Tower of Babel-Elton John

[cammyjeee]

"it's party time for the boys in the tower of babel" I picture a bunch of oiled up gay musclemen dancing around to the song partying in ancient biblical times

[tommygunn162]

I have bought this masterpeice on lp/8track/cassette/cd numerous times over the years. Its music that will stay with me for all of my life.

[EGMAG]

Jesus don't save the guys in the tower of babel; filling out their prescriptions for a heart attack

[jason13204]

I used to draw this album cover onto a huge piece of poster board. It was Fantastic.

[henrymoonfortune]

Elton John and Bernie Taupin were artistic geniuses, and Captain Fantastic was in my opinion their masterpiece. Too bad they never did anything nearly as good afterward.

[lxxyful]

I've been listening to this since i have been a kid I LOVE IT !!!!!!

[aprilcam1]

How come when I am drunk I Need this music SO bad??? Becuase Elton John and Bernie Taupin ruled my childhhod. I cannot have better memories than this!!!!!!!!!!!!

[wjgough]

@aprilcam1 me, too.

[26ruben1]

Elton and Bernie at the top of their game. He's a little goofy now but people forget what a force he was back then. Also, I think that this was the first album to debut at number one on Billboard in 1975 ( I think, but don't quote me on that).

[fairfax1960]

@26ruben1 -- according to Wiki, you're correct plus I remember the radio DJs also saying this every time they played "Someone Saved my Life Tonight." I can understand this feat as I remember the anticipation surrounding the release. I don't think anyone was disappointed.

[WaterCottage]

Another amazing song that never got radio play.

[edsroraphael]

 ESTE ALBUM É MUIINNTO BOM

[solrgroovy]

I am an artist because of them!

[MsKara3]

elton elton! bernie! elton! rules!

[huskies2k12]

I must have gone through three of these albums (Vinyl). When CD's came out it was even better. My original was so scratched, that when I heard it in CD it was unreal.

Anyone who likes rock, and Elton knows this is one hell of an album. I would listen to the entire album over and over again. Great lyrics.....great music.

Love it.....Ray W

[eamestombstone]

i waas 11 when this came out my brother 13 good times he is gone now but it brings good memmories

[lcvideofreak]

@eamestombstone I was around 12 when I got mine. It does bring back great memories!! As a matter of fact, this was the first album I ever bought (with babysitting money).

[TheAubreyman]

quite simply the definitive elton album, a genius he is but this is the one for me

[pinkfrench]

Now that's music! LOVE it!

[LovemySqwa]

Or was it just the scapel blade that lied. I love that lyric! Bernie taupin and Elton John are quite possibly the greatest poets that ever lived!

[carehappens]

AIDS Prophecy

[Lendrainian]

My dad played this album when I was a kid all the time, and now when I listen to it, it just makes me happy that he let me listen to good music. I listen to a lot of Death Metal nowadays (Suffocation, Decapitated, The Black Dahlia Murder, Behemoth etc.), but I just appreciate this music and I enjoy it vastly.

[johnsain]

"See the letches crawl with the call girls under the table. Watch them dig their graves" - Bernie Taupin........Wow!

[johnsain]

My fav from this album. Bought this album the day it was released in '75.

[Bestmountjoy]

@johnsain

My 18 yo girlfriend & I did the same thing, or close enough! That whole summer thereafter is demarked by her hue whenever I hear this album, ... this & Red Rose Speedway. Otherwise Moody Blues would be the keeper for the desert island.

Hi Cathy. Thanks!

Your chauffeur.

;^>7

[bobydbsound]

His best album

[robbiethecook]

nigels snare . loved it as a ten year boy in 75 still lov it today ..

[jjacintoful]

@robbiethecook You're right.  Couldn't imagine a better drummer.....for all of Elton's music of the 70's and 80's. He was absolutely perfect in these songs. Has impeccable timing.

[maineguitarman]

Everyone here gives a serious analysis of the lyrics, which is cool and I enjoy reading people's interpretations. I simply love the whole of the song itself. As usual for the Taupin era it is exquisitely written, and the vocals, tempo, rhythm, timing, dynamics, lead playing, and feeling of the song are blended together in a way that evokes emotion in the listener. In other words, I love this song!

