Elton's Song
Encyclopedia
"Elton's Song" is a song written by Elton John
(music) and Tom Robinson
(lyrics). It first appeared on the 1981 album The Fox
, though it had been recorded two years prior, in 1979. It was previewed in concerts from that period.
A mournful ballad in form, the lyrics deal frankly with a gay teenage boy's crush on another boy. Themes of heartbreak and shame permeate. The music is comparatively stark, yet it subtly employs John's classical training (as well as a classical mood) in its occasional use of conflicting parallel major and minor keys. This plus the syncopation
in the chorus helps to convey the wounded mood of the song. The spare arrangement consists entirely of John's piano and voice and "string" synthesizers programmed and played by James Newton-Howard.
A video was shot for this song in a school and was included on a video album accompanying The Fox
. It was never shown on television. According to Tom Robinson, the plot was based on a subplot from the Lindsay Anderson
movie if..... The theme of gay love caused a controversy, inspiring such tabloid headlines as "Elton's gay video shocker". The video was directed by Russell Mulcahy
and written by Keith Williams and was not based on If, but an idea supplied by Elton John himself who wanted a mini-movie made from the song without him necessarily having to appear/perform in it - a radical step in 1981 music videoland.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
(music) and Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson
Tom Robinson is an English singer-songwriter, bassist and radio presenter, better known for the hits "Glad to Be Gay", "2-4-6-8 Motorway", and "Don't Take No for an Answer", with his Tom Robinson Band...
(lyrics). It first appeared on the 1981 album The Fox
The Fox (album)
The Fox is the 15th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1981. The track "Elton's Song" was banned from radio play in some countries due to its content, which included references to homosexuality...
, though it had been recorded two years prior, in 1979. It was previewed in concerts from that period.
A mournful ballad in form, the lyrics deal frankly with a gay teenage boy's crush on another boy. Themes of heartbreak and shame permeate. The music is comparatively stark, yet it subtly employs John's classical training (as well as a classical mood) in its occasional use of conflicting parallel major and minor keys. This plus the syncopation
Syncopation
In music, syncopation includes a variety of rhythms which are in some way unexpected in that they deviate from the strict succession of regularly spaced strong and weak but also powerful beats in a meter . These include a stress on a normally unstressed beat or a rest where one would normally be...
in the chorus helps to convey the wounded mood of the song. The spare arrangement consists entirely of John's piano and voice and "string" synthesizers programmed and played by James Newton-Howard.
A video was shot for this song in a school and was included on a video album accompanying The Fox
The Fox (album)
The Fox is the 15th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1981. The track "Elton's Song" was banned from radio play in some countries due to its content, which included references to homosexuality...
. It was never shown on television. According to Tom Robinson, the plot was based on a subplot from the Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Gordon Anderson was an Indian-born, British feature film, theatre and documentary director, film critic, and leading light of the Free Cinema movement and the British New Wave...
movie if..... The theme of gay love caused a controversy, inspiring such tabloid headlines as "Elton's gay video shocker". The video was directed by Russell Mulcahy
Russell Mulcahy
Russell Mulcahy is an Australian film director. His work is easily recognized by his use of fast cuts, tracking shots and use of glowing lights.- Music videos :...
and written by Keith Williams and was not based on If, but an idea supplied by Elton John himself who wanted a mini-movie made from the song without him necessarily having to appear/perform in it - a radical step in 1981 music videoland.