The Meaning, the Story

so too did the album Elton John appeal to basic human needs and motivations. It encompassed a wide range of demographic and cultural segments, and served as a blueprint for the brand that John would build over the next three decades.

The featured track, “Your Song,”which became his first number one hit, spoke about giving the beautiful gift of a song to a lover-a simple sentiment but one that connects with anyone who is in love or wants to be, which is just about everyone. This song’s significance would only increase throughout John’s career, becoming one of the most requested by fans among the string of hits that would span the next years. And while it is about a lover’s gift, it symbolizes the gift of song from John to his fans-the ultimate marketing gesture. Giving back to fans-rewarding them with something they feel has been created for them-helps move the relationship to a more intimate level.

The album also contained other culturally relevant songs, connecting with people of all ages.”Sixty Years On” related to the loneliness of old age, telling with words, harpsichord, and broken piano chords the poignant story of a veteran returning after the war to the isolation of old age. “First Episode at Hienton” spoke directly to the feelings of every teenager, telling the story of a young man’s first sexual experience with a girl named Valerie. On “Take Me to the Pilot,” the meaning of the words was more cryptic (”I haven’t a clue”, says Taupin) apparently explained only by Taupin’s interest in science fiction at the time. And while the meaning might have been foggy, the emotional charge of the music was clear, grabbing the psyche of listeners, taking them to a crescendo of synthesizer enhanced, full orchestral climax.