[horsemad1670]

A great work that we can all share .Lets just leave it at that, eh.(no,I ain't Canadian but it wouldn't matter even I was, we're all loaded with the same forebears that rubbed shoulders in the taverns and dock-sides in the last 300 years)

[mactheartofwarfare]

The Greatest Melody Writer Ever In Popular Music

[17865329]

 "The song Solar Prestige a Gammon was complete gibberish, I told

Bernie to write one like that and see if these people still try to interpret something

out of it, sure enough they found religious connotations in the fact that 5 fishes

were mentioned in it We (Bernie and I) found that VERY amusing"

[17865329]

"people are always reading things into our music, they do it with everybody,

they think there's hidden meaning in everything, unbelievable, funny really.

A DIRECT quote from Elton John. Here endeth the lesson.

[17865329]

Actually now that I recall, the artwork, that goes with this tune in the album,

actually depicts a record company executive or music mogul, behind a desk.

HOW clear do you want it????

[77edster]

It's about the music business and the vice and drugs and shady manipulating characters in it

[17865329]

@77edster Absolutely,jeez listen to Bitter Fingers, Writing, Meal Ticket, the

title track for cryin out loud, Somebody saved my life tonight, it's an autobiographical

recounting of their MUSICAL path to stardom. These clowns clearly fail to grasp

the CONCEPT of the CONCEPT album. Ah whatever.

[TheMinnas]

i love your songs very very much

[1967mustanggta]

What I remember is this album ia about their early "starving" days of making music together. I'm sure there are some inside joke lines only they would know but like "our empty sky was full of laughter" is of course a reference to critical review on their first album.

[termsofusepolice]

This song is about Bernie and Elton doing a mountain ("tower") of coke together in the mid-70's. :-)

Probably my favorite track off CFATBDC. Though every song on this record is gold.

[OSarubiO]

For this song I'm still trying to see the real meaning of the song

[17865329]

@OSarubiO You guys need to go to Solar Prestige a Gammon on YouTube,

it's not far from this one on here, Elton basically said to Taupin, I'm sick of

people reading something into our songs that really ISN't there, how bout u

write one that's not even any language just complete gibberish and see what

they come up with out of that.

[17865329]

I am so sick of people on You Tube who want to take simple, fun pieces of rock n roll, and rather than enjoy them, analyse the piss out of them, and shape them

to whatever agenda happens to suit them. Don't do it anymore, just listen and

shut up.

[candelise]

That Elton/Bernie magic was definately holding FAST!!!!!!

[dobrotnik]

one of his best songs!

[OneTattooInside]

Awsome as the whole album is. Gotta LOVE Etlon!!!!

[TheEndKing]

Man, rockin' song!

[larrymo123]

I love this album.

[fatvinnydabully]

@larrymo123 by far my fav EJ/BT album...

[MrBazzabee]

Dear 61 Shirley ---You may well be right !!! However WHAT has this 2 do with this Song????!!!--I've seen some of your channel ---and I have 2 say I like| you , N' where you're cummin from- but there are just as many other ROK TRAX that say exactly the same thing ----Why This One?? Above the others ???

[61shirley]

Im glad you like my channel, thanks. Its called the tower of babel, whats not NWO about that? the tower of babel is the New World Order.

[17865329]

@61shirley  Elton and Bernie would get a good giggle out of you.

[nutbagbrew102]

i picture pelosi in this video , in frisco and in the rotanda at the capital. shes the devils queen and she has the witt of a 2 amp lite blub.

we are going out of business here in america but this white woman is drinking wine and dancing with demons and doing her best to get GOD removed off the planet. bow to her idol Prince Obama!

please send emails with your telephone number so if you disagree you cant hide behind your keypad.

[Corporations8MyBaby]

Elton and Bernie would disagree with you.

[61shirley]

There is more to this song than meets the eye. Investigate the New World Order

[Corporations8MyBaby]

Or DON'T investigate the NEW WORLD ORDER... it's a sad fantasy preferred by meth addicts and Texas Oil families. It's crap. **This song is about any subculture that gets too rich and stratifies into haves and have-nots.

[61shirley]

if you are a human being investigate The New World Order. Governments all over the world are calling for a new world order its being announced now. just spend a few hours researching this its important

[Corporations8MyBaby]

Americans are undergoing a "great derangement" now - it's a sad time. There is no "NWO" also even though it really LOOKS LIKE the sun "moves" in the sky... it's really the earth turning. The old-world-revolving.

[racerx719]

While I like the conspiracy theories , I am going to quote AC/DC here and say "Rock and roll is just Rock and Roll" quit thinking too deep into this

[61shirley]

@racerx719, no dont think to deep flippin heck no, just watch TV and dont question anything. Its only music, its only a movie, world government is a conspiracy theory. Go back to sleep

[17865329]

@61shirley Sometimes a tune is just a tune, and sometimes Bernie Taupin

just might of strung some words together that he thought sounded cool, if there's

any message here, it's just a vehicle for an album cut on Captain Fantastic,

relax yourself.

