# So what bit Sir Elton's ass, anyway? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 4, 2004, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558 "2004-10-04T23:08:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/21 "2004-10-05T11:03:48Z")
> [@Paulberserker](#): > > And Liberal, what are you on about? I believe I’m entitled to state my opinion. > [@](#): > > Since when did Elton John innovate anything? You have got to be joking. Can you name anything in rock that preceded _Sixty Years On_? Paul Buckmaster himself called the whole album innovative, and said that Elton’s music was “brilliant, a turn-on”. By _Madman_, his reputation for innovation was well established. Alec Dubro wrote in _Rolling Stone_ in 1972 that _Tiny Dancer_ “has the delicate melody, virtuoso singing, and innovative arranging that have marked Elton John since _Your Song_.” _Billboard_ published, “John’s album has been long awaited and his two great virtues are happily here: he vocally attacks the scale as conquerer and his piano is more a drum than a drum.” And Ed Kelleher, of _Circus_, wrote, “If the live LP and the _Friends_ soundtrack were somewhat less than fantastic, they only whetted the appetite for another helping of pure and original material. _Madman Across The Water_ should quench the thirst of those who spotted Elton ‘back when.’” > [@](#): > > And you don’t mean Aristotle, you meant to say Liberace. You didn’t mean to say Liberace, you meant to say Mozart. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/22 "2004-10-05T11:10:32Z")
Nope, Liberace. So, you remember when rock was young do you? I can think of a lot of things to say about Elton John, but ‘innovative’ isn’t one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/23 "2004-10-05T11:23:09Z")
When you’ve had professional critics and peers alike call your work “innovative”; when you’ve won Tonys, Grammys, and Oscars for your work; when you’ve had 35 gold and 25 platinum albums spanning a 35-year career — get back to me. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/24 "2004-10-05T11:29:02Z")
Meh. When you’ve stop posting in every single thread going with ‘i’m right because Liberal says so posts’ get back to me. I’ve read a lot about music, I know a lot about music, shit, I own Yellow Brick Road on vinyl and this is the first i’ve heard him called that. Piano playing bad wig wearing whiny drama queen who bitches because his life must be so hard seems a lot more appropriate to me. Now i’m going to back to polishing my Grammy, Tony and MOBO awards in the dining room, all for **Berserker: Live at Budokan** (EMI, 1979). Thankyou very much. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/25 "2004-10-05T12:19:07Z")
Anyone who is making the money the Sir Elton is from the musicals “Lion King” and “Aida” doesn’t have to work again ever. He also is working on “Interview with a Vampire” with Bernie Taupin as the lyricist. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/26 "2004-10-05T12:41:45Z")
Sir Elton, as supremely talented as he is, seems to be woefully insecure. I really do think it is rooted in the fact that he feels unattractive. For years he dressed up in garish outfits and drank like a fish to detract from the fact that he was uncomfortable in his own skin. Face it, he’s short, fat and bald and he really, really wants to be movie star handsome. (We can’t all be George Michael, Elton.) As he’s aged, he’s mellowed out a bit, but at his core he is still Reginald Dwight – a geeky, albeit brilliant, musician with few true friends. And unlike most people, he KNOWS he’s a geek with few true friends. Mick Jagger has yet to figure it out and that’s why he’s a fun guy to be around. Re Madonna. I’ll admit I laughed my ass off at his comment. Did anyone catch the clip of her speech in Israel on the The Daily Show? “We all want a peaceful world without violence!” As the audience clapped, she turned to them like a 5 year old would do after performing “I’m a Little Teapot” in front of the grandparents, beamed, and did a tiny little curtsey. Oh. my. She’s just an embarrassment. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/27 "2004-10-05T12:48:13Z")
Madonna’s people gave a very classy reply - along the lines of: > [@](#): > > “Madonna does not waste her time slating other artists. Nor does she lip-synch. Madonna sang every note live on her tour. Furthermore, Elton is not off her Christmas card list. Elton will remain on Madonna’s Christmas card list whether he is naughty or nice. He will always be a friend of hers.” ---
**Author:** ![Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@Scoundrel\_Swanswater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoundrel_Swanswater)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/28 "2004-10-05T12:50:54Z")
Elton John _used_ to be innovative. Right now he is about as innovative as Phil fricking Collins. Isn’t is possible that Sir John has picked up his old hobbies : coke and booze? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/29 "2004-10-05T13:09:15Z")
