Song 196 - Tiny Dancer by Elton John

Just in case you thought the last blog entry was a one-off, I thought I would follow it up with this hit from Elton John, who like Freddie Mercury has been immortalised in film over the last few years. Interesting fact, the director of both Starman and Bohemian Rhadsopy was Dexter Fletcher, who played Spike in Press Gang. Why I am telling you this? Probably because I was already thinking about becoming a writer when Press Gang was on TV as well as having a massive crush on Dexter Fletcher.  But I am getting sidetracked here, let us get back to song 198 of the jukebox - Tiny Dancer by Elton John. 

I think for me, Elton John has always been one of those artists that have been there in the fabric of my music. Never, someone, I would have rushed out to buy his latest album, but on a trusty, homemade tape mix, his songs would appear and over the years, I have found myself collecting his music. This year has seen the release of the highly delayed, Rocketman, a film charting the early years of Elton’s music journey and struggles with addiction. Having loved the film about Freddie Mercury, I was ready to hate this film as I wondered how they could tell a truthful account of the life of someone who is very much alive. Having now seen it, I was blown away by the whole movie. I thought the use of his music in the movie and the reimagined songs, sung by Aaron Egerton and Jamie Bell to mention the two leads, was incredible. You have to praise Elton John for being able to hand over his life and allow others to tell his story. Yes, I know he had control over the final cut of the movie, but even being in control, you are handed over your life to others to tell your story and that has to be brave. I think we sometimes forget that celebrities are real people and what makes a really good story, requires people to open up themselves and allow people to walk through memories, both bad and good.

For me, I count myself lucky, I have actually seen Elton John live. Not because I spent months planning my tickets, because I  found myself there when other people weren’t able to go.  We saw Elton at St. Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park in Perth. A small gig compared to the dizzy heights of Madison Square Gardens, in New York, but here we were listening to one of the most iconic pop stars. I am glad I can say that I have experienced his music live, even though we didn’t know all the hits. 

Out of all the Elton John hits, Tiny Dancer stands out for me as it makes me think of one of my own character, who I created about 13 years ago, Little Pink. Little Pink is a very personal character as she is a version of myself, who challenges me and reminds me to keep exploring life. When the character first appeared on my page, I saw her as a vision of pink dancing in a hospital corridor, and the lyric from Tiny Dancer, which goes, “Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand. And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand”, fits Little Pink. Although Little Pink is the tiny dancer in my head. 

Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, there is a relaxed hopefulness in the song, which never fails to bring a smile to my face. Released in February 1972, it wasn’t an overnight success, and it wasn’t released as a single in the UK as it faired badly in the USA. However, the Canadian markets loved it, and over time it has become one of the most popular songs released by Elton John. The lyrics were written after Bernie Taupin’s first trip to the USA.  I still find it crazy to think that whilst Elton John is one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, Bernie Taupin is a name everyone knows but he could walk past me in the street and I wouldn’t know him from the next guy. And coming back to Rocketman, the beating heart of the movie was the friendship between John and Taupin, who conquered the world with their music but maintain their friendship. I think in life we sometimes forget how important friendship is. Everyone talks about falling in love and being loved, but equally, friendships are so important. You need to have people who are there supporting you, whether you are just about to play live at Wembley or when you feel lost to the whole world. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves and should always be celebrated. 

For me, friendship comes through in the song as it has one of the tunes which makes me think of having big adventures with friends and chilling out afterwards reflecting on the fun you have just had. I don’t know how it makes you feel but I hope you enjoy it:

Listen here to Tiny Dancer

Tiny Dancer by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Released: 7 February 1972

Album: Madman across the water

Song 193 - I just can't wait to be king - from the Lion King

I'm having an African inspired day today so for Saturday Sparkle, it seems really fitting to have "I just can't wait to be king" from The Lion King. The Lion King is, of course, the 1994 smash hit animated film brought to us by Disney and tells the story of Simba and his road in succeeding his father as head of the pride. It is a magical film, which Disney turned into a live musical in 1997. I saw the musical a few years ago and it captures your breath on how they brought such an iconic film to stage. It is understandable, that the musical broke the record of the longest-running musical, which was held by The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway.

With the music written by Elton John and Tim Rice, there is a feast of iconic songs that could have been chosen for today so why choose I just can't wait to be king? I love the mischief-making lyrics of Simba and Nala, much to the annoyance of Zanu. They are spirited lion cubs, who don't need to be told what to do by an old hornbill, they do it their way.  It is an attitude that is inspiring, we, of course, know there's going to be consequences for their actions, but sometimes it is better to look at the rules and think how can I break them. I know I got to Africa because someone told me I was too fat to go and walk there. Never one to be told what to do, I put my walking boots and trained the weight off me.  I think what we learn as we get old is the balance of knowing what rules to break and what rules to live by. I'm a rebel at heart like Simba and Nala are. I also feel for Zanu as he is a teacher and being a teacher can be one of the hardest jobs in the world.

