Elton John Island Girl 1976

[KOSMICKEN09]

ELTON THE HIT MACHINE.

[kja427]

I didn't think this tune was bad, however, I didn't think it was worthy of being #1 on The Billboard Pop Charts for 3 weeks either. Besides, I doubt there are girls in LA who are 6'3"; I truly believe that.

[rg2027x]

partyin' it up...those were the times

[rg2027x]

:D

[illestmusic1]

ISLAND GIRL...."GUAM"

[Corbon440]

For some reason the song is not included in the European release of "the very best of Elton John". It's never been very popular with European audiences I guess.

[tomcamp6023]

I think the Island girl was really a man. Standing 6 foot 3. Elton like Queen had alot of gay inuendos.

[naglelator]

@tomcamp6023 I wouldn't be too sure of that... Those girls in Hawaii are really tall. I meet one who was 7 foot 4 inches! You are right about the gay thing though

[schwebbs84]

he's gotta get this band together again for a one-off show, for the love of god just once

[77edster]

@schwebbs84 now that would be good, but didn't Bernie T and Kenny Passarelli fall out? Caleb's doing god's work in California and can't see him coming back to mainstream music very quickly!

[WiseGuy5674]

In 76, my 6th grade music teacher had the class read and memorize and sing this song aloud for a grade..We had one black kid in the class. I felt bad for the kid.

[ifutureman]

@WiseGuy5674 damn... for real? What a stupid asshole teacher. I love this song and consider it a masterpiece, but as kid I was a little uncomfortable with the lyrics. I mean, it's not just the racially tinged lyrics, they are pretty blatantly sexual as well. And it's definitely not grammar school appropriate. There are so many other EJ songs that would have made more sense for music class.

[karenpato1]

Nice Gibson EDS-1275, nice incorporation of that guitar in this live version.....kinda reminds me of Philadelphia Freedom meets The Bitch Is Back....maybe with a Funeral For A Friend twist. I first heard this song when I was 6 (1976-1977)...I thought he was saying "Big Bad Earl".....LOL,little kids are so stupid.

[DancingSpiderman]

DAYyum.... some nice guns on that girl with the striped shirt

She could poke me in the eye with them nipples

[patrick9648]

Nearly ever concert film from the 70's is too dark.

[kassandra0412]

dieser song erinnert mich an erstes verliebtsein---sommer-österrei­ch--- leider ist diese erste liebe nicht mehr bei mir!!!also widme ich diesen song a.w., der es hier auf erden nicht aushalten konnte. was auch immer.

[jaggass]

Island boy.

[mizofan]

A big hit in USA, he's done loads of better songs but Rock of the Westies is an interesting album, it may seem loose and scruffy but the hooks grow.

[guydreamr]

Love that blonde wig

[EltonJohnLyrics]

Elton John is a legend! Follow EltonJohnLyrics on Twitter :)

[soulfoodmarketing]

MUSIC AND MOVIES ARE OUR TEACHERS...

TRUTH LIES IN THE WISDOM OF THE WORDS AND THE VISIONS OF THE PRODUCERS

AMEN

[entertainme3000]

This went to number one on a hot sunday morning in July 1975!(Love the bongos as if you really were in the caribbean) before that he hit number 1 with his previous hit single "Philadelphia Freedom(though credited to "the elton John band" in May 1975(excellent tribute to the Philly soul sound) this would be followed by the very depressing autobiographic "Someone Saved My Life Tonight: which may have been number one or close In December of 75.

[pumkinbreath]

thats a fine example of a baddass band .

[77edster]

Lovely slide guitar from Davey Johnstone. On a Gibson double neck. Does it get more 70s rock than that?

[jb0177]

Why did Elton fire Nigel and Dee?

[sknyrd77]

@jb0177 He said at the time he had always wanted to make an "all out rock album" So he bought into "The Elton John Band" Caleb Quaye, Ray Cooper, Kenny Passerelli and James Newton Howard- only "keeping" D. Johnstone

[brianxyz]

@sknyrd77 Ray Cooper was part of the band long before this. I think we can blame his manager of the time, John Reid, for the stupid move of getting rid of Dee and Nigel. Adding James Newton-Howard was a brilliant move and so was adding a second guitarist but I'm not sure Caleb was the right choice.

[sknyrd77]

@brianxyz Ray Cooper had appeared onstage with e.j. in the past, but did not become an "official member" of the band until '75. Up until then the band had been elton, davey, dee, and nigel

[jb0177]

@Greg

True....

He had a concert in Australia literally hours after he had throat surgery. That is what destroyed his voice.

