When was Elton John’s Your Song first released and who is songwriter Bernie Taupin?
ELTON John's Your Song is one of his most iconic hits.
But what is the history behind the song and who is Bernie Taupin who wrote it? Here's all you need to know...
When was Elton John's Your Song first released?
Your Song is a song composed and sung by Elton John with lyrics by his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin.
It originally appeared on Elton’s 1970 self-titled second album.
Your Song was first released by American rock band Three Dog Night in March 1970 on their third studio album, It Ain't Easy.
Elton was an opening act for the band at the time and allowed them to record it.
They didn't release it as a single as they wanted to let Elton, then an upcoming artist, have a go with it.
He did, and it went to number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
What do the lyrics for Your Song mean?
The song was written in 1967, when Elton's songwriter Bernie Taupin was just 17 years old.
Elton has said that this song is not about anyone in particular, so Bernie has refused to reveal the identity of the person - if such person exists - who inspired this song.
He explained in a 1989 interview with Music Connection: "It's like the perennial ballad 'Your Song,' which has got to be one of the most naïve and childish lyrics in the entire repertoire of music, but I think the reason it still stands up is because it was real at the time.
"That was exactly what I was feeling. I was 17 years old and it was coming from someone whose outlook on love or experience with love was totally new and naïve."
Bernie wrote the words for this song over breakfast at Elton's parents' house, where he was staying.
The original lyrics have coffee stains on them.
Who is Bernie Taupin?
Bernie Taupin, 69, is an English lyricist, poet, and singer.
He is best known for his long-term partnership with Elton, writing the lyrics for most of his songs.
In 1967, Bernie answered an advert in the New Musical Express by Liberty Records, a company needing new songwriters.
At the same time, Elton responded to the same advert, and the duo were put together.
Elton told the man behind the desk that he couldn't write lyrics, so the man handed him a sealed envelope from a pile of lyrics, and it just so happened to contain poems by Bernie.
Since that day their partnership involves Bernie writing the lyrics before Elton adds the musical melody.
Elton once said of Bernie: “We lived at my parents’ apartment in North London. He became the brother I never had. I love Bernie, not in a carnal way, but in the most emotional, beautiful way."
Other than Your Song, the other songs Bernie has written lyrics for include Candle in the Wind, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Rocket Man.
What are the lyrics for Your Song?
It's a little bit funny, this feeling inside
I'm not one of those who can easily hide
I don't have much money, but boy if I did
I'd buy a big house where we both could live
If I was a sculptor, but, but then again, no
Or a woman who makes potions on a travelling show
I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do
My gift is my song, and this one's for you
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple, but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is, now you're in the world
I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well, a few of the verses, well, they've got me quite cross
But the sun's been quite kind while I wrote this song
It's for people like you that keep it turned on
So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do
You see, I've forgotten if they're green or they're blue
Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean
It's yours are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen
And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple, but now that it's done
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is, now you're in the world
I hope you don't mind
I hope you don't mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is, now you're in, you're in, you're in, you're in the world