To hear this brilliant song, listen here and there is even lyrics so you can sing along:

I just can't wait to be king

Performed by Rowan Atkinson, Jason Weaver & Laura Williams
From The Lion King 
Lyrics - Tim Rice
Music - Elton John

Song 129 - Celebrating George Martin with some Beatles

Being a huge Beatles fan, it wouldn't have been right to pass over the death of George Martin, one of the most influential record producers of the 20th century, just because he didn't necessary sing on any hits. His death was announced today,  aged 90, and since then there has been an out pouring of tributes to the man, who in Paul McCartney's words was the fifth Beatle.

Picture the scene when in 1962, Brian Epstein told the Beatles that he had secured him a deal with EMI. This statement turned out to be a lie and the Beatles had been invited to audition with record producer, George Martin and to be honest, Martin wasn't that impressed by what he heard to begin with but he recognise something in their music which eventually led to him giving them a record deal on June 6. Although he did suggest that band made some changes and he was often blamed as the person who sacked Pete Best, the original drummer of the group.

When Paul McCartney paid tribute today to Martin, he talked about him as a second father who was able to guide, promote and challenge the fab four. Introducing elements like strings to tracks of a rock and roll band, Martin  had the vision to help them translate their musical ideas and songs into the masterpieces we love today. He wrote the string section part of Eleanor Rigby and the electric backing to I am the Walrus. Perhaps, now-a-day, with the advancement of music equipment and computer, we perhaps take for granted the basic equipment used to create some of the iconic sounds of the Beatles' songs. When it came to recording St. Peppers' Lonely Hearts Club, Martin devised a technique whereby a number of tracks were recorded and then mixed down on to one single track, giving the flexibility of a modern multi-tracked studio. At the time EMI had only four- track tape machines. He also made much use of recording different tracks at various speeds to change the texture of the final sound.

In the later stages of the Beatles' career, the band themselves became much more knowledgeable on producing records, however, Martin remained a critical part of the band's makeup and after their break-up  continue to work with the band members independently.

But it is important to recognise that although George Martin was most famous for being the producer of the Beatles, his career far outstretched the fab four and with a career spanning 6 decades, he produced over 700 records, wrote film scores and worked with a variety of artists including Matt Munro, Dire Straits, Elton John, Shirley Bassey, Pete Townsend, Cilla Black to name but a few. His talents will shine throughout the history of pop music for generations to come and his name will never be out of tune with the music world. RIP George Martin and have fun with the musical talent in heaven.

Here are just a number of iconic songs that Martin brought to our ears:

1. Love me do, performed by the Beatles, from Please Please Me, 
Love me do

2. Eleanor Rigby, performed by the Beatles, from Revolver, 
Eleanor Rigby

3. A day in the life, performed by the Beatles, from St. Peppers' Lonely Hearts' Club Band, 
A day in the life

4. Rain, performed by the Beatles
Rain, performed by the Beatles

5. I am the Walrus, performed by the Beatles, from Magical Mystery Tour 

I am the Walrus

6. Strawberry Fields forever, performed by the Beatles, from Magical Mystery Tour
Strawberry fields forever

7. Right said Fred, performed by Bernard Crippins
Right said Fred

8. Diamond Dust, performed  by Jeff Beck
Diamond Dust

9. From Russia with love, performed by Matt Munro
From Russia with love

10. Ticket to heaven, performed by Dire Straits, from On Every Street, 1991
Ticket to heaven

Song 100 - Lucy in the sky with diamonds - The Beatles

Song 100 and yes we are back to the Beatles, I wanted to keep along the lines of diamonds and what better song then Lucy in the sky with diamonds, taken from their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. I mean how can you not feel relaxed with the opening line: Picture yourself in a boat on river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

Although credited to both Lennon and McCartney, Lucy in the sky with diamonds, is said to be a Lennon led song. John, himself, said that he had been inspired by a painting that Julian (his son) came back with from nursery with the same title, that he painted with his friend, Lucy.

Although in the years since the song was released, many have said the song is about LCD, Lennon and McCartney has both firmly denied this, saying the song had more to do with their love of Alice in Wonderland. Another myth surrounding this record is that it was banned by the BBC because of the apparent meaning of it. This is not true and it was played on BBC radio in May 1967.

Lucy in the sky with diamonds is the third track on the critically acclaimed album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which was the Beatles' 8th studio album. Released in 1967, it stayed at the top of the album chart for 27 weeks in the UK and 10 weeks in the US. The album would win 4 Grammys, including best album, which was the first time a pop album had won this award.

Most of the song is in a simple triple metre (3/4 time), but the chorus is in 4/4 time. The song modulates between musical keys, A major for verses, B Flat major for the pre-chrous and G major for the chorus. Lennon sings it over an increasingly complicated underlying arrangement which feature tamboura played by George Harrison, who also plays the lead electric guitar put through a leslie speaker. Then McCartney is playing a counter melody on a Lowrey organ, taped with a special organ stop sounding, like a celeste.

 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band moved The Beatles into a more experimental period with their  music and it is said that the idea of creating the Edwardian band, was to allow them the freedom to explore new music style and influences. The album itself is in the number 3 in the best selling albums in the UK  ever.

The song itself has been covered by a variety of artists. Perhaps the most famous artist was Elton John in 1974, as Elton worked with John Lennon on his version of the song. Elton John would take the song to No. 1 in the US Chart.

To hear about Lucy in the sky;
Lucy in the sky with diamonds by The Beatles


Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Released: 1967.