[61shirley]

@17865329 The song is called the tower of babel and your saying it means nothing. HELLO!!. Research history. Tune in to the alex jones show. hes on the web

[17865329]

@61shirley I'm saying that Bernie and Elton never gave it a second frickin

thought after they wrote and recorded it, and neither should anybody else other

than to say, hey that's kind of a cool tune from mid 70's EJ songbook. Now go

chase yourself.

[17865329]

@61shirley Next you'll be telling me that they planned to Burn Down the Mission,

that they fought every Saturday night, while drinking Elderberry Wine in copious

amounts and Crocdlie Rockin while they were at it. Oh and Elton had a Social

Disease, and his sister couldn't twist, but she could rock n'roll. Jeez.

[17865329]

@61shirley Uh I prefer Bill Maher thanks. I like my talk show hosts a bit less

paranoid, and Elton and Bernie couldn't give a flying flip about Alex Jones. Write

your own songs for your stupid teebag parties.

[61shirley]

@17865329 the government loves you theres nothing to worry about. And this song is just a bunch of meaningless words like you say. Never question anything.

[17865329]

@61shirley Not that it matters, but it's not even my government since I happen

to be Canadian, born with a hockey stick in my hand in a wheatfield, waving

a Maple Leaf. lol.

[explorer2101]

@61shirley

You are right of course. It suggests that Bernie Taupin at least was not a nobody without powerful connections as one is led to believe

I am surprised how many people have attacked your comments, pointing out that it doesn't mean anything. This great lyric writer writes complicated rubbish about nothing? I think not

Guess the ignorant masses just want to down their beer & pretend nothing is going on. They are not aware of the high cost we are going to pay for that ignorance

[61shirley]

@explorer2101 thanks mate. i found one that can see. lol

[17865329]

@61shirley Oh ma cameo molesting,Kee pa a poorer for tea, Solar prestiage a

gamon, Lantern or turbert paw kwee, Solar prestiage a gammon, Kool kar kyrie

kay salmon, Hair ring molassis abounding, Common lap kitch sardin a poor floundin, Cod ee say oo pay a loto, My zeta prestige toupay a floored, Ray indee pako a gammon, Solar prestige a pako can nord.  EJ, BT 1974 Analyse that while they continue to howl with laughter at you.

[17865329]

@explorer2101 It's about how they were used by the record executives,

and people in the music industry in the early days, that's the concept of the ENTIRE album, their struggles to get their

songs recorded and heard, how they started as songwriters but people didn't

want their songs, so Elton decided he'd sing them himself. Jeez what

ridiculous agenda crap you guys spew. Talk to the source, Taupin and EJ, though they'd laugh you out of the room , OF COURSE.

[explorer2101]

@17865329

Why would I base my opinions on actually observations & statements from people in the business when I could have come to you -the psychic one?

You have no idea what they would say, in public or in private so I suggest you speak for yourself

This album is about their rise to fame -but that is not all it is. We do not live in a linear world.

As it happens I enjoy their music & this is my favourite album but it doesn't blind me to the workings of the music business

[17865329]

@explorer2101 You are speaking in circles.

[KrazeWorld]

@racerx719 when you know the stories its hard, specially when what he say scorrelates with what I know...

[17865329]

@61shirley It's far more likely that the line"see the letches crawl" is about the

music business. FAR more likely, oh but then that doesn't fit your little agenda

so just disregard it. EJ and Taupin would be on the floor rolling with laughter

after reading your posts.

[AmandaQuirky]

@17865329 I have the re-release from the mid-90s of this and several other EJ/Taupin albums from the 70s (I'd have to have the re-release, I wasn't born until '83, hehe) and there are sheets of liner notes (well, cd inserts) about how the two of them sat down with the concept of taking their time to write an album about the early days, when they felt like pawns of the music industry. So yes, it's almost certainly a song about corrupt record execs, and groupies, and musicians becoming junkies :)

[17865329]

@AmandaQuirky  Thanks, somebody who has hold of their sanity. Nice to see.

[MrBazzabee]

Thanx jchandler4 --i had a vague idea of what it was about for years but wasn't completely certain--at least you have confirmed my suspicions.You summed it up well-- Fantastic Album all round. I think i still have a picture vinyl copy of this up at my mum's house!!!

[TheFreemanuk]

its a shame the 80's happened he never eally recovered

This is him at his peak for me amazing production also many many memories

good to hear again !

[candelise]

Not all bad, but point taken. I love the RnB groove underpinning this track.

