My Favorite Songs by Elton John (Part One)

“Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” is a nearly 11-minute progressive rock suite by Elton John, written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), and released as the opening track of his acclaimed 1973 double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The instrumental first half, “Funeral for a Friend,”

was conceived by John while imagining the kind of music he’d want played at his own funeral, featuring dramatic synthesizer arrangements by engineer David Hentschel using an ARP 2500¹. It segues seamlessly into the hard-rocking “Love Lies Bleeding,” which deals with the aftermath

of a broken relationship, symbolically comparing it to death, blending elaborate production with emotional lyrics. Though never released as a single in the United States, the track is considered one of Elton John’s greatest album cuts

and a live favorite, praised for its complex structure and fusion of classical, rock, and glam elements. The song has appeared on multiple compilations and ranked highly in fan and critic retrospectives, often cited as one of his most ambitious and theatrical compositions. It has been covered by several artists and bands,

including Dream Theater and “Weird Al” Yankovic (in concert medleys), and is frequently regarded as a highlight of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, an album that consistently ranks among the best in rock history.

“Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)” is a classic song by Elton John, written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), and released in 1972 as the lead single from the album Honky Château. Inspired partly by Ray Bradbury’s short story The Rocket Man² and influenced by David Bowie’s “Space Oddity,”

Taupin’s lyrics portray an astronaut’s lonely, routine existence in space as a metaphor for emotional isolation and the personal costs of ambition, fame, and duty. Musically, the track combines lush Mellotron textures, subtle slide guitar, and John’s expressive piano and vocals, creating a melancholy, introspective atmosphere.

“Rocket Man” became a breakthrough hit for Elton John in the U.S., peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 in the UK, and has since become one of his signature songs, regularly featured in his live performances and greatest hits collections. It has been covered and sampled by numerous artists, most notably by Kate Bush and in the 2022 Rocketman biopic, where Taron Egerton performed it.

In 2021, it was remixed by Pnau and re-released as part of “Cold Heart” with Dua Lipa, helping to introduce the song to a new generation. Little Big Town’s version of “Rocket Man,” featured on the 2018 Restoration tribute album, reimagines the Elton John classic with haunting four-part harmonies and a sparse, country-Americana arrangement that emphasizes the song’s emotional isolation. The song was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress in 2023, cementing its cultural significance.

“Crocodile Rock” is a nostalgic, upbeat hit by Elton John, written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), released in 1972 as the lead single from the 1973 album Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player. The song was inspired by early rock and roll and doo-wop hits of the 1950s and early 1960s, with Taupin crafting lyrics about youthful

innocence, dancing, and lost love, while John incorporated a deliberately retro musical style featuring a Farfisa organ³ and a distinctive falsetto chorus. “Crocodile Rock” became Elton John’s first No. 1 hit in the U.S., topping the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in early 1973, and reaching No. 5 in the UK, helping to solidify his status as an

international superstar. Though some critics view the song as kitschy or overly nostalgic, it remains one of John’s most recognizable and enduring tracks, appearing in countless compilations and live performances, and is often seen as a tribute to the rock era that influenced him. It has been covered by numerous

artists and featured in films and TV, though Elton John has admitted he grew tired of performing it over time. Its lighthearted tone and retro stylings helped broaden John’s audience during a key moment in his early career.

“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” is a reflective ballad by Elton John, written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), and released in 1972 on the album Honky Château. Taupin wrote the lyrics after his first unsettling visit to New York City, inspired by hearing a gunshot near his hotel and contrasting the city’s romanticized image with its

harsher realities, referencing Ben E. King’s “Spanish Harlem” in the opening line. The song blends poignant lyrics with a gentle, piano-driven melody, showcasing John’s ability to convey emotional nuance and vulnerability. Though never released as a single in the United States, it became a fan favorite and critical standout, praised for its honesty and sophistication.

Elton performed it at the Concert for New York City in 2001 to honor the victims and first responders of 9/11, cementing its emotional legacy. A sequel, “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two),” appeared on his 1988 album Reg Strikes Back, offering a more upbeat, reconciled view of New York.

Over the years, the original has appeared in numerous compilations and live albums, and is often cited among John and Taupin’s most lyrical and heartfelt compositions.

“Burn Down the Mission” is a dramatic, gospel-infused track by Elton John, written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), and released as the closing track of the 1970 album Tumbleweed Connection. The song, which showcases John’s dynamic piano work and orchestration by Paul Buckmaster,

tells a cryptic story of desperation and revolt, with lyrics that suggest a poor man burning down an oppressive establishment—possibly a metaphor for class struggle or personal liberation. Taupin has said the lyrics were more impressionistic than literal, influenced by Southern Gothic imagery and the American frontier, despite the band’s British roots. While not released as a single, “Burn Down the Mission”

is widely considered one of Elton John’s early masterpieces, admired for its ambitious structure that shifts from somber ballad to urgent crescendo. The song has been a staple of John’s live performances, including a memorable version on the 1971 live album 17-11-70, where it was part of a medley showcasing his trio’s improvisational energy.

Though not a commercial chart hit, it ranks highly among fan favorites and critical retrospectives for its storytelling, emotional intensity, and innovative arrangement.

“Border Song” is a soulful, gospel-tinged track by Elton John, written by Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics), with an additional final verse written by John, and released in 1970 as the first single from his self-titled breakthrough album Elton John. The song reflects themes of alienation, prejudice, and a yearning for unity,

with Taupin’s lyrics touching on spiritual and societal divides, while John’s final verse reinforces the plea for understanding and peace. Musically, it features a strong gospel influence with rich piano work, choral backing, and orchestration by Paul Buckmaster, foreshadowing the grand,

emotive style that would become John’s hallmark. Though it only reached No. 92 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, it found greater success in Canada (No. 34) and later gained renewed attention through a celebrated cover by Aretha Franklin, whose 1970 version climbed to No. 37 on the U.S. charts and infused the song with deeper gospel intensity.

Over time, “Border Song” has become recognized as one of Elton John’s earliest socially conscious works, noted for its sincerity and musical ambition, and it remains a powerful example of the duo’s early songwriting maturity.