Elton John - Holiday Inn ('71 LIVE at BBC Studios)

[hall5442]

And don't you just love the rawness of a 3 piece band?

[hall5442]

There was no better song writing than what was being done by Elton and Bernie in the early 70s. I love his first 3 American albums: Elton John, Tumbleweed Connection and Madman Across the Water. Not a bad song on any of them . . .

[snidelyutoob]

This concert is so stunningly brilliant that I can't believe the people in the audience. A little toe-tapping, some polite applause, bored looks. I just want to reach through time, grab them by the collar, shake them, and scream in their faces, "DO YOU REALIZE WHAT YOU ARE WITNESSING???? DON'T YOU KNOW HOW LUCKY YOU ARE TO BE HERE?!?!?!?!"

[Elwopey]

There is no greater talent! Thanks Elton and Bernie!

[gianPUCP20]

3 PEOPLE NEVER SIGNED UP IN HOLLIDAY INN!!

[drtankify]

Amazing! After all those years, overcoming drug and alchol addications, the death of loved ones, and some even mocked his homosexuallity, Elton is still the best piano player I can think of. No one can live up to this man. After 1997, Elton ceased to amaze the world. I mean he was KNIGHTED for christ's sake. Amazing!

[ericcanrock]

Purely a fantastic song!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[judmurph]

Suspect the lawyers scratched the "Cleveland or Maine" verse.

[alanjay35]

My favorite ej song of all time

[sunnydays9261]

Elton John is absolutely amazing!!



[jokinboken]

Dig the lyrics about Cleveland and Maine that didn't make it on the album.

[SmashedBottleMan]

@jokinboken Definitely a new verse I've never heard before.

[expressdog1000]

He is a F*cking genius.

[EJinthe70s]

always loved when he says: I'M A ROCK 'N' ROLL MAN!!!!

[tonydalcon]

My favorite EJ song...I love how people laugh at the name Holiday Inn, like it's some eccentric American thing (lol). Also a kick to hear the alternate verse (though I'm glad they left it off the record).

[1caninelover]

@tonydalcon I'm sure Holiday Inn was happy about that verse being omitted as well LOL

[bermudaguy1]

I was in NEw York on a buying trip a few years ago....while there, I injured my back in the worst way! On the way back to my hotel, this guy was trying to sell some "weed" and I thought...."ah, that'll help"....well, I was in pain after all!! Lit up back at the hotel, listening to "Captain Fantastic" ( one of my favorites) and looooved the bass so much that I bought one and learned the way Dee plays....now thats fun!! He's the best!

[Gerfar77]

And the TV don't work and the french fries are cold! And the room service closed about an hour ago!!! As a former flight attendant, I slept in a Holyday Inn so many times and well, I have to say you're right Elton!!

[jds1195]

Dee Murray WAS THEE best bass player that ever picked up a 4-string. Nigel looks like a chick!

[tcmdrumz]

Yeah, Nigel! I just bought some of his cymbals....killin!

[marcmarq524]

It's great to see EJ with the best band he ever had. Nigel is a stick (LOL) in this vid and in my opinion one of the most underrated drummers of his time. Not to mention his vocals.

[LoneStarBenF1995]

Elton's music seems to embodie the English culture so beautifully-especially in this song which is one my favorites by him.For me personally its an ode to my former line of work- where all hotel rooms seem to all be alike as I travelled the world and here in the U.S.

Classic Elton is the best

BenE.F.

[Mikemaniax]

Geez! Does Nigel have enough drums there? He doesn't look like he has enough!

[wonderfulman2456]

I like how Nigel has the double-kickers.

EJ should tour again with just a three-piece band. That'd be cool.

[donedave]

miss Davey Johnstone's mandolin, but it's cool that EJ sings the original lyrics (the verse w/ "TV don't work & the french fries are cold" was left off the final version that appeared on Madman- he did record a version w/ the discarded verses though)

[RadDudeski69]

Thanks for uploading this great version of one of my fave songs off the Madman album, hrleo. I wonder if "All The Nasties" was performed for this TV show (Sounds For Saturday, 11-11-1971) as I saw all the other songs from the album were.

