Added: 5 years ago
From: rockermad
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  • brilliant. That's all that can be said about this...

  • Awesome song, awesome album...no trappings...no bling....just Elton, Bernie and the band and the music

  • Hi my friend ! I like it this song a+ thanks

  • It fact !!!!

  • da waz mean!

  • This is one of his best songs on, I believe, his best album - Tumbleweed Connection. I listened to this one on a vinyl record when I was much younger. Still love it!!

  • I must proudly admit I saw this concert at the Harrisburg Farm Show Arena, smoked doobies and drank Boone's Farm before the concert...dates me doesn't it? I saw Elton John yearly from 1970-1974. That was baclk in the days when a Cheech and Chong sized doobie was passed through the stadium and everyone took a hit

  • Classic Elton John. Awesome!

  • Burn Down the people whpo dont make songs like this todaychacka69 Bless and Hope 4 2012

  • elton john is pure talent we have no talent today thank you elton john

  • That was great,thanks for posting.

  • Comment removed

  • This song is super awesome.

  • omg look a the boy Elton!

  • All the songs on "Tumbleweed Connection" and the "Elton John" album were incredible. Used to stay in my room with headphones on (long time ago) and listen to his albums. Looking forward to more music from Elton. Anyone who hasn't heard, "Where to Now St. Peter?" will really enjoy it.

  • He had all his hair then!! Cute!

  • @manipool

    that was a wig

  • @CoyotePoet No it wasn't.

  • anything with Elton John is great

  • Baddest mother fucker ever.

  • @rwb1500 Hell yeah. Amen to that.

  • It was awsome to be a teenager in the 70's and hear real MUSIC!

  • i gave up my senior prom for an Elton John concer

  • @Violenceinmind40 good decision

  • @Violenceinmind40

    you made a wise choice!

  • Nigel.. my hero!

  • killer music.....everyone allowed!

  • good music......no homos allowed..

  • Well said Gilly!!!

  • ah the 70s.

  • Well look at this shit. It's live. No synthesizers. No autotune. No teams of mixers and background singers. Holy fuck, can you believe that back in the day they had to get by on skill and talent alone?  And Dee Murray on bass...effortless and never a note missed. I weep for the crap that passes as music today. And thanx to the commenters who seek to make a political message for gay marraige out of what should be simple enjoyment of perfect music. Schmucks.

  • @hitcharide1 LOVE your comment! Thanks!

  • @hitcharide1 best comment of the year!

  • @hitcharide1 I love you for posting this. I agree with this 110%!

  • @hitcharide1 absolutely well said, man.

  • @hitcharide1 amen- and no lip sync, music today is crap

  • Skill upon skills.

  • Too bad Laura didn't cover this.

  • elton claims influenced by Laura Nyro writing style on this song.

  • This song is about Dee burning down the kitchen cuz he was a clutz when he was alive but then Dee heard the name which was Burn Down The Kitchen but then Dee didn't like that so they changed it to Burn Down The Mission so no one will be the wiser.

  • @sansa2590 There's no way. Are you serious??

  • @ajpianoman1 The suggestion that this was originally "Burn Down The Kitchen" is just stupid. The song is about the plight of the poor man who wants to rise up and overthrow the power structure. It could be serfs in feudal times; I once read that Taupin said it was poor American settlers striking back at the oppressive British.

  • GAY MARRIAGE!!!2011!!!

  • I loved it when Elton John used to wear his awsome big crazy glasses and flamboyaunt costumes. I'm so happy for him and his partner(David Fernish)they finally have a son,named Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John.(b.25-Dec 2010 by surrogate) Omg,i'm so happy! Gays should have every right to get married...they love eachother alot.

  • verage people attn. try hittin those notes vocally. total leon russell/the band sound but improved,somehow.

  • Brilliant minimalist drumming by Nigel Olsson in this one and many others from this early classic era.

