Elton/Bernie Lyric Recognition Quiz

Answer: opportunity

From the song "Sweet Painted Lady" from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"(1973). This song is about sailors who have just come off a ship and go to a brothel near the docks. The "sweet painted ladies" are the prostitutes. This song was written in Jamaica but not recorded there due to political reasons. This song is the only song on the album where Elton's voice comes before instruments!

Answer: his fair share of days

From the song "Western Ford Gateway" from "Empty Sky"(1969). "Empty Sky" was released in the UK in 1969 and in the US in 1975. This album was very experimental for both Elton John and Bernie Taupin; it was the first album they released as a team.

Answer: Chloe

From the song "Chloe" from "The Fox"(1981). This album is one of Elton's more melodic albums. Although it wasn't celebrated by critics, it is considered one of his best albums by fans. This song is about the criticism that Elton has to live with and that he doesn't care about it. The song "Elton's Song", also from this album, was banned from radio play because of the main subject; homosexual love.

Answer: Elton's ego

From the song "Ego" from "A Single Man"(1978). Approaching a time when Elton and Bernie went their own ways for a while, Elton decided to pick up some of Bernie's old lyrics and among them was "Ego". This song was released as a single but didn't do so well, although it is greatly appreciated in the Elton John fan community.

Answer: a doormat

From the song "First Episode at Hienton" from "Elton John"(1970). One of the most beautiful and deep Bernie Taupin lyrics. This song is suspected to be about a little place called "Hainton" in Lincolnshire, where Bernie Taupin was born. There isn't much consent about what the song might be trying to say, however the superficial facts are: There is a woman called Valerie, she might have used the singer to replace her true love while he was gone, and that now they are no longer together.

Answer: his tie

From the song "Honey Roll" from "Friends"(1971). "Friends" is the title of the film that Elton and Bernie wrote for. The film is about an English boy who meets a French girl. They both run away and have a go at making a family but are separated in the end.

Answer: this ship- the tide has turned on you

From the song "Shine On Through" from "A Single Man"(1978). Also from the period when Elton and Bernie were doing independent projects, although some of the lyrics from this album are Bernie's. This song was performed by Elton John on the "Morcambe and Wise Show" to two men dressed as women.

Answer: scarlet red

From the song "High Flying Bird" from "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player" (1972). Popularly shortened to "Don't Shoot Me", the album was recorded in France and featured the main Elton John Band line-up, that is: Davey Johnstone (guitar and strings), Dee Murray (bass), Nigel Olsson (Drums)and Elton John on vocals and piano.

Answer: mellow

From the song "Mellow" from "Honky Chateau" (1972). Also recorded in France, this album contained one of Elton's greatest successes, "Rocket Man". "Honky Chateau" was very well received by critics.

Answer: Roy Rogers

From the song "Roy Rogers" from "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973). This song is about the singer-actor Roy Rogers who was most popular in the 50s. The album was also recorded in France and is regarded as Elton's greatest album because of its fantastic content. The album contains, among others: "Bennie and the Jets", "Candle in the Wind", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting".