UU20171020
Rocket Men and Submarines

It is time for a music-break again. The song ‘Rocket Man’ gives some associations to the previous UU 2017.okt.13 concerning the Dane trial against ‘Rocket Madsen’. Even though inspired by a novel, the lyrics seems rather to be about a family man working the rock industry on its harsh terms. In this sense, there is an association to the Norwegian trail ‘Police vs para-police’ too. Anyways, before presenting the uncovering of the ‘rocket man’, - the following is an edited public presentation of the creators and the song. Also see the rare interview from Elton’s early period before becoming a major super-star.

“Sir Elton Hercules John, (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight), is an English singer, pianist, and composer. He works with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriting partner. They have collaborated on more than 30 albums. In his half century career Elton John has sold more than 300 million records, has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No. 1 US albums, 58 Billboard Top 40 singles, 27 Top 10, four No. 2, nine No. 1 and has for 31 consecutive years had at least one song in the Billboard Hot 100. He has also composed music, produced records, and has occasionally acted in films.” “Elton John has received five Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards – winning two awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music and the first Brits Icon in 2013 for his ‘lasting impact on British culture’, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, a Disney Legends award, and the Kennedy Center Honors in 2004. Elton was made a Knight Bachelor by Elizabeth II for ‘services to music and charitable services’ in 1998.” In brief, Elton John is one the world’s most famous musician(s).

“ ‘Rocket Man’ first appeared on Elton John’s 1972 album Honky Château and became a hit single. The song was inspired by the short story ‘The Rocket Man’ in The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury. It echoes the theme of David Bowie's 1969 song ‘Space Oddity’. The song describes a Mars-bound astronaut's mixed feelings at leaving his family in order to do his job. Musically, the song is a highly arranged ballad anchored by piano, with atmospheric texture added by synthesizer and processed slide guitar.” “Another song called ‘Rocket Man’ was released by the group Pearls Before Swine on their 1970 album ‘The Use of Ashes’. Taupin acknowledged that the song had been a direct inspiration for his own lyrics. Rosenthal's account indicates that Rapp's version was inspired by the writings of noted science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. Some presume this song might also be an allusion to David Bowie's character Major Tom. The song includes the line ‘And I'm gonna be high as a kite by then’. The website Schmoop commented, "The phrase ‘high as a kite’ is a common idiom almost always used to refer to drug use.”

It is hinted that the song ‘rocket man’ is about ‘willingly’ forced drug abuse in the industries. The lyrics can be read as that his wife sent him away at midnight since he was about being ‘high as a kite’ again. Now, he misses earthly things, kids and wife, while flying alone in his space-head, like some alienated alter ego. This time, seems like no turning back while burning up his fuses in some kind of cold red hellish world. Still, he is a musician and a writer, not any scientific producer.

Therefore, since the lyrics to ‘Rocket man’ is not written by ‘Reginald Kenneth Dwight’, alias Elton John, but by Bernie Taupin, the story’s ego is of the latter’s associations. Somehow, Bernie became a co-writer to Vincent Damon Furnier, alias Alice Cooper in 1977-1979. AC was sent to rehab in an asylum for lethal abuse and they made the song ‘How You Gonna See Me Now’ that was dedicated to his wife. The lyrics in ‘Might as well be on Mars’ is very rather direct on the Mars issue. However, Bob Ezrin was Alice Cooper’s song writer before and after Bernie Taupin. In conclusion Elton John is not a person, not an alter-ego as Alice, but the merged personality of Reginald and Bernie.

(The artist personality of Elton John might have been inspired by the real John Elton, that was a British shipbuilder and seaman that was sent by the Russian government in to assist in the Orenburg expedition and noted for his efforts in the service of Nader Shah of Iran. That might explain the artists’ strong antipathy towards Madonna and sympathy towards Dianna.)

Elton John Rocket Man + Lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lywENW0ESUE
https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eltonjohn/rocketmanithinkitsgoingtobealonglongtime.html
Pearls Before Swine - Rocket Man (w. lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV_jDmSmu2g
David Bowie- Space Oddity Original Video (1969)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D67kmFzSh_o
David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMThz7eQ6K0
Alice Cooper - Might As Well Be On Mars [Vietsub]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWrm4u3XA68
Artists links
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Taupin
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elton-john-mn0000796734

Extra UU1 - Elton John Rare Documentary

This rare documentary (rockumentary) is from the period before the break-through double album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’. The title refers to the classic fable movie ‘The wizard of Oz’ from 1939. The roads lead to the Oz, which Elton John leaves. The album proved to be extremely popular, selling over 30 million copies worldwide, and is regarded as one of his best. This interview present the original artist before becoming the major global entertainment product.
Elton John Aquarius 1971 [Rare Documentary] part 1 & 2.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDY2w-8S2Ng
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2UtLYXrYJ8
In Concert - Elton John - London - 1974
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF14ECixT9I