According to an interview with Elton in 1984 (by Paul Gambaccini), it took him 6 months to write this song for the Beach Boys, but they turned it down. When Elton recorded it, they sang on it.
Written for the Beach Boys - and Brian Wilson didn't like it ! - If you want to do something and make a good job of it - do it yourself. And that's exactly what EJ did!
@jnoble12 Ironically, I like them non-layered :D. Probably like this better than the studio version :).
@RKLuffy88 The uploaded album is running a bit faster, hence the high vocals.
'Blue Moves' is really expensive to buy at the moment (OOP I assume) - it would have been better as a one disc album (as Gus Dudgeon supposedly wanted during production).
A very good demo of a brilliant song from Blue Moves. Elton's voice is exceptionally high here. I prefer the Blue Moves version over this one, but it is still a very good demo.
yes, but he may have sang it higher than usual because he had written this song for the beach boys (who declined it, so elton recorded it himself...and the beach boys did the backing vocals!)
@pudljumper I believe you are correct. I'm sure this song was written well before the rest of Blue Moves as he performed it in 1975 when he performed the entire Captain Fantastic album.
@brianxyz thanks brian. yes, i'm sure of it now as i have seen an interview of elton himself saying exactly that. i saw on here but can't find it anymore :/
as 4 the beach boys singing backing vocals on this song, i'm sorry! not really. (i had heard that once) bruce johnson is the only 'member' of the beach boys credited as backing vocals along with many others including backup singers 4 the beach boys (toni tennille, curt becher, joe chemay). they r all credited as backing vocals on the album so i am uncertain which songs (maybe not chameleon). i'm sorry 4 the misinformation, and hope this is not 2 confusing.
According to an interview with Elton in 1984 (by Paul Gambaccini), it took him 6 months to write this song for the Beach Boys, but they turned it down. When Elton recorded it, they sang on it.
chenlung1 7 months ago
Nothing but the best ;D
Rocketman2396 8 months ago
OMG! wen i look at this albhum cover im wisk to a rehlm that only i
THESOULbornold 1 year ago
Comment removed
SaturnTrack 1 year ago
Written for the Beach Boys - and Brian Wilson didn't like it ! - If you want to do something and make a good job of it - do it yourself. And that's exactly what EJ did!
waldenhouse 1 year ago
@waldenhouse In spite of that, couple of the beach boys provided backing vocals for Elton's version :)
eltonator 1 year ago
I like the demo better :).
Would love it in better quality and the full song.
chenlung1 1 year ago
very tragic and expressive demo.reminds me the abandoned railways in São Paulo.
demaeignes 2 years ago
where can i get this cd?
pinkepommes 2 years ago
ej's the best!
eltonj4ever 2 years ago
so beautiful
Kilmartin3310 3 years ago
Of course I gave 5 starts... Only because it is Elton. He deserves 6/5 stars!!!
Greekpeople1 3 years ago 9
This is amazing...
WhisperLady023 3 years ago
That's my fav from that album. I love the layered vocals on the line "oh chameleon you're stealing your way back into my eyes"
jnoble12 4 years ago
@jnoble12 Ironically, I like them non-layered :D. Probably like this better than the studio version :).
@RKLuffy88 The uploaded album is running a bit faster, hence the high vocals.
'Blue Moves' is really expensive to buy at the moment (OOP I assume) - it would have been better as a one disc album (as Gus Dudgeon supposedly wanted during production).
chenlung1 1 year ago
A very good demo of a brilliant song from Blue Moves. Elton's voice is exceptionally high here. I prefer the Blue Moves version over this one, but it is still a very good demo.
RKLuffy88 4 years ago 6
yes, but he may have sang it higher than usual because he had written this song for the beach boys (who declined it, so elton recorded it himself...and the beach boys did the backing vocals!)
pudljumper 3 years ago
pudjumper: really? I'll have to research the Beach Boys thing...
MoveOnDotOrgg 3 years ago
he did write 'chameleon' 4 the beach boys and they declined it - i've seen this referenced several times.
pudljumper 3 years ago
@pudljumper I believe you are correct. I'm sure this song was written well before the rest of Blue Moves as he performed it in 1975 when he performed the entire Captain Fantastic album.
brianxyz 1 year ago
@brianxyz thanks brian. yes, i'm sure of it now as i have seen an interview of elton himself saying exactly that. i saw on here but can't find it anymore :/
pudljumper 1 year ago
as 4 the beach boys singing backing vocals on this song, i'm sorry! not really. (i had heard that once) bruce johnson is the only 'member' of the beach boys credited as backing vocals along with many others including backup singers 4 the beach boys (toni tennille, curt becher, joe chemay). they r all credited as backing vocals on the album so i am uncertain which songs (maybe not chameleon). i'm sorry 4 the misinformation, and hope this is not 2 confusing.
pudljumper 3 years ago
Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
garystaley 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I think this demo is playing at the wrong speed, hence the higher voice. Horrible quality.
jnoble12 3 years ago
wonderful
ElVirtual 4 years ago
Chameleon is an awesome song amoung many others from Blue Moves. I like hearing the demos from my favorite songs, Thanks!
kylebedient 4 years ago