Meaning of Your Song by Elton John & Lyrics

Bernie Taupin and Reginald Kenneth Dwight, who was not Elton John at the time, met through a talent search ad published in NME magazine. They came to the competition, which was held by Liberty Records. Neither one nor the other selection was not, but the producer Ray Williams saw the potential in them and invited them to work together. Thus began a long-term cooperation, which turned out to be surprisingly fruitful.

One of the first joint creations was the amazing ballad “Your Song”, which has remained a hit for several decades.

The history of the song began in 1967 in the house of Elton’s parents, which became the creative workshop of John and Taupin. Bernie wrote the text during breakfast, sitting at the kitchen table. The surviving sheet of paper with the draft version even has coffee stains. After reading the words, Elton composed the music in twenty minutes.

According to the authors, the composition is not dedicated to any particular person and simply expresses the feelings of a young man in love. John recalled:

I always thought “Your Song” was about one of his girls, but when I asked him about it, he just said, “No, it’s not!” He is very closed.

Rolling stone

Here is how Taupin himself explained the main idea of the song:

It’s like the unfading ballad “Your Song”, the lyrics of which are probably the most naive and childish in my entire repertoire. But I think it’s still holding on because it was real back then. These were the feelings I experienced. I was seventeen years old and the song came from someone whose perspective on love or experience in love was completely naive and new.
Now there is no way I could ever write or imitate that song again because the love songs I write now come from people my age and are about broken marriages and where kids go. You have to write from where you are right now, and “Your Song” shows exactly where I came from.

Music Connection 1989

The song was recorded by the rock band Three Dog Night, which became famous for its numerous covers. The composition was included in their album “It Ain’t Easy”, but the musicians decided not to release it as a single, so as not to cross the path of the author, who just managed to agree on the release of the disc in the USA.

The album “Elton John” was released in April 1970. The single “Your Song” appeared on the shelves of music stores in October. Interestingly, at first the composition was presented on the back of “Take Me to the Pilot”, but in subsequent batches, it took side A. The song climbed to the eighth line of the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the seventh position of the UK Singles Chart, which was the singer’s first success in hit parades.

Elton John continues to perform the song in front of the public, and often sings it along with other famous musicians.

Covers were recorded by many pop stars, including Rod Stewart and Ellie Goulding.

“Your Song” is included in the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Interesting Facts

The song is used in many films. One of the most spectacular cover versions is presented in the film “Moulin Rouge” by Baz Luhrmann.
“Your Song” inspired the author to write the composition “We All Fall in Love Sometimes” (1975).

Your Song lyrics

It’s a little bit funny this feeling inside
I’m not one of those who can easily hide
I don’t have much money but boy if I did
I’d buy a big house where we both could live
I’m not the type to hide it easily
I have almost no money, but, God, if I had,
I would buy a big house where we could live together If I was a sculptor, but then again, no
Or a man who makes potions in a traveling show
I know it’s not much but it’s the best I can do
My gift is my song and this one’s for you
Or those who brew potions in a wandering troupe
I know it’s not much, but I can’t do better
My gift is this song and it’s for you And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world
It is very simple, but it is already ready,
And I hope you don’t mind
I hope you don’t mind what I put into words
How beautiful life is when you are in the world I sat on the roof and kicked off the moss
Well a few of the verses well they’ve got me quite cross
But the sun’s been quite kind while I wrote this song
It’s for people like you that keep it turned on
Over a couple of verses had to work hard,
But the sun was kind when I wrote this song
She’s for people like you to keep it on So excuse me forgetting but these things I do
You see I’ve forgotten if they’re green or they’re blue
Anyway the thing is what I really mean
Yours are the sweetest eyes I’ve ever seen
You know, I forgot if they’re green or blue
Anyway, I wanted to say
Your eyes are the most beautiful I have ever seen

Song quote

This is the first new thing since we started.

John Lennon

I think “Your Song” is a gem. I’m not sure if it’s our classic. Let others decide it. But she’s like an old friend… I’ve heard her sing a million times. She, like a good dog, is always there.

Bernie Taupin