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)
Sad Songs
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're trying to do all you can for me
I appreciate your help
But it's best just to leave me be
There's many things that I have done
And I'm sorry for them now
So darlin' please don't you comfort me
I'll sort it out somehow
So sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Please, don't you make me blue
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Girl, I can do without you
Don't go breaking my heart
It would tear me apart
'Cause then I'd be finished for good
So sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Please, don't you make me blue
I don't want you to think I'm mean
Refusing all your help
The time has come, but my need is none
And I want to be alone with myself
There's many things that I have done
And I'm sorry for them now
So darlin' please don't you comfort me
I'll sort it out somehow
So sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Please, don't you make me blue
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Girl, I can do without you
Don't go breaking my heart
It would tear me apart
'Cause then I'd be finished for good
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Please, don't you make me blue
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Girl, please don't make me blue
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Girl, I can do without you
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Girl, don't you make me blue
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
In Elton John's song "Sad Songs," the lyrics speak to the desire to be left alone to deal with personal troubles. The singer acknowledges someone who is trying to help but asserts that it's best to be left alone. The singer expresses regret for their past actions while acknowledging that they are the only one who can make things right. The chorus repeats the idea of not wanting sad songs and lies, indicating a desire for honesty and optimism.
The nature of the song is reflective and introspective. It is not a typical love song, but rather a plea for personal space to deal with one's personal issues. The lyrics also express self-awareness, as the singer knows that they must face their problems alone to sort them out. The repetition of the need for no sad songs or lies reinforces the idea that the singer needs positivity and honesty in their life.
Overall, "Sad Songs" is a beautiful but sad song about personal struggles and the need for space to heal. It is a reminder that sometimes the best way to help people is to give them space to deal with their troubles on their own terms.
Line by Line Meaning
I know you
The singer knows the person addressing him.
You're trying to do all you can for me
The person is attempting to be very helpful to the singer.
I appreciate your help
The singer is grateful for the person's help.
But it's best just to leave me be
However, the artist prefers to be left alone.
There's many things that I have done
The artist admits to having done many things wrong.
And I'm sorry for them now
The singer regrets these actions.
So darlin' please don't you comfort me
The singer does not want to be comforted.
I'll sort it out somehow
The artist believes he can handle the situation on his own.
So sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
The artist requests that the person not sing sad songs, nor lie to him.
Please, don't you make me blue
The artist doesn't want to feel sad or upset.
Girl, I can do without you
The singer can manage without the person's help despite their previous efforts.
Don't go breaking my heart
The artist pleads for the person to not hurt him emotionally.
It would tear me apart
This potential emotional damage would cause great anguish to the singer.
'Cause then I'd be finished for good
The emotional damage may ruin the singer permanently.
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
The singer repeats his request for no sad songs and no lies.
I don't want you to think I'm mean
The artist assures the person that he isn't being harsh.
Refusing all your help
The artist acknowledges that he is still refusing the person's help.
The time has come, but my need is none
The singer no longer requires the person's assistance, as he wants to be alone.
And I want to be alone with myself
The singer desires solitude to deal with his problems.
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
The artist repeats his earlier request for no sad songs or lies.
Girl, I can do without you
Despite the person's efforts, the artist believes he can manage on his own.
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
Again, the artist emphasizes his desire for no sad songs or lies.
Girl, please don't make me blue
The singer does not want to feel sad or upset.
Sing me no sad songs, tell me no lies
The artist reiterates his request for no sad songs or lies.
Girl, don't you make me blue
The singer doesn't want to be made to feel sad or upset.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amelia Warfield
One of Elton John's greatest hits of all time! The message was true back in the 1980's, and even more true now.
Barry Burrows
Love the way he sings this song his vocals are so strong
Ronnie Wilkerson
People can say what they want about Elton John. I still love his songs. I always will. This one is one of my favorites.
Space Cat
What are they saying? I only hear good things about him.
Hermionepaws
He’s a lovely guy aswell as being an incredible talent ❤
Jordan Cryans
It's quite ironic that It's called sad songs and yet it's not sad It's catchy and cheerful
Elton John is such a legend
Mustang Terrry
He's maybe trying to be heart-lifting with the lyrics... just a thought...
Caltops78
Bernie had one vision of the song and Elton had his. I love how it’s conflicting. They definitely made a good team making all this good music
Ryan Taylor
It's an upbeat cheerful song about the excellence of sad songs
MenOfMayhem
I thought he's just making fun of sad songs?