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Post by BiteUrLip on May 6, 2020 19:09:23 GMT
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Bernie Taupin
I'm not a rat to be spat on locked up in this room
Those bars that look towards the sun at night look towards the moon
Everyday the swallows play in the clouds of love
Make me wish that I had wings take me high above
And I looked high and saw the empty sky
If I could only, I could only fly
I'd drift with them in endless space
But no man flies from this place
At night I lay upon my bench and stare towards the stars
The cold night air comes creeping in and home seems oh so far
If only I could swing upon those twinkling dots above
I'd look down from the heavens upon the ones I love
Hey the lucky locket hangs around your precious neck
Some luck I ever got with you and I wouldn't like to bet
That sooner or later you'll own just one half of this land
By shining your eyes on the wealth of every man
Just send up my love ain't seen nothing but tears
Now I've got myself in this room for years
I don't see no one, I never see anyone
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Post by dougs on May 6, 2020 20:03:33 GMT
"Empty Sky" from EMPTY SKY:
Elton & Bernie's first official album was the 1969 release of EMPTY SKY. This is an album and song produced by Steve Brown and has Caleb Quaye on guitar. Caleb was an instrumental colleague in those earliest of days and reappeared later on Elton's ROCK OF THE WESTIES and BLUE MOVES as did drummer Roger Pope. On the opening track "Empty Sky" we see Elton, Caleb, Roger, and bassist Tony Murray plus Graham Vickery on harmonica and Don Fay on flute do an amazing job creating a Stones-influenced lengthy (8 1/2 minute) rock song. The song opens interestingly with Caleb Quaye on congas who stated "we were copying the Stones on the title track." The EMPTY SKY album had a 1969 release in the UK but the US never saw the release until 1975. Interestingly, Elton never played this one live until he brought Caleb and Roger back into the band in 1975. "Empty Sky" was then added to the set list for both the 1975 and 1976 tours being extended even further to 15 minutes or more. The original recording was done in an 8-track studio at Dick James Music Studios in London (analogue tape and no high-tech wizardry!). The vocals were done by Elton in a really cool way; Elton stated that he remembered "doing the vocal in the stairwell to get that echo." Lots of creative ideas by mostly young musicians here.
"Empty Sky" is one that Elton continues to enjoy and respect. Elton said "I love it to death...(it) has something magical about it." It is one song that I never stop playing; both the original studio version and the 1975 and 1976 live versions which are on YouTube. This is one impressive opening track on a debut album done by young musicians all trying to find their way into a career in music. Another comment from Elton recalling how he felt immediately after recording "Empty Sky": "I remember when we finished work on the title track - it just floored me."
Elton added "Empty Sky" as the opening track to the "And This Is Me" disc from the colossal JEWEL BOX release in 2020.
Rating: 5 stars (I'd give it a "6" for how much I like it!!)
Doug
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Post by BiteUrLip on May 7, 2020 12:31:08 GMT
I've never liked this as much as I probably should. I think it's slightly boring as a rock song. I'm not impressed of the intro and the part where music goes silent and then loud again, I think it just doesn't work. 4 stars.
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Post by nix on May 8, 2020 7:54:15 GMT
3 not bad, but not impressed
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Post by newloneranger on May 9, 2020 20:59:32 GMT
My favorite on this album.
5 stars
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Post by rocketman on May 16, 2020 18:39:58 GMT
4.5 stars...a cool opener to an opening album, hinting strongly at the nature of much of Elton John's future work, which would include songs with obvious influences from the bands and musicians that Elton listened to extensively as he honed his craft throughout the early years of his life and career. The song lends itself well to live performance as it largely sounds that way on the album.
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