Song for Guy
Encyclopedia
"Song for Guy" is a mainly instrumental piece of music by Elton John
. It is the closing track of his 1978 album, A Single Man.
"...As I was writing this song one Sunday, I imagined myself floating into space and looking down at my own body. I was imagining myself dying. Morbidly obsessed with these thoughts, I wrote this song about death. The next day I was told that Guy (Burchett), our 17 year-old messenger boy, had been tragically killed on his motorcycle the day before. Guy died on the day I wrote this song."
The song opens with solo piano. Shortly after the intro, a percussion section comes in, with additional wind chimes and synthesizers layered in as the melody repeats. The song is instrumental until the end, in which the line "Life, isn't everything" is repeated over the primary melody line of the song.
It was written in memory of Guy Burchett, Elton's late motorbike messenger.
to close some concerts. It was also one of his most successful singles in his homeland, peaking at #4 in December, 1978, and remaining on the chart for ten weeks. It wasn't released in the U.S.
until March, 1979 where it barely made the charts, peaking at #110.
The single version cut one and a half minutes from the song. On The Very Best of Elton John
, this is mistaken as the duration when it is actually the album version that appears.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
. It is the closing track of his 1978 album, A Single Man.
Musical structure
Elton said this in the sleeve notes of the 7" single:"...As I was writing this song one Sunday, I imagined myself floating into space and looking down at my own body. I was imagining myself dying. Morbidly obsessed with these thoughts, I wrote this song about death. The next day I was told that Guy (Burchett), our 17 year-old messenger boy, had been tragically killed on his motorcycle the day before. Guy died on the day I wrote this song."
The song opens with solo piano. Shortly after the intro, a percussion section comes in, with additional wind chimes and synthesizers layered in as the melody repeats. The song is instrumental until the end, in which the line "Life, isn't everything" is repeated over the primary melody line of the song.
It was written in memory of Guy Burchett, Elton's late motorbike messenger.
Performance
This song has been a live staple in Europe where it is well-known. In 1992, Elton played it together with Your SongYour Song
"Your Song" is a ballad composed and performed by English musician Elton John with lyrics by his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin. It appeared on John's self-titled second album in 1970....
to close some concerts. It was also one of his most successful singles in his homeland, peaking at #4 in December, 1978, and remaining on the chart for ten weeks. It wasn't released in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
until March, 1979 where it barely made the charts, peaking at #110.
The single version cut one and a half minutes from the song. On The Very Best of Elton John
The Very Best of Elton John
CD 2N.B. : Please note that Track N°25 is different on European version of Elton John's very best of. "Whispers" from ""Sleeping with the Past" takes "Passengers" place.-Side one:# "Your Song" – 4:02...
, this is mistaken as the duration when it is actually the album version that appears.
Personnel
- Elton John - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, mellotronMellotronThe Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
, polymoogPolymoogThe Polymoog is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Moog Music from 1975 to 1980. The Polymoog was based on divide-down oscillator technology similar to electronic organs and string synthesizers of the time, and this led to a certain lack of flexibility compared to later...
, synthesizerSynthesizerA synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
, lyrics - Ray Cooper - wind chimeWind chimeWind chimes are chimes constructed from suspended tubes, rods, bells or other objects and are often made of metal or wood. Wind chimes are usually hung outside of a building or residence, as a visual and aural garden ornament, and are to be played by the wind....
s, shakers - Clive Franks - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....