Skyline Pigeon

[hellolabgroup]

anyone have the sheet music for this song?

[solmander]

I love this version, I dont think that the piano version did it any justice. I do wish he would re-record this again using the same instrumentation in a better studio to get rid of the tinny echo.

[countrygal0831]

My favorite version of this song!! How unbelievably freaking beautiful!!!

[jtaforJesus]

@catherinecraft . i'm really, really sorry about your brother...i wish i had some song or something that my brother and i shared when we were little. but this song was mine too.

[jtaforJesus]

FINALLY!!!! i didn't think i would ever find the harpsichord version! it's the first and the BEST!!! thank you...you,ve no idea the lift this has given me today!!!

[judmurph]

I vote for the harpsichord version over the later piano version but the 1976 Edinburgh solo rules. How many other harpsichord-based pop songs are there? EJ starting out outside the box. I think the rustic nature of the harpsichord fits the emotion of Bernie's lyric better than the piano. Empty Sky was recorded on a shoestring was maybe a small step up from a demo. The channels are poorly balanced: the vocal is all left channel and the rest is almost all right channel.

[sjplwc]

No, I can't. EJ singing it while pounding on a tin can would have set it apart, as well. That wouldn't have made it better, :O)

[sjplwc]

Both versions are strikingly stripped down, esp. considering the overly produced stuff that predominates today - essentially just EJ's voice and the instrument. The harpsichord version, however, is TOO stripped down -- the vocals and the harp. are too thin. EJ is lacking energy in this version -- more urgency in the other one.And something is off with the sound, almost as though they recorded in an empty garage somewhere. I guess we disagree on this one.

Re the missing vowel, take one: aeiou

[sjplwc]

Nice, but let me respectfully disagree with those who say this is better than EJ's piano version. I'm not getting that at all. The harpsichord cover is lovely and different, certainly, but the piano version is one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. For those who have never heard it, I suggest you check it out.

[chriswales19]

What a great idea ! Leave it with me !

[chriswales19]

Woah! How did I not know about this song ! Amazing, adore the harpsichord in it !

[forloveoffilm]

Thanks for posting the "Empty Sky" cut of this gem of a poem. All glory and honour are yours, almighty Bernie Taupin. Forever and ever.

[MrBertstown]

I wish Elton John and Billy Joel would sing this song together at concerts.

[shiningkingghidora]

They have at MSG in 2000

[pedrocur]

With this song, Elton John has really shown that he was in the world of music. This

is a real classic and by far his most beatiful song. Thanks for posting this original version which is even better.

[someoneyoullneversee]

this might just be my favorite elton john song

[501W]

Original version!! thanks for posting!

[abuhka]

This is the original. Never bettered. 1969 was a great year, wasn't it just! Thanks for posting it.

[rasTeachLuv]

thanks for the original version of this classic...the harpsichord and organ are just beautiful!!!!!not to mention Elton's voice!

[shrivel1]

This is the version I remember from the Empty Sky album. The lyrics are beautiful.

[eltonj4ever]

haha nice

[vivafilipinas21]

My favorite song especially when I'm inside the beer house

[ranchoboyeros]

i like the other version better..this one is awesome nonetheless

[meraxso]

good.......i like this song

[4kolb4]

terrible dont like the way it was sung

[j34p747]

best elton's song!

[xxQueenRulesxx]

i love both versions of this.. the piano is very beautiful in its simplicity but its also nice to hear the added layer of the harpsichord.. they're both wonderful and its nice to hear the different sounds of the same song.. =] x

[msinthrop]

i prefer the version on the album with the BETTER ending.

[sess441]

Get screwed, the lot of you, you don't know what your talking about!

I have 'grown up' listening to elton john, in fact he grew up not far from where I live (although I never met him) He and bernie taupin are absolute legends (without one, there is not the other).............just remember that! bernie writes the words and elton writes the music!

[chenlung1]

lol

I completely agree with bazz2202 (I'm a pianist too - not biased!) and I actually sped the song up to F-major (in Audacity - try it!) in addition - it gives it an alternate feel to the original Eb Major. This one has more depth with the strings and the likes - Elton's voice had developed a bit more since. The Harpsichord does capture the essence of breaking out, but this does it performance-wise for me. No-one's wrong really :P.

He doesn't perform it now - maybe because of Ryan White.

[chenlung1]

Both have merits, but I lean towards the piano as well :).

[twinky2907]

i love skyline pigeon,the music, the lyrics, elton john; but this version is even more lovable....so, this is harpsichord....it is simply W O W ! ! !

[bazz2202]

The other version is so much better - with a proper piano

Has much more depth

[hunchybunker]

You are wrong. This is way better.

[bazz2202]

U think so? Well I like this one, its just that I can play the piano version myself!

[hunchybunker]

A ha! You are biased! Objectively, this harpsichord version is much much better.

[bazz2202]

Well sorry if u think that mate, but I prefer the piano version myself - that's not to say that you're "wrong" in liking the harpsichord version more, it's just my personal preference. I don't think you can look at two songs objectively - these two versions are completely different, and to try to compare them as the same composition would not be doing justice to the skill involved in trying to make a separate verson of the song sound as good.

[hunchybunker]

quoting twinky2907 "this version is even more lovable"

[bazz2202]

Yes - more lovable maybe, but I prefer the sadness of the verses, and the uplifting second chorus of the piano version.

What else makes you prefer this one?

[hunchybunker]

The harpsichord's delicacy echoes the fragility of the kid who is leaving home for the first time. Dreaming of the open, waiting for the day.

[bazz2202]

Yeah, I see what you mean. I must admit, this version has grown on me

[hunchybunker]

OK I'll go listen to the piano version again. cheers bazz

[hunchybunker]

The piano version was the B-side to Daniel. By then, Reg & Bernie had already spread their wings. So it's more like they're looking backward, no longer longing to bust out, as in this earlier version.

[sjplwc]

I'm gonna throw in with bazz2202 on this one, hunchybunker. Sorry!

[WhisperLady023]

And what kind of piano is that?

[hunchybunker]

It is a harpsichord.

[WhisperLady023]

It sounds good!

[hunchybunker]

Wikipedia says his philosophy was "If in doubt, write a hymn!"

[WhisperLady023]

Hahaa =D!!! Go Elton (H)

[WhisperLady023]

OMG! This is so.. so.. WOW! Where the hell did you get it from?

[plyg]

elton sounds like he,s 20 or 21.

[72miche19]

Still one of his most beautiful songs.

[jvmarie2010]

this is probably one of eltons best songs ever its absolutly amazing in the lyric and music sense he is absoluty music royalty thank you the video

[Opalwitley]

Yeah, this was from the Empty Sky album, his first. He was just a baby. Drunk karaoke bar singer indeed. Jeesh, who are you? Simon? LOL. The video could use some more photos though.

[kilikiler]

i like this song, but the one who sung it seems got drunk in a karaoke bar

[wonderdog1211]

The one who is singing this is Elton John, himself! I recognize it from the album I bought way back in the '70's. It was one of his first albums, so his voice is quite young and has a higher quality.