Elton John - Tower of Babel (Captain Fantastic 2 of 13)

[goldenthug9]

I loved this song when this came out. I was maybe 14 or 15 singing it all the time not knowing the real meaning to it. Who was Betty Grable? "Junk" "Angel" wow lyrical amazement!!

[taighitu]

My fav album

Thanks for posting

[zisoul]

I wish ELTON would just make a great rockin' Album with just Davey,Nigel,Ray's background

pacution sound and Burnie's lyrics like his Classic years of the 70's and early 80's heyday.He

do dose not need 15 plus musicians with him on stage to play all the great Classic songs he

Bernie wrote. Peace.

[Terwhi75]

I can see Elton belting out this a Wembley 1975 thousands of people just quite no screaming to be had, just respect for this great artist.

[regpenny]

Gotta Love Bernie!!!

But where were all your shoulders when we cried

Were the doctors in attendance

Saying how they felt so sick inside

Or was it just the scalpel blade that lied

[davidhwalton]

Better lyrics were never written. "where were all your shoulders when we cried?"

Wow. Who writes like that? Nobody but my man Bernie.

[bretthejet60]

Dziak, who was The Brown Dirt Cowboy, and who was Captain Fantastic?

[bretthejet60]

Just like the King must die, 60 years on, ticking, I feel like a bullet (in the gun of robert ford), sweet painted lady, etc., most of his best music never got heard.

[davidhwalton]

"The dealers' in the basement filling your Prescription for a brand new heart attack."

My God, what brilliant lyrics.

[davidhwalton]

Who starts a song with "snow, cement, and ivory young towers?" A mad genius, that's who. Thanks Bernie.

[OrisLover]

This is my favorite song on this album. Really amazing.

[ajacoub]

This album with Yellow Brick... are the best albums Sir Elton made in his career, and are among the best in Rock music history. Masterpieces. Even he is great musician later commercial sucess is not even close to that work

[BeelaTeismar]

@ajacoub All his seventies output is beyond eternal quality. After that he tried other styles, yes tried never got it right. Also, he became a big commercial artist and that's where creativity stops. From 2001 'songs from the westcoast' to the recent 'the union' he's coming closer to himself finally.

[looking4thepast09]

my high school years in Las Vegas NV , man the years went fast. used to cut school and go to lake Mead get high, and put the eight track in dig Sir EJ

[Realness97]

loved this to death even before knowing the underlying messages and would surmise this was one album ahead of its time

[jodal38]

Three didn't like it. Three didn't like it!!!!!!

[polyestersuits4ever]

never understood why elton 'fired" dee and nigel after this album..what ever happened to if ain't broke don't fix it.. he was at the top of his career in the summer of '75..never did like rock of the westies.his followup to this one.

[OrisLover]

@polyestersuits4ever He thought they were trying to show him up. He was really being influenced by outside forces. Bernie Taupin had no say in the matter and took a totally Zen attitude towards the whole affair.

[wabbitstu]

@polyestersuits4ever : It was reported at the time that Elton "wanted a tougher sound" for his music (and the upcoming Rock of the Westies album). Ironically, on the album's sleeve credits, Elton puts in "This album is dedicated to Nigel Olsson and Dee Murray" as though it was supposed to be some kind of condolence. Fortunately, Dee and Nigel would reappear on Too Low for Zero, and rekindle Elton's music after a couple of dismal years after the Westies album.

[jguterman]

"Watch 'em dig their graves."

[MrBubble153]

hey !...I am only 2 years old..but wow this is a great song !...the 70's sound so cool ! ..well anyways...i have to go get my diapies changed and get a fresh bottle...but again, wow !... what a cool song and I love the 70's !!!

[faithlessaaa]

@MrBubble153 you write very well for your age

[skeeternew]

damn, am I this old?

[auggiedoggy]

@skeeternew : Are you this old? How about me? I remember buying his very first album in 1969! ;o)

[callmethebreeze61]

Wow, I shouldn't even lower myself to comment with some of the opinions of "hidden agendas" both political and musical! You will not destroy the innocence of my late teens playing this lp til the grooves were worn...just love the music for what it is..genius! I am a loyal fan of 40 years and will not compare each and every album...they are all beautiful! Elton and Bernie are like family to most of us...and yes we all know someone who knew or knows one or the other. I

[DSabbah]

truely a classic....



