Elton John — Funeral For a Friend - Love Lies Bleeding
Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick RoadAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 3271
Length: 11:01
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The roses in the window box
Have tilted to one side
Everything about this house
Was born to grow and die
Oh, it doesn't seem a year ago
To this very day
You said I'm sorry honey
If I don't change the pace
I can't face another day
And love lies bleeding in my hand
Oh, it kills me to think of you with another man
I was playing rock and roll and you were just a fan
But my guitar couldn't hold you so I split the band
Love lies bleeding in my hands
I wonder if those changes
Have left a scar on you
Like all the burning hoops of fire
That you and I passed through
You're a bluebird on a telegraph line
I hope you're happy now
Well, if the wind of change
Comes down your way girl
You'll make it back somehow
Have tilted to one side
Everything about this house
Was born to grow and die
Oh, it doesn't seem a year ago
To this very day
You said I'm sorry honey
If I don't change the pace
I can't face another day
And love lies bleeding in my hand
Oh, it kills me to think of you with another man
I was playing rock and roll and you were just a fan
But my guitar couldn't hold you so I split the band
Love lies bleeding in my hands
I wonder if those changes
Have left a scar on you
Like all the burning hoops of fire
That you and I passed through
You're a bluebird on a telegraph line
I hope you're happy now
Well, if the wind of change
Comes down your way girl
You'll make it back somehow
Comments (683)add comment
Genius
Definitely a candidate for best-known song that was never a hit single.
What a classic. 10 all day long.
What a classic. 10 all day long.
RedTopFireBelow wrote:
Just out of curiosity, why don't you play any more? I have zero talent for anything musical and am so envious of people who do.
I used to play piano (was good at it too) and I bought the Yellow Brick Road playbook from my neighbourhood music store. This is a great piece to play on the keys.... gosh, I miss playing.
Just out of curiosity, why don't you play any more? I have zero talent for anything musical and am so envious of people who do.
If ever there was an album that demonstrates how music is associated with the mood at the time, feelings etc., this has to be it... 16 years old when this came out and it was an explosion in musical sensations for that time while still keeping it safely within the 70'ies UK radio-play paradigm. At least that is how the 65 year old in me rationalises the million times I've played this.
jmsmy wrote:
Great description!
Heavier then Black Sabbath, more progressive then Yes with as many Hooks as Sgt. Pepper and as long as a Jethro Tull song. 
Great description!
a true classic
I was going to go exercise. Instead I think I will exercise my speakers.
kingart wrote:
So VERY VERY TRUE!!!! Remember seeing Sir Elton in concert (along with Biliie Joel) back in 2002 and this was the highlight for the concert IMO
Certainly a candidate for one of the all-time great rock epic intros to a brilliant song.
So VERY VERY TRUE!!!! Remember seeing Sir Elton in concert (along with Biliie Joel) back in 2002 and this was the highlight for the concert IMO
sajitjacob wrote:
grow up, you're not 16 any more
Sorry Elton, my mum likes you, so I am duty bound not to. Ever, has it been, so shall it remain.
grow up, you're not 16 any more
The writing.....
Bombastic and Elton John pulls it off so masterfully.
Frankly, this is one of the great progressive rock songs from the period.
Bombastic and Elton John pulls it off so masterfully.
Frankly, this is one of the great progressive rock songs from the period.
Sorry Elton, my mum likes you, so I am duty bound not to. Ever, has it been, so shall it remain.
Progressive rock is everywhere!
Glastonbury for the great man this weekend.
Side 1 of Yellow Brick Road was awesome.
Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding -- Candle in the Wind -- Bennie and the Jets
Cannot remember how many times I played that side.
Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding -- Candle in the Wind -- Bennie and the Jets
Cannot remember how many times I played that side.
I used to play piano (was good at it too) and I bought the Yellow Brick Road playbook from my neighbourhood music store. This is a great piece to play on the keys.... gosh, I miss playing.
Put this in the No. 1 slot on my list of epic rock songs.
ian.pretty784 wrote:
I just turned up my volume
One of great compositions to test your audio with 
I just turned up my volume
sajitjacob wrote:
Just go back to your Kanye on mainstream radio. RP is for grown ups.
This was really good right up until he started singing.
Just go back to your Kanye on mainstream radio. RP is for grown ups.
Kinda out of breath after the 11 minute exercise. Got to get in the shape I was in when I was younger.
Great artwork inside and out to go along with the Fantastic music.
