The Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters Songfacts says: The off-beat title of this s… Read Full Bio ↴The Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters Songfacts says: The off-beat title of this song gives no clues as to its subject matter, in fact it was inspired by lyricist Bernie Taupin's first visit to New York. Country boy Bernie was born on a farm in Lincolnshire, and was still not entirely comfortable about city living three years after it was recorded.

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Elton John Lyrics

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And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through

And I thank the Lord
There's people out there like you
I thank the Lord there's people out there like you

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

This Broadway's got
It's got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I'll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why
They know not if it's dark outside or light

And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can't and that is why

They know not if it's dark outside or light
They know not if it's dark outside or light

Overall Meaning

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is a song by Elton John that explores the harsh realities of life in New York City, particularly for those who are not privileged to enjoy the spoils of the city. The opening lines reveal the singer's growing understanding of the city's challenges, acknowledging that "Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say." The singer goes on to relate his own experiences, noting that rose trees, a symbol of beauty and life, do not grow in the city, lending it a sense of sterility and misery.

The singer also acknowledges the difficult choices that must be made in such a harsh environment, remarking that one must stand at the edge while others run him through. Despite the treacherous conditions, the singer is grateful to have found allies, people who offer support and comfort in an otherwise difficult and unforgiving world. These people, he notes, are like rays of light in a dark and forbidding landscape.

The chorus of the song, with its references to "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "sons of bankers, sons of lawyers," points to the glaring disparities between the city's haves and have-nots. Those with privilege, the singer suggests, are so removed from the realities of life in the city that they "know not if it's dark outside or light." By contrast, the singer and his fellow survivors can't afford to ignore the dangers that lie around them.

Overall, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is a tender and evocative tribute to those who manage to find beauty and hope in New York City's unforgiving landscape, despite the remarkable challenges that they face.

Line by Line Meaning

And now I know
After being in the city, I understand something new about it

Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
The city has more depth and history than just its superficial aspects

I thought I knew
I was previously ignorant to the true nature of the city

But now I know that rose trees never grow In New York City
There are some things that simply cannot exist in the city

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true You stand at the edge while people run you through
Before experiencing the city's harsh realities, you can seem sheltered and naive

And I thank the Lord There's people out there like you I thank the Lord there's people out there like you
There are some people that make the experience of living in the city better

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers Turn around and say good morning to the night For unless they see the sky But they can't and that is why They know not if it's dark outside or light
Those in privileged positions are still ignorant to the realities of the city

This Broadway's got It's got a lot of songs to sing If I knew the tunes I might join in I'll go my way alone Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York City
There is a lot of opportunity in the city, but one must find their own path to success

Subway's no way for a good man to go down Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown And I thank the Lord for the people I have found I thank the Lord for the people I have found
The city can be difficult, but finding good people can make it easier

They know not if it's dark outside or light They know not if it's dark outside or light
Those in privileged positions are still ignorant to the realities of the city

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernie Taupin, Elton John

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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