[TheDideyL]

Where were all the shoulders when I was being talked into sex? By sleezy males that talk so sweet until they get inside you?

[jason13204]

nigel really was the first drummer in my opinion to come out, especially with this album, and shoe the world different ways to drum besides speed and rhythem. He is a talent all on his own.

[Cristos08]

Makes me cry. So F*****g good.

[pbrick6301]

When I was a kid I liked this song somewhat but I didnt trust it.

When I got older it all became clear.

The guy singing it is mentally ill/.

[17865329]

@pbrick6301 Huh?

[gobceaglesgo]

eltons best song !!!

[canadianbacon007]

Tower Of Babel

The "mother" of all lies.

[tigerDJ36322]

Sir Elton's best album by far.

[98dublinz]

Other than Yellow Brick Road,which is like winning the Super Bowl as a rookie QB,Captain Fantastic is artistically unique and virtually perfect.Moving.

[KrazeWorld]

lol and he tries to say there is no hidden message in this song....LOL well maybe he is the only one who has not been told! God they really think we are fucking retards!

[17865329]

@KrazeWorld For the last time,it's about the fricking music industry and the sleazy industry people they dealt with on the way up. Why would Elton and Taupin lie about that, unlike you, they have NO agenda.

[KrazeWorld]

@17865329 so do you not realize that you agree with me when i say there is a hidden message. Whats your point? Read what i wrote again. He said there is NO message.

[17865329]

@KrazeWorld K

[17865329]

@KrazeWorld For the 4 thousandth time, the lyrics represent their (EJ and Taupin's) struggle to climb the ladder in the music business, the behaviour of the groupies, the A & R people, the frustration they felt because they weren't getting to record their songs, how the industry was treating them, the duplicity of the business. They aren't hiding anything, they're using these references to depict that. It's what the whole album is about, you nutjobs, and they EJ and Bernie, are laughing at u.

[tk3photo]

Man oh Man I forgot just how great this song is. I haven't listened to it in years and sounds better than ever compared to a lot of music today:)

[kevhead66]

Love this song. Fuck Allstate

[bbeboutuaa]

@kevhead66 They must have heard you cause now it's a Pizza Hut commercial

[neftalireyes8]

Don Logan would say: yes, yes, yes!

[todendorf77]

fantastique!!!  go sidlivy ///

[wenesdae]

wtf are you babbling about, go take your thorazine you sociopathic twit

[stickonfool]

It's my favorite EJ album by a mile. It's a mother f***er of a record. Both lyrically and musically stunning, it's right up there with Rumors.

[leafsfourever]

Who cares, really, just a good song, enjoy it...

[DougCanney1]

This album changed my life, not just as a musician. I had an......interesting childhood and I used to listen to this album front to back when I was consigned to my room {dungeon}. When I went on the road fulltimew playing music, I never played stuff like this but it walked with me. Now that I'm older, a comic and jaded I still listen to it and it moves me. I reckon it's a good thing people don't see me when I listen........sometimes.....

[wenesdae]

@DougCanney1 - JUST WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS, ANOTHER JADED  COMIC , EVERYONE'S A COMEDIAN ON UTUBE

[WoodRatGirl]

@wenesdae

You're the drama queen.

[P0ko4Sh0]

@wenesdae Ah, but thankfully. Not everyone on youtube is as ignorant as you. =]

[edsroraphael]

 exelente!!!!!

[alcarr99]

Elton's non hit album cuts are better

than most artists' hits...

[wegotorangeomg]

@alcarr99 I COMPLETELY AGREE!

[musictomyears8]

Actually his current music is at least as good as it was back then. But because he is pretty old and by no means a new entry to surpise anymore like he did in the1970's, people tend to compare him unfavourably with those days.

[CygnusRoc]

Great track.

