Capolavoro romantico e crepuscolare come solo i grandi sanno creare. La narrazione di una storia d'amore di due che si conoscono da bambini e poi Valerie diventa donna e ci si perde, ma a piacciono gli archi in sottofondo e il piano di Elton e il moog che trafigge come una spada, nessuno come questo Elton prima di diventare coccodrillo.
I have this album and this has been one of my favourite songs for over 30 years. I can't listen at the moment because my stereo doesn't work, so thanks for making this available. It still has a powerful effect on me...
I'd like to know what the inspiration was for this song. It doesn't seem like the kind of song that you'd write unless you experienced the feelings and possibly the situation described in the song. I love it; it's one of Elton's best. I wish more people would listen to it.
Heard Rocket man at school in the seventies and been with Elton since then some 40 albums later. He probably does,nt know he changed my life and so many others I suspect. What if he had not met Bernie T. Bloody hell , thats frightening !!!!
I heard this song a few times in the summer of 1973 when I was 17 and I never heard it again until I was 54. I never forgot this song's haunting sound and it's story about the intense feelings of young love. Only a geniuses write songs that stick with a person for 37 years. That's Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
It's amazing how so many people still remark on elton john's music, stuff that was nearly recorded 40 years ago or 40 years ago and still people who know there music appreciate it.Quality Always Stands The Test Of Time! I Wonder if there gonna be talking about Lady Gaga,Mac-Dre,Jay-Z 40 years from now???
This has been my very favorite of all of Elton's songs ever since this recording first came out. Does anyone know if he's EVER done it in concert and if not, why not??? I'd so love to have the answer.
Loved this at 12 or 13 yrs old, and still now at 52. Too bad there's no live versions of this incredibly beautiful song. Elton and Bernie - they made such beautiful songs, especially back then...thanks for posting!!
@gogi682 Nice! I loved it at 11, equally so now that I'm 48. The very best of a magic album. So many delicate moments and beautiful passages. To me it has the perfume of her, the love I never reached. Nostalgia.
Not many understand the meaning of inner research in Music. Probably some think it's only Music. That's not true. This song so classical in the appearances turn to a wonderful melody made of purity and innocence about two simple lovers.Try to listen again, and probably you'll understand what Elton means when he sings now Valery is a woman.
I don't care what anyone says, Elton is the best! I'm a pretty young fan and this is by far my favorite of his earliest songs. I used to be (really still am) OBSESSED with his music!
@joshfiftyfour54 I agree, josh. Back in 1971, I too, listened to it over and over. Amazing stuff!!! And it holds up. Probably my favorite EJ concert I've ever been to was when he performed mostly this old stuff, with just a piano and a drummer (Nigel Olsson, I believe). Wow, that was a great concert! (Back in 1993, I believe it was.)
@JPMatte06 Actually, he was 22 or so (born '47, recorded '69). But your point still holds. He was (and is) a genius!!! I first heard this album when I was 12. I listened to it over and over, staring at his face on the album cover. And here I am, still doing that, "40 years on," staring at his picture on YouTube!!! Le plus ca change, le plus c'est la meme chose, I guess!!! LOL.
Arguably the most exquisitely beautiful song Elton and Bernie ever wrote! To this day, the first four albums are the ones that I love and listen to the most! Wonderful songs, performances and arrangements! Worth a look back if you don't know them!
It's not one of his most popular song. Everybody knows Crocodile Rock and Rocket Man, but they missed one of the most beautiful songs that he ever wrote: First Episode at Hienton. I heard it a few times in 1973 and didn't hear it again until 30 years later, but I never forgot the lyrics or the love that this song describes. I can almost feel it every time I listen. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is my favorite song on the EJ Lp and one Elton refuses to PLAY. he played it a precious 5 times liev in 1971 and NEVER again.....this is very delicate and beautiful song. Too bad he dismissed it. Compare this to some of the songs he plays over and over (Sad Songs, Im Still Standing, etc) and this is the BETTER song
@DavelovesRealMusic he played it 5 times eh? I would kill to hear it live by him! especially back then! Anyone know of any recordings of any of those?
