Sixty Years On
Encyclopedia
"Sixty Years On" is a song written and performed by Elton John
which first appeared on his eponymous album, Elton John
. The lyrics
were written by long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin
.
The original recording featured a dynamic, characteristic string arrangement from Paul Buckmaster
. A concert performance captured on John's 1987 live album Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
is also heavily orchestrated and the song is traditionally played in concert with orchestral backing. However, the recording which appeared on John's 1970 live album, 17-11-70, or 11-17-70 and performances on John's Rocket Man Solo Tour have proven that the song can be played with minimal instrumentation.
The song tells the story of a handicapped war veteran
who lives alone with a dog but is unwilling to continue living in such conditions.
John used the song to open his show at Madison Square Garden
on 25 March 2007. The show was performed on, and in dedication, of his sixtieth birthday. The performance was also Elton John's record breaking sixtieth performance at Madison Square Garden.
A recent cover of this song by Brandi Carlile
appears on the Bonus Track Version of her self-titled debut album
released in 2006. Her live album, Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony
(2011), includes the song live with orchestral backing.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
which first appeared on his eponymous album, Elton John
Elton John (album)
Elton John is the eponymous second album by English singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1970. It was his first album, however, released in America, thus commonly assumed by many as his debut, as Empty Sky would not be released in the U.S. until 1975...
. The lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
were written by long-time writing partner Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
.
The original recording featured a dynamic, characteristic string arrangement from Paul Buckmaster
Paul Buckmaster
Paul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
. A concert performance captured on John's 1987 live album Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is a live album by Elton John and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra recorded at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on 14 December 1986. The concert was the last of a series of concerts done throughout the last two months of 1986...
is also heavily orchestrated and the song is traditionally played in concert with orchestral backing. However, the recording which appeared on John's 1970 live album, 17-11-70, or 11-17-70 and performances on John's Rocket Man Solo Tour have proven that the song can be played with minimal instrumentation.
The song tells the story of a handicapped war veteran
War Veteran
War Veteran is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in If magazine in March 1955.-Plot summary:The plot concerns an old man who claims to have travelled back in time from a future in which Earth has lost a devastating war to its own Martian and Venusian colonies...
who lives alone with a dog but is unwilling to continue living in such conditions.
John used the song to open his show at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
on 25 March 2007. The show was performed on, and in dedication, of his sixtieth birthday. The performance was also Elton John's record breaking sixtieth performance at Madison Square Garden.
A recent cover of this song by Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
appears on the Bonus Track Version of her self-titled debut album
Brandi Carlile (album)
Brandi Carlile is the debut album from American folk rock singer Brandi Carlile. It was released July 12, 2005 on Red Ink Records.-Track listing:# "Follow" – 4:13# "What Can I Say" – 2:50...
released in 2006. Her live album, Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony
Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony
Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony is a live album and fourth album overall by the American singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, released on May 3, 2011 through Columbia Records...
(2011), includes the song live with orchestral backing.