John was raised in the Pinner suburb of London and learned to play piano at an early age, forming the blues band Bluesology in 1962. After leaving Bluesology in 1967 to embark on a solo career, John met Taupin after they both answered an advert for songwriters. For two years, they wrote songs for other artists, and John worked as a session musician for artists. John released his debut album Empty Sky in 1969, and a year later formed the Elton John Band and released his first hit single, "Your Song".
John's critical success was at its peak in the 1970s when he released a streak of chart-topping albums in the US and UK, which began with Honky Château (1972) and culminated with Rock of the Westies (1975). John continued his success in the 1980s and 1990s, having several hit singles and albums in both decades, and has continued to record new music since then. He has also had success in musical films and theatre, composing music for The Lion King, Aida, and Billy Elliot the Musical. In 2018, John began his ongoing farewell tour Farewell Yellow Brick Road, which is scheduled to conclude in 2023. The 2019 biopic Rocketman dramatized his life and career.
Outside of music, John is an HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser and has been involved in the fight against AIDS since the late 1980s. He established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised over £300 million since its inception, and a year later he began hosting his annual Foundation Academy Awards Party, which has since become one of the biggest high-profile Oscar parties in the Hollywood film industry. John was the chairman and director of Watford F.C, from 1976 to 1987, and again from 1997 to 2002, and is an honorary life president of the club. From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, John developed a severe addiction problem to drugs and alcohol but has been sober since 1990. He entered into a civil partnership with Canadian filmmaker David Furnish in 2005; they married after same-sex marriage became legal in England and Wales in 2014.
John has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including nine number-ones in the UK and US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", a rewritten version of his 1974 single in dedication to Princess Diana, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling chart single of all time. In 2021, John became the first solo artist with UK Top 10 singles across six decades.
John has received numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards; including for Outstanding Contribution to Music; two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, a Disney Legend Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and is a fellow of The Ivors Academy. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to music and charitable services in 1998 and was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) in 2020.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John
Solo studio albums
Empty Sky (1969)
Elton John (1970)
Tumbleweed Connection (1970)
Madman Across the Water (1971)
Honky Château (1972)
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Caribou (1974)
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Rock of the Westies (1975)
Blue Moves (1976)
A Single Man (1978)
Victim of Love (1979)
21 at 33 (1980)
The Fox (1981)
Jump Up! (1982)
Too Low for Zero (1983)
Breaking Hearts (1984)
Ice on Fire (1985)
Leather Jackets (1986)
Reg Strikes Back (1988)
Sleeping with the Past (1989)
The One (1992)
Made in England (1995)
The Big Picture (1997)
Songs from the West Coast (2001)
Peachtree Road (2004)
The Captain & the Kid (2006)
The Diving Board (2013)
Wonderful Crazy Night (2016)
Regimental Sgt. Zippo (2021)
In Neon
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lit up on a billboard so everyone sees them in neon
Behind a counter she stares out the window
Up at the billboard that's like a reminder in neon
She hates how she feels but she hangs like a mirror
Maybe a stranger could walk in and see her in neon
For two cents of danger she'd trust anybody
[Chorus]
In neon the dreams in the light of a promise that dies
A shimmering city, a glimmer of hope and a lie
In neon the name's gone there's no reason why anymore
Trust them and wind up alone behind a locked door
In neon, in neon...
Pictures and patterns, the touches of glamour
Cut into fashion that flashs above 'em in neon
A hot cup of coffee held in her fingers
A perfect complexion that lingers above her in neon
She hates how she feels but she hangs like a mirror
Maybe a stranger could walk in and see her in neon
For a shot at the title, she'd slip into something
She'd smoulder like ashes if it meant she might wind up -
In neon...
[Chorus]
In Elton John's song "In Neon", the lyrics describe a woman working behind a counter, whose only escape is the fantasy of bright, flashing billboards and glamorous city life. She hates how she feels, but hopes that someone will see her as they pass by, and perhaps take her away to a more exciting life. However, as the chorus repeats, the dreams promised by the glimmering neon lights are nothing but empty promises, as the woman remains trapped behind the counter, alone and disillusioned.
The lyrics of "In Neon" are poignant and insightful, speaking to the desire for escape and the allure of a glamorous life. They highlight the way that advertising and consumer culture can create a fantasy world that seems very attractive, but ultimately offers nothing. The woman in the song seems trapped by her situation, unable to escape the mundane reality of her life, but still dreaming of a different future.
One interesting fact about "In Neon" is that it was released in 1984 as a single from Elton John's album "Breaking Hearts". The song was not a major hit, but it is still remembered by fans as a poignant and lyrically interesting track. Another interesting fact is that the music video for the song features Elton John in a red jumpsuit, playing the piano on a neon-lit soundstage.
Line by Line Meaning
Lipstick and lashes, the traces of stardom
She wears heavy makeup, trying to capture stardom.
Lit up on a billboard so everyone sees them in neon
Her dream of being a star is so public and obvious.
Behind a counter she stares out the window
She's stuck in a mundane job that's not fulfilling.
Up at the billboard that's like a reminder in neon
The billboard taunts her with the reminder of her unfulfilled dreams.
She hates how she feels but she hangs like a mirror
She's unhappy with herself but hopes others will see her potential.
Maybe a stranger could walk in and see her in neon
She hopes a chance encounter will lead to fame.
For two cents of danger she'd trust anybody
She's willing to take risks to achieve her dreams.
She'd smoke like a gun if it meants she might wind up -
She's so desperate for success she'd do anything to get there.
In neon the dreams in the light of a promise that dies
Neon represents the glamorous dream that inevitably fades away.
A shimmering city, a glimmer of hope and a lie
The city promises hope and success but it's a facade.
In neon the name's gone there's no reason why anymore
Her name fades away in the neon lights, and her reason for pursuing fame disappears.
Trust them and wind up alone behind a locked door
If she trusted the wrong people she'll be isolated and alone.
Pictures and patterns, the touches of glamour
Fashion and beauty are important to her.
Cut into fashion that flashs above 'em in neon
Neon signs advertise the same glamorous lifestyle she desires.
A hot cup of coffee held in her fingers
She's trying to find comfort in everyday things.
A perfect complexion that lingers above her in neon
She tries to present herself as perfect and put-together.
For a shot at the title, she'd slip into something
She's willing to change herself to fit a certain mold for fame.
She'd smoulder like ashes if it meant she might wind up -
She's willing to risk burning out to achieve her dreams.
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.....