[cavinggirl]

This whole album is awesome! Some overlooked gold in here! Brilliant lyrics (yeah Bernie!) and great music...and I stared at that cover for hours. LOL

[LizzieBennett1965]

Jchandler- Excellent explanation. I was going to answer but saw that you had already done a better job than I could have. I would add that the whole album, "Captain Fantastic..." is autobiographical of Elton's and Bernie's professional and personal lives. One of the best album's ever, pure genius from both Elton and Bernie.

[FreeMerryJane]

What a fvckin genius he is. He is so versatile and talented. I just LOVE him. Please dont ever go away Elton.

[Cream234]

Can anybody tell me what this song is about?

[jchandler4]

The reference to the Tower of Babel refers back to the tower in the Bble which was built by those who wanted to be equal to God. The verses describe the deauchery that was prevalent during this era of the music business. The "if it feels good, do it" attitude. He was saying that in the end there would be a steep price to pay for the way they were living.

[Cream234]

That makes sense, thanks

[17865329]

@jchandler4 Yes, metaphorically that's probably what's implied, but it's a lyrical

emotion expressed, put to melody, recorded, then the boys never gave it another

thought, trust me. These artists laugh when people try to read deep perpetual meaning into some album cut from Captain Fantastic.

[17865329]

@Cream234 It's about 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

[m79greenp]

One of the best albums of all time, Elton and Bernie at their best...

[m79greenp]

One of the best albums of all time, listen and learn

[petecatz]

Total musical genius! so much emotion in this masterpiece.......nobody on earth like Elton! He will be missed when his day comes and future generations of young kids will hear this strange and unexplained musical gift that only Elton had!

[pswstuds]

Great Album! John and Taupin are an incredible gift to humanity. EJ's voice on this album was at it's pinnacle .

I

[8grove]

they are witches that worshipped the wrong thing...they live a filthy lifestyle

[pswstuds]

Judge lest ye be judged

[Corporations8MyBaby]

Judge NOT lest ye be judged

[Corporations8MyBaby]

Elton is gay, Bernie is straight... they both cleaned up from drugs. 8 Grove here however has not given up the disgusting drug habit of RELIGION that makes him call people "witches". Witches don't exist... neither does a purely white or heterosexual world.Grow up.

[BOOMbreakdanceBOOM]

^_^ i'm fourteen and i LOVE elton. i own this cd, honky chateau and tumbleweed connection. i got to see him over spring break in atlanta with Billy Joel and it was AMAZING if you ever get the chance you have to see Sir Elton live :D

[Danodude22]

I am glad that your getting the real elton. This is when he was not influenced by the record company. Meaning it was raw great music. No midi player or piping the music in. THIS is good music.

[17865329]

@BOOMbreakdanceBOOM Also try Madman Across the Water, Don't Shoot

Me I'm only the Piano Player, Caribou, and even though he's starting to fall

from his peak Rock Of the Westies. Then wade through the 80's stuff, lotta

mediocre albums, maybe a dozen good EJ songs in the whole decade, and go

to Songs from the Westcoast, his best album post 70's. All subjective and

my opinion of course, but shared by many music critics.

[johnnyborealis]

Bad Ass!! Elton & Bernie at their finest.

[johnwally]

The poster from this album hung above my bed for years

[TruthUnderFire]

Well then...you my friend...fucking rule. It just doesn't get much cooler than that IMO.

Peace bro!

[PawtucketPatriot66]

I have always bigger fan of Elton John's albums than his hit singles. In fact I don't care for many of his hit singles.

But so many of those songs on all those great albums that weren't singles are outstanding songs, like this one. I think songs like this one, Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters, I've Seen That Movie Too, etc. get over shaddowed but some not so great hit singles.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin, what dynamic songwritting duo!

[kevhead66]

I totally agree. I don't have much use for his greatest hits collections but this man has some GREAT deep cuts on his albums.

[LBjim]

"jesus don't save the guys in the Tower of Babel" What memories Mexican family vacation with my family we had the 8 track and listened to it all the way to Encenada!!

Geat song on a great album...

[hawkigra]

Being a teenager in the 70s.....what can i say... listened to and saw some of the best artists ever produced. So glad younger generation are listening to these old classics! Awesome!

[patrickdenneyto]

Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy is one of the best albums ever. I'm fifteen and I just got the vinyl for a dollar at a local flea mall, and the poster, lyrics book, and clippings came with it all. I just wish I coulda been there when he hit big.

