Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters

[BiteUrLip]

Music: Elton John

Lyrics: Bernie Taupin

Piano and vocals: Elton John

Bass: Dee Murray

Mandolins and guitar: Davey Johnstone


And now I know

Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say

I thought I knew

But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City


Until you've seen this trash can dream come true

You stand at the edge while people run you through

And I thank the Lord there's people out there like you

I thank the Lord there's people out there like you


chorus:


While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers

Turn around and say good morning to the night

For unless they see the sky

But they can't and that is why

They know not if it's dark outside or light


This Broadway's got

It's got a lot of songs to sing

If I knew the tunes I might join in

I'll go my way alone

Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown in New York City


Subway's no way for a good man to go down

Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found

I thank the Lord for the people I have found


(repeat chorus)


And now I know

Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say

I thought I knew

But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City


Subway's no way for a good man to go down

Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found

I thank the Lord for the people I have found


(repeat chorus)

[BiteUrLip]

I adore this song, and so do many else. Musically, it's one of the most beautiful tunes Elton has brought us. The lyrics is somewhat a little problem for me because of the negative vibe ("and the hobo he can drown"), I don't understand why to make it double sided, it doesn't make me feel good... If it has to be about the craziness of the city, then it should be told in a different way and the music should be different too. You can't say it's wonderful if the hobo can drown.

Anyway, it still gets a very high score.

5 stars.

[dougs]

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" from HONKY CHATEAU:

In 1972 EJ and his touring band, for the first time playing throughout an Elton studio album, headed off to rural France and the supposedly haunted Chateau d'Hierouville which inspired the album's title.  The band comprised Nigel & Dee and now Davey.  Towards the end of the recording sessions came "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters."  The song was based on Bernie's first trip to Manhattan when a man was shot in the street in front of their hotel.  Welcome to New York!  For "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" the musical accompaniment was just EJ on piano, Dee on bass plus Davey on mandolins and acoustic guitar.  The mandolins really add that something extra special to the song.  Producer Gus Dudgeon stated that the song is "a magic song with a magic performance, and a great lyric."  Even Rolling Stone magazine applauded the song by saying "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" shows what John can do in the space of a single cut (song)."

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" must be considered one of those classic album tracks from Elton.  EJ stated that it was "one of my all-time favorites...I always thought it was one of my most underrated songs."  After "Rocket Man" it is the next most played song live in concert from Honky Chateau.  Elton has played it live throughout his career;  1972, 1973, once in 1986, 1989-91, 1993-96, and only missing two years between 1998 and 2018.  "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" took on a much deeper meaning on the 2001 SONGS FROM THE WEST COAST tour.  With the tragedy of 9-11, Elton performed it with added emotion and the fans felt every bit of it responding with extended applause and tears.  It stood out at The Concert For New York City when on October 20, 2001 Elton performed it with added emotion.

Most fans know that "Tiny Dancer" was used in the Cameron Crowe film "Almost Famous" in 2000.  Also featured in the movie was "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" which helped propel the film's soundtrack to a Grammy victory.  Elton also wrote a "Part 2" for the song which appeared in an upbeat celebration on 1988's REG STRIKES BACK.

Rating: 5 to 5 1/2 stars

Doug

[rocketman]

4.5 stars...In every way, a classic, and one of the most recognizable non-singles in Elton's career. The only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5-star rating is that I personally like the song a lot but it just isn't among my favorites, even on the Honky Chateau album.

That said, I really like how it's used on Elton John vs Pnau. Good Morning To The Night is a smart use of the lyric, and adds an interesting flavor and a preview for the rest of the Pnau album, which has grown on me almost exponentially from when i first hear it.

[newloneranger]

Pretty good, The song is about new york which i know nothing about.

4 1/2 stars