EPIC Double Album from an era when that was possible.
I'd like this medley played at my funeral. <LOUD>
Definitely an opus. Even if the synths are dated. Great composition, I'm buckled in for 11 minutes of enjoyment. (After I go give this a deserved 10 rating.)
noe.architecte169 wrote:
The only similarity I hear to any music from "A Clockwork Orange" is that the intro to this song prominently features a synthesizer - an instrument which was also used by Walter/Wendy Carlos when recording arrangements of several classical music pieces for the film.
A Clockwork Orange at the beginning ?
The only similarity I hear to any music from "A Clockwork Orange" is that the intro to this song prominently features a synthesizer - an instrument which was also used by Walter/Wendy Carlos when recording arrangements of several classical music pieces for the film.
poetdancer wrote:
If you'd said in under three hours I might have been even vaguely impressed.
Bernie Taupin (only 22 at the time) wrote the lyrics in under three weeks, with Elton John composing most of the music in three days. Still listening to this album some 48 years later. A true classic.
If you'd said in under three hours I might have been even vaguely impressed.
Hi last great album :(
westslope wrote:
The Who? Absolutely. But then, this song has many links, to many other bands. At the core though: very Elton John.
There are a few bars where I hear the Who.
Or am I imaging things?
The Who? Absolutely. But then, this song has many links, to many other bands. At the core though: very Elton John.
One of great compositions to test your audio with
The beginning looks like in the film a Clockwork Orangin 1972. No ?
noe.architecte169 wrote:
I know ... you are fed up i'am right all the time ... sorry ...
Brillant Philippe !!! Bravo
I know ... you are fed up i'am right all the time ... sorry ...
Brillant Philippe !!! Bravo
GREAT TUNE, until he starts singing!
Rijidij wrote:
MORE CASTANETS!!!
Elton at his finest.
(funny, I never noticed the castanets before)...
MORE CASTANETS!!!
noe.architecte169 wrote:
I know ... you are fed up i'am right all the time ... sorry ...
The beginning looks like in the film a Clockwork Orangin 1972. No ?
I know ... you are fed up i'am right all the time ... sorry ...
Bernie Taupin (only 22 at the time) wrote the lyrics in under three weeks, with Elton John composing most of the music in three days. Still listening to this album some 48 years later. A true classic.
Boggles my mind how any human that appreciates music could dis-like Elton's music over the years. Sure a song or a record here and there, but geez, he is a god amongst song writers, with a lot of help from Bernie of course!
I wasn't a big Elton fan but this was great songwriting.
This was really good right up until he started singing.
The beginning looks like in the film a Clockwork Orangin 1972. No ?
Elton Prog
A Clockwork Orange at the beginning ?
Perhaps predictive, even at a young age while owning and digesting this album, I doubted he would ever surpass the mastery of this work and therefore tuned out of almost all of his future works. From what I can tell with just occasional exceptions, it was a good call.
h8rhater wrote:
Look in the mirror much?
Agree with being pompous bombastic. Some songs from the past should be cherished, others buried deep.
Look in the mirror much?
Agree with being pompous bombastic. Some songs from the past should be cherished, others buried deep.
Elton at his finest.
(funny, I never noticed the castanets before)...
(funny, I never noticed the castanets before)...
I had no idea Elton John also made music like this. Excellent stuff.
My favorite Elton John song, I think? I find most of his music to be a bit sappy, and over time they have not improved, in my opinion. But this song is an exception - and it has aged well, too.
westslope wrote:
Look in the mirror much?
Pompous and bombastic, like some of the prog and heavy rock from the period.
Look in the mirror much?
The soundtrack to my youth. I still have the vinyl album, the 12" single of this track, and the bleeding heart from all those lost teenage loves ... of which the best was taken from this earth early last year. Despite the advancing years, good memories can never be erased.
My wife and I have both chosen this song to be played at our funeral services. What a great send-off song!
Great track, beautiful album and soundtrack to my teenage years. Made even better by the fact Elton went to my school (12 years earlier) and lived locally.
philbertr wrote:
and epochal. and epic
Musically epoch
and epochal. and epic
prog!
