Song of the Day, March 25: Harmony by Elton John
March 25, 2013 2 Comments
Today’s song is Harmony by Elton John. It’s the song that closes his epic album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. As such, it is fittingly something of a bittersweet celebration.
The lyrics are elliptical — as Bernie Taupin is wont to be at the best of times — and open to a number of interpretations. Is Harmony just somebody’s name? Is the song a tribute to a muse named Harmony? Is it a celebration of song mixed with a personal story?
In the end, none of that much matters. Elton is in fine voice, delivering the song with sweet power. However the tribute is intended — and perhaps that depends on the day — it is heartfelt.
Harmony and me
We’re pretty good company
Looking for an island
In our boat upon the sea
Harmony, gee I really love you
And I want to love you forever
And dream of never, never, never leaving harmony
Today is Sir Elton John’s 66th birthday. Somehow it seems fitting to wish him many happy returns with a celebration of Harmony.
About Robert Hulshof-Schmidt
Robert Hulshof-Schmidt
Music and Meaning: The RBHS Jukebox 
“Harmony” is just about my favourite from the entire EJ songbook (Top spot goes to “Original Sin.”)
As for Elton: In “Harmony” he’s in his classic early voice – so rarefied, silvery, inimitable, youthful, “small-r” romantic.
As for Bernie: Another riddlesome, lyric. Just like Elton’s voice, you can’t just walk away from a Taupin lyric: there’s always something compelling, confounding, clever there to make you Stop. Listen. Think. Lennon-like in his facility with irony.
What does this lyric mean? Is it just another lost-love song, dripping with bitterness and self-recrimiination? Or Is it to be taken on a higher plane of understanding, meaning Existential?
Likely all of the above, and probably more! Taupin is that clever.
EJ’s patented chord progressions on keyboard move the tune along powerfully. EJ plays piano with such mastery. I bet he came up with this tune effortlessly.
Great observations – thanks for your comment. It really is one of Sir Elton’s (and our Bernie’s) finest moments.