  • OMG Elton is so young and pretty

  • Okay. I see and hear Leon Russell's influence in this video. Thanks for the recent tribute and collaboration, Elton.

  • STEWIE what ?

  • STEWIE FUCKING GRIFFIN

  • Most of his best work was done in the early years, have got this on the 17.11.70 CD, and what about Bernie Taupin what brilliant lyrics, he was @ the age of 20 when he wrote lots of his stuff..

  • jees he kinda sounds like van morrison doesnt he.

  • look at all that hair and how slim and handsome he was ha

  • Elton was great up until he started wearing the costumes and all that silly stuff.

    The early albums show just how talented he is.

  • I was very blessed to have witnessed this great performer sing this song in Philly last night and he sounds just as good today as did in1970.

  • Found this record (vinyl) at a thrift store in Port Aransas, Tx, and it's now one of the faves in my collection. Next to Johnny Winter's self titled.

  • I love the outro where the credits are set against the piano. It's just cool.

  • From 70 - 75 no one was better. And that's an amazing feat when you consider all the great music in that time. Also, his band was incredible.

  • This album is utter perfection. Fact.

  • ...On the leveo of DSOTM.

  • Elton John is one of those who are actually FANTASTIC live. Most artists try and overdo songs played live. Elton, his sounds good if not better live. At least in his younger years.

  • any awesome ... thx so much for this !

  • why so hopeless at syncing the music properly

  • Tumbleweed Connection is Eltons best album...one of the greatest of all time.

  • I've always liked the BBC sessions.

  • He's soo cuteee

  • most adorable kid in the world.

  • cuuute xP

  • Anal

  • @LinkChiTu Definitely. He's very anal about getting everything right. He has said that before in interviews.

  • lake, all I meant was I personally think everything he did after Capt. Fantastic was crap...well not crap but not anywhere near as good as everything and I mean EVERYTHING before and including CFATBDC.

  • God, he was great. So many of my best memories were accompanied by Elton's great music. Too bad Capt. F was the last great album he ever made.

  • @1978R100RS That is such crap. He has made great albums his entire career. Sure, there were some flops, such as Victim of Love. But his last great album: The Union.

  • @1978R100RS I agree, wholeheartedly. He used to be KILLER. Soulful.

    I haven't heard The Union, so I can't speak on that.

  • PRETTY GOOD AHH

  • this  era had great songs

  • The great new album The Union is #3 in the US

  • out of key

    

  • I see a few questions on what this song is about and I have a few myself. I'm sure what the "mission" is? It seems like the song is about people who have nothing and have to burn something down, either literally or figuratively, to survive. Any comments?

  • @headstock48 A mission would be talking about an old religious structure used as a fort, probably held by Union army men, that the character in the story, a Confederate, intends to burn down. "It's time we put the flame torch to their keep". It could just mean a big ranch where some wealthy folks live, "behind four walls of stone the rich man sleeps". As for 'mission', just think of the Alamo, that was a mission.

  • @HCVS13 Hm, interesting. Thanks. I'm curious as to why you think the character is a Confederate. Maybe I'm missing something. Speaking of Confederate soldiers, do you know the song "My Father's Gun"? It's a great song, and told from the point of view of a Southern son. Not that I'm very sympathetic to the Confederate cause, I'm just saying it's a great song. Thanks again.

  • @headstock48 What do you think of Gone to Shiloh?

  • @mizofan Enlighten me.

  • @headstock48 Gone to Shiloh is on the new Elton album The Union, with Leon Russell, which i think is superb and been getting great reviews, as well as #3 in the US charts. It's a civil war song, would suit Tumbleweed Connection. Neil Young sings the middle verse.

  • @mizofan Just listened to it. I wanted to love it, but I'm not too crazy about it, although I do like the middle verse sung by Young. Is the whole album based on a Civil War theme? Thank you for turning me on to it, though.