Meant epic
Wow! This sounds like the soundtrack of 150 films at the same time, from the 1920s to 1970s sci-fi! And Elton hasn't even begun singing yet! Excellent. :)
Musically epoch
Many years ago (prolly close to 40) I was helping my sister hang drapes at Davey Johnston’s house up in the Hollywood Hills area. He was there for a short time, we met briefly (maybe a minute or 2) and I saw his ‘record room’.
ditty wrote:
This was one of the first 8-track cassettes that I had. Used to play it endlessly, and this song is burned into my brain -- the orchestral opening and the rock'n'roll finish. Superb.
Wow. I had forgotten about this song. Used to listen to it full blast via 8-track on the stereo growing up. Always gave me chills.
This was one of the first 8-track cassettes that I had. Used to play it endlessly, and this song is burned into my brain -- the orchestral opening and the rock'n'roll finish. Superb.
He had the best band.
How many moments of rock immortality can you pack into one song? I can just imagine other great bands of the period listening to this and tipping their hats.
xcranky_yankee wrote:
overplayed and no where near as good as funeral for a friend
always thought this was the best tune on the album...Candle in the Wind was overplayed.
overplayed and no where near as good as funeral for a friend
Majestic. Elton and Bernie’s best work.
I have requested this be played at my eulogy. Testament to a lifetime passion for music.
I have requested this be played at my eulogy. Testament to a lifetime passion for music.
Bump 8 > 9. Great overture, better sing along track. Elton had a few of them in his heyday, huh?
always thought this was the best tune on the album...Candle in the Wind was overplayed.
This may be the best opening song(s) of any album. As many times as I've played it, full volume, it always moves me.
c.
c.
Although it came out a year before was born, it still holds deep meaning to me. I was first introduced to this song in the mid-80s, when my late dance instructor (and second mother) selected this as the opening piece for our end-of-the-year dance recital. It was the first show after after her beloved husband, partner, and soulmate had died suddenly, so the selection had a special meaning for all of us. At the time, some of the beautifully-conceived choreography was a bit over our preteen and teenage heads, and we executed to the best of our ability (which wasn't half-bad, IMO). Now when I hear this song, I think of a Yvonne and Roy dancing together in the afterlife with a tear in my eye a smile on my face. An emphatic 10 from me.
Favorite Elton John song(s), by far. Certainly a nod to prog, which is why I love it so much (besides one of best John compositions (Funeral) plus Taupin/John collaboration in Love Lies Bleeding; stunning), with a great guitar part typical of the day. Oh that Davey Johnstone!
you have a way with words...always enjoy your posts ! coloradojohn wrote:
Cool... I can never forget how one moonlit night in '85 I was walking along the Pearl Street Mall with a certain Jenny and there was a street musician banging away on an old upright piano, and lo and behold, he was dashing his way into the best part of this song. That night, she made me feel like I'd never felt before. Within too short a time, she sabotaged it, and Love lay bleeding. But what a memory!
OMG.. i haven't heard this in decades! This was my favorite piece to play on the piano... what a great songbook this was!!!! One of the best albums EVER!!!!!
Thank you RP!!! Stopping work to enjoy this beauty...
Thank you RP!!! Stopping work to enjoy this beauty...
What an amazing tune. This album is in my top 10 all time favs. 
I discovered this song rather late - in 1981 to be exact. I was completing a BFA in Modern Dance, and this turned out to be my senior choreography project. My college friend Denny had been pet sitting in my dumpy college bungalow while I was away for the holidays. She never answered my phone call, and instead her Mom called me on New Years Day. Denny had tragically died in an auto crash around midnight on New Year's Eve. So I choreographed a dance using Elton's song. Every time I hear Funeral for a Friend I remember Denny.
Certainly a candidate for one of the all-time great rock epic intros to a brilliant song.
Absolute frickin masterpiece!
If you could only own 10 albums, this, for me, is definitely one of them. All kinds of great B tracks. Harmony, I've Seen That Movie too
Used to call in to my school's radio station for this cuz I could hold the station hostage for so long and enjoy every minute.
As good as the first time I heard it many, many mango seasons ago. A 10+ then and still a 10+,...maybe even a 12 for me!!
westslope wrote:
Yes, a trifle heavy-handed and syrupy as well, but that was the style back then. Anyhow, good tune.
Pompous and bombastic, like some of the prog and heavy rock from the period.
Yes, a trifle heavy-handed and syrupy as well, but that was the style back then. Anyhow, good tune.
Wow. I had forgotten about this song. Used to listen to it full blast via 8-track on the stereo growing up. Always gave me chills.
Heavier then Black Sabbath, more progressive then Yes with as many Hooks as Sgt. Pepper and as long as a Jethro Tull song.
