

He nearly married a woman but called it off after his friends begged him to reconsider - the lyrics for this song like all of his early songs were written by Bernie Taupin. What’s interesting is most of the songs like ‘Tiny Dancer’ are about Bernie’s experiences from Bernie’s perspective. Bernie wrote this one about Elton. The phrase ‘altar bound’ and “You almost had your hooks in me, didn’t you dear”, “It’s one more beer and I don’t hear you anymore” and “I’m sleeping with myself tonight” are the giveaways here. He simply decided not to get married.

No Autotune, Sampling or other audio trickery except for outstanding musicians, incredible Composing, the iconic lyrics of Bernie Taupin, and sung by one of the greatest singers of all time.

One of Elton Johns most powerful and beautiful songs. Thank you two for this, Asia and BJ. Now, do "Empty Garden", by Elton John. Please. Another beautiful song.

Thank goodness that fate brought Elton John and Bernie Taupin together. Easily one of the best songwriting teams in musical history.

I always thought Elton's best songs were the ones that Bernie Taupin wrote. Like this one. RIP Christine McVie from Fleetwood Mac, who passed earlier today.

If I remember right, before Elton was famous, he was engaged to be married (altar bound). The future lyricist of 90% of his songs, including this one, good friend Bernie Taupin, and another friend (nicknamed Sugar Bear) talked Elton out of it.

Such a masterpiece! The song is based on a chapter of Elton's personal life. He couldn't have had a better collaborator than lyricist Bernie Taupin. "Sacrifice" is an equally moving song for me. On a sad note, as I'm typing this, I got the news that Christie McVie of Fleetwood Mac passed away. RIP to another legend. Also, please react to Irene Cara's "Out Here on My Own".

I bought this on 45 when it came out back in 1975. Played that sucker until the grooves wore out. I still absolutely adore the song.

My absolute favorite EJ song. I'm a huge fan and was blessed to have seen him live about 8 years ago. He's brilliant. ❤

I saw Elton John three times in person in the 70s and 80s the supreme musician, singer, entertainer! Those concerts at epic and the music were epic love Elton John❤

Elton John is one of my favorite artists of all time-so talented and this is one of my favorite tracks. I saw him live 50 years ago in Chicago. Amazing talent.

Elton's greatest song, in my opinion. I won't bother mentioning the story behind this song, because umpteen other commenters have already beaten me to it I'm sure. But I was a kid when this came out, and I loved it! And I LOVED the "Sugar Bear" reference, mainly because at that time, there were animated cartoon commercials on tv for Super Sugar Crisp cereal, and the cartoon character that represented that cereal was a bear called "Sugar Bear", and to this day, I still think of that cartoon bear when I hear this song. Much later on I came to understand the real meaning behind that reference. Goofy story aside, it's nevertheless a timeless, moody, ethereal classic that always makes me smile.

This whole album is magic.

It does hit deep. Idk how many times I played this 45 and sang my heart out to it. Besides his piano skills, Elton's vocals were fantastic. Once y'all have heard more of him, you'll know what I mean. He's special. And this whole album is a vocalist's dream. To hear, and try to master.

He’s a legend, icon, humanitarian. His music is the soundtrack of my life.

Yay! So glad you got to this! It`s always been my favorite by him! I was so happy he did this in concert when I went and saw him back in April, He was Amazing! Keep On Rockin'

Elton is so good. All of his songs are gems. He can make your blood pressure go down in an instant.

He has a way of placing you back in time with his voice. I transport back to being a kid and hearing him.... Like innocence resurfacing.

This is one of my favorites of his songs, beautifully written and performed. I was lucky enough to get to see him live, it was a terrific show.

My favorite Elton John Song. My brother got this album when it came out and it's been my favorite ever since. They nailed all the emotional cues in this song perfectly!

Another Elton John song with deep lyrics. Also listen to "Come Down in Time" -love that one.

One of my very favorite songs from early Sir Elton!! Thank you for sharing this gem with the world.

I freaking love this song. I'm so glad I got to see Sir Elton live.

