Elton John - Philadelphia Freedom

[cjs0071]

This is the one i like.....Good beat!!

[berfariabrazil]

I was only 5 years old and (already) enjoyed Elton John. Specially the cover of ''Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds''. I was given an Elton's LP when i aged 6. It all happened in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in the 70's!!

[Andy1Emcee]

Is this the same episode in which he did Bennie And The Jets or is that a different one?

[awesomeologyism]

My little Sister Likes Lady Gaga

My Dad Likes Louis Armstrong

My Older sister likes whatever the hell that rap star's name is >.>

My Mom and I like Elton John.

My family is strange.

[Andy1Emcee]

HE IS COOL

[mr22ron]

I'll always remember his 7-4-76 concert at schaffer stadium coming out dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

[steffiebent]

Best live performer ever!!

[don2768]

This was back when music was so good, white people even watched "Soul Train", just as black people even watched "American Bandstand". Then on Saturday night was "The Saturday night Special". The music of the 70's will never happen again.

[babykush1234]

groooooooooooooovy

[babykush1234]

grrovy



[itsmovinfast]

Take note, talent does it live. Not recorded. From the early 80's and before we had real musicians, old school, they were trained and did it right, no computer/digital/ B.S. Enjoy. These days were the peak of hard work and real skill. I remember summer of 76, swimming in the hot St. Louis sun to this song. Thanks for the memories.

[mrfloxin]

I love Elton John singing Philadelphia Freedom. I would to like the song to go out to Billie Jean King. I know you will enjoying listening to it, Billie. You are the truely the Phildelphia Freedom in my mind.

[slydog122]

good ol souuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuol train

[elove772002]

I love watching this performance!

[pgs5719]

Yes we were proud to be Americans back in those days: 1976 and celebrating our bicentennial; all colors then..look at this video's blacks in soul train dancing to his music; today you wouldn't even see this anymore due to racism; which is now worse to day than back then. Today due to Obama racism is worse due to racists in Obama administration.

[pgs5719]

Yes we were proud to be Americans back in those days: 1976 and celebrating our bicentennial; all colors then..look at this video's blacks in soul train dancing to his music; today you wouldn't even see this anymore due to racism; which is now worse to day than back then.

[cyclenut]

Ha Ha Ha When I was 14, had my first paying job, bought my own bicycle and roller skated to this song.. The late 70's and 80's, nothing will ever be the same.

[busterbone]

this was 1976 the year after i graduated from HS

[patrick9648]

Most of the time they lip synced on Soul Train. This sounds like a live performance. The backing music is on tape, but his vocals sound live.

[jacwood22]

@patrick9648  They are!!

[oLdSkOoLkisS]

I am aware he made more appearances...but "Bennie & the Jets"is really not a dance song because it is slow compared to most of the songs danced here.

[RealVerdad]

I wonder if he still has that piano?

[merlotstyle]

why the fuck wasnt i born yet.god damnit.

[jeromejoh12]

I agree buen tema

[fmaykall]

buen tema

[oLdSkOoLkisS]

The reason this song worked on Soul Train is because it has a funk/soul flavor...and you can dance to it.Any of his other songs would not have worked here.

[Tommyknocker46]

@oLdSkOoLkisS I disagree. He made several stops on Soul Train. I remember he even did Bennie and the Jets there. You see, he burned the R&B charts as well!

[sknyrd77]

@Tommyknocker46 Elton appeared only once on Soul Train . He performed "Bennie and the Jets" on this same show -1975

[gilportugal]

ESTA MUSICA, 1975.

CONHECO BEM

TECNICO ELECTRONICA GILVAN MAGALHAES

[TheGroomOfJapan]

"The Legend Of Caribou Ranch"

Elton and Lennon had united. Songs and music were being written. 'Lucy' was in the sky with diamonds, and had become the number one talk of the land. Guns were drawn... the score was settled from "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy" within the wild, wild, west of Colorado. And by the time the dust settled, and the smoke had cleared, Elton John had become the greatest Rock and Roll musician in history!

[keonta81]

i noticed he's singing this live

[razorjoe45]

If us African Americans love it, then it GREAT!!!!!

[MrDaveyHansen]

There was no MTV, VH1 or youtube back then. You had American bandstand and Soul Train. AM was know for booking black performers and Soul Train Had its share of white performs. Thats the way it was. Not many people stayed up til 1230am to watch the midnight special or Don Kirshners rock concert. Artist need exposer anywhere they could find it.

