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Emily
Jan 8, 2021 20:05:26 GMT
Post by BiteUrLip on Jan 8, 2021 20:05:26 GMT
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Bernie Taupin
Keyboards and vocals: Elton John
Drums, percussion and programming: Olle Romeo
Guitars: Davey Johnstone
Keyboards and programming: Guy Babylon
Bass: Pino Palladino
The church bells ring out morning glory
When summer bends to the winter's rage
Emily walks through the cemetery
Passed a dog in an unmarked grave
The old girl hobbles, nylons sagging
Talks to her sisters in the ground
I saw a lie in the mirror this morning
I heard a prophesy all around
And Emily they come and go
The shadows and the distant sounds
But Emily don't be afraid
When the weight of angels weighs you down
Emily prays to a faded hero
In a little frame clutched to her gown
Hears the voice of promise in his memory
Tonight's the night they let the ladder down
In a cage sits a gold canary
By a wicker chair and a rosewood loom
As a soul ascends abord the evening
Canary sings to an empty room
And Emily they come and go
The shadows and the distant sounds
But Emily don't be afraid
When the weight of angels weighs you down
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Emily
Jan 8, 2021 20:06:09 GMT
Post by BiteUrLip on Jan 8, 2021 20:06:09 GMT
Brilliant! The instrumental interlude is one of the prettiest melodies that EJ has brought us.
5 stars.
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Post by dougs on Jan 8, 2021 21:47:55 GMT
"Emily" from THE ONE:
"Emily" is one underrated song. Bernie's lyrics were so relevant on THE ONE and represented a mature look at issues and life facing people who are of adult age. The "Emily" lyric evokes images of an elderly woman who has outlived many friends and possibly her husband and is dealing with her advanced age and/or health and her death.
Musically, THE ONE was very contemporary for the time with the production by Chris Thomas having an electronic sheen. Olle Romo's drums added to this feel. The strong electric guitar from Davey underlies the song with power.
Seven songs from THE ONE have been played live in concert but, apparently, "Emily" has yet to be played. Interestingly, Elton was considering an "unplugged" setlist in 1993 after THE ONE tour. Whether this was a one-off performance or a series of concerts, it is not clear but "Emily" was apparently on the setlist with other songs such as "Mellow" and "Shoot Down The Moon" and "Breaking Hearts" and "Too Low For Zero" and "Cage the Songbird" and "High Flying Bird" amongst others. Too bad this never happened! It does show that Elton held "Emily" in high regard to be selected for such a setlist.
Rating: 5 stars
Doug
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Emily
Jan 9, 2021 18:15:55 GMT
Post by Commodore Orpington on Jan 9, 2021 18:15:55 GMT
For me, the 3 Bernie 90s albums each have a best song that stands with his classics: Emily from The One, Latitude from MIE, and January from BP.
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Post by rocketman on Jan 13, 2021 18:48:50 GMT
4 stars...I'd actually bump this up to 4.25. Like most songs on this record, a very consistent recording indeed, it's a solid effort by both Elton and Bernie. Lyrically, The One is among Bernie's better works. Musically, the song, as the album, is somewhat 'dark' in tone and texture, just like the album cover. Emily, in particular, is a rather somber tune, dealing with an older woman who finds herself alone later in life. Sad, poignant, and yet enjoyable nonetheless. When Bernie and Elton are at their best, they create melodic word-picture stories that are among the best in pop/rock.
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Emily
Jan 15, 2021 16:56:55 GMT
Post by newloneranger on Jan 15, 2021 16:56:55 GMT
Pretty good song, lots of good ones on this album.
5 stars
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