When Little Richard used to stand up and play it was just fabulous, and Liberace had the candlesticks and the rings and the gift of the gab. The piano's is the most ungainly rock' n' roll instrument of all time but those two people transcended it, as did Jerry Lee Lewis.
Interpretation
This quote celebrates the extraordinary talent of iconic musicians who transformed the rock 'n' roll experience.
Elton John reflects on the unique qualities of legendary performers like Little Richard and Liberace, who, despite the unconventional nature of the piano as a rock 'n' roll instrument, excelled and captivated audiences with their flamboyant style and charisma. The quote acknowledges their ability to transcend musical norms and create an unforgettable impact in the world of music.
In practice
This quote can be used during a music appreciation class to highlight the impact of individual artists.
I don't want to be married. I'm very happy with a civil partnership. If gay people want to get married, or get together, they should have a civil partnership. The word 'marriage,' I think, puts a lot of people off. You get the same equal rights that we do when we have a civil partnership. Heterosexual people get married. We can have civil partnerships.
I just wish more of my fellow queers would come out sometimes. It's nice out here, you know?
At heart I've always been a music fan. That part of me has never changed since I was a little kid, sitting in a room watching a record go round, looking at the colour of the labels.
I hate to say this, but I always listen to the music and the instrumentation first, and then grab on to the lyrics later.
So excuse me forgetting, but these things I do_x000D_ _x000D_ You see I've forgotten, if they're green or they're blue_x000D_ _x000D_ Anyway, the thing is, what I really mean_x000D_ _x000D_ Yours are the sweetest eyes, I've ever seen.
Don't be afraid to let her into your heart and when your down, don't try to carry the whole world on your shoulders.
To most white people, jazz means black and jazz means dirt, and that's not what I play. I play black classical music.
In hindsight, I think my manager and I both knew that 'Someone You Loved' was a special song that we had to put out. But no one was expecting it to do so well.
You've heard me call myself a bluesman and a blues singer. I call myself a blues singer, but you ain't never heard me call myself a blues guitar man. Well, that's because there's been so many can do it better'n I can, play the blues better'n me. I think a lot of them have told me things, taught me things.
There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between.
Where I come from it was really unheard of to be at a party and someone says, 'What kind of music do you make?', and you say, 'Pop music.' You may as well have 'I'm not cool' stamped on your forehead.
You could listen to Woody Guthrie songs and actually learn how to live.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.