The Collaboration between Elton John and Bernie Taupin: Verbatim Lyrics or Modification?
Elton John's collaboration with Bernie Taupin is one of the most iconic and celebrated partnerships in the music industry. Through their longstanding collaboration, these two musicians have created numerous memorable songs that continue to resonate with audiences around the world. A common question that often arises is whether Elton John used Bernie Taupin's lyrics verbatim or made alterations to them. This article aims to explore this question in detail and provide insights into their working relationship.
Elton John's Original Intent and Bernie Taupin's Lyrics
Typically, Elton John used Bernie Taupin's lyrics exactly as they were written. Taupin, a prolific songwriter, often created lyrics independently, drawing inspiration from personal experiences, themes, and other sources. Elton would then compose the music to perfectly match these lyrics, creating the seamless blend of words and melody that characterizes their songs.
One of the key aspects of their collaboration is the respect and trust they have for each other's work. While Elton John might sometimes adjust phrasing or slightly alter the structure of the lyrics to fit the melody, the core of the lyrics typically remain close to what Bernie Taupin originally intended.
Elton's Modificational Approaches
Despite the rock-solid foundation of their original lyrics, Elton John sometimes makes modifications to the way his songs are performed over time. For instance, the song "Your Song," which was originally recorded in 1970, was re-recorded in a different arrangement during a famous concert in Central Park in 1980. During this performance, Elton "quacked" the words, altering the rhythm and duration of some notes to fit the theme of the performance where he dressed as Donald Duck and performed as a duck. This rendition, known as the "Duck Duck" version, was both a playful and iconic moment in music history.
Similarly, his cover of the song "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and his collaboration with the song "Blue" also showcase how he can modify the duration and rhythm of some notes. However, it is worth noting that these modifications are more about enhancing the performance than altering the fundamental words of the songs. The verses and the chorus that Bernie Taupin wrote remain largely intact, with only a few words possibly being slightly adjusted.
Minimal Alterations to Words
According to Elton John himself, the only significant modification he has ever made to Bernie Taupin's lyrics was to occasionally swap the order of a verse and a chorus. In an interview, Elton admitted that his role in the partnership is to be a piano player, demonstrating a complementary approach where Taupin crafts the lyrics and Elton provides the musical accompaniment.
The consistency in their partnership also shows in testimonials from fans who have followed their careers. One such fan mentions, 'I for one know that I dug his work far too much last year at the beginning of this pandemic so it's only natural for me to have picked up some facts too. As far as I remember, Elton didn’t change much of the original text when he recorded his songs for the first time. But some years later...' The fan's statement highlights the general trend of minimal changes to the lyrics over time, with variations mostly confined to performance adjustments.
Conclusion
In summary, the collaboration between Elton John and Bernie Taupin is rooted in a deep respect for each other's creative contributions. While Elton John occasionally makes modifications to the performance and some musical elements, the core lyrics of lyrics remain largely unchanged, preserving the unique voice that Bernie Taupin imbues his words with. This enduring partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration in the music industry.