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)
Spiteful Child
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just cut out the poison that was in me so long
Watching you tear out my heart only gave me the last laugh
Watching you tear out your hair is gonna be the best part
Oh, I've been shaken down by a spiteful child
I've slapped a worried frown on that evil smile
I've been taken down by a spiteful child
Oh you spiteful child
You'd better be ready to run now I've got you under the gun
I put my money on vengeance before this race had begun
Breaking the spirit in me only added to your conceit
Playing you at your own game is going to make it complete
Oh, I've been shaken down by a spiteful child
Turn the tables 'round and it drives you wild
Oh you spiteful child
The lyrics to Elton John's "Spiteful Child" tell a story of triumph in the face of heartbreak and betrayal. The singer seems to have been hurt deeply by someone they trusted, but has managed to cut out the "poison" that was causing them pain. They take pleasure in seeing the person who hurt them suffer, and believe that they will ultimately come out on top. The tone of the lyrics is confident and almost vengeful, as the singer asserts their power over the "spiteful child" who tried to hurt them.
The second verse continues this theme, with the singer suggesting that they have a plan for revenge. They describe themselves as being "under the gun," but not in a position of weakness - rather, they are the ones holding the power. The idea of "turning the tables 'round" is repeated from the previous verse, emphasizing the singer's desire to take control of the situation. The phrase "breaking the spirit in me only added to your conceit" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the person who hurt the singer may have done so in order to make themselves feel better. By playing this person at their own game, the singer hopes to gain a sense of closure and satisfaction.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want to worry you none but I got the hurt on the run
I don't want you to be concerned, but I have overcome the pain and suffering caused by you.
I just cut out the poison that was in me so long
I have eliminated the negative feelings inside me that you have caused for a long time.
Watching you tear out my heart only gave me the last laugh
You have hurt me deeply in the past, but seeing you react in distress now brings me satisfaction.
Watching you tear out your hair is gonna be the best part
Seeing you suffer the consequences of your actions will bring me the most enjoyment.
Oh, I've been shaken down by a spiteful child
I have been victimized by a malicious person who acts out of pettiness and ill will.
I've slapped a worried frown on that evil smile
I have turned your previously demeaning grin into a worried expression of concern.
I've been taken down by a spiteful child
I have been defeated or humiliated by someone who has acted out of malice.
I've turned the tables 'round and it drives you wild
I have reclaimed the upper hand in our relationship, which agitates and troubles you.
Oh you spiteful child
You are a malicious and petty person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
not like todays crap
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
Even at 56 years old, this music still sounds so good to me, how music should sound.....