This is my favorite song on the EJ Lp and one Elton refuses to PLAY. he played it a precious 5 times liev in 1971 and NEVER again.....this is very delicate and beautiful song. Too bad he dismissed it. Compare this to some of the songs he plays over and over (Sad Songs, Im Still Standing, etc) and this is the BETTER song
This is my favorite song on the EJ Lp and one Elton refuses to PLAY. he played it a precious 5 times liev in 1971 and NEVER again.....this is very delicate and beautiful song. Too bad he dismissed it. Compare this to some of the songs he plays over and over (Sad Songs, Im Still Standing, etc) and this is the BETTER song
This is unfortunately one of the few songs Elton refuses to play. To my knowledge the only played this song a few times live in early 197and never again.....who knows WHY..lyrics are about love bwtween man and woman...maybe he didnt want to sing this......now he CANT sing it..his voice cant hit the notes in this...it would not sound right.
@DavelovesRealMusic If he sang everything it would be a 20 hour concert. This was a pretty song but not having it done live isn't the end of the world. As for the lame-ass 'love between a 'man & woman' poster there are about a zillion others of the same genre.
@1caninelover You miss my entyire point. I dont want him t oADD this song..I want hi mto play this and a few others he never plays and Stop playing the same songs i have hear over 100X such as "I dont want to go on with you like that" or "Sad Songs"Same songs every show. Would it kill him to play aMOREENA, or Love Song, or First Episode, Sails, or I've sEEN That Movie too. or something off Breaking Hearts or The fox? He can drop Better Off Dead as well played it 1000 x.
Amazing. Though he had to do pop songs to stay relevant, if you bothered to buy the album you were turned into a fan of the real music. Elton John and Bernie Taupin are brilliant.
My Very fave of all. Who could listen to this and not know the genius! this is for my friend Bent Lindeman who found this album in a ditch and gave it to me. He died to young, leaving small children.
the end of this song is based on the same chords(gm7/Eb) like 1st verse, but melody in the end is different. and harmony gm7/Eb with Bb/D is briliant absolut. magician work...
@sydlivy Thanks for putting this up here, as well as some of the other songs from this album!!! By the way, one of the songs, No Shoe Strings on Louise, cannot be accessed here in the U.S. I get the message: "This video contains content from UMG. It is not available in your country." If there were any way to fix that, it would be greatly appreciated! That, too, is a great song -- in fact, I love EVERY song from this album... thanks again!!!!
Brings back memories of my first "long term" relationship. Replace Valerie with Denise .... and you would have me as a blubbing mess in the corner. :)
Capolavoro romantico e crepuscolare come solo i grandi sanno creare. La narrazione di una storia d'amore di due che si conoscono da bambini e poi Valerie diventa donna e ci si perde, ma a piacciono gli archi in sottofondo e il piano di Elton e il moog che trafigge come una spada, nessuno come questo Elton prima di diventare coccodrillo.
Perfidia4ever 3 weeks ago
bella !
PULCE2304 1 month ago
... !
ariacurva 1 month ago
This song is so beautiful it can bring tears to your eyes...
MsTburch 1 month ago
Two words to describe Elton John: Sheer brilliance! He gives the masters (Beethoven, Brahms, Bach, etc.) a run for their money!
Bravo, Sir Reginald Kenneth Dwight!
ChihuahuaboyDH 2 months ago
Très inspirant
MegaAndreNo 2 months ago
Amazing song.I agree,this album and Tumbleweed Connection are his best I.M.H.O.
tippimail1 3 months ago
I have this album and this has been one of my favourite songs for over 30 years. I can't listen at the moment because my stereo doesn't work, so thanks for making this available. It still has a powerful effect on me...
dircn 4 months ago
Thanks to Youtube music, Elton's music history is experiencing a revival.
