Elton John’s 1975 #1 hit is sometimes mistaken as a patriotic, flag-waving number by American audiences. John and Taupin apparently wrote the tune as an homage to tennis star Billie Jean King and her ‘Philadephlia Freedoms’ tennis team. Regardless of its roots this Rock and Pop icon has stood the test of time as one of the genre’s best anthems.
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Arrangement set encompassing one or more Engravings
One of Elton’s most popular Pop tunes from the 80’s, ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’ was a collaboration by the Rocket Man, his long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin and Scottish Guitar-slinger Davey Johnstone. The track’s easy, lilting feeling is complimented by a Harmonica solo from the great Stevie Wonder. ‘I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues’ remains one of Elton’s most played radio hits of all time.
This driving Pop cut was a 1988 hit from Elton John’s album ‘Reg Strikes Back’. ‘I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That’, co-written with lyricist Bernie Tauprin made it to #30 in the UK and soared to #2 on the US Billboard 100 charts. The song was kept from the top spot by George Michael’s hit ‘Monkey’, but made it to #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts.
This track is one of the seven hit singles from Shania Twain’s 1997 album ‘Come On Over’. The R. J. Lange and Twain co-composition garnered the singer the 2000 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It also took its place as a standard in the history of Female anthems with its catchy hook, “Man! … I feel like a Woman!”
One of Elton’s most recognisable Rock numbers, ‘Saturday’s Alright For Fighting’ was yet another of the cavalcade of hits from his 1973 album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’. Upon its release in the 70’s the song was banned on a number of radio stations, fearing that the title would ‘insite their listeners to violence’.
This opening hit from Elton’s 1972 ‘Honky Chateau’ album was apparently inspired by Bernie Taupin’s glimpse of a shooting star at night. Although the album was also produced by the same man as Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’, Gus Dudgeon, John denies that his song was a response to Bowie’s hit from two years earlier. Rocket Man has remained one of Elton’s greatest hits — perfectly embodying the Piano Man’s understated Rock sound.
The second single from the 1970, self-titled collaboration ‘Elton John’, ‘Take Me To The Pilot’ is a Rock hit from John and collaborator Bernie Taupin. The song has some Blues and Gospel overtones — emphasized even more so in this performance from Elton John’s ‘Elton 60: Live At Madison Square Garden’ album. A must-have for any Elton John set or tribute!
Those long, hot summer nights on the beaches of the US east coast gave birth to a Blue-eyed Soul movement all it’s own. Called ‘Shaggin’ or ‘Beach’ music the genre can account among its greatest hits this groover by Bill Deal and the Rhondels. The Viginia Beach based group hit #23 on the Billboard 100 with ‘What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am’ in 1969. Grab a bit of beach boogie and get down with the Rhondels!
This second single from 1972’s ‘Can’t Buy A Thrill’ hit #11 on the Billboard charts. It’s catchy combination of Pop, Rock and Jazz sensibilities. The original cut includes one of the greatest Pop Guitar solos of all time by Elliot Randall. Dan’s adapted version was performed on the band’s ’94 and ’95 live tour and captured on the album ‘Alive In America’.
Rock The Casbah’ is among the Clash’s most iconic 80’s hits along with ‘London Calling’ and ‘Should I Stay Or Should I Go’. The song reached the Top 10 around the world and is a great example of the artistic breadth of 80’s popular music.