The DMT’s in the 70s definitely made for some good music LOL a lot of his music from then calls for some deciphering. I just seen him at the dodger Stadium amazing performer, amazing talent!

SAVED HIM FROM GETTINGGGG MARRIED YOU GUYS, THIS ALBUM WAS HIS 7TH STRAIGHT MULTI PLATINUM ALBUM, ON TOP OF THE ROCK WORLD WHILE BEING SINGLE AND JUST MAKING GREAT MUSIC! 😊 YEAH THAT ( 71-75 ) WINDOW HE WAS JUST UNTOUCHABLE! 😊

Someone told him not to get married (fellow musician Long John Baldry). "Altar bound, hypnotized...". You have to listen to the lyrics. They are very literal.

One of my favs by Elton John. He is in a class all by himself. I grew up on Elton's music, having been introduced to him in the 3rd grade. Very familiar with his music. Thanks for sharing this guys. 😊😊😊

I'm a huge fan of his early stuff he wrote with Bernie Taupin. The two of them created Iconic songs.

Asia put her finger on it: this is a passionate song like few others.

I have loved ones who have been trapped in toxic relationships for years, and i crank this song and sing this at the top of my lungs with all of those people in mind whenever it comes on. I just wish more people would make the decision he did. Being in an abusive relationship and staying out of fear, obligation, and guilt really is like a prison sentence for a lot of people. There are lyrics in this song that allude to his ex being controlling and thats why I always hear it from that perspective. I wish more people would accept the help to leave when their friends and family can all see how mistreated they are. Thats where my mind goes when i Hear it even though Elton John specifically was never gonna be happy settling down with any woman and leaving his music career behind, even if she werent a "dominating queen." It's just a super powerful song either way.

It's about escaping from a nearly bad marriage. "You almost had your hooks in me" "You nearly had me roped and tied, alter bound, hypnotized" BUT he didn't go through with it

I loved playing this on piano: it's one of the few Elton John songs that I could play and sound like Elton.

Perhaps the best gem from Elton during what was perhaps the most troubling, tumultuous part of his career.

My favorite EJ song. ❤ So beautiful but bittersweet considering the story behind it. So personal to him. Simply a masterpiece.

I love and admire each perspective you shared, (around 6 mins in). Elton John has explained his motivation to write this song. He did give the facts. But, he took his experience learned and created this masterpiece that nos anyone could relate to

I love that the loudest instrument on this track is the drums. It’s that way on the entire album actually, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy.

I'm so glad that the person that created that video put "music" on the screen or we would have never figured out that it was an instrumental section.

Hey guys . Got a few older Elton songs for you from Tumbleweed Connection album ( Great Album you should check it out ) Talking Old Soldiers, Burn down the Mission, Amoreena, Love Song, My Fathers Gun

A brilliant masterpiece by Elton and Bernie. Many will chime in about this songs meaning, it's powerful...

He's singing about a controlling woman that he had to escape her clutches before getting hitched. "you nearly had me roped and tied; altar-bound (marriage) and hypnotized" He referred to her as a dominating queen and a prima donna perched in her electric chair. This is my #1 fav of Eltons. I'm so glad I got to see him live one last time last fall. He played this song and was pure magic for me. I don't know how I missed this reaction from you two! So nice to see someone reacting to this one - very underrated song.

I'm a little late to this party but you got this - something sure did happen! I have always loved this song, maybe more than any other of his and there are SOOOOO many. And as personal as this song is to Elton, it was still Bernie that wrote the lyrics to this song. The Elton and Bernie train was magic.

You couldn't have said it better. I know what you're mom was talking about. I go through severe pain everyday. I can relate as to what you're saying. He's talking about something else but songs are meant to connect to your own situation

Elton John is doing his farewell concert and U.S. tour. He will be performing at the Hollywood Bowl. I encourage you guys to go.

Great song!!! Just saw him (4th time) at Dodgers Stadium....he played this....hes a legend!!!!