[verynicelookingguy]

I was working on a ship when this came out and hoping to reach an ISLAND soon..lol..

[phileustace]

When I hear this song, it makes me want to go to the tropical island of "Bongo" and admire the palm trees swaying in the wind while getting drunk on shots of Midori and Ice. It gives me a feeling of total bliss, being surrounded by beautiful women and a never ending choice of tropical cocktails and exotic fruit platters, all while I am fucking some tight snatch in the hot tub while some other ho licks my balls.

[knoxunflower1]

Boy, did I wear this 45 out.....

[starquant]

Takes a poof, to make a song about a woman.

[scubachick75]

New flash, Elton is gay. I guess he's anti-himself!

[LyinOfJudah]

Great music, racist and misogynistic lyrics.

"She's a big girl, she's standing six foot three

Turning tricks for the dudes in the big city."

If we, gays, are going to complain about Jamaican musicians like Buju Banton singing songs like "Boom Bye Bye" that glorify anti-gay murder, then we have to criticize Elton for depicting a Jamaican woman as a prostitute.

[LyinOfJudah]

@LyinOfJudah Actually, we have to criticize Bernie Taupin for the lyrics and Elton for performing them.

[JackHauss]

Thi is another example of a great singer who destroyed his voice with cocaine just like Whitney Houston. A one in a million voice so shot today he can barely sing. And anyone who doubts that, may I suggest you listen to Roy Orbison.

[Gregsynthbootlegs]

Cocaine didn't wreck his voice! It was from overtouring!

[golf520man]

I LIKE GIRLS! hahahaha

[governorgilf]

Great song. Rockin' performance here!

[julietpaul]

I beleive its 1975 NOT 1976.

[JerryGing]

I think this concert was 1976. The studio album was released in 1975. Guess I'm getting old. Peace.

[whitey19888]

This would have been an awesome concert to be at.

[shingaki777]

nopast, I can see that! I ve seen Lifeson in concert four times and every time better than the last. I'm a huge EJ fan so thx 4 postin'!

[nopast68]

EJ...my fav male singer ever!! LOL at 1:48 that totally makes me think of Alex Lifeson. You Rush fans will see this I'm sure.

[HUTINAK]

Elton Rocks

Nuff sed

[erick222]

You goof......it's not "I Like Girls"....it's "Island Girl".....can't argue with you though that it does almost sound like "I Like Girls".

[slyrob22]

he is the shit

[Edhallick]

This song called I like girls but he dont like girls because he gay LOL Like Goldmember say Isnt zat vierd?

[siasti]

This made me giggle. It does sound "I like girls" lol

[formersoapfan8492]

Elton John is the most sold male artist other than Michael Jackson and he has beat Elvis Presley by now. Elton has also had the most singles over anyone to my knowlege. He first hit the charts in 1970 and his last single charted in 2002. I don't know if we'll ever hear anything new from him but as far as I know he still makes appearnces at concerts for like good causes on televison so often. His 60th b-day celebration was great. I loved his upbeat hits alot more than his depressing ones.

[formersoapfan8492]

Doesn't it kinda sound Hawaiian?

[Billyjk72]

Love watching Ray Cooper in this vid.!

[trianglepoint]

Elton John...and FREEDOM,..Thank-You

[trianglepoint]

Love Eton John a great singer /song writer..Love His music ..no Other like Him..and his preference's in life i do not agree w/ but he is Still the best...his life is his own THAT IS FREEDOM,.....

[dartah11]

i was in grade 2 - my mother bought me the 45 for this song as i loved it so much - 40 years old now...where has the time gone...tyvm again...priceless...

[shelly10538]

I love that weird solo. I wonder what instrument that is playing at the same time as the guitar solo?

[Billyjk72]

Probably a Synthesizer. with that "dial" thing to move the tone of the sound.....

[imafishgod]

Enjoy Your 1,000 Islands Trip with your Boston Girl who'd LOVE to Crash the party!! (Read the Tags...LOL) **** Love Paula The NorthShore Girl♥

[Ottawarocket]

lol Gotta love those spirited Boston Girls..Paula Please crash my Trip on the Islands and then it will be a real Party ♥..Love Rocket The Seaman

[russelljdj]

Hey Paula!

This is almost right out of the Old Real Kids Song "All Kindsa Girls". Where on the North Shore You Be?

[JP100HWDP]

skad takie nagrania na youtubeie hhe

[Scooterboi60]

Just to further clarify the 2 albums going to #1. Captain Fantastic was the first album ever to enter the charts at #1, and then he followed up with Rock of the Westies. No one else has done that before or since.