No need to dig up old Vinyl albums. Younger generations will discover him sooner of later.
musictomyears8 5 months ago
I'd like to know what the inspiration was for this song. It doesn't seem like the kind of song that you'd write unless you experienced the feelings and possibly the situation described in the song. I love it; it's one of Elton's best. I wish more people would listen to it.
chrispmis 6 months ago
Heard Rocket man at school in the seventies and been with Elton since then some 40 albums later. He probably does,nt know he changed my life and so many others I suspect. What if he had not met Bernie T. Bloody hell , thats frightening !!!!
avalon1focus 6 months ago
so beautiful...i really wish there was a live version somewhere on youtube
teopia55 7 months ago in playlist Elton John 2
I never get tired of this song.
Rocketman2396 7 months ago
This is his best album along with Tumbleweed Connection. I played this album over and over and over. Beautiful song.
Msdistarr 8 months ago
I heard this song a few times in the summer of 1973 when I was 17 and I never heard it again until I was 54. I never forgot this song's haunting sound and it's story about the intense feelings of young love. Only a geniuses write songs that stick with a person for 37 years. That's Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
chrispmis 8 months ago
It's amazing how so many people still remark on elton john's music, stuff that was nearly recorded 40 years ago or 40 years ago and still people who know there music appreciate it.Quality Always Stands The Test Of Time! I Wonder if there gonna be talking about Lady Gaga,Mac-Dre,Jay-Z 40 years from now???
mactheartofwarfare 8 months ago
Only the craziest of fans end up here...a find a very good song! ;)
LinkandMarioman 9 months ago
God whatta song
grahamfiller1000 9 months ago
I love this songs
inmybrowneyes 10 months ago
achingly beautiful. I love the fact that people who weren't born when this came out appreciate it...
g3services 10 months ago 3
This has been my very favorite of all of Elton's songs ever since this recording first came out. Does anyone know if he's EVER done it in concert and if not, why not??? I'd so love to have the answer.
beetleluvr 11 months ago 3
Beautiful... so original....haunting
Thanks for the post
93hshadow 11 months ago
I still have all of Elton Johns older stuff on Albums one day I will get them on CD this/is was an awesome Album
renfest 11 months ago
Loved this at 12 or 13 yrs old, and still now at 52. Too bad there's no live versions of this incredibly beautiful song. Elton and Bernie - they made such beautiful songs, especially back then...thanks for posting!!
gogi682 1 year ago 3
@gogi682 Nice! I loved it at 11, equally so now that I'm 48. The very best of a magic album. So many delicate moments and beautiful passages. To me it has the perfume of her, the love I never reached. Nostalgia.
Pull63cat 8 months ago
Not many understand the meaning of inner research in Music. Probably some think it's only Music. That's not true. This song so classical in the appearances turn to a wonderful melody made of purity and innocence about two simple lovers.Try to listen again, and probably you'll understand what Elton means when he sings now Valery is a woman.
Perfidia4ever 1 year ago
an absolute gem. Thanks so much for posting this. True musicianship, this one.
groofoot 1 year ago
Surely, one of the most poignant songs ever written
kentishbloke 1 year ago 2
This always makes me cry.
Rocketman2396 1 year ago
This is my favorite Elton John song <3
SingMeASmile 1 year ago
Saw him when he had just had his first hit with "your song". The concert was at Epsom Baths hall and the support band was Long John Baldry.
terryneale 1 year ago
I don't care what anyone says, Elton is the best! I'm a pretty young fan and this is by far my favorite of his earliest songs. I used to be (really still am) OBSESSED with his music!
MarianneDashwood13 1 year ago
This song is so beautiful.
hapawriter 1 year ago
@joshfiftyfour54 I agree, josh. Back in 1971, I too, listened to it over and over. Amazing stuff!!! And it holds up. Probably my favorite EJ concert I've ever been to was when he performed mostly this old stuff, with just a piano and a drummer (Nigel Olsson, I believe). Wow, that was a great concert! (Back in 1993, I believe it was.)
Treebard 1 year ago
Best of Elton John/Taupin. I could die for this song!