You can actually feel what the meaning of this song is. It's hits deep. Beautiful song 💖

I wish you guys would watch the live version or video of a song/performer you react to. That way, you get the whole picture. (stage presence, looks, Charisma, dancing, playing a musical instrument, etc..)

I love this song. He uses so many references to death and redemption. When he says walking head long into the deep end of the river, it's almost as though he's saying head end up commiting suicide by saying no to himself and who he is inside. Yet, at the end he's celebrating a relief and victory over choosing his life over pleasing someone else. Great lyrics. Amazing song.

Sir Elton is definitely one of my all time favorite artists, his music writing with Bernie Taupin’d lyrics make such a great team

As a matter of fact the whole captain fantastic and the brown dirt cowboy album is amazing 💯@Asia&BJ You guys should check out if there is something by Roxy music it's one of those take you on a journey songs

Another... one of the greatest songs ever recorded! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👍

THANK GODDDDDDDD HIS MUSIC WILL ALWAYS BE ALIVE!!! 😊

A bit sappy yet loveable and it reminds me of a time long ago when my counselor friends at a day camp went out driving to have some fun . We all started singing this tune .

Love the way you both listen to each other...nice seeing a black couple show higher intelligence towards logic....beautiful.

My favorite Elton John song... period.

Fun fact. The reference in the song " Paying your H.P. Demands forever." H.P. meant for Higher Purchase which used to be the common British practice for renting out appliances. For example a TV for a weekly fee until you could buy it for a small amount. People used to say "I'm buying it on the H.P."

"Sugar Bear", The life saver, was Long John Baldry, he was 6 ft 7 in.

Asia & BJ, you'll love his "Your Song", "Philadelphia Freedom" and "I'm Still Standing" !!!

One of my Elton top 3 songs, which is against very stiff competition, so many wonderful songs, hidden treasures as well as hits. I love the album this is on. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy so much, it's a real grower. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road double album is magnificent and his most famous.

another great track from a great album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy

This song meant business starting off on the 5th of the root like "God Only Knows" by Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys. Puts us in suspense from the first chord as the music travels up and up, "high away" like a butterfly, like you two! God bless and thank you again!

One of my favorite Elton John songs. Great reaction choice! 👍🏾 The lyrics are profound.

Boy I loved that discussion of what this song means...that helped me understand what this song means. Thanks Asia and BJ.

He said, you had me roped and tyed alter bound he was getting married and he came to his senses.

One of his Best...! Check "Madman Across the Water"...!

I think this is one of his best recordings. piano, Bass the drums are very well produceds

Love how you guys take the songs apart. In this case BJ was closer but I really like Asia's way of reading it as a story about mentally overcoming the bonds of illness or disability. Hadn't thought about it that way (I'm disabled.) Thanks for the review.

One of my favorite EJ songs. Sang from the heart.

"Sweet Freedom"(whispered in my ear) is Billie Jean King.....his song "Philadelphia Freedom" is a song about Billie Jean King.....

My favorite Elton John song anytime it comes on I always sing all the lyrics

I love this song! The metaphors are used to tell such a intimate story about being a toxic relationship and finally being set free. ❤

My favorite Elton John song of ALL TIME!!!! Thank you so much for your reaction!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

This song hits you deep into the soul! This one is one of his most powerful songs he’s ever produced! I can say enough about it that has already been said here in the comments! Is specially for those who are contemplating suicide.

NIIIICCCCEEEE!!! 😊THIS WAS THE HIT OFF OF HE AND BERNIE'S AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL GEM 75 ALBUM ( CAPTAIN FANTASTIC AND THE BROWN DIRT COWBOY ) ASIA AND BJ 😊

The last track on this album "Curtains" has a similar feel. Beautiful slow drum fills/rolls from Nigel Olsson.

This is my all-time favourite Elton John song.

Asia brilliant analysis! You got it. ❤️✌🏾

You ALMOST had your HOOKS in me, didya Dear, ALTAR Bound, Hypnotized, Sweet FREEDOM whispered in my ear....