[ZenDriveSeven]

Davey rockin' the double neck Gibson SG. Nice!

[Cldfsn0200]

I remember when this song came out it was like Elton John clearly had changed the sound of rock music and this song maybe summerized his niche and influence of rock sound better than any other. Interesting use of percussion instruments weaved throughout an up tempo ballad and upbeat piano. I know there are many song that he did but this summerizes best because it was never overplayed on the radio and is a great snapshot of the many facets of his sound. A song that clearly states his arrival.

[judmurph]

@Cldfsn0200 I don't know where you were living in 1975-76; but the Detroit radio stations played the snot out of Island Girl.

[Cldfsn0200]

@judmurph you know what... you are right... i was alive in 1975 and i did forget that this song did get a heck of alot of air time here in new york back in the 70's too. So my apoligees for that aspect of my comment. But I think the rest of what I wrote is true. I was observing where rock music went between late '60's and very Beatles influenced to mid 70's very elton john influenced.

[stonescourt3]

what a legend!

[Blackhalo1]

I turned 10 that day....and was already a HUGE fan. Elton was my "first love" in rock n' roll...

[diarionews]

this show is magnificent, it is one of the best!

[wags2010]

I'd say being 3rd all time in albums sold worldwide, behind only Elvis and The Beatles is enough clout to dismiss Elton John from being judged upon by Idol judges who don't own 1/1000th of his talent.

[eltonsfriend]

Good Poiny my friend............lol

[mattpitvette]

I see that someone here said that Elton needs to get some hair on his head and loose those ridiculouse glasses and then says that he is sure the judges on Idol would tell him the same thing.

You know I honestly don't think Elton cares what the judges on Idol would think since he is far more successful than anyone who has ever been on Idol.

[rockandrollpatrol]

Hey runningchance, consider yourself lucky to find some actual music while searching for a rap song! Funny how rap rhymes with crap........... then again not really, there both pretty much the same!

[SalsaShark542]

Judging by his numerous comments for this video, I'm presuming that runningchance does know very well who Elton John is and how musically revered he is. The dude's just in here being an asshat for no apparent reason, hence my calling him a troll.

But as they say, don't feed the troll. Starve him of hostile replies and he'll grow bored of making useless comments on a YouTube video.

[shcorporation]

Exactly

[runningchance]

I looked him up and why didn't you just come out and say this dude was the Lion King?

[SalsaShark542]

Elton's more talented than you'll ever be.

Go play in the traffic you worthless troll.

[shcorporation]

Well said salsa shark. Runningchance is a loser!

[AnnaKarina2]

Thank you Pincysandcrab for this share:)!!!!!!

[pafemo]

Incredible song. Elton is a genius!!

[runningchance]

These guys are sort of good, they need a little more practice and then they should try to get on American Idol. I'm not saying they could ever make it big in the music world but who knows? With the right promoter they would be a great warmup act for somebody. I suggest they get a new vocalist because the piano player just ain't got the vocals in my experienced opinion. I give them three stars!

[gohanm]

failtroll

[shcorporation]

Are you trying to be funny or what?

[runningchance]

They sound like a white reggae band. I just don't think this could ever be a hit or these dudes will make it in the music industry but they got a little talent! Anyway I was looking for a rap song called Island Girl and this crap came up!

[shcorporation]

What the hell are you on you idiot? You don't think they could ever be a hit? Elton John is one of the best selling artists in popular music history! This is one of his biggest hits! They have much more talent than you. This song is certainly not crap, but I don't really expect anything less from somebody who likes rap! Join me if you want to end rap music and make the world a better place!!!!!!!!!

[runningchance]

If this is their biggest hit then they must be homeless. Do they have a PO box where I can send them a can of tuna? I just have one more suggestion, the singer needs to get some hair on his bald head and lose those ridiculous glasses. I am sure the judges on Idol will tell them the same thing.

[greg8698]

Dude, you have got to be kidding me. How much of a moron could you be to make those kinds of comments about a song that was released in 1975 and went to number one on the charts in addition to the fact that Elton John has made 10x more money for his number one hits than any Rap artist you can name not to mention the top 5 Rap artist earnings put together. About the only thing I can guess is that you were obviously still born but revived after going two weeks without oxygen.

[greg8698]

It already was a hit your retard. Released in 1975 it climbed to number 1 on the charts in three weeks. Get some oxygen, you are just about void of live brain cells!!!!!

[avth76]

yeah and the album was his SECOND number one entry in a row. "Captain Fantastic" entered the charts at NUMBER ONE in 1975. So did "Rock of the Westies" right after. That's pretty damn successful to me.

