In 1970 the band was involved in an automobile accident which claimed the life of Nick Pantas, whom the band decided not to replace. After recovering from his injuries, Doug Thaler quit the band, and was replaced by Micky Lee Soule. (Upon leaving in 1972, Thaler moved to New York and got a job as a booking agent — Elf was one of the bands he booked. In 1983, he became co-manager of Mötley Crüe. Present day he works at Metropolitan Talent as an artist manager, working with artists such as Art Garfunkel, Bruce Hornsby & Ratdog).
Cover of Elf's debut self-titled album was produced by Deep Purple members Roger Glover and Ian Paice, who happened to see Elf auditioning in 1972. For the next few years, the band enjoyed mild success as an opening act for Deep Purple.
Dio both sang and played the bass guitar until, in 1973, bass player Craig Gruber was asked to join. The same year saw Feinstein quit the band, to be replaced by Steve Edwards. Feinstein formed a band called The Rods, which met with a moderate amount of success, touring with groups such as Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, as well as Metallica, before finally retiring from the music industry. He would not return to the music scene until 2004, when his band, Feinstein, released the album Third Wish on the Magic Circle Music label.
In 1974, Dio was asked by Glover to sing on his solo album The Butterfly Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast. Dio's rich, soulful voice gained the attention of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore who had just left Deep Purple and was looking for musicians for his first solo album, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow. He decided to use Elf for this album, and the band Rainbow was thus formed, with Blackmore replacing Edwards. After they finished recording the album, however, Driscoll, Gruber, and Soule were replaced by Cozy Powell, Jimmy Bain and Tony Carey, who played with Dio and Blackmore during the subsequent tour. In early 1975 percussionist Mark Nauseef joined Elf, but the group disbanded shortly afterwards
for the Slime singer's project see ELF.
Wonderworld
Elf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take me, I'm real
Sail away, into the sun
I'm everyone
Wake me, I dream
I'm what I seem
Drift away, into the night
I am the sky
Help you to fly
Catch your wind
It's love I bring
I'm everything
I am the sea
Always to be
Drift away, into the night
I'm the light
I'm a fire
Burning higher
Trying to burn the sun
But don't you know
The rules just won't apply
Who am I
Wake me, I dream
Now I'm what I seem
So sail away, into the sun
Cause I'm everyone, yeah
Touch me, I feel
Take me, I'm real
Drift away, into the night
I'm the light
The lyrics to Elf's song Wonderworld are an invitation to escape reality and immerse oneself in a world of wonder and imagination. The opening lines "Touch me, I feel, Take me, I'm real" may suggest that the singer is searching for meaning and connection in a world that often feels unreal and superficial. The idea of sailing away into the sun and being everyone suggests a desire for oneness, unity, and spiritual transcendence.
The second verse "I am the sky, Help you to fly, Catch your wind, It's love I bring, I'm everything" further develops this theme of spiritual transcendence and oneness. The singer becomes the sky, an entity that is intimately connected to nature and is associated with freedom and perspective. The lines "Catch your wind, It's love I bring" suggest that the singer is offering guidance to the listener, helping them to navigate their own journey through life.
The bridge "I'm a fire, Burning higher, Trying to burn the sun, But don't you know, The rules just won't apply" may be interpreted as a metaphor for the human desire to attain greatness and transcendence. The refrain "Wake me, I dream, Now I'm what I seem" suggests that the singer has achieved their desired state of transcendence and is now in touch with their true self. The song ends with a repetition of the opening lines, "Touch me, I feel, Take me, I'm real", reinforcing the notion that the journey towards self-discovery and transcendence is ongoing.
Line by Line Meaning
Touch me, I feel
My existence can be validated through physical touch
Take me, I'm real
I am real and tangible
Sail away, into the sun
Leave behind your troubles and head towards a bright future
I'm everyone
I am present in everyone and everything around me
Wake me, I dream
My imagination and dreams shape my reality
I'm what I seem
I am what I appear to be
Drift away, into the night
Escape into the darkness to find solace
I'm the light
I bring hope and guidance in dark times
I am the sky
I provide a limitless expanse of possibility
Help you to fly
I can give you the power to achieve great things
Catch your wind
Use my guidance and support to find your own momentum
It's love I bring
My influence is fueled by love and positivity
I'm everything
All-encompassing and omnipresent
I am the sea
I am powerful and ever-changing
Always to be
I am a constant presence in the world
I'm a fire
My passion burns brightly
Burning higher
My passion continues to grow and intensify
Trying to burn the sun
I am constantly striving for greatness and the impossible
But don't you know
Despite my ambitions, there are limitations to what I can achieve
The rules just won't apply
I am unconventional and follow my own path
Who am I
I am both everything and nothing, constantly seeking my true identity
Now I'm what I seem
I have found my true self and it is reflected in my actions
Cause I'm everyone, yeah
My identity is connected to that of others around me
Drift away, into the night
Escape into the darkness to find comfort and inner peace
I'm the light
My influence can guide and lead you towards a better future
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICKEY SOULE, RONNIE DIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diane Sciacca
Ronnie's singing is so graceful, sensitive and majestic on this song. I have a new favourite :)
Tom Kulas
This is when Ronnie sang the best! We used to see him in bars locally in Elf.. man they were great!
Matt Garbarino
You are a very lucky man!
gfinetti
Yes, he is!!!!
Joel Thomas
They played at the Cuba Lake Pavillion (SW NY state), under their former name, The Electric Elves.
Jeffrey Webb
man youre lucky to see that
marcela castro gómez
My beloved Dio, your beautiful music will live forever in our hearts <3
Ibleedwhiskey Planetone
Yes it for sure will.
Lisbon Koivisto
The Elf stuff is classic. Wish it would get radio play. It must not be forgotten.
Sissi Mansano
Q música incrìvel..n conhecia...Dio serà sempre a maior voz do Metal....Mestre👏👏😍😍🎵🎵🎤🎤✌✌