[nf0603]

I have that vinyl too. It's one of the most impressive packages I've seen for a record. Glad to see younger people who have great taste in music. I'm nearly 30 and most people I know cringe at the mention of Elton because they think of Princess Diana and The Lion King, when they've never heard a note of this album sadly.

[davzy0001]

i couldnt agree more, im only 21 and i think this album is truely awesome piece of work and people just laugh at me when i say i love elton john , and there like candle in the wind... oh god and yer the lion king and im like nooo! you aint heard the real elton john!

[torturedej]

you have a very good point and I couldn't agree more...many young people today seem to think Elton's career started with the Lion King, which kind of upsets me. They get a completely wrong picture of the great musician he was (and still is).

[johnwally]

Buddy just like other people have said here follow music for music sake , don`t follow trends, take risks and buy anything and everything and listen to it you never know what you`ll find,this is a very cool album.

[FreeMerryJane]

Fucking talented, TALENTED man. A GENIUS.

[venanzo7]

un lento da dream, ogni volta che lo ascolto é la stessa bellissima emozione.

[ChikSewp]

Amazing. That's all there is to say..

[theicecreamboys]

have the album,love this track!!!!!!!!!!!

[jhnbell]

the greatest album ever

[MeatloafTribute1]

how very true! was around 14 when this came out, played it to death! 15 yrs later I set up my own very successful Elton John tribute show having perfected the vocals over 15 yrs!! Went on to play the northwood hills where elton played, endorsed by the official elton fan club and even doubled for him on a video!!!

now do Meat Loaf!! [get more bookings] would love to get the elton wig out again ! WATCH THIS SPACE!!

[jhnbell]

hi meatloaf tribute 1 first seen elton back in 76 at the apollo in glasgow scotland.with what i would say as THE best band,davey,nigel,the late great dee murray,and ray cooper.the best elton band ever ever.

[froggycyrus]

One of his best songs I think...

[TruthUnderFire]

No doubt. I want to do a remake of this with some of my friends and make the vocs a little harsher with a slightly rougher guitar. Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with EJ's version. I mean, it just doesn't get any better than this. I could only hope to make something half as good.

[XYOUNGWOLFX]

a more macho version sounds good with a bit heavier riffs/strumming.

[TonyTuthill]

: le sigh : Yeah. One of the best songs ever.

[davzy0001]

one of eltons best songs ever , on the best album ever !!! .

[vparque]

You nailed it. This is his best! Song is great, too. I love every track on the album---nothing weak at all!

[TruthUnderFire]

God I love this song....

[schwebbs84]

i have this on LP, it's amazing.

[michaellovesthecat]

where is the brown dirt cowboy?

[bennystropical]

*•.¸.(`*•.¸♥¸.•*´).¸.•*´Bel Video!!

♥«´¨`•°love it °•´¨`»♥thanks

.¸.•*´(¸.•*´♥`*•.¸)`*•.¸ for sharing

[michaellovesthecat]

Good Job

[vmhvampir]

AWESOME Elton is my hero!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank You for putting on not live stuff, I can't play my records(yes lps) anymore.

[JenJenEL]

My favorite Elton John Lp..Captain Fantastic. On this track..I was always amused by his way of saying... "Have a bawwlll y'all." Really incredible. :)

[TruthUnderFire]

One of my all time fav EJ tunes.

[Bytor91]

What an awesome song and song name!!

[barrongirlsllc]

I remember buying this album on a family trip with my bff in Williamsburg, VA. This was the best track. Elton sure let his freak flag fly for the first time on this album.

[barrongirlsllc]

you are so cute, I can't believe it.

[plofus]

thanx for posting this killer tune.

[passive27]

we tried to anaylize this song in our creative writing class in 1976. i bought the album after that and was hooked.

[sweetladystarlight]

Thanks for posting!!

[ZZZEP7]

Yea..good one Mad...Babel is such an interesting song..great album that never seems to wear off...i'm glad EJ uses so much retro now as well...everybody knows how good the classic years are

[ondradanek]

Great! One of the most underrated elton's songs. Is there any video on which he sings this?

[rsmcclain1]

Thanks for posting that - i love this song.

[johnwolcot]

What would be really marvelous would be if you could also post the song Captain Fantastic. Mind you this song is great anyway. Thanks for posting!

[wireless6]

Great track from a brilliant album!!!

[themadman42]

Hey, Cassie. If you do any thing like that agian I'm gonna block you. But thanks for the stars.

[cassjoty42]

You need to work on you picture quality, Bri. Otherwise it is ok. "Tower of Babel"--nice choice.

[themadman42]

Sorry about the picture! Its my first video and I don't really know what I'm doing.