Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a … Read Full Bio ↴Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is a British singer, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967, John is one of the most successful artists of all time, having sold over 300 million records worldwide in a seven-decade career in music. He is acclaimed by critics and musicians, particularly for his work during the 1970s, and his lasting impact on the music industry. John's music and showmanship have had a significant impact on popular music. His songwriting partnership with Taupin is one of the most successful in history.

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)

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part 2
Elton John Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

In Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part 2, Elton John starts by reflecting on the way he used to perceive things before gaining new experiences. He mentions that Spanish Harlem, which he earlier thought were just pretty words to say, is actually a place worth visiting. He also talks about how he assumed that rose trees grew in New York City when in reality, they don't. Elton John then goes on to describe the harsh reality of living in New York City, especially for those who are less privileged. He talks about standing at the edge while people run you through, and how it takes people like those he has found to make things better. A recurring theme in this song is the dichotomy between the wealthy and poor in New York City. Elton John points out that while the wealthy children (sons of bankers, sons of lawyers) might not have to worry about many things, they are also unaware of what it is like to not be able to see the sky or know if it is dark or light outside.

The lyrics in Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part 2 are highly nuanced and tightly packed with meaning, highlighting different aspects of life in New York City – the good and the bad. The line “Subway's no way for a good man to go down, Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown” is especially powerful, condemning the segregation and disparity that exist in the city.

Line by Line Meaning

And now I know
I have gained new knowledge and insight

Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
The phrase 'Spanish Harlem' has deeper meaning and significance than just being words

I thought I knew
I believed I had understanding or knowledge on a particular matter

But now I know that rose trees never grow
I have learned that certain things are impossible or do not exist

In New York City
Referring to a specific location

Until you've seen this trash can dream come true
One cannot truly understand or comprehend the reality of a situation until they have experienced it firsthand

You stand at the edge while people run you through
In difficult situations, you are vulnerable to being attacked and criticized by others

And I thank the Lord
Expressing gratitude or appreciation to a higher power

There's people out there like you
Thankful for individuals who offer support or understanding in difficult times

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Referring to certain types of people

Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Children of wealthy or influential families

Turn around and say good morning to the night
Ignoring or not acknowledging their surroundings or reality

For unless they see the sky
Without visual confirmation, they are clueless to what is happening around them

But they can't and that is why
They are unable to see or recognize their environment

They know not if it's dark outside or light
They are unable to discern reality or the circumstances around them

This Broadway's got
Referring to a specific location or area

It's got a lot of songs to sing
The location is filled with entertainment or opportunities

If I knew the tunes I might join in
If I had the appropriate knowledge or skillset, I would participate or partake in the entertainment

I'll go my way alone
I will pursue my own path or journey without assistance

Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York City
I will create and establish my own future in this specific location

Subway's no way for a good man to go down
Taking the subway is not a viable option for a person with good intentions and morals

Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
Those with wealth and power have advantages and are less susceptible to harm or danger than those without

And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
Expressing gratitude for finding individuals who provide support and companionship