Where Have All The Good Times Gone?

[BiteUrLip]

Music: Elton John

Lyrics: Bernie Taupin

See the changes here on every street

As time goes marching to a different beat

Moving on into the restless age

As the kids today find their feet

(Long enough to hold on)


Young enough to chase our dreams

We were captured by romantic things

Touched by love until it made us cry

How our hearts could fly without wings


Oh won't somebody tell me

Tell me where have all the good times gone

Say that you remember

Remember all those good old Four Tops songs

Won't somebody tell me

Where have all the good times gone


Stolen moments in the smoky room

Monday mornings that would come too soon

Crazy summers that would never end

When the time was spent loving you

(Yeah we had a good time)


Some things never seem to last

Ain't it funny how we missed the past

Love has changed but the clock still turns

While the flame still burns for you


They've gone away

Gone they've gone away

Gone they've gone away

They've gone away


It's hard enough to lose the game

And sad to see it played again

What makes you happy for a while

Is gonna make you smile through the rain


Won't you please tell me where have all the good times gone

[BiteUrLip]

The alternative rockin' version kicks arse harder than this but this one's good too.

4½ stars.

[dougs]

"Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" from JUMP UP!

In 1982 Elton released an album of mostly upbeat pop songs combined with a couple of memorable ballads with the lyrics being shared by Bernie, Gary Osborne, and Tim Rice.  The album was primarily recorded at Montserrat and also in Paris.  "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" was a Bernie lyric and was given an R&B / Philly-soul treatment similar in ways to "Philadelphia Freedom."  Elton's band on record included familiar mates Dee Murray on bass, James Newton Howard on keyboards & arrangements, plus Ritchie Zito (played on THE FOX and toured with EJ on the 21 AT 33 tour) on guitars plus Jeff Porcaro on drums.  Gavin Wright contributed as orchestra leader.  Chris Thomas produced the album and the song.  Apparently Gary Osborne added some backing vocals to "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?".

Lyrically "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" is all about nostalgia and loss yet EJ delivers the song with spirit and reflective joy.  Elton tapped into his his lower register to start the song.  Combining nostalgia with R&B and soul, EJ picks up on Bernie's inclusion of Motown's famous Four Tops band in the lyric.   "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" found itself added to the 1982 JUMP UP! world tour setlist and would be delivered more like the "alternate version" which appeared as the B-side for the UK release of "All Quiet on the Western Front" and the B-side of the US release of "Ball and Chain" in November of 1982.  Strangely, neither single charted on the sales chart but "Ball and Chain" appeared at #14 on the US Rock chart.  The "alternate version" of "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?" is a much more rocking and edgier version than the version on JUMP UP!  The "alternate version" also found its way onto the JEWEL BOX on CD 6 - B-Sides Part One: 1976-1984.

Authors Bernardin & Stanton in their book called "Rocket Man" listed "Where Have All the Good Times Gone?" as one of five songs that should have been a US single for Elton.  They were probably correct.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

Doug

[rocketman]

4.5 stars...I think that 'Good Times' would have made a good single, and it's one of the stronger cuts on Jump Up!, perhaps the best song on the record, along with Empty Garden. One thing that stands out about the album is its pace, which, with the exception of Blue Eyes, remains up tempo pretty much all the way through until things slow a bit for 'Western Front'. The album is generally well-produced, while personnel contributions are quite minimal - is there an Elton John album with fewer personnel credits? Perhaps Elton wanted to return to a simpler lineup after making extensive use of various musicians and backing vocalists during the 21 at 33/The Fox sessions.

[newloneranger]

One of my favorites from this album.

5 stars

[nix]

5
A brilliant one... brilliant arrangements too.