10times2 1 year ago
he was 18 when he song that masterpiece... Elton is in another class of human being!!!
JPMatte06 1 year ago
@JPMatte06 Actually, he was 22 or so (born '47, recorded '69). But your point still holds. He was (and is) a genius!!! I first heard this album when I was 12. I listened to it over and over, staring at his face on the album cover. And here I am, still doing that, "40 years on," staring at his picture on YouTube!!! Le plus ca change, le plus c'est la meme chose, I guess!!! LOL.
Treebard 1 year ago
What can I say? No one under the age of 40 would care anyway.. Elton's old stuff was the best.
gwangi09 1 year ago 2
@gwangi09
I am 16 and nearly cried listening to this. I too prefer Elton's older material.
AtomicHarmonica 1 year ago 2
Achingly lovely, a hidden gem for sure
mizofan 1 year ago
Arguably the most exquisitely beautiful song Elton and Bernie ever wrote! To this day, the first four albums are the ones that I love and listen to the most! Wonderful songs, performances and arrangements! Worth a look back if you don't know them!
1953jazzman 1 year ago 3
It's not one of his most popular song. Everybody knows Crocodile Rock and Rocket Man, but they missed one of the most beautiful songs that he ever wrote: First Episode at Hienton. I heard it a few times in 1973 and didn't hear it again until 30 years later, but I never forgot the lyrics or the love that this song describes. I can almost feel it every time I listen. Thank you so much for sharing.
chrispmis 1 year ago 2
For you Glenn..
ThePixicat 1 year ago
This is my favorite song on the EJ Lp and one Elton refuses to PLAY. he played it a precious 5 times liev in 1971 and NEVER again.....this is very delicate and beautiful song. Too bad he dismissed it. Compare this to some of the songs he plays over and over (Sad Songs, Im Still Standing, etc) and this is the BETTER song
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
@DavelovesRealMusic he played it 5 times eh? I would kill to hear it live by him! especially back then! Anyone know of any recordings of any of those?
slotwinski1414 1 year ago
@slotwinski1414 I don't have a live version of any kind. I doubt he will ever play this one again..
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
This is my favorite song on the EJ Lp and one Elton refuses to PLAY. he played it a precious 5 times liev in 1971 and NEVER again.....this is very delicate and beautiful song. Too bad he dismissed it. Compare this to some of the songs he plays over and over (Sad Songs, Im Still Standing, etc) and this is the BETTER song
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
This is my favorite song on the EJ Lp and one Elton refuses to PLAY. he played it a precious 5 times liev in 1971 and NEVER again.....this is very delicate and beautiful song. Too bad he dismissed it. Compare this to some of the songs he plays over and over (Sad Songs, Im Still Standing, etc) and this is the BETTER song
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
This is unfortunately one of the few songs Elton refuses to play. To my knowledge the only played this song a few times live in early 197and never again.....who knows WHY..lyrics are about love bwtween man and woman...maybe he didnt want to sing this......now he CANT sing it..his voice cant hit the notes in this...it would not sound right.
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
@DavelovesRealMusic If he sang everything it would be a 20 hour concert. This was a pretty song but not having it done live isn't the end of the world. As for the lame-ass 'love between a 'man & woman' poster there are about a zillion others of the same genre.
1caninelover 1 year ago
@1caninelover You miss my entyire point. I dont want him t oADD this song..I want hi mto play this and a few others he never plays and Stop playing the same songs i have hear over 100X such as "I dont want to go on with you like that" or "Sad Songs"Same songs every show. Would it kill him to play aMOREENA, or Love Song, or First Episode, Sails, or I've sEEN That Movie too. or something off Breaking Hearts or The fox? He can drop Better Off Dead as well played it 1000 x.
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago
@DavelovesRealMusic You're right about 'better off dead' being, well, done to death however this song is pretty but it is also long.
1caninelover 1 year ago
@1caninelover he plays LONG songs too
TONIGHT, MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER, INDIAN SUNSET, etc.
its not the length that prevented him it is the innocense
of the song and the subject matter. Unfortunate. Maybe
someone today will eventually cover it ..but delicately.
