Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)
Encyclopedia
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" is a song by Elton John
and Bernie Taupin
for the album Reg Strikes Back
.
The song is about New York City
and is a continuation of the song "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
" from the 1972 album Honky Château
.
Although the song follows the same meaning of its predecessor, it has a very different tempo
and instrumental arrangement, and is in many ways a more complex song, with a variety of key changes and unusual chords throughout the song. There is also a brief homage to the Beatles' song "Drive My Car" that can be heard during the horn solo at 2:18, where Elton and the backup singers interject "beep beep, beep beep, yeah!".
Although not a particularly popular song, Elton John played both versions of the song sequentially in concert from the release of "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" in 1989 through to 1993.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
for the album Reg Strikes Back
Reg Strikes Back
Reg Strikes Back is the twenty-first studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1988. It was his self-proclaimed comeback album, and his own way of fighting back against bad press. The "Reg" in Reg Strikes Back refers to Elton John's birth name, Reginald Kenneth Dwight. This...
.
The song is about New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and is a continuation of the song "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is a song from the Elton John album Honky Château. It reflects Bernie Taupin's take on New York City after hearing a gun go off near his hotel window during his first visit to the city. The song's lyrics were partly inspired by Ben E...
" from the 1972 album Honky Château
Honky Château
Honky Château is the fifth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1972. In 2003, the album was ranked number 357 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was certified Gold on 7/24/1972 and Platinum on 10/11/1995 by the R.I.A.A...
.
Although the song follows the same meaning of its predecessor, it has a very different tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
and instrumental arrangement, and is in many ways a more complex song, with a variety of key changes and unusual chords throughout the song. There is also a brief homage to the Beatles' song "Drive My Car" that can be heard during the horn solo at 2:18, where Elton and the backup singers interject "beep beep, beep beep, yeah!".
Although not a particularly popular song, Elton John played both versions of the song sequentially in concert from the release of "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" in 1989 through to 1993.
Personnel
- Elton John - piano, vocals
- Freddie Hubbard - trumpet, flugelhorn
- Davey Johnstone - guitars, backing vocals
- Fred Mandel - keyboards
- Charlie Morgan - drums
- Dee Murray - backing vocals
- Nigel Olsson - backing vocals
- David Paton - bass