> [@Paulberserker](#): > > When you’ve stop posting in every single thread going with ‘i’m right because Liberal says so posts’ get back to me. Actually, what I posted were quotes from experts and professional critics of music. > [@PunditLisa](#): > > Did anyone catch the clip of her speech in Israel on the The Daily Show? “We all want a peaceful world without violence!” As the audience clapped, she turned to them like a 5 year old would do after performing “I’m a Little Teapot” in front of the grandparents, beamed, and did a tiny little curtsey. Oh. my. Yes! That was hillarious! 😃 > [@Vinryk](#): > > Elton John used to be innovative. > Right now he is about as innovative as Phil fricking Collins. I’ll agree with that. His best days are probably behind him. That’s what made me think of the Einstein comparison. The poor old codger spent his waning years searching for the ever-elusive Unified Field Theory and bashing quantum mechanics. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/30 "2004-10-05T13:54:31Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > Fading musical career? His career is to music as Einstein’s was to science. He has nothing left to earn, or change, or innovate. He’s just going the way of every old statesman since Aristotle, who left Athens in his winter years, declaring that he would not give the Athenians a “third chance” at ruining philosophy. Jesus Christ, first Bobby Fisher and now Elton John? Marc ---
**Author:** ![Gamaliel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b487fb/32.png) [@Gamaliel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gamaliel)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/31 "2004-10-05T20:00:23Z")
> [@Starving Artist](#): > > It’s a conundrum. He loves performing and its perks and rewards, but he also loves his home life, and he can’t have them both at the same time. Maybe he should get one of those Vegas theaters like Celine Dion. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/32 "2004-10-05T22:25:10Z")
Saw this headline on CNN’s front page and immediately thought of Sir Elton: [Faded star defies description](http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/10/05/space.star.reut/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/33 "2004-10-05T22:56:35Z")
> [@Gamaliel](#): > > Maybe he should get one of those Vegas theaters like Celine Dion. 😃 Gee do you ever think that will happen? :dubious: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/34 "2004-10-05T23:00:27Z")
> [@vinryk](#): > > Elton John _used_ to be innovative. > Right now he is about as innovative as Phil fricking Collins. Absolutely true, good analogy. Elton John, well, with songs like Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Madman Across the Water and others, he was certainly treading new ground. I don’t think I’d go so far as Mozart, **Lib** (though I don’t think you were either; I get your point). Some of his orchestrations cross the line from ‘innovatively breaking the rules’ to ‘amateurish’, IMHO. Still, I would never argue that he wasn’t one of the best in his day, and he still puts out decent, though mostly insepid, music at least on par with the rest of the pop world, which is where he’s living these days. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/35 "2004-10-05T23:07:27Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Anyone who is making the money the Sir Elton is from the musicals “Lion King” and “Aida” doesn’t have to work again ever. He also is working on “Interview with a Vampire” with Bernie Taupin as the lyricist. Hell, he could live like a king from his 70’s hits. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/36 "2004-10-05T23:37:53Z")
Trouble is, he lives like _five_ kings! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2004, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/37 "2004-10-05T23:48:28Z")
The rot properly set in with the whole Diana thing and that song, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![partlycloudy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/partlycloudy/32/3114_2.png) [@partlycloudy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/partlycloudy)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/38 "2004-10-06T00:22:10Z")
I know, it’s because he _used_ to be innovative and musically crafty, and he’s lost it - that’s why he’s turned grumpy. I saw him in concert a couple years ago when he was on tour with Billy Joel. I went for Elton John, but I left rooting for Billy Joel. He stole the show! Elton just seemed bored and irritated. I imagine he’s probably getting tired of the routine and maybe he doesn’t know how to escape it. ---
**Author:** ![Marsie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Marsie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marsie)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558/39 "2004-10-06T05:34:09Z")
I don’t think he’s feeling well. He looks bloated in recent photographs. Time for a high-colonic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-bit-sir-eltons-ass-anyway/267558.md?page=1)