I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself
Encyclopedia
"I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself" is a song by Elton John
, released on his 1972 album Honky Château
. The song is a tongue-in-cheek parody of a moody teenager's thoughts about suicide.
choir, accompanied by a smooth Acoustic guitar
, singing the word "blues". After that, it returns to its main tempo. Later, a honky-tonk piano solo accompanied by tap dancing is present, with the song switching in and out of the slow-paced "blues" before fading out.
gotta come and see me every night".
, who also did the tap dancing on the album. After that tour, it was not played until returning as a solo piece in 1976, and on his 1979 tour with Ray Cooper
. The second tour with Ray Cooper (1993-95) also featured this song, and it was also featured in his 2009-10 tour with Cooper. It has not been played solo since 1976.
During these performances, the honky-tonk solo is transformed into a marimba
-solo played by Cooper, adding to the already tragi-comical melody.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, released on his 1972 album Honky Château
Honky Château
Honky Château is the fifth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1972. In 2003, the album was ranked number 357 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was certified Gold on 7/24/1972 and Platinum on 10/11/1995 by the R.I.A.A...
. The song is a tongue-in-cheek parody of a moody teenager's thoughts about suicide.
Musical structure
The song opens with an upbeat piano, with accompanying bass licks and fast-paced drumming, stirring up a situation image. The chorus continues this, before briefly turning into a slow-paced Doo-wopDoo-wop
The name Doo-wop is given to a style of vocal-based rhythm and blues music that developed in African American communities in the 1940s and achieved mainstream popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s. It emerged from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Newark, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and...
choir, accompanied by a smooth Acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
, singing the word "blues". After that, it returns to its main tempo. Later, a honky-tonk piano solo accompanied by tap dancing is present, with the song switching in and out of the slow-paced "blues" before fading out.
Lyrical meaning
The written lyrics are dramatic, starting out with "I'm getting bored being part of mankind". The song is about a rebellious teen not having his way, and because of that, wishes to kill himself, in order to get attention; "Yeah, I'm gonna kill myself - get a little headline news - I'd like to see what the papers say on the state of teenage blues." Later verses aren't as dramatic: "I can't use the car - I gotta be in by 10 o' clock - who do they think they are?" and that he wouldn't kill himself if "Brigitte BardotBrigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
gotta come and see me every night".
Performances
It was premiered in 1972, both with and without "Legs" Larry SmithLarry Smith (musician)
"Legs" Larry Smith is the former drummer of the comedy satirical rock group the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.He was originally invited to join by Vivian Stanshall as a tuba player and tap dancer. As the drummer he was a core member of the band and played on their top 5 hit "I'm The Urban Spaceman" and...
, who also did the tap dancing on the album. After that tour, it was not played until returning as a solo piece in 1976, and on his 1979 tour with Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
. The second tour with Ray Cooper (1993-95) also featured this song, and it was also featured in his 2009-10 tour with Cooper. It has not been played solo since 1976.
During these performances, the honky-tonk solo is transformed into a marimba
Marimba
The marimba is a musical instrument in the percussion family. It consists of a set of wooden keys or bars with resonators. The bars are struck with mallets to produce musical tones. The keys are arranged as those of a piano, with the accidentals raised vertically and overlapping the natural keys ...
-solo played by Cooper, adding to the already tragi-comical melody.
Personnel
- Elton John - Vocals, PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Dee MurrayDee MurrayDee Murray was an English bassist, best known as a member of Elton John's original rock band.-Biography:Murray was born David Murray Oates in Southgate, London in 1946...
- BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, Backing vocals - Nigel OlssonNigel OlssonNigel Olsson is an English rock drummer, who is best known for his work with Elton John. Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as one of the first members of John's band, on drums, percussion and backing vocals. When not working with Elton, Olsson has taken up the role of a session musician...
- DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, Backing vocals - Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
- GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, Backing vocals - "Legs" Larry Smith - Tap dancing