[Bellydancer49]

Great video - wish I'd been there - what a combination of musicians - best ever!

[simoncowellscores]

Man what a great melody. Those were the days when musical giants walked the earth.

[marco123as]

esta muy bien interpretadp pero no se ve nitia la imagen

[rangeown08]

i love the bass line its what makes the song

[derekmimi]

what album is this from? i remember my brother getting it for christmas 1976 and on the liner notes, there is a sketch of an "island girl".  is this correct?

[eltonator]

Rock of the Westies

[derekmimi]

were there othr singles from this album?

[eltonator]

There was a double-A side single released in early 1976 - Grow Some Funk of Your Own/I Feel Like A Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford) - reached number 16 on the billboard charts, but I'm afraid those songs are rarely heard these days

[derekmimi]

thanks alot...elton lives...my brother just saw him st. john's, newfoundland. he played 3 hours for 2 sold out shows and set the standard...

[eltonator]

No surprises there then

[derekmimi]

agreed. now what is next for him? is there a new album soon?

[eltonator]

Well that's a big question...he 'promised' a new album for 2007 of all years...there were rumours of a hip hop themed album. If so, may G*d have mercy on us all.

I'd like a new album, but I'd like something more rocky...something for people who like Elton the way he is.

[derekmimi]

wow...you must be his biggest follower! hip hop?  oh nooooooooo....

[ifutureman]

@derekmimi Although the song was on the "Rock Of The Westies" album (followed by "Grow Some Funk Of Your Own" - one of my favorite one-two punches ever), the sketch you remember was from the booklet included with "Greatest Hits Volume II". That greatest hits album had a whole booklet with lyrics and an illustration for each song. I still have both albums from my dad's old record collection :)

[whitey19888]

Man EJ is fuckin awesome. Like this song is just so graet, it always gets me dancing. I'm dancing in my chair as I type this haha. WOOOOOOOOOOOO GO EJ!

[whitey19888]

this song is fuckin awesome

[RacerXGTO]

Of ALL the EJ songs, I wonder what was the inspiration for this song.

[odybtx]

was that a bottle of liquor that flashes when Elton first gets near the piano?

[Lopgtop]

i am 19 an i have loved Reginald's brilliance since I was 1 year old back in 1990 in my crib. I was just driving back from woodland hills to beverley hills and listened to this song 8 times, i love it...great video thx.

[BBQMAN81]

don't care about his gender preference..this is one song that is damn good.

[daphnener]

man... I was born in the wrong damn generation

I LOVE this album. Come to think of it, up until the eighties, everything those two did was amazing and absolute genius. The crap out today should really take a cue on what greatness really is.

[spacerazer]

Took me years (before the internet)to know what the song was about, other than the obvious.

[gomogo2000]

What is it about?

[biggiebird89]

The song's about a prostitute in a city trying to adapt to the "White man's world."

[kevn99]

Was just a kid of 9 in 1976...whenever I hear old '70's EJ it fills me with memories of riding around town in our green chevrolet station wagon. My mom singing her heart out.

[mrdee11091]

another good tune thanks for the post

[FLDiamond04]

does it matter what his sexual preference is? the man is an amazing artist!!

[WhisperLady023]

Great...

[crestwoodian]

Lov it!

[tazlynn1965]

Elton John was married once.

I love all his music..

[tallieANDtally]

he still is married

[nccowboy4play]

Once to a woman,,,then to his true love,,,a man.

[essertpitay]

Elton JOHN's lyrics were written by Bernie TAUPIN who was straight...

[CaptainFunsocks]

he "was" straight? As far as I was aware, he still is.

[treebella23]

Great video! Elton is my fav!

[brian1963110]

He does sound better than todays' music..which is rap and alternative..todays music SUX!.

[plutodrvv]

Elton john is not racist or misogynistic get over your self. He's always surrounded himself with Blacks and women and has been very liberal and hello he's gay. To be fair the lyrics could be viewed as racist but he is also commenting on the fact that New York is an international diverse multi cultural place and he could have very possible encountered a Black female prostitute off of Lexington in the 70s and in a campy way is celebrating her audacity beauty. It was the 70's and a less PC world.

[BeatyCreative]

damn right plutodrvv- Elton (really Bernie's) music is a soundtrack to my life- Hallijeula to the young folks who realize this is real music...

[VrgniaMailman]

Thanks very much for making this video, russell! This is prob'ly my 2nd or 3rd favorite EJ song (Phila. Freedom is definitely #1; The Bitch is Back might be 2nd) "And she wrap herself around you like a well-worn tire!!" Great line, great song.

