This is a series of posts about the music I play while writing. This time we’re up to Tiny Dancer. A song by Elton John, it’s one of his best songs of all times and now considered a classic. Originally released in 1971 on John’s album Madman Across the Water, it clocked in at just over six minutes long. The song didn’t get much air play due to the length and the record label declined to release it as a single. It did manage to reach number 41 on the pop charts, but it didn’t do well during the 70’s. John would sing it at live performances and as FM radio stations became more popular in the late 70’s the song did start to get more airplay.
The song got a boost in popularity in 2000 when it was featured in the movie Almost Famous. It was certified gold in 2005, platinum in 2011, and triple platinum in 2018. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it 397 on their list of the 500 greatest songs of all times. A music video for Tiny Dancer was released in 2017, which is where a lot of the younger generation encounter this song. It’s a great video and just fits the song perfectly. Here’s a link to that video on YouTube:
The music for Tiny Dancer was written by Elton John with Bernie Taupin writing the lyrics. This is one the great partnerships in music history. Taupin wrote most of the lyrics for Elton John songs including Rock Man and Candle in the Wind. Their working style was for Taupin to write lyrics and send them to John who then set them to music. They are described as working mostly independently of each other with Taupin rarely at the recording sessions. Whatever they did, it worked and together they created some great music.
Tiny Dancer is said to be inspired by Taupin’s First wife, Maxine Fibelman after they first moved to Southern California. Taupin later said that he was also thinking of Southern California women in general as was trying to capture their free spirit.
It’s the lyrics and story behind those that draws me into this song. The imagery is perfect and paints a clear picture of a free spirited woman who just seems to float from thing to thing effortlessly. Just take the first two lines:
“Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band / Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man.”
Here we have a picture of a women who dresses casually, has a skill, is mischievous with a pirate smile – the things we can imagine a music man would want. Remember that this is written from a male perspective — we aren’t really told what the L.A. lady wants or feels. Still we get a reasonable idea of who this woman is.
John’s music is amazing as it build from a simple piano melody into a more complex progression. He just builds the intensity of feeling as he moves to a few repeats of the chorus. All of his musical skills are here. This has to be one of my favorite Elton John songs. I will say that I’m not a big fan of his, but he does have a few gems.
This song ends up on my playlist because of the lyrics and the story it tells. It’s not just a song about a feeling, but also about a person, a relationship and a place. In the music I can see where these people might be and can picture what they are doing. It’s one of those songs that gets me thinking about story telling and the power of poetry to build a picture in your mind. It never fails to put me into a contemplative space.
Andrew's View of the Week 
The music video is remarkably candid, as if John drove through LA, found several random people, and said, “Hey, want to be in a music video?”. Like you, I can’t help but like several of John’s hits (ex. “Candle in the Wind” is powerful, whether an ode to Marilyn Monroe or Lady Di), but I can’t begin to relate to the man or his free-spirited lifestyle.
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The folks who did that video spent a lot of time and effort to get it just right. I love it. and “Candle in the Wind” isn’t on my favorites list — I think it’s been over played, and while it’s a good song, not one I can related to.
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Now that you mention it, the “Goodbye England’s Rose” sounds a little manipulative and certainly not what the original song lamented. I’ll still stand by the original but maybe there are better examples of his best work. “Rocket Man” for sure. “Tiny Dancer” – newfound appreciation after watching this video and paying closer attention to the lyrics.
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I agree.
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Such a wonderful song! And now I know more about it! I really enjoyed reading your post, Andrew. Elton John is pure gold.
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He is!
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I have always been an Elton fan. I was just hitting my teens as he was up and coming. My first album of his was his Greatest Hits (the one where he is wearing the white suit) and from there, I purchased every previous album I could get my hands on. I still love the older albums – even thre first albums like Empty Sky and Elton John – released in 1969 and 70 respectively. I find that their older works were more story-focused. Kind of like country music can be. If one listens to the lyrics of the older stuff, it is evident. I actually still listen to my ‘Elton’ music regularly – but mostly those songs from the beginning. Skyline Pigeon is another of my favorite oldies of his. It has less exposure, but is one of my favorites. Anyway – that is my comment. 🙂
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I’ve always liked his music. I have a few of his songs on my playlists but I tend not to listen to whole albums of his.
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I haven’t heard that one in a very long time.
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One of my favorites.
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A classic and favorite, but I haven’t heard it in a long time!
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I’ve always enjoyed this one, but more in the last few years.
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I like the song. For me, those very lyrics that entice you would distract me! Interesting how we are all different.
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Well it can be distracting and also inspiring. and sometimes I do turn off the music and just write.
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A good one, I haven’t listened to this one in a long time.
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always one of my favorites.
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