Rocket Man

[mushroom25]

in the original Elton John recording of Rocket Man, the 4th line of the 1st verse was recorded by EJ (and presumably written by Bernie Taupin) as "I miss the earth so much I miss my wife".

in the Taron Egerton version recorded for the biopic "Rocketman", the word at the end of that line has been altered to "Life".

just a fiddling change - but why the need to mess with musical history?

[spathiphyllum]

Musical history is always being messed with, from repetition of beats to homages. I think it makes sense to change the word, but wife fits with the entire message of the song. So to an extent i agree with you. Odd one.

[spathiphyllum]

For some reason the song tears me up a bit.

[spathiphyllum]

Maybe because it is a sad song.. Some people see it as positive.. I actually find it quite melancholy

[Old_Geezer]

It has ? How foolish.

[woofgang]

presumably because Elt is a gay bloke and therefore would have a husband which wouldn't scan?

[spathiphyllum]

Mushroom, maybe something of interest?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-7016705/Elton-John-praises-Rocketman-star-Taron-Egerton-recording-songs-biopic.html

[woofgang]

and yes, I see it as a very sad song

[hc4361]

But he did have a wife.

[spathiphyllum]

Elton john was married to a woman!

[spathiphyllum]

Rocketman was literally a song about his substance abuse, depression and issues with his sexuality.

[mushroom25]

//presumably because Elt is a gay bloke and therefore would have a husband which wouldn't scan? //

probably - but it remains a fact of public record as to the content of the original recording.

[Old_Geezer]

But didn't someone save his life that night ?

[mushroom25]

//Rocketman was literally a song about his substance abuse, depression and issues with his sexuality. //

there may be an allegory to that - but Bernie Taupin wrote the words and it would seem odd - especially in the 1970s - that Mr Taupin would publicly air EJ's personal angst.

[spathiphyllum]

"But didn't someone save his life that night ?"

I think that was before he was married

[spathiphyllum]

I disagree Mushroom. I don't think it would be odd in the slightest.

[Rockrose]

The film is not a true representation of his life so why not change the words around?

[mushroom25]

//I disagree Mushroom. I don't think it would be odd in the slightest. //

how old are you Spath? we may agree to disagree on this but equally you may be judging events from the 1970s by today's standards. at a time when homosexuality had been legal for less than 10 years, it was very different world.

[elliemay1]

I heard film buffs discussing it on radio yesterday and they were very critical of every aspect of the film.

[spathiphyllum]

Mushroom, the 70's for music was the time when loads of LGTB song were coming out.. One example is the YMCA.

[spathiphyllum]

And Queen!?