The composition discussed in the article is one of the many hits born by the creative duet of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song Tiny Dancer was written after their long trip to the United States, which made a strong impression on them and became a powerful source of inspiration.
Music lovers familiar with Taupin’s biography are convinced that the song is dedicated to Taupin’s first wife, Maxine Feibelman, whom he had just met when the composition was written. However, Burney claimed that the source of inspiration was different.
Here is his story about the creation of “Tiny Dancer”:
We arrived in California in the fall of 1970, and the local people radiated sunshine. I tried to capture the spirit of the time in the women we met, especially in the clothing stores all over the Strip. [Sunset Strip, part of Sunset Blvd.] In Los Angeles. Their souls were free, and they themselves looked sexy in skintight jeans and lace blouses, and there was something otherworldly in their movements. They were so different from what I was used to in England. And they all wanted to patch your jeans. They treated you like a mother and were ready to sleep with you – well, pure Oedipus complex.
It is possible that originally “Tiny Dancer” was really written about Californian women, but later, when Bernie decided to marry Maxine, the idea arose to dedicate the composition to the bride. Although, you see, it turned out quite funny that Elton John in the song refers to his friend’s beloved.
According to Taupin, he used the word “tiny” only because it sounds better than “little” or “small”.
The song was recorded on 9 August 1971 at Trident Studios in London. She released it as a single in February 1972 with “Razor Face” on the back. The track peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The single was certified gold in the US in May 2005 and was certified platinum in 2011.
The song was included in the soundtrack of the film “Almost Famous”, which made Elton John very happy:
Jeffrey Katzenberg called me and said, “There’s a scene in the movie that will make Tiny Dancer a hit again.” But when I saw her, I only exclaimed: “Oh, God!” I played “Tiny Dancer” a lot in England and it was accepted like Led Zeppelin. Cameron resurrected this song.
Rolling Stone 2011
The song is included in the list of the five hundred greatest songs of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine.
Interesting Facts
- Keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who later became a member of Yes, took part in the recording of the song and the entire album.
- In 2011, Budweiser used the song in a cool commercial starring Peter Stormare.
Tiny Dancer Lyrics by Elton John
Blue jean baby, LA lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
Pretty eyes, pirate smile – you will marry a musician
Ballerina – you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s mine, always with me, tiny dancer in my armsJesus freaks out in the street
Handing tickets out for God
Turning back she just laughs
The boulevard is not that bad
Giving tickets to God2
Turning around, she just laughs
The boulevard isn’t so badpiano man3 he makes his stand
In the auditorium
Looking on she sings the songs
The words she knows, the tune she hums
In the center hall
Watching him, she sings songs
She knows the words, hums the tune But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly…
It’s like there’s no one around
You and only you hear me
When I gently and slowly speak…2 x
Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today2 times
Hold me tight little dancer
Count the lights on the highway
Lay me down on linen sheets
You had a hard day Blue jean baby, LA lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
Pretty eyes, pirate smile – you will marry a musician
Ballerina – you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s mine, always with me, tiny dancer in my arms
But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly…
It’s like there’s no one around
You and only you hear me
When I gently and slowly speak…2 x
Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today2 times
Hold me tight little dancer
Count the lights on the highway
Lay me down on linen sheets
you had a hard day
- Maxine really was a ballerina, and during the trip of Elton and Bernie around the States, she helped them in various organizational matters.
- This refers to street preachers who could dress up as biblical characters.
- It is believed that the piano man is an allusion to the Billy Joel song.
