I’m not sure I would have left my love for the drums if he hadn’t existed. Because, I’ve always really loved playing the drums. But then I heard some catchy hit songs on the radio. And then my brother gave me an album as a high school graduation gift. And suddenly my musical desires marched to a different drum.
And that different drum was a piano.
Those catchy hit songs were from an obscure piano player. You’ve probably never heard of him. Reginald Dwight. But wait. Maybe you’ve heard of his stage name. Elton John.
Yeah, Mr. John…or should it be Mr. Dwight? Come to think of it, neither one sounds right. Those are both first names. Oh, whatever. Who cares? That’s not the point I’m trying to make anyway.
It was on this date (as I write this), February 10, that Elton had his first No. 1 album in England (aka the UK). The album was “Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player.” And it was No.1 for six weeks. And maybe you’ve heard a couple of his catchy hit songs from that collection. “Daniel” and “Crocodile Rock.”
I read an article that said the title for the album happened as a result of something Elton said when he met Groucho Marx. Groucho called him John Elton, as he pointed his first two fingers (in the shape of a gun), at “Mr. John.” And Elton held up his hands and said (you guessed it) “Don’t shoot me. I’m only the piano player.”
And I like those kinds of stories. Because they give you a glimpse of the historical connections each generation has. But something occurred to me when I read that article.
Elton sure marched to a different drum from Groucho.
If you watch Mr. Marx’s movies, or his old TV show that ran from 1950-1961, you see his fondness for the opposite sex. And he made it blatantly obvious on many occasions.
Contrast that with Elton John’s fondness for “being” the opposite sex.
Both guys focused their lives and careers on that base level. And they were/are both wrong for doing that. But, at least Groucho clearly understood his natural role as a man. Elton is clueless about the damage he does to himself.
And in spite of my strong, negative opinion of Elton John’s real life and lifestyle I still give him credit for influencing me to play the piano instead of the drums. I’m mighty glad he composed the kinds of songs he did. And I’m mighty glad he was successful in a time when guitar bands were all the rage. Because he showed me the power of piano.
No one ever asked me to play a new drumbeat. Or a new song I covered on the drums. Yeah, I know it’s crazy. But on one ever stuck around for long during my drum solos. Not because they were bad. Because they were drums.
Drums aren’t melodic.
And I can’t think of one example where a singer songwriter had a hit with just his voice and a set of drums. Maybe there’s somebody who did it. But I’ve never heard of it.
Anyway…
I always liked Elton John’s songs. Well, not the ones where he went disco or sugary pop. But the ones from albums like “Don’t Shoot Me…” and “Madman Across The Water.” And “Honky Chateau.” And “Tumbleweed Connection.” I appreciate Elton’s ability to put a melody to catchy, clever, and concentrated lyrics.
But I wish he would realize the damage he’s done, and is still doing, to his soul. It’s permanent damage. In fact, it’s potentially eternal damage. And it would be such a waste for him to spend eternity in torment. Thinking about what he did to himself and others. Because I know how miserably sad he’s gonna be if and when that time comes.
I’m grateful for his influence, though. Because the hundreds of songs I’ve written might never have seen the light of day if it weren’t for him. And there’s an odd sort of connection between my lyrics and those of Elton’s songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. We both talk about God. And Jesus.
But to Bernie and Elton, those seem to be just regular names to use.
And to me, they’re the names above ALL names.
So, while I love their music, I despise their nonchalant disregard for the One who made them. And I despise how much damage they’ve done in the world as they’ve attempted to glorify perversion.
You might think I’m wrong because of my contempt for their lifestyle.
But, hey…don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player.
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