Msg #10 Poems Of Disillusion: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

There is a list of useful links at the base of this email.

Personal Learning Notes

I've been going to as many run-throughs as I can locally - lucky to have so many. Making some good improvements, and also really enjoying hearing other people's improvements over time.

I finally started Vict'ry Road this weekend.  It sounded simple to learn, then it wasn't, then it was simple again.  I'm currently back in the "it's hard" phase again. :-)  As a bass, let me tell you: miss one breath and you are toast.  Get all the breaths right, and it's really fun to sing.

Slowing Down Tracks

I'd posted this in a separate email - but if you want to make a slow version of a learning track, it's easy with Audacity.

1. Download the free software and install.
2. Open the original file with Audacity.
3. Select the entire song (Ctrl-a).
4. From the top menu choose Effects->Slow tempo.
5. Enter -20 for the percentage and select High Quality.
6. Press the button to start the process.
7. When done use File/Export and save as a WAV file under a new name.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Dwight), what can we say about him? A Commander of the Order of the British Empire (an award of a non-hereditary Knighthood shortened to OBE), he has released more successful music than almost anyone in our time.  From his first Grammy Award nominations in 1971, through his first Brit Award nomination in 1977 (for the Album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road) to having 3 Academy Award nominations for best song in the same year (all from The Lion King) he's been a tour de force.

He has (let's count them): 1 Academy Award (and 2 nominations), 5 Brit Awards including a person Brit Icon (and 10 nominations), 6 Grammy Awards (and 25 nominations), 1 Tony Award (and 3 nominations).  Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame. And many more, plus the Knighthood.  Young Reggie done all right for himself. :-)  And, of course, he has reaped great financial rewards for his success.  One of the first major celebrities to come out, back in the 80s, he is married and has two children.

His musical partner Bernie Taupin tends to write lyrics, send them to Elton who separately writes the music.  This song was written and released in 1973, It was an instant hint and is arguably their most successful collaboration.  Biographies online says that Taupin's first movie viewing experience was The Wizard Of Oz, and it has been a strong influence on him.  It may be no coincidence that he was raised on a farm.

The Wizard Of Oz is, as everyone knows, a traveling bildungsroman. :-)  The youthful girl goes on a voyage of self discovery to the magical city, making friends on the way.  The discovery at the end is that there is no magic city, no powerful wizard - but that each character has always had within them that which they most desired.  The path they took, the metaphor for the road to power and magic, is the Yellow Brick Road.

In our song, the anonymous character has also traveled his own virtual yellow brick road - becoming a boy-toy to an anonymous wealthy person of unknown gender.  He is at a moment of self-discovery, and it's time for a change. He chased a dream, but ended up a pampered pretty little pet, and he's tired of it. And a bit angry: his ex-lover is a bit of a tidbit that a mongrel like him searches out. The good-times illusion is over and it's time to go back to the farm and reality.  All of this set to a relentlessly happy-sounding up tune. [Updated thanks to Bruce Pacht]

This song is so cheery and melodious, it's hard to sing it with the direct anger that the lyrics contain. Perhaps sing it un-ironically - letting the lyrics tell the tale themselves.

Oh, and here's a Texas Horny Toad, in case you were wondering.   

Video Links

• Good old Elton himself, singing it in 1973.
• A duet with Billy Joel and Elton, live in 2000. (Skip to 41 seconds)
• Sara Bareilles turns it into a really sad song.
• Hunter Hayes does a countrified version...

Useful Links

• The NEHB Preparedness Blog.
• Critical Information About The Rally
• Run Through Calendar
• Tools for recording yourself
• Map of participants
• If you have to withdraw (before Aug 1, 2018)
• Additional learning tracks available to attendees, order from Music VP Will Johnson
• $15 per part, electronic only
• $17 per part, electronic + CD plus $3 shipping per order
• It's not too late to add the Challenge Song "Victr'y Road".
• Contact Joe Dempsey for more information.
• Travel Assistance (questions to Mark Schuldenfrei)
• If You Need A Ride From The Airport
• If You Need A Ride To The Airport
• If You Can Offer A Ride
• If you are using other transit, send me an email.