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)
Made In England
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I had a quit-me father, had a love-me mother
I had Little Richard and that black piano
Oh that sweet Georgia Peach and the boy from Tupelo
Oh, I was made in England
Oh, I was made in England
Face down on a playground crying God send me a brother
Not a bloody nose for Rock and Roll
Give me that sweet Georgia Peach and the boy from Tupelo
Oh, I was made in England
Oh, I was made in England
I was made in England like a blue Cortina
But a Yankee summer had a way about her
You had a scent for scandal, well here's my middle finger
I had forty years of pain and nothing to cling to
Oh, I was made in England
Oh, I was made in England
If you're made in England, you're built to last
You can still say 'homo' and everybody laughs
But the joke's on you, you never read the song
They all think they know but they all got it wrong
Oh, I was made in England
Oh, I was made in England
Oh, I was made in England
Oh, I was made in England
I was made in England
I was made in England
I was made in England
Yeah, hey, yeah, yeah, oh, oh, I was made in England, oh, rock out boy, hey
Elton John's song "Made in England" is an autobiographical reflection on his life and his experiences growing up in England. The song speaks to his roots and the influences that shaped him into the person he is today. The first verse describes his parents and the music that he grew up listening to. The line "I had Little Richard and that black piano" refers to the blues and rock music that John grew up with and that would go on to influence his own musical style. The second verse talks about a difficult childhood experience, where he was bullied on the playground, but also shows his defiance and his determination to pursue his love of music.
One of the interesting things about this song is that it was written by Elton John and his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics. Taupin is known for his poetic lyrics, which often draw on personal experiences and emotions. Another interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1995, when John was already an established artist, having been making music for over two decades. The song was released as the lead single from his album of the same name, which was his first studio album in four years.
"Made in England" has been described as a celebration of English culture and heritage, but it also highlights the struggles that many people in the country face. The line "You had a scent for scandal, well, here's my middle finger" refers to the tabloid press in England, which John has been a frequent target of over the years. Another interesting aspect of the song is the use of the word "homo" in the lyrics, which was considered a derogatory term for homosexual people. The line "You can still say 'homo' and everybody laughs" highlights the acceptance of homophobia in England at the time, but also serves as a criticism of this attitude.
Overall, "Made in England" is a poignant and reflective song that speaks to the experiences of Elton John, but also touches on broader issues related to English culture and society. It is a powerful reminder of the influence that music can have in shaping our lives and identities.
Line by Line Meaning
I was made in England out of Cadillac muscle
I was born in England with resilience, strength and vigor just like a Cadillac which is known for its power and strength.
I had a quit-me father, had a love-me mother
I had a father who was hardly there when I needed him and a mother who showered me with love and affection.
I had Little Richard and that black piano
Little Richard was my inspiration and his music touched my soul, especially when he played the black piano.
Oh that sweet Georgia Peach and the boy from Tupelo
I fell in love with the sweet Georgia Peach and Elvis Presley, who originated from Tupelo, Mississippi.
Face down on a playground crying God send me a brother
When I was young and overwhelmed with physical fights on a playground, I wished I had a brother to protect me from harm.
Not a bloody nose for Rock and Roll
I wished that I didn't have to bleed and suffer physically to make it in the world of Rock and Roll.
Give me that sweet Georgia Peach and the boy from Tupelo
I needed the sweet Georgia Peach and Elvis Presley to lift my spirits and inspire me to make music that would capture the hearts of many.
I was made in England like a blue Cortina
Just like a blue Cortina car, I was made in England and have an identity and character that makes me unique.
But a Yankee summer had a way about her
The Yankee summer season had a transformative effect on me and made me into the person that I am today.
You had a scent for scandal, well here's my middle finger
People like to create controversy and scandals which can be frustrating for me, so while expressing my resentment, I also move on with my work.
I had forty years of pain and nothing to cling to
I experienced a lot of pain throughout my life, but nothing from my past can hold me back, and I have overcome them all.
If you're made in England, you're built to last
Being made in England means that you have an ingrained resilience that can withstand anything and you stand the test of time.
You can still say 'homo' and everybody laughs
Although using the word 'homo' is not politically correct nowadays, people still find it amusing and says a lot about how society regards it.
But the joke's on you, you never read the song
The song's lyrics are complex, and people don't realize what it means or read into them enough, making them the subject of the joke.
They all think they know but they all got it wrong
People all assume they know about me when they have no idea what I have gone through, making them missing the whole point.
Yeah, hey, yeah, yeah, oh, oh, I was made in England, oh, rock out boy, hey
I scream and shout about being made in England, and now it's time to crank up the music and start rocking out to it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anthony Dyson
It gives me goosebumps every time I hear this. So proud to be English 🏴🏴🏴
Nigel Carty
I'm Irish and I love England 🇬🇧.. some of the greatest most wonderful people I've ever known come from England!
Mike Jackson
Me too.
Jamie
Greatest country on earth.
Delise
Me too
Paul Blackwood
I was made in Brazil, but i love
Sir Elton John and England.
Francisco Diniz
Me, too !
K-LO
I wish I could go to Elton's concert coming up in Columbus.. Can't afford to go.
K-LO
I was made in the Good ol USA, but my ancestry leads back to England on both sides of my family. In fact both have traceable family crests.
hellnick1
No no brazil is a great country and best footbal but... This song is so nice for england! GOD SAFE THE QUEEN!! AND ENGLAND!! 🏴