Tag: Bernie Taupin

Elton John’s Tribute to John Lennon: Where is the Garden of the “Empty Garden”?

The “empty garden” of Elton John’s tribute to John Lennon originated from the location where the two had once performed together.

Elton John Empty Garden

John Lennon was killed on December 8, 1980. In 1981, Elton John recorded a tribute song to Lennon that was released in 1982. John had been good friends with Lennon and initially balked at the idea of a tribute song. But he changed his mind upon seeing Bernie Taupin’s lyrics for “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny).”

I had loved the song since its release. Although I was a little kid when the Beatles broke up, the Beatles had always been a part of my musical life. And in 1980 when I had just started college, Lennon’s death was a memorable marker in my life. I know it is a cliché, but I still remember where I was when I heard the news and who was with me.

The “Garden” is a Real Place

The lyrics to “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” incorporate images of a garden left behind by its keeper. Only recently, though, have I understood where Elton John’s and Bernie Taupin’s idea for the garden images originated. Their choice gives the song deeper meaning.

In the 2007 performance below from Madison Square Garden for Elton John’s 60th birthday concert, John explains the reference the “Garden” reference. He notes that the venue is the only place appropriate for the song, and it is the only place where he plays the song.

Upon hearing his comments, one better better understands the reference to an “empty garden.” Elton John and John Lennon had performed together at Madison Square Garden in 1974. It was one of Lennon’s final public performances.

Thus, when John sings about the “empty garden,” he imagines the emptiness of the great New York City performance venue without Lennon. From there, Taupin’s lyrics use the image to describe a living garden.

Since that performance, though, John has has not limited the song’s performance to Madison Square Garden. He has performed the song in many other locations.

The lyrics also make other clever references to Lennon. The chorus question of “can’t you come out to play” refers to Lennon’s song written for the Beatles, “Dear Prudence.” The opening line of that song asks “Dear Prudence, won’t you come out to play?”

“Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” is far from Elton John’s best-known song. It is not even his most popular tribute song. He is more known for “Candle in the Wind,” his song for Marilyn Monroe that was later altered for Princess Diana. But “Empty Garden” remains one of his most heartfelt songs.

Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    The Timelessness of Elton John’s “Your Song”

    Elton John Your Song Elton John‘s first hit, “Your Song,” has remained one of his most timeless since it first scaled the charts in 1970. Songwriter Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics when he was only 17, but it could have been a hit in any decade.

    John has played the song in concert thousands of times since it led off his self-titled second album in 1970, and I have heard it almost as many. Check out this video montage of John singing the song through the years.

    What is your favorite Elton John song? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Elton John Plays at Princess Diana’s Funeral

    elton john princess diana's funeral

    This week on September 6, 1997, an estimated 2.6 billion people around the world watched on television the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. Before the death of the 36 year-old Diana Spencer in a car crash in Paris, people around the world admired her since her fairytale wedding through the end of her marriage and through her humanitarian work. Her tragic death at her young age catapulted her to an icon status like other celebrities who had died at young ages.

    So it was not surprising how well the Elton John and Bernie Taupin song “Candle in the Wind,” originally written about Marilyn Monroe easily translated into a ballad about the English Rose. If you watched this performance at Westminster Abbey on TV all those years ago, the odds are good that you did not make it through with dry eyes.

    What do you remember most about Princess Diana’s funeral? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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  • Rocket Man, Burning Out His Fuse Up Here Alone
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    • (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

    Rocket Man, Burning Out His Fuse Up Here Alone

    Who knew that a line in Elton John’s song “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long Long Time)” was “burning out his fuse up here alone?” Volkswagen has some fun in this 2012 Passat commercial below by using the mysterious and somewhat awkward lyric written by Bernie Taupin:

    Funny.

  • Elton John’s Tribute to John Lennon: Where is the Garden of the “Empty Garden”?
  • The Timelessness of Elton John’s “Your Song”
  • Elton John Plays at Princess Diana’s Funeral
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  • It May Be Quite Simple, But This Commercial With Elton John Is Awesome
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    • (Some Related Chimesfreedom Posts)