Tag: Elton John

Elton John’s Tribute to John Lennon: Where is the Garden of the “Empty Garden”?

The “empty garden” of Elton John’s tribute to John Lennon originated from the location where the two had once performed together.

Elton John Empty Garden

John Lennon was killed on December 8, 1980. In 1981, Elton John recorded a tribute song to Lennon that was released in 1982. John had been good friends with Lennon and initially balked at the idea of a tribute song. But he changed his mind upon seeing Bernie Taupin’s lyrics for “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny).”

I had loved the song since its release. Although I was a little kid when the Beatles broke up, the Beatles had always been a part of my musical life. And in 1980 when I had just started college, Lennon’s death was a memorable marker in my life. I know it is a cliché, but I still remember where I was when I heard the news and who was with me.

The “Garden” is a Real Place

The lyrics to “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” incorporate images of a garden left behind by its keeper. Only recently, though, have I understood where Elton John’s and Bernie Taupin’s idea for the garden images originated. Their choice gives the song deeper meaning.

In the 2007 performance below from Madison Square Garden for Elton John’s 60th birthday concert, John explains the reference the “Garden” reference. He notes that the venue is the only place appropriate for the song, and it is the only place where he plays the song.

Upon hearing his comments, one better better understands the reference to an “empty garden.” Elton John and John Lennon had performed together at Madison Square Garden in 1974. It was one of Lennon’s final public performances.

Thus, when John sings about the “empty garden,” he imagines the emptiness of the great New York City performance venue without Lennon. From there, Taupin’s lyrics use the image to describe a living garden.

Since that performance, though, John has has not limited the song’s performance to Madison Square Garden. He has performed the song in many other locations.

The lyrics also make other clever references to Lennon. The chorus question of “can’t you come out to play” refers to Lennon’s song written for the Beatles, “Dear Prudence.” The opening line of that song asks “Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?”

“Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” is far from Elton John’s best-known song. It is not even his most popular tribute song. He is more known for “Candle in the Wind,” his song for Marilyn Monroe that was later altered for Princess Diana. But “Empty Garden” remains one of his most heartfelt songs.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    It May Be Quite Simple, But This Commercial With Elton John Is Awesome

    Your Song Commercial A new commercial for John Lewis & Partners shows the impact that a gift may have by traveling through the years of the life of Elton John.  The moving ad begins with Elton John at a piano playing the opening notes to his classic hit, “Your Song.”  And through the music, the commercial takes us back through John’s career.

    There is little to indicate it is a holiday commercial, besides the Christmas tree next to John at the beginning.  And as the video takes us back through various iterations of Elton John throughout his career, one may wonder what is being advertised.  At the end, we see the power of the perfect gift from John’s grandmother.  Yes, it is an ad for a retail company, but it is moving nonetheless.  Of course, anything would become moving simply by the addition of John’s “Your Song,” but the images really sell the story here.

    The ad is also a nice tribute to Elton John, who is on his final tour. John has explained that creating the commercial has “been a lovely opportunity for me to reflect on my life in music and the incredible journey I have been on, and how first playing my Grandmother’s piano marks the moment when music came into my life.” Check out the commercial from John Lewis & Partners below.

    What is your favorite holiday commercial? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Ickes and Hensley on Elton John’s “Ballad of a Well-Known Gun”

    Ballad of a Well-Known Gun

    Recently I have been reacquainting myself with Elton John’s 1970 concept album Tumbleweed Connection. In that album, John and and Bernie Taupin delved into country and Americana themes. Although the album included the single “Country Comfort,” many of the songs on Tumbleweed Connection are not among the singer’s most well-known.

    I always enjoy going back to lesser-known songs by music icons.  It helps you re-discover their talent in a new way, separate from the songs that you already know and take for granted.

    Tumbleweed Connection opens with the nearly 5-minute long “Ballad of a Well-Known Gun.”  The song creates the Western setting of much of the album by chronicling the tale of a fugitive who is finally caught (“Now they’ve found me / At last they’ve found me.”).  Instead of being proud of his reputation, the singer laments, “I’m tired of hearing / There goes a well-known gun.”

    The duo Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley recently dusted off “Ballad of a Well-Known Gun” and gave it a Bluegrass twist on their album, The Country Blues.  Like Elton John, they use the track to open the record.

    Ickes and Hensley had worked separately as session musicians for a number of Nashville’s big names while making other recordings before teaming up. Ickes first discovered Hensley’s vocal talent when he heard Hensley’s scratch vocal for an album that Ickes’s band Blue Highway was making. The band had planned to use a guest vocal but liked Hensley’s voice so much they used him for the released version of the song.

    After that, Hensley moved to Nashville and has been working with the older Ickes. In 2015, the two released Before the Sun Goes Down, which was nominated for the Best Bluegrass Album Grammy.

    Their recent album The Country Blues features covers like the Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil” as well as an original track. If you are a fan of bluegrass music, check it out.

    Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Elton John Joins James Corden for “Carpool Karaoke”

    Elton John Carpool

    On The Late Late Show with James Corden, the host often brings us “Carpool Karaoke,” where Corden drives around with a famous singer (or singers) in the car while Corden and his guest sing together. In the most recent segment of “Carpool Karaoke,” the great Elton John jumped in the passenger seat.

    During the segment, Corden and John belt out classics like “Your Song,” “I’m Still Standing,” “Crocodile Rock,” “Tiny Dancer,” “The Circle of Life,” and ending with a rainy day “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” John also answers some questions about topics such as his outfits and why he has four copies of every record he purchases. Check it out.



    What song would you like to sing with Elton John? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Willie Nelson and Engelbert Humperdinck: “Make You Feel My Love”

    Engelbert Humperdinck recently released a new album of duets, Engelbert Calling (2014). On one of the tracks, Willie Nelson joins Humperdinck on “Make You Feel My Love,” a song that Chimesfreedom has discussed as one of Bob Dylan’s Late Career Classics. This collaboration is somewhat unusual. I am guessing this recording is one of those duets you are either going to love or hate, so check it out and judge for yourself.

    Other artists that appear on Engelbert Calling include Elton John, Cliff Richards, Shelby Lynne, Dionne Warwick, and Il Divo.

    What do you think of the combination of Nelson and Humperdinck on a Dylan song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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