Wednesday, 5/26

 I've probably devoted waaaaaaaay too much thought to this.

While walking to work yesterday (and stopping at every lilac tree to sniff and feed the addiction I have to them) I thought back to something I babbled about on the air a few weeks ago.

After playing Elton John's “Philadelphia Freedom”, I off-handedly mentioned that it was (at least in my opinion) one of the five best Elton John songs ever. I don't know why, but the off-handed comment stuck with me, and because my brain is, well, my brain, it has gone gaga over that comment, forcing me to sit down and figure out what I think are the best five Elton John songs ever.

And now you get subjected to them, in chronological order--

YOUR SONG--

This song was released when I was in grade school and too young to really understand music, but even then I knew there was something special about it. All these decades later, and my opinion has not changed one bit.

LEVON--

I'm a sucker for really good string arrangements. There's nothing else to say about that.

DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME--

See the comment I made about “Levon”. And then add in the fact that 60 percent of The Beach Boys and 50% of The Captain and Tennille sing background vocals on the tune, and it turns into this big melange of 70's pop culture. Besides, I think it was the only Elton John song that was remade into a number one tune for someone else, all while still featuring Elton John singing on it--

PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM--

Like I said, the song that started this whole stupid mental exercise. I grew up listening to Philly Soul, and this homage to that particular musical style has been one of my favorites for 40 years now.

Finally...

MAMA CAN'T BUY YOU LOVE--

You know how I said I grew up listening to Philly Soul? Elton John was obviously a fan as well, as he recruited Philly Soul writer and arranger Thom Bell to produce the song, who then brought Philly Soul legends The Spinners to sing background vocals on it. I'm sure everyone else would disagree with me on it, and I'm the first to admit that I'm certainly biased, but this tune vies with “Your Song” as the one song that I would say is Elton John's best.

There you go. Now let's hope my brain puts the subject to rest. Otherwise, tomorrow you may have to put up with another totally random and bizarre top five list (the top five all time best colors for Frisbees?), and NO ONE deserves that!

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)