[hudshsoft]

Very interesting 2nd verse

[westrokker]

how can you write this much great music? "madman" and "tumbleweed" two of the best albums ever made...

[17865329]

Young Elton=Great Elton.

[OzTwanger]

Geez they pumped out talented musos back in the day before XBoxes

[FoleyHoley]

Still has good has ever iseen Elton in July 2010 at the cn center in prince George Canada real good performance,never took a break just sips of water from his cup so cool

[zoomrightin]

What a genius. Can write music around any lyrics. Also, this is one of his more unknown songs, however is still bloomin' brilliant!

[alaskadenali1]

For your next Holiday Inn experience.....

[MoveOnDotOrgg]

Evere notice the Country Twang in Eltons voice - as wel as the subject matter? Yee Haw!

[1958RGV]

so glad elton was the sountrack of my life since jr high, this song shows why, thanks elle

[Natash3]

My fave track from this excellent album....wow

[fredblassie123]

Man he had a strong voice back in the day....

[servingusa]

this is a very well written song one of my favs. from elton great footage



[zukiguy137]

I seen him 14 times EJ is the best....

[ranchoboyeros]

Its about being on the road...great song!

[darryldelay]

Holy shit awesome song 40years old still plays

[snorkelbda03]

How funny is Nigel's stagefright that he built a literal wall of drums and cymbals to block his view of the audience?:)

[288Elizabeth]

God I love this song!!!!

[brucewderr]

Dig that extra verse!!

[88930P]

Amazing. I was 8 when I first heard this album. My brother would hang out with his friends and listem to music. I still remember saying to him,"what are you listening to?" he just said GET OUT! you will get it when you're older. He was right, I got it.Love the early Elton!

[thepoozer]

I got this stuff when I was 14 and everyone used to make fun of me. Now almost 30, they've come around. Some people are more concerned about image I guess! One of his best lesser-known songs for sure... and High Flying Bird.

[nigelolssonfan1994]

nigel sure looked skinny then huh?

[thepoozer]

I thought it was a chick the first time I saw this... HOT

[MyRickyz]

Thanks a lot , i just love it! please a special request if you could post the "Madman across the water" from this special that i couldn't find it anywhere. molto obrigado!

[onetimeonthegoodfoot]

Dee Murray. One of the great bass players of all time.

[davedcp64]

this trio is the epitome of live talent....wished I'd seen them live!!!

[thepoozer]

at least footage like this exists to capture them in their prime. Pretty good quality... this is a perfect example of why youtube should exist. Only if Tumbleweed Connection had some good footage

[thepoozer]

@davedcp64 amen!!

[Sthernguy1]

nice

[nonamedgirl13]

He´s so very cute !!

In love 4 ever !!

With Elton and Nigel :)

[mandolinic]

Pity this version doesn't have the fantastic mandolin backing...

[mahcuz]

Pity you, I do.

[BenDirks]

Agree!

[hedlundk]

I Don't Even Know If It's Cleveland or Maine

Well the Building's as Big and the Room's Just the Same

And the TV Don't Work and the French Fries are Cold

And Room Service Closed 'bout an Hour Ago

Lost Verse, wish it made it to the studio edition

[KINGofTHEbooty]

You ain't seen nothin', till ya been, in a motel baby, like a Holiday Inn"

Love this song

[KINGofTHEbooty]

"you ain't see nothin' till ya been, in a motel baby, like a Holiday Inn".

Love this song...

[joemcasa]

A versão em estúdio é imbativel !!

[sateliteoflove202]

motel prison

[tmac052558]

And room service closed 'bout an hour ago ...

[icestationn]

Great song...Great Album

[chapeuduro]

Today the Elton's voice don't work like at this time. Great song.

[Greekpeople1]

This song is wonderful...

[emmtampa]

Nigel Olsen was great!!!

[wjhyder]

Elton's great, but just LISTEN to Nigel on the drums!!! He's a machine!!

[timothyarts]

The tv don't work and the french frys are cold

[Jazzper79]

Great! -- I also love his voice back then.

Jesper, Denmark

[timothyarts]

That shirt really Rocks............

[hillier20]

I love his voice in these days.

