Unheralded Elton john songs

I think Social Disease would be my choice. Great song.

 

Holiday Inn
Indian Sunset
Sixty Years On

 

I was just meaning to say that "unheralded" is not a term I'd use to describe a multiplatinum rock star's songs. Even those not as popular as Tiny Dancer.

 

The "sequel" can be found on "REG STRIKES BACK" (1988).

 

As to the question - far too many songs to mention!

"SHINE ON THROUGH"
"REVERIE"
"COLD AS CHRISTMAS (IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR)"
"TICKING"
"BREAKING HEARTS"
"SAINT"
"ONE MORE ARROW"
"LEGAL BOYS"
and many more. He should be proud of his legacy.

 

I'm not sure to what degree this is unheralded since I'm by no means an Elton John expert, but I've never seen "Harmony" on any compilations or heard it on the radio. It's one of my favorite songs of his and I've always thought it didn't quite get the credit it deserved. I get why it's not ranked alongside the likes of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and "Rocket Man" in terms of quality; It's too brief, the verses aren't among his best, and it doesn't quite earn its climactic finish. All that aside, the chorus is one of the most beautiful things he ever wrote IMO. I love the way it blossoms gloriously out of the relatively standard verses and keeps twisting and turning beautifully through the end of the chorus. Even the song is a bit underwritten overall, it's fully redeemed by that amazing chorus IMO.

 

“Harmony” was all over the radio back in the mid-70s in LA. It was played almost as much as his singles. I agree that it’s a great song that could stand to be a minute or so longer.

 

My favorite unheralded EJ song is "Street Kids" off of Rock Of The Westies. Reminds me of Skynyrd, the beginning anyway.

 

Jamaica Jerk-Off.

 

My favorite deep cut (which a number of my friends who know a LOT more about EJ than I do hadn't even heard of before I played it for them):

 

Yep, I should’ve mentioned that one. One of my top 5 Elton tracks.

 

I really like I Cry at Night, originally a b side, which doesn't get much attention.

 

Grey Seal.

 

I'm not sure if any of these are unheralded, exactly, but I love all of them every bit as much as I enjoy his hits:

Emily
I Need You To Turn To (Live in Australia version)
Passengers
Slow Down, Georgie (She's Poison)
Western Ford Gateway

 

Almost everything on Songs From The West Coast, but I will give special mention to "Dark Diamond".


Dan

 

Here's a later one:

 

Ticking
Ballad of Danny Bailey
Have Mercy on the Criminal
Idol
I’ve Seen That Movie Too
Talking Old Soldiers
The North

 

Not a fan of "The Greatest Discovery" and feel it's one of the worst songs on the album.

"Sixty Years On", "Grey Seal", "This Song Has No Title", "High Flying Bird".

 

"The Ballad Of The Boy In The Red Shoes", and about half of the songs on Songs From The West Coast.

Couldn't agree more. Fantastic album.

 

"Burning Buildings" has only gotten one mention and as part of a very long list, I think. I'll nominate it as a real sleeper, solid songwriting plus one of (maybe the) last great pre-surgery vocals.

 

The Retreat
Michelle's Song
Song For Guy
Seasons

 

In Canada Chilliwack got some airplay with their cover of it.

 

I recall reading or hearing that Harmony would’ve been the 4th single off GYBR but they were already pressed into recording (quickly) Caribou.

Curtains for sure is an epic little heard track.
Skyline Pigeon, the piano version from Don’t Shoot Me sessions.
Danny Bailey is a high quality album track.

 

I think it's safe to say he was heavily into Laura Nyro's first album which had just come out around the time he recorded this. The upward modulation at the 1:11 mark really puts the cherry on top of what is already an amazing composition and performance: