I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Elton John Podcast
An affectionate and detailed look at the music of Elton John, by a fan, not a fanatic.
- Update frequency
- every 19 days
- Average duration
- 65 minutes
- Episodes
- 42
- Years Active
- 2017 - 2021
Episode 22 - Caleb Quaye Interview
I was lucky enough to be able to spend more than an hour in the company of the brilliant Caleb Quaye. Without Caleb, there would be no Elton John as we know him. He got Elton and Bernie the gig with …
Eppsisode 21 - Stuart Epps Interview
Stuart Epps is Elton John royalty! He was a huge part of the team that worked together to bring Elton out from the sidelines of Tin Pan Alley, into megastardom. He saw that process first hand, workin…
Episode 20 - Elton's Buried Treasure vol. 2
In this episode the cake is unbaked, and every ingredient of the Elton John recipe is celebrated. Complex drum and percussion sounds are unpicked, backing vocals are highlighted, lead vocals are isol…
Episode 19 - Early Cover Versions of Elton's Music
It's well known that Elton and Bernie spent their formative years trying to write hits for other artists, while trying to find their own voice. This episode tells the story of Elton and Bernie's earl…
Episode 18 - Elton's Anonymous Cover Versions - ft. Dana Gillespie
In his formative years as a session musician, in fact even after the recording of his third album, Elton earned some extra cash recording cover versions of the hits of the day, anonymously, for budge…
Episode 17 - The New Routes of Davey Johnstone - 1971-73
The second of a two-part biography of Davey Johnstone's early musical history.
Davey's range, and his scope for development, were apparent to all at his first Elton John session, for Holiday Inn. El…
Episode 16 - The Folk Roots of Davey Johnstone - 1951-71
The first of a two-part biography of Davey Johnstone's early musical history.
Just three years after getting his first guitar, a 14-year-old Davey could be found in folk clubs around Scotland, a cla…
Episode 15 - Ego at 40
24 months passed between the recording sessions for Crazy Water, and those for Elton's next (major) single, the angry, jagged Ego. From the sound of the record, Elton hadn't been able to find much so…
Episode 14 - The Songs They Gave Away
Elton wrote a lot of incredible music over the years, in fact, more than he needed at some points of his career. This is the story of the songs that Elton gave away, either by design, or by default. …
Episode 13 - I've Been Loving You (For Precisely 50 Years)
50 years ago today, on the 1st of March 1968, a 20-year-old Elton released his first solo single, 'I've Been Loving You', on Philips. Today's episode is an all-encompassing celebration of that moment…
Episode 12 - Bernie's Early Themes - '67-'69
A thematic analysis of Bernie's early work, with a particular focus on his songs about incarceration and exile. One very special rarity is included.
Episode 11 - The Greatest Covers
If you like Elton John songs, then you'll probably like these relatively obscure renditions of Elton John songs, by musicians who tried to do something original with the material.
Episode 10 - The One - 25 And A Half Years On
Elton came back from rehab stronger than ever at the end of 1991. Here, in review, is the album that he brought back from the brink with him. The context, the music, the lyrics, the instrumentation -…
Episode 9 - At Home With Sheila and Reg
A tribute to Elton's first musical mentor - his mother Sheila. This episode is a trip through the music of the 1950s that was dear to Sheila, to her mum Ivy, and to Reg. On the way, we take in the st…
Episode 8 - Dee Murray Love-In
Dee Murray was a truly innovative force in the Elton John band. In this episode I look at what made him special, from the jigsaw puzzle of ideas that Dee and Elton threw around in the 3-piece band; t…
Episode 7 - Reconstructing 'A Song For Europe 1969'
I attempt to piece together the weekly Saturday evening TV shows, hosted by the impish Lulu, that led up to the UK's selection being made for the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest, and follow up the progr…
Episode 6 - Cool As Christmas - Collaborations That Make Elton Cooler
Elton's not always seen as a particularly cool musician to be a fan of. Lots of well-respected artists have no problem associating themselves with him though. In this episode, I go through those coll…
Episode 5 - Don't Say It With 'Diamonds'
This week, Elton released another greatest hits collection, to somehow celebrate his and Bernie's 50 year anniversary of writing together. In this episode I look at 12 'genuine diamonds' - products t…
Episode 4 - It Was 40 Years Ago Today, Grumpy Elton Sacked The Band On Stage
This is the story of the band that Elton essentially sacked, live on stage, entirely out of the blue.
40 years ago, Elton played a charity gig at Wembley Pool. The band were expecting him to announce…
Episode 3 - Regimental Sgt Zippo - The Debut Album That Never Was
This episode skips through the 1968 almost-debut album, track-by-track. How good would this album have been if it had come out in 1968? How would it have fared? Actually that's a question I don't ans…