For the purposes of this thread, let’s define a deep cut as a song that the casual fan is unlikely to know. The definition is certainly loose.
Rolling Stone did a reader’s poll on this topic, which I will link to. I would prefer that you list your favorites before reading the RS results.
I am still pondering my favorites and will post back soon.
mmm
It’s only a moderately deep cut, but I’ll go with “Funeral for a Friend.”
Love the topic and not a bad list. I’m no expert but love the deep quality of his first run of albums. I would go with stuff like Your Sister Can’t Twist (but she can rock n’ roll) and Grey Seal off Yellow Brick Road, something off Blue Moves and from Captain Fantastic. Damn good run of material.
I don’t know that I’d call it a favorite, but “Jack Rabbit” is a fun one.
I think all but two of those songs get regular air play on my local classic rock station which (last I listened to it a few years ago) always had a very good selection. My out of town friends were always very surprised by what they heard when I turned it on.
My first thought was that I really don’t know anything that’s not on the radio. Then I saw the second reply and figured if Funeral for a Friend is a deep cut, I’ll pick Philadelphia Freedom.
Having said that, from the list, my favorite would be All The Girls Love Alice.
“Where To Now St. Peter?” from Tumbleweed Connection.
I might turn this into a poll at some point.
Mine are all from relatively early Elton. So many hidden gems.
More or less in order:
Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny) – Jump Up! (this one’s not all that deep)
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – Honky Chateau
**Sweet Painted Lady **– Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Bitter Fingers – Captain Fantastic
The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1909-34) – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Ballad of a Well-Known Gun - Tumbleweed Connection
Salvation - Honky Chateau
Blues for Baby and Me – Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player
**Harmony **– Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
**Tower of Babel **– Captain Fantastic
mmm
There really isn’t a bad song on either Goodbye Yellowbrick Road or Captain Fantastic. Though I really can’t listen to either Candle in Wind or Bennie & the Jets much anymore.
GYBR
[ul]
[li]The Ballad of Danny Bailey[/li][li]All the Young Girls Love Alice[/li][li]Harmony[/li][/ul]
Captain Fantastic
[ul]
[li]We all fall in love sometime[/li][li]Curtains[/li][/ul]
From Don’t Shoot Me
[ul]
[li]Texas Love Song[/li][/ul]
Honky Chateau
[ul]
[li]I think I’m going to kill myself[/li][/ul]
Eeek! been listening to that for more than 40 years now.
“Burn Down The Mission” from Tumbleweed Connection
Many
His epic live version of “Burn Down the Mission” from 11/17/70. In fact, that entire album, which shows he could rock with the best of them.
“Take Me to the Pilot,” the song that first showed me how good he was.
“Hercules”
“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters”
“Love Lies Bleeding” “Funeral for a Friend” is only mediocre on the album, but it’s excellent when performed live.
Elderberry wine was huge for me.
And Teacher I need you.
“Philadelphia Freedom” doesn’t qualify as a deep cut. It was released as a single and had huge airplay. It has never been on any Elton John album except on some greatest hits collections.
That’s the one I was trying to remember. I was going to say “the blue canoe” song 
Please check out this updated performance of BDTM from a concert Elton performed ten or fifteen years ago to benefit the Royal Academy of Arts in London. I don’t even like to listen to the original anymore.
I’ll second Take me to the Pilot. Stand out track.
And another from that period was Razorface, which I’ve always liked.
I overlooked both of these on my list. Love the hard-hitting piano on Pilot and the vocals/lyrics on Razorface.
mmm
“Song for Guy,” because it was used in the delightful movie Oh Heavenly Dog with Benji, Chevy Chase, and Jane Seymour
‘Indian Sunset’, ‘Goodbye’ and the title track from Madman Across the Water.
Actually that entire album, really.
Tumbleweed Connection’s:
Where To Now St. Peter? and Love Song.
Do you know what I mean?
Have your eyes really seen?