"Ego" did not appear on any album until the release of the To Be Continued... box set and the 1998 reissue of A Single Man.
Ego
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And take a taste of the money
I'm not in it for the bread
I'm in it for the gravy honey
Step on the thin ice lightly
And check out the show twice nightly
Oh cause I'm, I'm on the stage tonight
I'll, I will amaze before the light
I crave the light mmm blinding white
I need the light tonight
Take a look at me now
And take a look at my billing
I'm not in it as an extra
I'm in it for the killing
Inflate my ego gently
Tell them heaven sent me
Oh 'cause I'm, I'm so expressive
And I'm so obsessed
With my ego, my ego
And it's message oo inform the press
Invite the guests I need the press tonight
Do you remember acting out your youth
A romeo resplendent on an orange case
Do you remember how I would recite
And how I'd blow my lines
And hide my face
Well maybe it was childish, foolish
Before schoolish, immaturish, lose your coolish
Well I had to grow and prove my ego
Take a look at me now
And take a taste of the money
I'm not in it for the bread
I'm in it for the gravy honey
Inflate my ego gently
Go tell them heaven sent me
Oh cause I'm, I'm so expressive
And I'm so obsessed
With my ego, my ego
And it's message oo inform the press
invite the guests I need the press tonight
Do you remember how I would recite
And how I'd blow my lines
And hide my face
Well maybe it was childish, foolish
Before schoolish, immaturish, lose your coolish
Well I had to grow and prove my ego
In Elton John's song Ego, he sings about the extravagant lifestyle of a performer who craves attention and fame. He begins the song by challenging the listeners to take a look at him and take a taste of the money, indicating that he has amassed great wealth through his endeavors. He clarifies that he is not motivated by money but is in it for the "gravy honey", a phrase used to suggest that he is in it for the luxurious lifestyle and fame that comes along with being a performer.
The chorus of the song focuses on his absolute obsession with ego and excessive pride. He expresses the idea of being on stage tonight, and if the price is right, then he will amaze before the light. He craves the attention he receives from his performances and needs the spotlight to shine on him. He goes on to inflate his ego gently and requests someone to inform the press about him. He needs the press as they are the ones who can help him grow and prove his ego.
Throughout the song, the artist self-reflects on his career, growth and the need for ego to succeed. He reminisces about acting out his youth, reciting, and blowing his lines. Elton acknowledges that there were times when his behavior was foolish but that he needed to grow and prove his ego. Overall, the lyrics of Ego capture the excessive pride and importance that performers attach to their image and fame.
Line by Line Meaning
Take a look at me now
Observe me closely and notice my current successful status
And take a taste of the money
Enjoy the rewards of my hard work and wealth
I'm not in it for the bread
I am not motivated by money alone
I'm in it for the gravy honey
I am in this for the extra perks and benefits that come with my success
Step on the thin ice lightly
Carefully proceed with caution into dangerous territory
And check out the show twice nightly
Watch my performance, which is so good, that viewers come back for seconds
Oh 'cause I'm, I'm on the stage tonight
I am performing tonight, which is where I shine
And if the price is right
If the compensation meets my expectations
I'll, I will amaze before the light
I will provide an astounding show, causing the crowd to react enthusiastically
I crave the light mmm blinding white
I desire the spotlight and attention upon me
I need the light tonight
I require a stage and audience to fuel my ego
And take a look at my billing
Examine my place and importance in the industry
I'm not in it as an extra
I am not a background character, I am a main player
I'm in it for the killing
I am in it for the large amount of financial gain and other benefits
Inflate my ego gently
Feed my pride cautiously
Tell them heaven sent me
Praise me as if I am a divine being
Oh 'cause I'm, I'm so expressive
My talent is displayed in a way that is both impressive and boastful
And I'm so obsessed
My focus is on myself and my image
With my ego, my ego
My sense of self-importance and arrogance fuels me
And it's message oo inform the press
I want the media to know my greatness and promote my work to the public
Invite the guests I need the press tonight
I want a high-profile audience to attend my show so that the press will give me increased publicity
Do you remember acting out your youth
Do you recall performing in your youth?
A romeo resplendent on an orange case
A youthful performance where the individual was the main character and the center of attention
Do you remember how I would recite
Remember when I would speak my lines
And how I'd blow my lines
And how I would forget or fail to deliver my lines correctly
And hide my face
And feel ashamed or embarrassed of my mistakes
Well maybe it was childish, foolish
Perhaps my behavior was immature and naive
Before schoolish, immaturish, lose your coolish
I was before my time and not yet refined
Well I had to grow and prove my ego
I needed to mature and show my worth to others
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.....