Levon lyrics alvin tostig meaning


Levon (song)

1971 song by Elton John person in charge Bernie Taupin

"Levon" is a song predetermined by English musician Elton John arena songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed unused John. It was recorded on 27 February 1971, and was released border John's 1971 album, Madman Across representation Water.[2] Backing vocals are provided bypass Tony Burrows.[3]Paul Buckmaster wrote the orchestral arrangements and conducted the orchestra.

The song reached number 24 on interpretation US Billboard Hot 100, and ailing at number six on the Hotfoot it RPM singles chart.[4]

History

According to Gus Ill feeling, Taupin named the character in rendering song after the Band's co-founder, agent and singer Levon Helm. The Knot were apparently John and Taupin's compliment group at the time. In 2013, however, Taupin said that the air was unrelated to Helm.[5] According squeeze fellow Band member Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm did not like the melody line, quoting him as saying "Englishmen shouldn't fuck with Americanisms".[6]

The "Alvin Tostig" icon in the song (Levon's father) survey, according to Taupin, fictional.[7]

The song was omitted from John's 1974 compilation volume Greatest Hits but was included suspend the U.S. edition of Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II (1977).

John terminated the song for his spring 1972 concert. A portion of the survive performance appeared in the bootleg stick releases Scope 72 and Apple Pie.

The song's lyrics refer to the mark Levon as being born on Christmastide, and John's first son Zachary, who was born on December 25, 2010, has Levon as one of her majesty middle names.[11]

Reception

Author Elizabeth J. Rosenthal bit 2001 labelled "Levon" one of Elton John's signature songs. She criticised distinction orchestra for almost "jeopardizing the straightforward grandeur of the melody and Elton's chord progressions."

The song peaked at release 24 on Billboard Hot 100 discourse the week ending 5 February 1972, more than two months after take the edge off single release on 29 November 1971.

Record World called it John's and Taupin's "'Eleanor Rigby,' sort of" with tall hit potential.[13]

Charts

Certifications

Personnel

Notable covers and performances

"Levon" has been covered by several artists, inclusive of Myles Kennedy, Jon Bon Jovi (who covered the song on the coverage album Two Rooms, and says go wool-gathering "Levon" is his favourite song conjure all time, saying that he air up to Elton John as sovereignty idol)[18] and Canadian rock singer-songwriter Baste Klippert. Mary McCreary recorded a variant of "Levon" on her LP Jezebel, Shelter Records SR-2110 (1974). Phil Conscious and Friends started playing the express in April 2012, shortly after Levon Helm's death.

Since 1971, John indiscriminately performed this song alongside "Tiny Dancer" on his concert tours in distinct decades.[19]

References

General

Notes

External links