[doofus0123]

wow.

[xxmuisexx]

i have been there and I'm stil in AWE. i LOVE ELON JOHN!!!!!!!. i Don't care what

x gong on\

[Greekpeople1]

I love his glasses! I don't think I have to comment the song.. Simply great!

[thepoozer]

I love this. I wish Elton did more Tumbleweed Connection. It's impossible to find vintage live performances of those songs.

[alane011]

I agree except remember Holiday Inn is off of Madman Across the Water.. cheers

[wags2010]

this is the best performance of this song that i've heard. elton plays this in the tokyo '71 bootleg and also in a later bootleg i have, but each time nigel's mike is way too loud and he ends up drowing elton out in the chorus.

[honeyspur]

Love this song - it's so rarely played yet so memorable...

[awood8205]

Don't hate on Holiday inn Elton!

It's still a great song though and even better live.

[Travagliod]

Is he talking negatively about the hotel chain, when he says:

"With the buildings as big and rooms just the same

And the TV don't work and the french fries are cold

And the room service closed about an hour ago"?

[parafleet]

it just means being on the road can be like reading the same book 4 million times. godbless.

[Travagliod]

thank you for repling

[walterbrob]

nah..just life on the road

[Travagliod]

thanks :)

[Satchelabc123]

Elton has this amazing tone in his voice regardless of if he is singing high or low notes.

[bigstickel]

thank you

[alfredunhill]

ELTON RULES!!!!

[jera92]

Great one!

[WhisperLady023]

This is.. this is.. perfect! It's so good! Simply great! Thanks for posting!

[summer4autumn]

Thank goodness they wisely decided __NOT__ to include that "cold french fry" verse on the album.

[mjpunk1234]

First off Elton John is a classic legend, he makes the top 100 for a reason folks!! His orientation has nothing to do with his quality of music! A straight person isn't better then a gay person (or vis vera) in being a artist (or any trade or talent). What matters if that the music is universal, that it teaches its listeners about life on a much personal level. AND I have to say that these new artist rarely do that anymore. All they teach is sex, lust and drugs 24/7.

[donedave]

oh and while I do miss the mandolins & orchestrations on this take, Dee & Nigel provide great harmonies & that extra verse is great- should've been left on the album cut.

[donedave]

I just purchased "Elton 60- Live At Madison Square Garden" & EJ does a knock out version of this song w/ Davey Johnstone rocking the mandolin & the Brooklyn Youth Chorus providing breathtaking choral vocals- a MUST have for any EJ fan! And as far as EJ's "sexual orientation"- I'd take a thousand gay Eltons to get rid of just one paranoid, violent redneck hater like George W. Bush ANY freakin' day!

[burfalcy]

I too regret the omission of the missing verse in more-recent performances of this. I love his "later" voice and later style, and it just seems strange to have the verse missing.

[Cocobirlozaur]

Every thig that he sings is fantastic ! Too bad his sexual orientation.....

[bendebiase]

i know cuz if he was straight, then....ummmm....what would change? nothing....he's great and however he wants live his life is no one's business

[j33tz]

'french fries are cold.. room service closed just an hour ago' I really like those lyrics. Glad its out there for listening!

[goelvoeo]

Nigel Olsson, the self-made drummer.

He and Dee Murray really did make Elton's music even better... Wonderful song!

[johnnybacardi]

I'm sure he decided not to keep the "motel prison" line because he probably thought he might want to stay in a Holiday Inn again on the next tour...however, I'd be willing to bet that he didn't stay in many more after this...

Nice live version, interesting omitted lyrics...but I do miss the LP's mandolin/guitar/piano/orchestr­a finale...

[icestationn]

Only album where all the songs are great Live is good but with the orchestra is fabulous

[saveEngland]

Madman Across the Water is one of the best albums ever made by any artist, ever.

[JackSmith07]

if not THE best

[timothyarts]

Hi, am I able to see this whole video on dvd?

[STEINARPETTERSEN]

This is what Elton John is all about for me....Holiday Inn is one of his very best and my favorite Elton song....and ofcourse Madman across the water is one of the best albums ever maid...that's my opinion anyway...