[don417]

You know what all the brothas are thinking...."Where da white girls at?"

[Tommyknocker46]

@don417 Nope we were wondering if the beautiful woman in the blue dress was seeing anybody. Sorry to disappoint you.

[don417]

soul train??? LOL

[oldteenagegirl]

wow Elton John on Soul Train-who'd have thought this? But nice anyway.

[keonta81]

@oldteenagegirl yep and he asked to perform on the show too.this wasnt just another gig he did for the money

[Tommyknocker46]

@oldteenagegirl

I would. He crossed over so many times. Benny and the Jets, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Your Song, etc. The list goes on and on. We didn't care that he was white, gay or British. He was Elton John, and that was enough for us.

[tazlynn1965]

@Tommyknocker46 Your so right, Elton's music is what we wanted.........he has done so many great songs.

[98pup100]

@Tommyknocker46

Just as an interested Brit, why would you worry that he was "British?"

The way that comes across gives the impression that being British is some sort of affliction?

[solesirching73]

Sir Elton is versatile, whether it's pop, country, blues, rock, or funky R&B since his appearance on ST

[paolino1704]

Amazing performance by the Sir:)

[thehockeybomb]

he is the coolest homo EVER

[SuperStarSally]

WOW!!! What a classic song and fact that he performed on Soul Train. Thank you so much for posting.

[aussiebluemax]

afro american women were very sexy in those days

[360whiplash]

Elton won the black audience over with his performance, he's got them all dancing and having a good time to his style of music.

[darla1970]

I was 5 when this song came out. So many fond memories

[feloniuschunk]

Good gosh....just freaking spectacular performance by Sir Elton. And the dancing is just great. Think I will go check out Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

[MrNathan791]

i remeber as a kid seeing this very show a saturday with elton. this is my favorite john song. thanks for posting it.

[babs561]

And I love you too Elton!

[MrOneEntity]

Never knew Elton John was on Soul Train until now. 

[patrickalous]

wow holy *&**^ where'd you get this, I am huge Elton fan who love to see the old performances, I forgot he did this on there. does anyone if he still the only white performer to play on soul train I know he was at the time. Now does anyone have Elton and lennon on Video. thanks

[ProcolHarum1967]

@patrickalous I think David Bowie was on it the same year.

[VD54K]

i have this show in my DVR

the Centric channel just played it on Oct 1, 2010

i was so happy to catch it. he played this and Philadelphia freedom

[ManUFan4Ever]

@VD54K You mean this, and "Bennie and the Jets".

[itsmovinfast]

The year was 1976, to celebrate America's 200th Birthday. Killer tune and a great time to be alive.

[BBQFanNo1]

@itsmovinfast It was actually 1975 kid.

[paulhamerton1]

@itsmovinfast it was march 1975 sorry to disappoint Americans youre a year out

[spakuloid]

what year?????????

[africanbully31]

lol-a whiteboy on soul train

[busterbone]

crazy huge glasses

[Krazy3912]

I used to think growing up that Elton John was a black man stuck in a white man's body. Prior to Hall & Oates....I've never heard (while comin up a young kid sporting a big ass Afro) a Caucasian singer sing with so much soul.

[DISCOFACE2]

@Krazy3912 Michael McDonald...listen to him

[Krazy3912]

@DISCOFACE2

He's another one too: Caucasian dude full of soul.

[roscoegino]

one of three white guys to rock soul train in this time period. the others are david bowie and gino vannelli.

[WilburyVision]

This video sums up what life should be all about - We are here to give and experience joy, and Elton and the people in that studio are on the case !

[splitenzfreak1980]

EJ had some fonk goin' on back in '75! Soul Train FTW...and he's singing live too!

[mserinblair]

Great song, great artist - SOUL TRAIN = best show ever!!

We need a Soul Train for today aka a time capsule for music, dance and fashion!

[finger4262]

Great song! Love Elton John

[MrSoul68]

Thanks for sharing this!

[jonthom11702]

What's not to love about this performance? Elton is singing live, and they let everyone get up and get their groove on! :-) You can tell he was enjoying this one. So much better with everyone dancing around Elton. Well done, Mr. Cornelius! :-)

[entertainme3000]

elton's so pimpin' here! so 1930's NY Gangsta...I wanna be his mob mistress..we'd be the modern day wealthy gay family mixed with touches of The Godfather and Almost Famous lol

[buddmar]

We Philly boys and girls love Elton !!!!!!!!