[ranchoboyeros]

i remember Oct of 75 at the beach..this playing on WQAM radio..those were the days

[Melegorm]

Kasey Casem's American Top 40 one sunny saturday in 1976--heard this song and it made the day! Sounds just as good 32 years later.

[Cherish2904]

Nothing will ever top the songs of the 70's I was about nine years old when I bought this song on a 45 record.

[SeamusLight]

This is the real Second Coming of The Savior!

[fenrir255]

Isnt the guy on the double neck guitar from Edgar Winter Group?

[RichardArona]

Merci pour cette super video

[precast12]

Completely racist song. But because he's Elton, you know he dosen't mean any harm.

[kat3324]

Please.... can't it just be a song?

[precast12]

You please. How can you ignore the content? Do you like skinhead "OY" music? Or "gangster" rap?

[traviswall1982]

I guess Elton's a racists, of course it's weird how he tours with black female backkup artists, he's been seen kissing Mary J. Blige and Grace Slick and Stevie Wonder playes harmonica in every song with a harmonica

[RazMami]

Elton loves black women :)

[runningchance]

Elton is a black woman.

[scotpens]

Trapped in a gay man's body!

[blitz1957]

Elton doesn't like black women,let alone women at all,he's gay

[hirdy6]

No shit sherlock. Who cares?

[blitz1957]

you must care asshole,you responded,lol

[hirdy6]

Just get someone to explain this to you, Nobody cares about you, I was just pointing out that you were stating the obvious. Clear enough for you now simpleton?

[tweezerie]

its true though he is!

[VrgniaMailman]

Hey, thanks for the eye-opening comment, blitz. None of my male coworkers or golf friends or I are gay, but we like and admire many other men. Tell us, when and where did Elton say that he does not like women? Obviously you have done some admirable research into this question.

[youvalss]

OK, so Elton doesn't like women. OK, now what? Will it make u happy? Will it make u rich?

[zonkozonko]

Well I am glad Elton is gay! because I always loved Nikita (or the girl in the video of the same name!

OK don't tell the wife now I am married>

[shinyhawk777]

My favorite song of all time. I'm 40 and the world was just "different" back than. Sometimes, you want to go back, but take your cell phone with you.

[scottalexander44]

Shinyhawk: I know what you mean. This song brings back memories of some good times! No mortgage payment, no responsibilities....just live for the moment!

[pumkinbreath]

that band line up is the best

[ahoyear]

I agree. Ray Cooper was a great percussionist ever.

[intoto2007]

I still remember my grand mother telling me to stop listen this song. LOL.

[75amoeba]

What a load of poofters.

[dyetube]

O.k... I'm now transported back to 10 years old singing this in my room! Wow, brings back memories!!!

[DalrockTX]

10 years? I'm going back 30 years, singing this in my bedroom. When I bought the second Greatest Hits.

[dyetube]

Not 10 years ago, I meant to when I was 10 years old!

[EJRedPiano]

Ha, I'm only 14 and can only go back to 1993. You guys are lucky to have lived during such an awesome time when music was amazing. Today MOST music is generic and boring.

[wrldgornd]

Great song and live take on it - as good as studio imo!

[superiorgirl]

this is great, love you Elton

[jigglar]

I love the names he picked for the tours. 'Louder than Concorde' and 'Rock of the Westies' (a play on West of the Rockies). :o) 1976 was a great year for pop music.

[KjellErik]

"Rock of the westies" is a very underrated album, I would love to here for example"Hard luck story" played in a concert today, but nowadys Elton seem to stuck with the same setlist over and over

[kevandrea789]

can't get any more Seventies than this. A feelgood song and clip. Not sure where this concert took place but I can picture him playing this outside and late one very warm London evening in the summer of 1976.

[Billy42]

at 3:30 there is a high pitch squieet sound.. :( must be tape problems..

[rockitmanjohn]

Rock of The Westies... the seventies peak!!

[asforyou999]

So nice...

[russelljdj]

The Louder Than Concorde Tour was so great! I so want to add Hercules, but at 19 minutes, and not having a "Directors" account it would have to be in 5 parts and that would ruin the song.

[Bellydancer49]

My partner Roger Pope was the drummer on that tour - have you got more footage of him? I'm biased but I think his 1976 band was the "Rockiest" ever.

[PEC2528]

I agree, Roger and Kenny were awesome. Dee and Nigel were great as well but Roger and Kenny definitely gave EJ a different sound. Not to mention Caleb on guitar...great musicians all