“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” is a poignant and evocative song written by Bernie Taupin, with music composed by Elton John. It was released on Elton John’s 1972 album “Honky Château.” The song stands out for its rich and vivid storytelling, capturing the essence of New York City in the early 1970s.
The lyrics of the song are known for their poetic and heartfelt nature, reflecting on the challenges and dreams of those living in the urban landscape. The reference to “Mona Lisas” suggests a portrayal of beauty and sophistication, while “Mad Hatters” conveys a sense of eccentricity or perhaps the struggles of those facing mental health issues in the bustling city.
Elton John himself called the song “one of my all-time favourites” when introducing it at his 60th-birthday concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden. He also delivered a heartfelt rendition at “The Concert for New York City” at Madison Square Garden on 20 October 2001. The concert was meant primarily as a tribute for family members and fellow workers of New York’s Fire and Police and Emergency Medical Services departments, who had been participating in the ongoing recovery efforts at the demolished World Trade Center complex following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. John dedicated the song to the emergency workers and their families, as well as to New York City.
The imagery created by Taupin’s words, combined with Elton John’s soulful and melodic composition, results in a timeless and emotionally resonant piece. Elton John’s musical interpretation complements the lyrics beautifully, featuring his trademark piano playing and soulful vocals. The song’s arrangement is both reflective and contemplative, capturing the essence of the city’s diversity and the emotional journey of its inhabitants.
And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City
“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” has been praised for its emotional depth, capturing the essence of the human experience within the context of a bustling metropolis. The song’s lyrics were partly inspired by Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem,” written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector, in which he sings “There is a rose in Spanish Harlem.”
In response to this, Taupin writes, “and now I know Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say” I thought I knew,but now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City. The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin and is his take on New York City after hearing a gun go off near his hotel window during his first visit to the city.
Until you've seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord
There's people out there like you
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
This Broadway's got
It's got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I'll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York City
Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found
The lyrics of Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters are an ode to the people who are invisible to society, yet they make up the heartbeat of the city. Taupin paints a picture of a city that is both magical and gritty. Through his lyrics, he acknowledges the harsh reality of the city’s marginalized communities, its distinctive culture, and the beauty of its people. In the chorus, John sings, “And I thank the lord for the people I have found”
— an acknowledgment of the people who have touched his heart and changed his perspective. The Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters he refers to in the song are a metaphor for the different types of identities that exist within the city. Mona Lisas are the personas that represent beauty, glamour, and wealth. Mad Hatters, on the other hand, are those who are struggling, unique, and often misunderstood.
The song’s poignant line, “Subway’s no way for a good man to go down” is a reference to one of the album’s most poignant tracks – ‘Rocket Man’. But here, rather than celebrating the wonders of space travel, Taupin laments the way that New York’s underground transport system can be an unwelcoming and hostile environment for people who are down on their luck or struggling to make ends meet. The title of the song, Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters, is borrowed from a line in the classic children’s book, Alice In Wonderland. Taupin has always been a big fan of the book and the way it challenged the conventional ways of thinking.
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters - written by (lyrics) Bernie Taupin and (music) Elton John
And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City
Until you've seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord
There's people out there like you
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
This Broadway's got
It's got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I'll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York City
Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found
While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City
Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found
While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light
They know not if it's dark outside or light
Further Reading
Sources
- Prato, Greg. “Elton John’s ‘Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters’: The Story Behind the Song.” Ultimate Classic Rock, https://ultimateclassicrock.com/elton-john-mona-lisas-and-mad-hatters/.
- “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters.” Songfacts, https://www.songfacts.com/facts/elton-john/mona-lisas-and-mad-hatters.
- Lyrics “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30300662/Elton+John/Mona+Lisas+and+Mad+Hatters
- The Greatest Songs “393 MONA LISA AND MAD HATTERS- ELTON JOHN” https://thegreatestsongs.com/393-mona-lisa-and-mad-hatters-elton-john/
- Song Meanings “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/44609/#comments
- Academic “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/5097439
- AllSongsList “The Story Behind “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters (part two)”” https://eltonjohnallsongslist.blogspot.com/2007/12/story-behind-mona-lisas-and-mad-hatters.html
- IdTimeMusic “The Meaning Behind The Song: Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters by Elton John” https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-mona-lisas-and-mad-hatters-by-elton-john/
- Second Hand Songs “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” https://secondhandsongs.com/work/20065/all