[selander62]

I'll say it over and over and over and over, ELTON JOHN is MY IDOL. Because of moments like this. I remember back then how his name was EVERYWHERE. This just goes to show how wide of an audience he can reach. One key note also, the string arrangement by Gene Page, who also was one of the big key names for the Philadelphia Sound back then. He also did the string arrangement for "Tell Me When The Whistle Blows" on "Captain Fantastic".

[sknyrd77]

@selander62 You are SO right about his name being "EVERYWHERE". Bernie Taupin probably put it best in the "Two Rooms" documentary when he said "there was a time during the mid 70's where you couldn't sneeze without hearing the name Elton John" lol

[kroschell]

A true artist

[Villeneuve27]

i love how he always sang LIVE

[paulhamerton]

Absolutely fantastic thank you for this brilliant film

[johnny10301968]

A fitting song for the 4 th of july.

[derbynut1]

American Freedom

[SWTinFLA]

Why is embedding disabled?

[pgs5719]

Back then white entertainers played on a black TV show were numerous...today only disgusting white rap chatters play; that was some great music back then but today rap and most hip hop glorify gang violence, sexual perversion and sexism and no wonder why most of today's youth have crime records and sexual health problems today (STD's and AIDS).

[napletonsnow]

One of Elton's greatest songs and a terrific moment in music history. I remember watching this on TV live.

[sentdenisegg]

@napletonsnow I did too i love this song....

[lukenewland]

really good clip, thanks. i saw him in bristol about 2 years ago and it was amazing.

[thatboytrent]

the blac kpeople in the back danceing make me laugh

[rwk1983]

what a genius idea $ to release this on or around 1976

[pgs5719]

This music so great compared to condescending/vile/disgusting rap and most hip hop music that glorifies gang violence, sexual perversion, racism, sexism and anti-law. No wonder most minority youth speak condescending language, dress for stupidity and disrespectful in language to elders. Most black and latino youths have legal and sexual diseases issues.

[nicodemos91]

@pgs5719 why do people always have to take it there? leave the hate behind, Elton is the greatest just leave it at that!

[pgs5719]

@nicodemos91 Its not hate its a fact and you don't have a clue/concept of what I said.

[nicodemos91]

@pgs5719 ur making this about race/culture/generation differences with your blanket statements, when all im saying is LOVE the music for what it is. obviously there isnt talent like elton nowadays....thats what makes him so great. you dont have to talk down todays music to boost up the older stuff, sir elton doesnt need that. his work speaks for itself by the simple fact that its survived the test of time.

[jperez1910]

This guy is a legend. As noted by Ronnie Friend, he is singing this live!

[SpartanxChaos]

June 4 2010

Philiadelphia wins the hockey game against chicago black hawks!

[guydreamr]

Absolutely fabulous - totally captures all the fun, exuberance and yes freedom that was the 70s - and I do believe that cool black hat is one of the best I've seen on a male head in show business

[8Aimee]

I love love love this song!

[ramsback28]

nice clip . thanks for posting

[MShirley0154]

Elton John has an amazing voice and is the real KING of pop!

[NitroDSP]

that chick with the afro's madd sexy

[HotShot615615]

this was excellant!

[Amisbro]

I remember this clip off of the "Two Rooms" video that came out years ago and I also remember seeing a clip of Mr. Cornelius interviewing Elton on the show during the more recent "Soul Train: Hippest Trip in America" special on VH1

very sweet upload! All Hail Sir Elton and let us never forget about that "Hip Trip" called "Soul Train"!

[busterbone]

Spirit of 1976 and 1776 too-hey wait a second Sir Elton's a Red Coat (British)!

[youtub369]

is there a video of EJ singing this in Philadelphia

[curmudgeonine]

So many memories, such new promise.

[MrJustwally]

just timeless.

[iverar]

Awesome song and the man is getting down on Soul Train!!

[csmelen]

If I'm not mistaken, the first white performer to play on Soul Train, great video!

[WootyPooh]

Love this song!

[youtub369]

@WootyPooh this is my favorite EJ song

[TheVinniebop]

im 13 now but i remember wen i was still in philly my dad watchin the phillies game nd my mom hearing the song n

on the radio station singing along

[Leeward666]

Brilliant. Even the microphone stand is dancing.

