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)
Sartorial Eloquence
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a style that's almost of your own
You've got the knack of being so laid-back
It's like talking to the great Unknown
You've got a self-sufficient swept-back hairdo
Pretty certain that you've got it made
Oh your lifestyle shows in the clothes you chose
[Chorus]
Sing it
Don't you want to play this game no more
Don't you want to play no more?
Don't you want to play this game no more
Don't you want to play no more?
You remain the only main contender
Though you never, you never meant to lose at all
Down at the mouth yet unsurrounded
Adamant before the fall
Though when you go you know I might be lonesome
But I'll keep it under close control
Go and get your kicks and babe let's call it quits
I believe I'm feeling indisposed
[Chorus]
In Elton John's song "Sartorial Eloquence," the lyrics are about a person who has a unique sense of style and a casual ease in their personality. The opening lines describe this person as possessing a "certain sartorial eloquence" and having a style that is almost one of a kind. The lyrics go on to explain how this person's laid-back personality is so natural that it feels almost like talking to someone famous, "the great Unknown." The next verse continues with an ode to this person's sense of fashion, pointing out how their outfit choices reflect their self-sufficient, confident lifestyle. The chorus then plays with the concept of playing games, implying that this person may be playing some sort of game or that the singer might be tired of playing along with their ways. The final verse suggests that this person may be leaving the singer, and though they may miss them, they are resigned to letting things come to an end since the singer is "feeling indisposed."
Line by Line Meaning
You've a certain sartorial eloquence
You have a distinctive and impressive style of dressing
And a style that's almost of your own
Your style is unique and creative
You've got the knack of being so laid-back
You are talented at appearing calm and relaxed
It's like talking to the great Unknown
Meeting you gives the feeling of encountering something mysterious and unknown
You've got a self-sufficient swept-back hairdo
Your hairstyle reflects your self-reliant personality
Pretty certain that you've got it made
You are confident and sure of your success
Oh your lifestyle shows in the clothes you chose
Your lifestyle is reflected in the clothes you wear
Sitting pretty in the masquerade
You are comfortably situated among the other pretenders
Don't you want to play this game no more
Do you not desire to continue living this illusionary life
Don't you want to play no more?
Do you not want to continue playing this game?
You remain the only main contender
You are the primary competition to yourself
Though you never, you never meant to lose at all
Though you never intended to fail, you are aware of the possibility
Down at the mouth yet unsurrounded
You feel uncertain and vulnerable, but you are still in control
Adamant before the fall
Despite the possibility of defeat, you remain resolute in your actions
Though when you go you know I might be lonesome
Though your departure would cause me to feel lonely
But I'll keep it under close control
I will manage and suppress my emotions
Go and get your kicks and babe let's call it quits
Go satisfy your desires, it's time for us to end things
I believe I'm feeling indisposed
I think I am feeling ill or unwell
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN, TOM ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nickhall1000
Even Elton's weaker songs, are head and shoulders above other songwriters. He's a genius.
James Noble
The one criticism of this song that always stuck in my brain was "gimmicky chorus"
JJ Kane
It’s a really strong song - very autobiographical talking to himself
Patricia Adams
There is something about this song that catches me...I love the chorus with its harmonies. A solid tune that has classic Elton all over it. I've missed hearing it.
Patricia Adams
Absolutely.
Mr Gobrien
tom robinson wrote the words
Michael David
Elton John's voice never changed between 1978-1984.
Anthony Moore
This song gives me goosebumps 😍
Marta G. Coloma
We’ve really been blessed with content from Elton lately. I can’t wait to get the Jewel Box to listen for hours. ❤️ Also, '21 at 33' is an incredible album. We’re truly lucky to have him.
chris gethin
His best album for me x