Back in the 70's, my brother had a cassette of this album and I remember the hand propping up the piano in the picture looked like it had a trickle of blood running down it. Curiously, the vinyl version didn't have it on the cover for some reason. Not sure if it was there intentionally or not.

[Hot4Hutch]

Best song he ever wrote! Too bad it didn't get hardly any radio play back in the day. Love it. Love this album. Tumbleweed Connection another great album. Back in the 70's, all his albums were damn near perfect!!

[77edster]

what a great band and a great sound. if only records were made like this today

[dmcfng]

That Elton John, he was definitely a Captain Fantastic back then, his music is not as good these days. But as you probably know, he's still a brown dirt cowboy! To each their own i always say. I've got some questions that may give a few people heart attacks.

Do any of you have the answers?

[spd13062]

Spent many enjoyable years as a teen staring at that cover and trying, with my brother, to decipher all the lyrics of this incredible album. Masterpiece.

[cawobeth]

ohhh MJ...the truth shall prevail for love conquers all - - -

[francescsants]

One of the best and most undervalued Elton John songs

[doyoubarnes]

Whoa! It's been a LONG time since I've heard this song. I think music has regressed in some ways after hearing this again.

[BerlinLynn]

@doyoubarnes Absolutely!

[mickeyitaliano]

Man...this song reminds me of beingin an episode of "Freeks and Geeks"

[Starlitblond]

a great song...

.. the dealers in the basement.. filling your prescription for a brand new heart attack... (no doubt)

[Luxorishome]

The last album the original Elton john band made.

I loved this sound, Dee, Davy, Nigel, Elton and Ray Cooper.

Whole album is very haunting..

[BerlinLynn]

@Luxorishome  Both haunting AND poignant to me...

[Luxorishome]

@BerlinLynn

I found that the song Empty garden had the same traits as "someone saved my life tonight" dont you think ?

It coudl easly have come from captain Fantastic.. Bernie is a superb lyrycist, Eltons songs are not the same if bernie doesnt write the words..

[candelise]

@Luxorishome Actually, 'Two Low For Zero' had the same line-up save for percussionist Ray Cooper. Not a bad album either.

[Luxorishome]

@candelise

I didnt enjoy "too low" as much. I didnt know he reformed the old band, so thanks for that. Shame Dee Murray is now dead.

I see Nigel Ollsen and Davy Johnstone from time to time in E.J. Concerts.

Ray Cooper is a superb percussionist and still in demand from top artists. I last saw him with Eric Clapton and Andy Fareweatherlow..

[candelise]

@Luxorishome I was lucky to meet Gus Dudgeon about six months before his tragic death and he told me that Dee was a very unique bass player who would suggest certain things for bass a little too ambitous for a pop record.' We were not asking for Jaco Pastorious' Gus said. Dee would want to branch out, as most musicans of a certain ability do. By the way, have you seen Ray Cooper in the film 'Brazil'? He is in it at the beginning of the picture.

[Luxorishome]

@candelise

I havent seen Brazil, but I'll look it up. Never actually seen Ray speak, only perform..

This album has stood the test of time.. Loved the artwork too.. Alan Aldridge is much in the style of hieronymus bosch.

Enjoying all this album again.. I was 14 when this came out !! takes me right back and can remember every word.. Shame there's no music like that around these days..

[candelise]

@Luxorishome True, very much a Bosch influence, the way that you have to keep looking at the art because of the intense surreal detail. Actually, in case you don't know it, check out Bernies' book of lyrics. It has an Aldridge illustration on the cover. Elton and Bernies' songwriting was on such a roll back then, they seemingly couldn't put a foot wrong. I recall Elton saying that it was one album where he wouldn't change a thing on it. Today you do have to look around HARD for good stuff.

[Luxorishome]

@candelise

Ah Yes, I remember that, I bought the book.. "The one who writes the words"

I still have it somewhere... Hell of a job buying it when it first came out. Had to order it especially..