This is one of my favourite Elton tracks. Superb stuff.

[astro10]

I'm from Philadelphia and I remember this time very well. Top song and our city's pro tennis team was called the Freedom.

Top song in the country. Philadelphia was starting to feel good about the '70s again.

[johnny10301968]

@astro10 Elton John owned the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team and was , still is very close friends with Billie Jean King Freedoms' player-coach.

[napletonsnow]

Sorry, Elton John never owned the Philadelphia Freedoms, or any other tennis team. He wrote the song purely for Billy Jean who he loved and admired, and still does. Incidentally the only sports teams he ever owned were The Watford Hornets (soccer in England) and the LA Aztecs, which was a shortlived American Soccer team. His ownership of the Aztecs was very shortlived, but his ownership of the Hornets went on for many years until he sold out his interest about 10 years ago.

[johnny10301968]

@napletonsnow Are you sure i thought he owned the tennis team. Unless he went to the matches as Billy Jean's guest.

[napletonsnow]

@johnny10301968 Positvely he did not own the tennis team.

Billy Jean didn't own them either, she was just the captain.

The team was part of the world team tennis league. Each city had its' own team. I lived in Chicago and their team was the Chicago Aces. I can remember watching matches between them and Philly and watching Billy Jean warm up with her team at the stadium before the games. But I assure you Elton did not own the team.

[superchic120]

LoveLoveLove

[totallyremiss]

Tennis!!!!

[TiramisuHappy]

I love the fact that he's ACTUALLY SINGING into the microphone!!! This was the time when most of the artists simply lip-synched to the playback track (or their mic wan't plugged in at all.)

His voice sounds just as good as (if not better than) the actual recording!!

[kadid88]

this makes me wanna kiss him on the mouth. lol

[thatboytrent]

@kadid88 you better be a guy because hes into guys nowadays

[rickw1100]

Great music is great music and it comes in black, white, red, brown, and yellow, Elton's best !!

[AithWONDER]

Sang it Elton!

[UBZUKI]

song just oozes warm memories of the 70's.. very special..

[snootus0722]

I luv his "pimp" outfit.

[phukdupcheese]

ok, I REALLY LOVE how the people dancing start cheering and shouting YEAH when Elton starts feeling the soul. Their like, "Damn, weird little white boy, you've got soul!"

[averagehomosapien]

I adore this song! So catchy

[double91trouble]

@averagehomosapien I agree! It makes me feel good. My mom told me she used to listen to it on a school bus on the way to school growing up.  That's pretty cool.

[pr310nobama]

awesome video. very cool!

[DanielBowden1975]

If you only watch one clip of Elton John on YouTube make it this one.

SOUL TRAIN

[jadebrew]

The glasses, LOL!!

[miss911ok]

Not many white performers could rock Soul Train like he did. You go boy!

[averagehomosapien]

@miss911ok

Yeah! Who knew a white, classically trained Brit would be so good at singing soul? Ha ha ha.

[spider196047]

Excellent video! Thank you sooo much for bringing back good memories!

[tropicalpancake56]

Magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scottrusco]

Brilliant!! Great postings nandi- I love the live singing, which (as I said on Benny) is RARE. Elton was one of the best live performers EVER. Unfortunately as he got older his music, like that of another one of my all-time faves, Chicago, got slow and ballad-like. Nevertheless, they will always be remembered as the best, live and in general.

[RonnieFriend]

This is wonderful! What a great moment captured on video! I love the way Elton is so proud and obviously pleased with himself for being a white performer on all black Soul Train! He's so awesome! And as others have said - it's so brilliant to see (and hear!) this version of him singing it LIVE!!!!! Thank you nandi33034! This is 5½ minutes of Pure Magic!

[nandi33034]

Thank You for the nice comment! Glad you enjoyed the video. :)

[moorereuben]

@RonnieFriend Oh my God, I have to totally agree with you. This was an amazing performance on so many levels.

[johonstown]

@RonnieFriend Sorry, don't think Elton John needs to please anyone.

[iburl]

Hey, Pure Awesome! Thanks. Soul Train and 70s Elton Rule.

[greeniem]

pure fucking greatness

[sydlivy]

Oh ok yea because he definitly wasn't lip syncing here but I know what you meen I've seen other videos of this before too.

[sydlivy]

Elton John only lip syncs when he does music videos he doesnt like when people lip sync