Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Elton John Lyrics


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When are you gonna come down?
When are you going to land?
I should have stayed on the farm
I should have listened to my old man

You know you can't hold me forever
I didn't sign up with you
I'm not a present for your friends to open
This boy's too young to be singing
The blues, ah, ah

So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can't plant me in your penthouse
I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny back toad
Oh, I've finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road
Ah, ah

What do you think you'll do then?
I bet they'll shoot down the plane
It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics
To set you on your feet again

Maybe you'll get a replacement
There's plenty like me to be found
Mongrels who ain't got a penny
Sniffing for tidbits like you
On the ground, ah, ah

So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can't plant me in your penthouse
I'm going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods
Hunting the horny back toad
Oh, I've finally decided my future lies




Beyond the yellow brick road
Ah, ah

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elton John's song "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" depict a young man's farewell to fame, riches and the glamorous lifestyle that comes with them. The singer questions when he will come down from the high life and land back in reality. He regrets not listening to the wisdom of his old man, who advised him to stay on the farm. The singer is trying to convey that he is unhappy with his current lifestyle and wants to return to his roots rather than being someone's present.


The young man admits he can't be held forever, indicating that he wants to leave his fame behind to start a new, more modest life. He claims that he is too young to be singing the blues, referring to the hardships he faced as a famous person. He decides it's time to take hold of his life and announces he is leaving the yellow brick road behind, where the dogs of society howl at him. These lines reference the unfriendly attitudes of those who do not share the same level of success and the pressure of high society.


The singer wants to go back to working on his farm, hunting the horny back toad, and back to the howling old owl in the woods, which symbolizes his return to nature, simplicity, and peace. He is determined that his future lies beyond the yellow brick road, marking his decision to leave the flashy, superficial and phony world of fame.


In summary, the lyrics of Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" convey a young man's desire to leave behind his successful and high profile life that no longer brings him true satisfaction and joy, to return to his roots and live a simpler life.


Line by Line Meaning

When are you gonna come down?
When are you going to realize that you cannot keep me under your control?


When are you going to land?
When are you going to accept reality and come back to the ground level?


I should have stayed on the farm
I should have followed the advice of my elders and stayed close to my roots.


I should have listened to my old man
I should have taken the wisdom of my father or elders more seriously when it was being imparted.


You know you can't hold me forever
You might try to control me, but eventually, I will break free.


I didn't sign up with you
I never intended to become what you wanted me to be.


I'm not a present for your friends to open
I refuse to be displayed like a gift for your friends or anyone else in your social circle.


This boy's too young to be singing the blues
I am still young and have a long way to go. I need to live my life on my terms without any worries.


So goodbye yellow brick road
I am leaving behind the facade of a beautiful life and taking the real path ahead.


Where the dogs of society howl
The mainstream society is no place for me, and I don't want to conform to its norms.


You can't plant me in your penthouse
I don't belong in your luxury lifestyle, so don't try to make me fit in.


I'm going back to my plough
I'm returning to my rural roots where my heart belongs.


Back to the howling old owl in the woods
I'd rather spend my time in solitary nature than in the company of the corrupt 'dogs of society.'


Hunting the horny back toad
I am willing to take on the tough road ahead and handle all the challenges myself.


Oh, I've finally decided my future lies beyond the yellow brick road
I have finally realized that there's much more to life than the superficial luxuries of society.


What do you think you'll do then?
What do you plan to do with your life once you realize that materialistic things cannot bring happiness?


I bet they'll shoot down the plane
People will always try to bring you down when you try to be different or when you take a stand.


It'll take you a couple of vodka and tonics to set you on your feet again
Recovering from a difficult situation or a broken heart might take time and may require some kind of an emotional crutch.


Maybe you'll get a replacement
Perhaps you'll find someone else to fill the void in your life.


There's plenty like me to be found
There are a lot of people who are looking for their identity and want to break free from societal norms.


Mongrels who ain't got a penny
These are people who have nothing, no societal status or money, but they will still relish their freedom.


Sniffing for tidbits like you on the ground
Trying to find their footing in the mainstream society, a society that values only the rich and the famous.


Ah, ah
No meaning as such; just an interlude/pause.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernard J. P. Taupin, Elton John

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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.....

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