Please...no REMIX RAP/HIP HOP versions...
DavelovesRealMusic 1 year ago 2
This is, without a doubt, my favourite album. It's absolutely bloody superb
DominoGray 1 year ago 3
Amazing. Though he had to do pop songs to stay relevant, if you bothered to buy the album you were turned into a fan of the real music. Elton John and Bernie Taupin are brilliant.
meucci42 1 year ago 3
I love this song. Listening to it after so many years takes me back to sitting in my bedroom at home listening to it.
52geoff 2 years ago 3
no other team will write a more perfect ballad / ballads
elton and bernie wrote musical algebra
pinkeyegasms 2 years ago 3
Incomperable. There will never be another like Elton John.
manjv5665 2 years ago
i second that!
pinkeyegasms 2 years ago
Le stagioni vanno e vengono sole e pioggia fanno di Valerie una donna e Valerie ....è SOLA !!!!!!
Perfidia4ever 2 years ago
and valerie is lonely.........................
alfredunhill 2 years ago
so good that it hurts...
princeshha 2 years ago 28
Elton does what the masters did (Beethoven, Mozart, etc). He goes from major keys to minor keys in the same song.......brilliant.
cmoncmon123 2 years ago 24
@cmoncmon123 Hahahaha, it's not that hard. Don't compare him to Beethoven or Mozart, please. Although I do love Elton.
Zlahlers 1 year ago
My Very fave of all. Who could listen to this and not know the genius! this is for my friend Bent Lindeman who found this album in a ditch and gave it to me. He died to young, leaving small children.
tumbleweedtrumpet 2 years ago 2
Whew got the chills with this one.
cougarcatgirl 2 years ago 3
Redyellowblue////get a hold of yourself man! It's going to ok...I know, I went through it in March. Chin up bro!
danzbmw 2 years ago
one of my favorite songs. After forty years I finally discovered that Hienton is a tiny place on the Isle of Wight.
cynthiahern 2 years ago
Stupenda canzone!!!!
animomusic94 2 years ago
This takes me back to last summer... i bought a special edition of the album on cd and played it over and over again...good summer =]
ivoryman996 2 years ago
the end of this song is based on the same chords(gm7/Eb) like 1st verse, but melody in the end is different. and harmony gm7/Eb with Bb/D is briliant absolut. magician work...
johnericsson 2 years ago 5
I love Elton's old stuff such as this!
Batment 2 years ago
music + genius = Elton John
josetmiranda 2 years ago 2
The very best of Elton - why so few views?
14leopold 2 years ago 16
I don't know it's a really good song.
sydlivy 2 years ago 4
@sydlivy Thanks for putting this up here, as well as some of the other songs from this album!!! By the way, one of the songs, No Shoe Strings on Louise, cannot be accessed here in the U.S. I get the message: "This video contains content from UMG. It is not available in your country." If there were any way to fix that, it would be greatly appreciated! That, too, is a great song -- in fact, I love EVERY song from this album... thanks again!!!!
Treebard 1 year ago
@sydlivy Thank you so much! I had this album years ago, loved it, lost it, and thanks to you, rediscovered it again. Color me grateful!
brownrecluse 10 months ago
@14leopold
Yes it's surprising. This is so beautiful.
cretan982 1 year ago
Brings back memories of my first "long term" relationship. Replace Valerie with Denise .... and you would have me as a blubbing mess in the corner. :)
redyellowblue001 3 years ago 5
for your thighs where the cushions of our love
what a line
garthoak 3 years ago 4
your thighs were the cushions of my love....
louvregroove 2 years ago
Thank you so much for this song! Looked everywhere for it a month or two ago. Much appreciated!
ellenlvx 3 years ago 7
Yep
sydlivy 3 years ago
So young, so full of teenage romance and heartbreak *sigh* Thanks so much for sharing this classic for us Elton fans, love it.
TinyDancer500 3 years ago 6