Well, that certainly starts my propulsion engines to get the day moving ahead...
Always a goose-bump generator for me. 
twoplain2sea wrote:
Windage, brother, windage!
Stilted tactics from ground control
What does a deranged astronaut see is but feet.
What does a deranged astronaut see is but feet.
Windage, brother, windage!
RobN wrote:
I'm not an audiophile, but I sensed that he was, for a very short period, doing a soft-shoe around someone else's signature, but purposively — by extension, consciously — as though to suggest it was something he could do because he'd already amply demonstrated his own chops, or was doing so in those very bars.
So do I. And I thought I was imagining it.
I'm not an audiophile, but I sensed that he was, for a very short period, doing a soft-shoe around someone else's signature, but purposively — by extension, consciously — as though to suggest it was something he could do because he'd already amply demonstrated his own chops, or was doing so in those very bars.
One of the many good reasons there is Elton John (from before there was a Sir). All pipes blazing.
Volume goes up... feet... gaze... Nice!
I saw Elton John in concert back in Yellowbrick days at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. He opened the show with this.
OMG!!
It was wonderful.
Graham (somewhere in Kuwait)
OMG!!
It was wonderful.
Graham (somewhere in Kuwait)
jab49 wrote:
THEY are geniuses. Don't forget Bernie!
If religion were half as good as this song, I'd sign up. The man's a genius. Great memories of a great album. Thanks RP.
THEY are geniuses. Don't forget Bernie!
jmsmy wrote:
Oh pleeez, leave the hyperbole to President Trump.
Heavier then Black Sabbath and more progressive then Yes
Oh pleeez, leave the hyperbole to President Trump.
Pompous and bombastic, like some of the prog and heavy rock from the period.
Heavier then Black Sabbath, more progressive then Yes with as many Hooks as Sgt. Pepper and as long as a Jethro Tull song.
Should be at least a 9 here! Amazing piece.
I was a freshman in HS when this was released in 73. I was mostly doing the Sabbath and Zep thang. MY mother liked Elton and she bought me this 8 track. We wore this out and have been a fanboy to this day, especially this album. I even got a little cool factor bump and school for having it. Thanks Mom!
I remember my math teacher borrowed it and recorded onto Reel-to-Reel.
Their was so much tape in their it started to drag and finally eviscerated itself.
I remember my math teacher borrowed it and recorded onto Reel-to-Reel.
Their was so much tape in their it started to drag and finally eviscerated itself.
westslope wrote:
So do I. And I thought I was imagining it.
There are a few bars where I hear the Who.
Or am I imaging things?
Or am I imaging things?
So do I. And I thought I was imagining it.
A true classic.
thecdar wrote:
Ditto.. Thanks so much for playing! It's been awhile..
Never get tired of this...
Ditto.. Thanks so much for playing! It's been awhile..
Never get tired of this...
There are a few bars where I hear the Who.
Or am I imaging things?
Or am I imaging things?
This is like Bach or Chopin-like outstanding 
Tumbleweed Connection is still my favourite EJ album, but there are a couple of sides on this LP that were awesome too!
I saw him in concert in Toronto. He opened with this song. God like. He had the audience from the first note.
Graham
somewhere in Kuwait.
I saw him in concert in Toronto. He opened with this song. God like. He had the audience from the first note.
Graham
somewhere in Kuwait.
jab49 wrote:
I don't know. Elton John as a religion...
If religion were half as good as this song, I'd sign up. The man's a genius. Great memories of a great album. Thanks RP.
I don't know. Elton John as a religion...
And a good Halloween morning to you. As usual, Bill sets the tone for the day!
If religion were half as good as this song, I'd sign up. The man's a genius. Great memories of a great album. Thanks RP.
Take Me to the Pilot and Saturday Nights All Right, two slices of of Elton's creative peak, are also brilliant tunes that RP might share. Hint. Benny and the Jets, imo, unfortunately, is dreck, not least because it was played played played played played and then played another 3,765 times too many on FM, so we might live a tuneful life without that one.
LindyLuv wrote:
Nope and nope.
Oh, c,mon, aren't you all a little tired of Elton John by now? And hasn't he done better than this?
Nope and nope.
Stilted tactics from ground control
What does a deranged astronaut see is but feet.
What does a deranged astronaut see is but feet.
coloradojohn wrote:
Great story!