You played my favorite song. His partner Bernie Taupin wrote this song about Elton's impending wedding to Linda Woodburn in 1968. But Asia's right this could be anything dying. Yes B.j. it's his mental state. Such a wonderful song did you hear the music at the end with the synthesizer and Elton's piano playing the same pian riff . Listen to I'm Still Standing 1983. A little more positive of a relationship break up. Elton John is an iconic piano player. piano

My first album back in the day.wonderful!

My absolute favourite Elton John song.

This song deals with a time in Elton's life when he was going to get married to a woman named Linda Woodrow, which would have been a big mistake. In the 1991 Two Rooms tribute project, Elton explained: "I was going to get married once when I was younger, and I went out and got drunk with Long John Baldry and Bernie and John said I shouldn't get married. I knew he was right but I didn't know how to get out of it so, I just got drunk and went home and said I'm not getting married." "Sugar Bear" in the lyrics refers to Long John Baldry, who recalls, "Apparently, I gave Elton some very good advice when he was in a pickle, and he wrote a song about it. But I still can't figure out what the song is about." According to Linda Woodrow, it was the summer of 1970 when Elton suddenly broke off their engagement, leaving her devastated. She, Elton and Bernie Taupin were sharing an apartment in London at the time. When she heard these lines in the song, she was not pleased: You nearly had me roped and tied Altar-bound, hypnotized Woodrow ended up moving to America and having three children. She harbors no ill-feelings toward Elton John, but is a little tweaked about Taupin's lyric. Elton wrote the music in 1975 while he was on a cruise. He was aboard a ship called the SS France for it's last voyage, and used the onboard piano to write the songs he used for the album. He had to write in short spurts because there was an opera singer who had booked most of the time on the piano. Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics to this song, explained: "It tells a story that actually happened. For the most part, most of the things I write are an amalgam of several subjects or feelings that I then cut and paste to create one entity. Not always, but a lot of the time, I mean, I guess you could even say that with this song, the crux of its meaning is sort of surrounded with visual props that are intended to help set the scene for the main event, which was Elton saying adios to this woman who was pushing him into a marriage that he knew deep down in his heart would be a lie on a multitude of levels. It's packed with imagery, like most of the songs from that album. I was most definitely trying to conjure up an atmosphere and project a moment in time when we were struggling with the mundane areas of life, the everyday struggles to make ends meet. So when I hear that song now, it really makes me think of grey skies and wet streets, smoky pubs; in all, that fragile feeling you just kind of get inside when you're unsure of the future." (Songfacts.com)

Nigel Olsen and those intense drum beats....

The play on words is extraordinary!

Every devout bachelor can appreciate this song “AMOST HAD YOUR HOOKS IN ME” almost married lmao Someone showed him the captivity of it, and he’s free to fly

Sometimes songs are open to self interpretation. How it relates to oneself. People tend to relate to music or a song pertaining to their own life. Most music have deep messages, sometimes we try to understand what the messages are about but if you can just simply open your mind and let it resonate. The song will be a lot more meaningful.

I had "sugar bear" as my drug of choice and can articulate my own personal experience and interpretation of the lyrics in a very intimate way. May i recommend a reaction from listening to "we all fall in love sometimes/curtains" from the same album, you won't be disappointed.

This is the only single from the first album in history to debut at #1.

Bernie Taupin is his lyricist. He wrote all the EJ songs.

My favorite album of his.

Bernie Taupin wrote all the lyrics, and was probably a lover at some point.. but I think this song was about him being saved and sugar bear was the man who saved him.

Great reaction! A timeless song like this one can mean different things to people. Your two points of view here show that. Even though the song is written about specific events in Elton's life it touches on reality of others. The idea of freedom, of being saved from your own actions, applies everywhere. That voice saying "you're a butterfly and butterflies are free to fly" isn't really true in the physical sense, but certainly true in the soul and spiritual sense. Love yall!

Asia is closer. There are lines in the song that are mere word play. Good turns of phrase with clever rhymes. Some of the song is an unexpected person, with love, turned him around from dying emotionally.

There will never be another "Sir" Elton John.

This song is nearly perfect