  • @headstock48 No, it's a mix of gospel, blues, country and pop-rock, with some nods to early classics like Tumbleweed Connection, Elton John and Honky Chateau albums, with songs by both Elton and Leon.

  • @headstock48 Sorry for the late reply. The album this and "My Father's Gun" are from, called "Tumbleweed Connection", is a concept album, telling the story of the very Southern son you mention. The same character narrates both songs and the rest on the album.

  • @HCVS13 How could it be that I've listened to the album like, five hundred times, and never knew it was a concept album. Actually, I don't love all the songs on it, only about half of them, so that explains it. I'll give another listen now that I know the story. Thanks!

  • A very old, old favorite of mine from one of his best albums IMHO. 

  • Tumbleweed Connection is such a wonderful album. His new one The Union with Leon Russell revisits his roots and is great

  • burn down the mission. what mission? we don't smoke weed or drink alcohole anymore. like george bush or do drugs.

  • watch the black smoke fly to heaven see the red flames light the sky! Follow EltonJohnLyrics on Twitter :)

  • I´m a die-hard fan of the man, but I admit that I don´t see the big deal about this song. What is it? - A fan from Brazil.

  • @nigelguliver22, alllow me to field this one!

    my response would be that this was a very honest, raw, and humble version of a truly epic song, recorded long before Reginald Dwight the simple man became Elton John the flamboyant and drug-addled artist, long before he rode his reputation, as opposed to those early days when he was establishing said reputation.

    Just me own $.02, I could be wrong, but I strongly doubt it.

    Cheers!

    FrankC32

  • @frankc32 Okay, I sort of understand the fact that people like this song, it´s decent anyway. I like Indian Sunset, and most ppl, even Elton fans, find it boring! I think taste is something personal. BTW, what do you mean with: 'Just me own $.02, I could be wrong, but I strongly doubt it.' ?

  • @nigelguliver22, the phrase "my own two cents", I suppose the modern equivalent is "In My Humble Opinion", it is a deflection of arrogance, an expression. English vernacular is fascinating, study it!

    As in, I could be wrong, but I trust my experienced measure versus the knee-jerk bullshit that this message board seems to inspire.

    As in, most of the morons on this board could learn a thing or two from me and from those who have been there before.

    Any more questions?

    Cheers!

    FrankC32 

  • @frankc32 Are you implying that I am a moron?

  • @nigelguliver22, no, but perhaps you could answer that question better than I?

    Morons are as morons do...

    Are you that insecure? Geez, good luck with that...

    Cheers!

    FrankC32

  • @frankc32 No sir, I´m not!

  • @nigelguliver22, then embrace the music you like and put aside the opinions of others, including me.

    I am not sure I can offer you any better advice, you seem like a smart person...

    Cheers!

    FrankC32

  • @frankc32 Thank you! What does he mean with "The Missons"? is this a indian tribe or something?

  • @nigelguliver22, wow, dude, I appreciate your thirst for knowledge, and your obvious respect for my idiotic opinion, but perhaps I am ill-equipped to explain the words and melodies of Mr. Dwight.

    To me, any mention of "missions" involves that ultimate opiate of the masses, religion, and I refuse to comment on that particular subject.

    To me, "religion" makes fools of men.

    Cheers!

    FrankC32

  • @frankc32 The thing is that I´m learning to show respect for people´s opinion, be they idiotic or not - in other to get something in return. Like now, if I had been a jerk with you, I wouldn´t be learning a great deal from you, since you seem to know lot of things that I hadn´t had the chance to learn. Thanks for the info!

  • Comment removed

  • @nigelguliver22 I think we need more of that type of sentiment on Youtube. Rock on.

  • @headstock48 What do you mean, dude?

  • @nigelguliver22 I mean that you speak to others respectfully, and we need more of that on these sites, because some people on Youtube are just idiots. They aren't interested in intellectual discourse, only arguing. Not to be nosy, but are you English? Nigel?

