Reading Between the Lines
This week I’m going to take a stab at understanding some lyrics and for my first effort of this sort I’ve chosen Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom.” This song was one of many collaborations between John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin and it was released in 1975. John says he told Taupin to write it as a tribute to Billie Jean King, who was a member of the Philadelphia Freedoms tennis team. That’s not a very good marketing strategy, so it was sold as a tribute to America’s bicentennial the following year. And here is what I think the song means:
I used to be a rolling stone
For a time I was rootless, moving from town to town.
You know if the cause was right
Especially if there was good money in it.
I’d leave to find the answer on the road
Many of life’s problems can be solved by driving. Just like Kerouac.
I used to be a heart beating for someone
For a time I was an organ donor.
But the times have changed
But I’ve decided not to sign the back of my new license.
The less I say the more my work gets done
When I don’t bother Bernie, he writes my lyrics faster. The less input, the better.
`Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom
I’m free to love my brother in the City of Brotherly Love.
From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag
You know, the rainbow flag?
Philadelphia freedom took me knee-high to a man
Let me spell it out for you, America: I like to blow dudes.
Yeah gave me peace of mind my daddy never had
When my dad blew dudes he always had to look over his shoulder.
Oh Philadelphia freedom shine on me, I love you
You know I love you, Philadelphia, you can “shine” on me.
Shine a light through the eyes of the ones left behind
C’mon, Philadelphia. “Shine” all over me. Eyes, behind, wherever.
Shine a light shine a light
C’mon, Philadelphia. “Shine!”
Shine a light won’t you shine a light
Oh, yeah. “Shine.”
Philadelphia freedom I love you, yes I do
Ooooh Philadelphia! I love you!
If you choose to you can live your life alone
I prefer anonymous gay sex that doesn’t lead to a relationship.
Some people choose the city
The city is very good for these types of trysts
Some others choose the good old family home
My dad wanted me to blow him.
I like living easy without family ties
But that was too creepy, even for me.
Till the whippoorwill of freedom zapped me
“Whippoorwill”=”Shine”
Right between the eyes
Can you hand me that towel?
hilarious.
Thank you for clearing that one up.
Now what is Queen’s Bicycle Race all about?
I have been meaning to seek out some of Elton John’s older music, ever since I heard it in an Anchorage hotel under the gaze of several large dead animals. I hate his voice though. Where should I start to listen? Suggestions?
You may want to try Goodbye Yellow Brick Road which is pretty much as good as EJ gets. If you don’t like that one, he’s just not for you. Granted it has “Candle in the Wind” (YUCK) but that’s countered by the title track and “Bennie & the Jets” which are my two favorite EJ songs.
I actually like John’s voice and for a while there he was on a roll with his songwriting. So eh…youlove his stuff or you hate it. It’s all good.
I don’t really like Elton John all that much, but I might pick Madman Across the Water.
Of his early albums, Tumbleweed Connection is wonderful. It’s more simple balladeer in style and perhaps his least mannered sounding album. Madman Across the Water is also very good.
For his “high period” Captain Fantastic is a great album. I like Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, too, but I find it spotty (with four sides it’s hard not to be) with more throwaway stuff than the other albums.
Everything up to 1975 is really pretty good if you like him, and then everything after that is atrocious.