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)
Tower Of Babel
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone called us Babylon
Those hungry hunters
Tracking down the hours
But where were all your shoulders when we cried
Were the darlings on the sideline
Dreaming up such cherished lies
It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
Have a ball y'all
See the letches crawl
With the call girls under the table
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel, no no no
Junk, angel, this closet's always stacked
The dealers in the basement
Filling your prescription
For a brand new heart attack
But where were all your shoulders when we cried
Were the doctors in attendance
Saying how they felt so sick inside
Or was it just the scalpel blade that lied
It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
Have a ball y'all
See the letches crawl
With the call girls under the table
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel, no no no
It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
Have a ball y'all
See the letches crawl
With the call girls under the table
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel, no no no
The song "Tower of Babel" by Elton John starts with the lines "Snow, cement, and ivory young towers, someone called us Babylon, those hungry hunters tracking down the hours." The lyrics suggest that the young towers are made out of materials such as snow, cement, and ivory, and the people occupying those towers have been called Babylon. The hunters mentioned are possibly those who seek out success and power through hard work and dedication.
The next few lines ask a poignant question, "But where were all your shoulders when we cried? Were the darlings on the sideline dreaming up such cherished lies to whisper in your ear before you die?" This could be interpreted as the rich and influential neglecting the struggles of the less fortunate while they focus on their own pleasures and aspirations.
The chorus goes, "It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel, Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel, have a ball y'all, see the letches crawl with the call girls under the table, watch them dig their graves, 'cause Jesus don't save the guys in the tower of Babel." Here, Elton John is stating that these "guys" in the tower are having a grand old time, engaging in immoral behavior under the guise of luxury and success. The reference to Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities in the Bible destroyed due to their hedonistic ways, highlights the theme of moral decay. The chorus ends with a stark reminder that their actions have consequences; they are digging their own graves, and religion won't save them.
The second verse brings up the concept of addiction, comparing it to a prescription from a dealer in the basement, instead of a doctor. The lines "But where were all your shoulders when we cried? Were the doctors in attendance saying how they felt so sick inside or was it just the scalpel blade that lied?" suggests that even the medical field could be corrupt and influenced by a desire for wealth and power.
Overall, "Tower of Babel" criticizes the extreme pursuit of wealth and status at the expense of others, pointing out the moral decay and corruption that often accompanies it.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow, cement and ivory young towers
Describing the architectural beauty and grandeur of the towers, made of snow, cement, and ivory.
Someone called us Babylon
Comparing the towers to the ancient city of Babylon, known for its grand structures and wealth.
Those hungry hunters
Tracking down the hours
Referring to people who are always in pursuit of wealth and material possessions, even if it means sacrificing their time and energy for it.
But where were all your shoulders when we cried
Questioning the absence of people's support during difficult times.
Were the darlings on the sideline
Asking whether the well-off and comfortable people were watching from the sidelines, without taking any action to help.
Dreaming up such cherished lies
To whisper in your ear before you die
Accusing those who deceive and mislead others for their own selfish gain, even until their dying moments.
It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
Imagining the extravagant and excessive lifestyle of those who live in the towers.
Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
Referencing the Bible stories of cities destroyed for their sinful ways, and the first murder between two brothers.
Have a ball y'all
See the letches crawl
With the call girls under the table
Mocking the hedonistic and immoral behavior of those in the towers, including their mistreatment of women.
Watch them dig their graves
'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel
Implying that those who live their lives only for pleasure and material gain will ultimately face the consequences of their actions.
Junk, angel, this closet's always stacked
The dealers in the basement
Filling your prescription
For a brand new heart attack
Describing the drug and medical industries as profit-driven and corrupt, leading to negative health consequences for consumers.
Were the doctors in attendance
Saying how they felt so sick inside
Or was it just the scalpel blade that lied
Questioning whether doctors feel guilt for their role in perpetuating the overmedication and profit-driven aspects of the medical industry.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@1959dirtyplaya
When did this country turn into a nation divided ?
When did some decide they didn't have to except what America wants if it isn't what they want ?
When did a whole generation grow up right before our eyes but we never saw the hatred in their hearts ?
When did a few think they spoke for many ?
When did it stop being about uniting a country and started being about destroying one ?
When did hatred replace love ?
When did selfish needs replace the needs of a nation ?
When did tragedies of the past become not a reason to learn but forgotten memories that will surely be repeated ?
When did it stop being WE and started being ME ?
When did the words of great men like Martin and John become meaningless ?
When did the country that I love become so filled with hate ?
How long before it's too late ?
author unknown?
@thomassicard3733
Tower of Babel didn't get much airplay in the U.S.A.
SHAME.
Dammit. The drums sound SO GOOD!!!!
@rinalore
It gotta lotta playing here.
🇨🇦✌🏻🎶♥️🇬🇧✨🌎💫
@philregular1465
best song on the record by far
@elementrypenguin3116
1975! Davey Johnstown is an absolutely fantastic guitar player. His work on this song is impeccable. The little rhythmic chops throughout are placed perfectly. His lead guitar is impeccable.
@whitsundaydreaming
Agreed but to me it’s Nigel’s treasured drumming thruout CF. He just blew me away from my first spin. I learned to play everything he did back in 1975. While Elton fired him after this LP is mind boggling.
@elementrypenguin3116
@@whitsundaydreaming I always liked Nigel’s drumming. Didn’t know Elton let him go. I just read an interview with Nigel and he said that Elton’s office called him and said Elton wants to go in a different direction so the whole band had broken up.
@MrTheo600
I've been following Davey for 50 years! He is definitely one of the most underrated guitarists in the world!
@johnscialfa7391
yes davey is one of the greatest ever
@waymanirwin2539
The lyrics become more applicable to our modern times with each passing year
@yahushaking4367
to his own life. but the hunters counting hours are not evil are those warning about their sinful lifestyles and counting hours are predicting the end times.