I remember being a post-high-school party with some friends and we were all getting drunk. The guy who was hosting the party while his parents were away sat down at the piano and began playing the solo part to this song. Perfectly. Passionately. I had absolutely no idea that he knew how to play, but he'd clearly had years of training. Mind-blowing.
Cool... I can never forget how one moonlit night in '85 I was walking along the Pearl Street Mall with a certain Jenny and there was a street musician banging away on an old upright piano, and lo and behold, he was dashing his way into the best part of this song. That night, she made me feel like I'd never felt before. Within too short a time, she sabotaged it, and Love lay bleeding. But what a memory!
Great story!
I remember being a post-high-school party with some friends and we were all getting drunk. The guy who was hosting the party while his parents were away sat down at the piano and began playing the solo part to this song. Perfectly. Passionately. I had absolutely no idea that he knew how to play, but he'd clearly had years of training. Mind-blowing.
Rogertheshrubber wrote:
Agreed!
Also strongly agree. This kind of programming and seque is why RP is my main listen even after over 10 years.
Agreed!
Also strongly agree. This kind of programming and seque is why RP is my main listen even after over 10 years.
molson wrote:
Well put. It was hugely popular and deservedly so. Holds up reasonably well all these years later too.
GENIUS AT WORK! If you did not grow up hearing this on the radio, and then go out and buy the vinyl, you might not get how unbelievably HUGE this song and this record meant to millions of teenagers and adult alike. The record seemingly came out of the clouds from a new appointed genius!
Well put. It was hugely popular and deservedly so. Holds up reasonably well all these years later too.
From a time when EJ was making good music (with no small thanks to those around him).
GENIUS AT WORK! If you did not grow up hearing this on the radio, and then go out and buy the vinyl, you might not get how unbelievably HUGE this song and this record meant to millions of teenagers and adult alike. The record seemingly came out of the clouds from a new appointed genius!
Yes and yes, LindyLuv! Good lyrics but had to mute - was hurting my ears. I like Elton, but this doesn't do it for me in any way.
LindyLuv wrote:
LindyLuv wrote:
Oh, c,mon, aren't you all a little tired of Elton John by now? And hasn't he done better than this?
I'm always looking for things to put on my calendar.
Keeps me happy when they arrive.
Today it was the Apple Festival in Glastonbury.
Lots of fun, and I looked forward to it for weeks.
Next: I'm hoping to add the day that Bill adds "0" to the rating scale.
This song deserves it.
Keeps me happy when they arrive.
Today it was the Apple Festival in Glastonbury.
Lots of fun, and I looked forward to it for weeks.
Next: I'm hoping to add the day that Bill adds "0" to the rating scale.
This song deserves it.
AbileneTexas wrote:
Agreed!
Great segue from Carmen - both thematically and musically.
Agreed!
Great segue from Carmen - both thematically and musically. Well played, Bill!
I like. They're all ok. Somes just better.
LindyLuv wrote:
No and no..
Oh, c,mon, aren't you all a little tired of Elton John by now? And hasn't he done better than this?
No and no..
Oh, c,mon, aren't you all a little tired of Elton John by now? And hasn't he done better than this?
Stingray wrote:
I think your bias is getting in the way. I don't particularly like 'the person' either, but this song is pure freakin' genius.To say it's "terrible" tells me you don't know have an ounce of musical aptitude, nor appreciation.
I listened patiently - most because of the many positive comments!
I cannot join you - a TERRIBLE song! As terrible as the whole person!
Just ridiculous!
I think your bias is getting in the way. I don't particularly like 'the person' either, but this song is pure freakin' genius.To say it's "terrible" tells me you don't know have an ounce of musical aptitude, nor appreciation.
1973? early synthtastic! Some good mucisicianship on this album I guess. At least it's better than "are you ready for love"!
I'm finding this hard to rate.
I'm finding this hard to rate.
Bloody hell this is awful.
Stingray wrote:
so very wrong on so many levels!
and yet that's what's great about RP - we all have our own tastes and ideals and get to hear each others' - sometimes with surprising results, sometimes just reinforcing what we already felt....
I listened patiently - most because of the many positive comments!
I cannot join you - a TERRIBLE song! As terrible as the whole person!
Just ridiculous!
so very wrong on so many levels!
and yet that's what's great about RP - we all have our own tastes and ideals and get to hear each others' - sometimes with surprising results, sometimes just reinforcing what we already felt....
One of his last really GREAT albums.