  • @headstock48 Yes, I see YouTube as a place to exchange opinions and have fun!

    And I´m not English. I´m Brazilian. Thank you, man!

  • @frankc32 "To me, any mention of "missions" involves that ultimate opiate of the masses, religion, and I refuse to comment on that particular subject."

    Do I take that to mean you can only perceive things at face value? That isn't very smart.

  • @frankc32 With all respect due to you, sir, "Religion" does not make fools of men, it makes them decent, it restrains them. If a man fears the prospect of eternal hellfire, he is unlikely to go and rape, kill, or steal. If a man is told of eternal peace and contentment, he is likely to do good things for other people in order to increase his chance of getting it. It's all about keeping people good. If there is no religion, to where do people look for salvation? To the state. Not good.

  • @HCVS13, interesting take, well-stated, I respect your opinion.

    I will disagree on at least one count, and that is that it takes "religion" to restrain men. I would say no, it does not, it takes a simple conscience and acknowledgment of "right vs. wrong".

    to lie to men about "eternal peace and contentment", well, that becomes the whole "does the end justify the means" question.

    Your answer is as good as mine on that one!

    Cheers!

    FrankC32

  • @HCVS13, now I say that you, SIR, are exhibit A when it comes to brainwashed "spout-the-party-line" vapid zombies, created by ignorant, Bible-quoting religious zealots. your nonsensical rantings about "eternal hellfire" simply serve to certify the full-on disconnect between you and "reality", as the rest of us know it.

    I am not sure which is more destructive, the fear your ignorance creates, or the unknown that continues to exist because of your fear...a conundrum....

    Cheers,

    FrankC32

  • @HCVS13 Salvation ? Where do people look ? They look to their conscience, and ask themselves, "will this hurt anyone?". If you harm none, do as you will ! That's all the religion anyone needs. We are saved from nothing. Every human will die, and the flesh will burn, or rot, be eaten or mummify. The only hell is right here in this life, and so is peace and contentment right here, as a result of good conscience. Do well in your living flesh and you will have nothing to fear.

  • @HCVS13 If you find salvation in religion then good for you. But you can't truthfully claim to know what makes men decent. You can only know what makes you and those close to you decent.

  • Love Elton John? Follow EltonJohnLyrics on Twitter :)

  • Everybody Now.

  • Birth of a genius.

  • when elton was REAL!!

  • Remember at the time, Elton and Bernie had written so much music that it became the two albums "Elton John" and "Tumbleweed Connection", this would pretty much be a preview of the latter to come, which if you've followed him he always does that.

  • Was this take......... off the "Tumbleweed Connection" Album? anybody?

    I vaguely recall this album had "Your Song" , "Rocket Man'......

  • @buddydog1956 no this was off tumbleweed connection, your song was from 'elton john' and rocket man was from honky chateau

  • When he's playing, it's so easy to see how much he's enjoying himself, and that's just amazing

  • Behind four walls of stone the rich man sleeps

    Its time we put the flame torch to their keeps

  • Comment removed

  • You'll never get talent like this from shows like American Idol.

  • I don't like this version..... It's godly but not as it was later in his live career.

  • uhhhm, yeah, my name is Reginald Dwight, and I seem to have a little bit of musical talent, check out me and me bandmates, here, now ...

    Cheers!

    FrankC32

  • Beautiful.

  • I was 9 yrs old when I heard this first?

  • One of EJ's best...among many!

  • Really a fantastic and very beautiful video.

    I enjoyed it very much.

    Friendly greetings.............Michael

  • For those of you who don't know their arses from their elbows this is taken from a programme entitled Elton John in Concert "Sings the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, it was shown on BBC2 and clasified as Folk :) it was recorded in April 1970 4 months before "The Trobadour gig"........17-11-70 is a different kettle of fish altogether :)

  • For those of you who don't know their arses from their elbows this is taken from a programme entitled Elton John in Concert "Sings the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, it was shown on BBC2 and clasified as Folk :) it was recorded in April 1970 4 months before "The Trobadour gig"........17-11-70 is a different kettle of fish altogether :)

  • I must of listened to this album hundreds of times...I still have it. Awesome.

