Sir Elton John will make his first major UK festival appearance at Bestival, which celebrates its 10th Anniversary in September; as Elton John himself celebrates his own landmark anniversary in 2013 with the 40th Anniversary of the release of his seminal album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”.

Elton John will dovetail perfectly into the culture and ethos of Bestival, as many of the festival goers wear fancy dress, a point that hasn’t escaped him….. “I can’t wait to see that – they must all look amazing from the stage. At various times I wore enormous feathered head-dresses, cloaks, hot pants, jumpsuits, clown suits, a Minnie Mouse outfit, French Maid, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty. Wearing fancy dress makes us all feel less inhibited. So I think it’s a great way to enjoy live music.”

Elton John’s penchant for wearing fancy dress on stage was at it’s zenith in 1973 when he released his iconic album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. In the author’s opinion, “Goodbye Yellow Road” was and still is Elton John’s finest album, spawning my two favourite Elton John singles “Candle In The Wind “ and the title track “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. Along with “Bennie and the Jets” which was also released as a single in 1974, “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” and “Sweet Painted Lady” are also great tracks.

It is probably a little invidious to single “Goodbye Yellow Road” out as Elton John’s best album, because his songwriting in collaboration with Bernie Taupin was almost peerless between 1970 and 1976. The magnitude of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s back catalogue over these six years is breathtaking, made even more incredible by the fact that they wrote the lyrics and music completely separately from one another.

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was created under the working titles of “Vodka and Tonics and Silent Movies, Talking Pictures”. Amazingly Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics in two and a half weeks and even more incredibly Elton John composed most of the music in three days while staying at the Pink Flamingo Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica. Apparently his motivation for recording in Jamaica was due to the Rolling Stones having recently recorded Goats Head Soup on the island.

So in the month that sees the BBC celebrate “The Golden Age of The Album”, one of my nominations for one of the best albums of that golden era of the 1970, is Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. Forty years on, it’s brilliance remains undiminished by time. Selecting a Top 10 Best Elton John & Bernie Taupin Songs is equally as difficult, but let’s give it a go……

Top 10 Best Elton John & Bernie Taupin Songs

1) Goodbye Yellow Brick Road ( 1973 )

2) Candle In The Wind ( 1974 )

3) Little Jeannie ( 1980 )

4) Your Song ( 1970 )

5) Rocket Man ( 1972 )

6) Sartorial Elegance ( 1980 )

7) Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word ( 1976 )

8) Someone Saved My Life Tonight ( 1975 )

9)  Tiny Dancer ( 1972 )

10) Crocodile Rock ( 1972 )

Which are your favourite Elton John songs? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

Celebrate your favourite Elton John song in your home or office, by ordering your favourite Elton John song in a vinyl or CD format; single, album or album cover; framed and mounted as a picture disc souvenir. You can also personalise it with an inscribed / engraved plaque…… 

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Framed vinyl records, framed CDs and framed DVDs with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!

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