[xallison10x]

its my favorite album too :)

[imyofrend]

Wow! This really takes me back....

[Elton5000]

Why did they change the lyrics?

[wags2010]

i guess its just an extra verse that goes to the song that i'm guessing elton wrote, but it certianly doesn't appear in the album version, but i like the verse in this performance

[Elton5000]

OK, thank you man!

[bcw78]

Listen to the demo version. It's posted at the moment. The 'french fies' verse is original. Must have omitted along with the 'hotel prison' lyric for the potential legal reasons.

The mandolin solo on the album was a good replacement, but the two versions sure have a different mood, because of the change in lyrics.

[wags2010]

thanks, the demo clears things up, i really like the original peice but its understandable why they didn't be so bold and release it. i like how elton will occasionaly go ahead and perform the 2nd verse

[timothyarts]

Wow what great camera work for 1971!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smalltalkingchicken]

hey, no offense or anything ... that extra verse started out as a great surprise, but what the hell were those lyrics? frenchfries and room service? not exactly taupin's art, did reggie just figure he could add that in?

[rocksteplindy]

Also, original wording on the chorus was "motel prison" not "motel baby." Very lamenting and great.

[ffnjst12]

Alot of people did'nt realize how good Nigel and Dee were at the backing vocals,,,,,and later on Davey,,,they were awesome.

[jehovahsaves]

this is when music was great!

[chloeeryan]

EJ YOU CAN DO NO WRONG

[theunusualbreed]

Well he did do that vile disco album, Victim of Love. Other than that...Elton, you are my god!!

[rakman105]

EARLY Elton is the master of making EVERY single live version of a song sound different. In his older age, he's gotten complacent and settled into his usual vamp "routines." But here, every vocal inflection is different than the album, down to a different pattern by Nigel and Dee too. They were such masters of working together. I would kill to see the whole tape of their first performance at the Troubadour in 1970.

[chissykim]

Amazing performance! Imo, much, MUCH better than the studio version.

[MeatloafTribute1]

thank you for posting these, just amazing!

[YourSong260790]

One of my favs. Love this song.

[coltom]

when I was younger, this is the kind of stuff we'd play in our "garage band" - this and then Steely Dan.

Okay, we were pretty good for a bunch of kids.

[DalrockTX]

Oh well, an extra verse? Wow, that's makes this even better. "Madman Across The Water", is one of my favorite albums of his. I am collecting all of these clips, I've got to have this whole concert.

[meetmeintheuk]

Never heard this version before. Sheer brilliance.

[logansand]

pure elton :) my inspiration.

[Fabienne000]

This is the essential Elton John, ladies and gents...

[bellboii44]

the added in verse was written as part of it by bernie.. but elton scratched it out for the actual recording... i think its good though (Y)

[mrgb46]

I've got this on dvd!Love the old clips of EJ..

[jrahrah]

Where did you get the DVD?

[sillychrist]

Google a search on eltonvideo. Second entry from the top.Elton John Archives

[honkycabbit]

Yes! Thank You! I love this song! Why wasn't it a hit?

[jtsnowman66]

lol this video contains the only mistake I've ever heard him make. The line is just there to emphasize how boring and dull the time is when they aren't playing the gig. He hits the same wrong note twice, right after the "Slow down Joe" line, both times. Barely audible.

[NATUREGIRLJOLIE]

LOVE IT

[Satchelabc123]

Wow, this is the real Elton John!

[TinyDancer500]

Great to see this version (with the thankfully lost verse), I've only heard it on a concert bootleg CD I have from eons ago. Great shirt, too! Happy 60th, Elton. Still my Rocket Man after more than 30 years.

[warangi]

"And the TV don't work and the French Fries are cold." LOL! Where the hell did that verse come from!

[jrahrah]

Interesting twist on the song. One of my favorite albums of his is 11-17-70. Here and on that album he plays with the same three man set up that he toured with his first ime around in the US...Just Elton, Dee and Nigel...what a great trio.

[cptfantastic75]

That was a lyric that was taken out of the song for the album. Perhaps beacuse of how poorly it speaks of Holiday Inns. On the Madman tour he sang the song with that verse in it. Great video!!