  • I don't need to tell anyone how many great songs Elton's written over the years,

    but THIS is, if I'm to be honest, THE supreme one!

    It's a shame they perform a truncated version in this clip, but given its rarity

    in Elton's live performances, we should be happy with what we DO get.

    Fantastic!

  • @tepporocks Ummm... you mean Bernie Taupin correct?

  • @veritastestimonium Eh, I think you're asking the wrong person.

    But sure, what the hell. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics. Yes.

  • best elton song out there

  • Pick up an Elton John songbook and look at the written music...not easy to play and incredibly difficult for an experienced musician. Artists like this don't come around often.

  • @MoveOnDotOrgg yeah, Elton is the best Musician ....

  • @MoveOnDotOrgg Agreed. This song is a beast, even by Elton's standards.

  • goodbye to Dee, but the three rocked...especially 11/17/71...Someone may correct me, but I'm thinking it was that date on the album cover. That's before he had a billion in pocket. That's when he had all his octaves

  • @tictocq

     It is 11/17/70... but came out in 71

  • @MrMSF7 it came out i 1970.

  • @MrMSF7 It came out in 1970

  • @shuffleman321 no...it was recorded from a broadcast on that date, but released in 71...And the English Album title was different from The U.S. title...

  • @MrMSF7 Im talking about the American studio version, this is the 17-11-70 live album recorded in 1970, but released in 1971, that you are talking about, but Im just talking about the studio version from tumbleweed connection that was for a fact released in 1970.

  • Amen to great songwriting. Out of the ordinary. Imagination free. This song and other early Elton. right up there w/Procol Harum.

  • Interesting Music Trivia: Robin Williams used Elton's look in this concert as the basis for his Mork character's earth wardrobe on the Mork and Mindy sitcom.

    Nanoo nanoo.

  • Love me some Elton John. I have seen him live 4 times. My first concert was seeing him at the Omni in Atlanta 1984.

  • My god Elton i love your music. Especially the early stuff - i mean youve got gems dispersed throughout all your albums - but the old stuffs my fave <3

  • He has the voice of an angel. At least in my heaven. :)

  • The rich man sleeps!

  • i want to see him do a hand stand on the piano

  • elton's voice is like a second instrument, so carefully controlled, its amazing...

  • Pure magic, nobody ever sings like EJ. In the golden years(1970/75) Elton & Bernie wrote some of the best songs of popular music!

  • thanks for posting it's jems like this that keep me on the tube LOL

  • my fav ej song ever!

  • the drummer's a spaz

  • @hiadhiad Nigel Olsson.. one of the greatest ever

  • I Agree!!

  • What Do You Mean?

  • he looks little bit liek Ozzy Osbourne ;pp

    Anyway long live Elthon! U're awesome man!

  • WOW NICE TUNE

  • I think he was, and is beautiful. His music, especially the 70's stuff, sends me all over the emotional spectrum. LOVE him!

  • i think it's wonderfull. Because when you look at him, i mean he's not that you will call beautifull, but when he opens hes mouth and playing on the piano, you don't think about, you just watch. Elton John is amazing !

  • What great fun. Great power with musical/piano talent. A joy to behold. Better, yet, a joy to play! Even the drummer is a proud recipient of Elton and Bernie's musical discovery ! Lucky us to have them share the experience.

  • Remembering Dee Murray today. Raise a glass for a great bass player.

  • He is very enticing here--vocals are wonderful. His appearance is interesting. very cute in an elfish sort of way. Love the hair and glasses and cute button nose

  • too young

  • Nigel looked like he had less hair than he did later on in the seventies and eghties.