When it was released in 'The Classic Years' collection, it was the first album not to feature any bonus tracks. One known track recorded at the time, "Rock Me when He's Gone," was released on Rare Masters a few years before. The song was written for and recorded by one of John's long-time friends, Long John Baldry. This was John's first album in which he plays his piano and no other keyboards. This was the first album in which Davey Johnstone played guitar for John, a role that would continue for many years and decades to come.
John, Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson, who would be the main musicians on the next album (Honky Chateau), would soon join with percussionist Ray Cooper and form the best-known line-up of his mid-1970s band. As with all John songs during this period, the lyrics were penned by his writing partner, Bernie Taupin. This was the last album to be recorded at London's Trident Studios. They relocated to Château d'Hérouville for the next three albums.
This was John's lowest charting album in the UK after his debut, only reaching #41. In the U.S., Madman Across the Water managed to reach #8 in early 1972 on the Billboard 200, and was certified Gold in 1972. It was later certified Platinum in 1993 and 2× Platinum in 1998.
addendum :
Production
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Engineer: Robin Geoffrey Cable
Remastering: Tony Cousins
Editing: Gus Skinas
Digital transfers: Ricky Graham
Surround sound: Greg Penny
Assistant: Crispin Murray
Orchestra contractor: David Katz
Choir director: Robert Kirby
Arranger: Paul Buckmaster
Tiny Dancer
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand
And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
Jesus freaks out in the street
Handing tickets out for God
Turning back, she just laughs
The boulevard is not that bad
Piano man, he makes his stand
In the auditorium
Looking on, she sings the songs
The words she knows, the tune she hums
But oh, how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you, and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand
Now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
Oh, how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you, and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
The lyrics of "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John can be interpreted as a nostalgic reflection on the life of a young woman in the music industry, who is remembered fondly by the singer. The first verse describes the woman's appearance and occupation - she is a "blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band," with a pretty face and a charming smile. The singer acknowledges that she will likely marry one of the musicians she works with. The next line, "Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand," suggests that the woman was also a talented dancer. The final line of the verse - "And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand" - implies that the woman continues to live on in the singer's memory and influence his life, even though she may no longer be alive or physically present.
The second verse portrays a contrasting scene, with "Jesus freaks" handing out religious tracts on the street. The woman in question laughs at their devotion, suggesting that she is not religious. The next lines describe the setting of an auditorium, with a "piano man" playing music while the woman listens and sings along. The chorus repeats twice, with the singer asking the woman to hold him close like a "tiny dancer" and count the headlights on the highway. The lines "Lay me down in sheets of linen / You had a busy day today" show that the singer is seeking comfort and intimacy from the woman.
Overall, "Tiny Dancer" is a poignant and wistful portrait of a young woman whose influence lingers on in the memories of those she touched. The lyrics are filled with nostalgia and longing for a simpler time in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
A young woman from Los Angeles, perhaps a seamstress, possibly even for musicians, who favors blue jeans.
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
This woman has a charming personality and captivating eyes. Elton thinks she'll likely end up marrying a musician.
Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand
Elton recalls having seen this woman dancing incredibly gracefully, almost as if she were a ballerina, on a sandy beach.
And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
Despite not having seen her in some time, Elton carries fond memories of this woman, almost as if she is always with him, like a tiny dancer figurine he keeps in his hand.
Jesus freaks out in the street
Elton observes religious fanatics sharing their message in public spaces.
Handing tickets out for God
These religious fanatics are giving out pamphlets or otherwise attempting to persuade others to join their faith.
Turning back, she just laughs
The woman in Elton's memory seems unfazed by the religious pamphlets or perhaps amused by the sight.
The boulevard is not that bad
Elton suggests that there are worse things than the fervent religious persuasion present on the boulevard.
Piano man, he makes his stand, in the auditorium
In contrast to the religious fanatics, Elton remarks that a musician is making a statement or performing on stage, possibly in an auditorium.
Looking on, she sings the songs, the words she knows, the tune she hums
During the performance that Elton references, the woman he remembers sings along to the tunes, even humming when she doesn't know the words.
But oh, how it feels so real, lying here with no one near
Elton reflects on the sense of being alone, with no one near for comfort.
Only you, and you can hear me, when I say softly, slowly
Elton directs his words to someone he trusts and connects with deeply, speaking softly and slowly as if to share secret thoughts.
Hold me closer, tiny dancer, count the headlights on the highway
Elton asks the person he is speaking to - possibly someone he is in a romantic relationship with - to hold him closely and count the passing headlights from cars on the highway outside.
Lay me down in sheets of linen, you had a busy day today
Elton yet again requests affection and comfort, asking to be made comfortable in soft sheets and acknowledging the busy day the other person has had.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernie Taupin, Elton John
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
not like todays crap
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
Even at 56 years old, this music still sounds so good to me, how music should sound.....