[Garyv1233]

when i was 14 (1975) i bought a stereo and this was my first album, love it always, it had an 8 track player and queens' "sheer heart attack" was my first 8 track tape

[weottertalk]

It's party time for the guys in the Tower of Babel. Soddom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel. Have a ball, y'all~

[weottertalk]

To me, this is the best Elton album ever. Every song on it is wonderful~

[17865329]

@weottertalk It is very good, but some feel Madman, tumbleweed, Don't shoot

me and GBYBR are even better.

[MoparBrion]

OK, now it's pretty clear what that "Brown Dirt Cowboy" stuff was all about... eyoouu...

[planethello]

What was it about?

[BerlinLynn]

@planethello Google "Sodom and Gomorrah"...it's from the bible...hint: where do you suppose the word "sodomy" came from? :-)

[candelise]

@BerlinLynn Oh, GASP!!!!

[BerlinLynn]

@candelise LOL, hope you're not TOO shocked!  :-)

[candelise]

@BerlinLynn I'll live, thanks.

[Luxorishome]

@MoparBrion

The Brown Dirt Cowboy related to Bernie Taupin the lyricist.. Not what you may think ;)

Bernie was the son of a Farmer in Market rasen in Lincolnshire. Bernie didnt want to be a "dirt cowboy" and used his gift of poetry to make a career..

Captain fantastic was of course Elton John..

[Essendy7920]

Another great song, Elton John I love you. you take my breath away with your great songs I come from up in the 70s, I know how it was. ^5 Elton John. Becky:)

[jhille85]

"Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain Meet Abel, and have a ball y'all..."

Well done Bernie.

[greatboniwanker]

Those greedy R's and "Blue" ball'd D's in DC should heed ...'cause Jesus don't save the guys in the tower of Babel, No No No...

[JNGHQ]

is that the tower of babel in the background of the album cover or is that something else?

[joewall44]

fag hello whad u think

[WHEREtheFUNK]

fkn A guitar work here

[eaglesgeo1]

RIGHT!!  The WHOLE BAND is GREAT!

[WHEREtheFUNK]

cause Jesus dont save the guys...in the Tower of Babel...no no no

[weottertalk]

Cause Jesus don't save the guys.....in the Tower of BABEL....

[LBjim]

This is his best album. Period..

[mumbolina]

@LBjim you got that right

[mommaistas]

@LBjim I totally agree, it was my first album and I still have it and play it all the time.

[17865329]

@LBjim Well it's very good, and these things are always subjective, but there are

plenty who would suggest Tumbleweed, Don't Shoot Me, or GBYBR, sorry, I forgot

to put: "period".

[RioRags]

@LBjim I got a degree in piano performance going on decades ago. I am hearing Elton John for the first time in my life today. Been listening all day and brewing beer. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is Better, don't be deceived by the popularity. Far as secular keyboard player bible themes, though he plays a lot of guitar on this album, try Mac as Dr. John on "Babylon."

[LBjim]

@RioRags GBYR is great but Captain Fantastic captures what Elton and Bernie were all about. Their autobiography @ the time.36 years later it still sounds great!! Dr. John kicks ass. My cousin was his mothers nurse @ an Orange County(California) resthome unfortunately she passed on a few years ago..Peace

[RioRags]

@LBjim I just saw Dr. John at Tipitina's in New Orleans. Read his autobiography and that of Willie "the lion' Smith. Trying to understand the history of piano as popular music instrument. Piano is dying because of its hegira from the popular venue. For "the lion" that was tin-pan alley and vaudeville. Thing is vaudeville had more cross over between pop and classical. Piano is harder than guitar as pop instrument. CF seems guitar centered, could be why you like it. Peace on you too

[concertfan100]

@LBjim ..i'll go one step further...the best album ever.

[TruthUnderFire]

I never get tired of this song.

[time903]

love this albulm

[sbcruiser]

Snow...Cement... Tamiflu... they;ll all kill ya!

DON'T GET A FLU SHOT!!!

DON'T TAKE TAMIFLU!!!

[twinone1956]

Captian Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy this album was the BEST Elton John has ever put together

[TruthUnderFire]

Arguably.....there are many.

[candelise]

@twinone1956 Don't forget Gus and Bernie! Altogether a real organised team that 'got the job done' many, many times.