Texan Love Song
Encyclopedia
"Texan Love Song" is a song by Elton John
released on his 1973 album, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
. The music was written by Elton John and the lyrics by Bernie Taupin
. It is significantly more Country
-orientated than any other songs on the album. It is also the only song on the album which does not contain a piano track.
The song's lyrical meaning is about the natives of Texas
being invaded by hippies from cities out of the area (and indeed the country), who are buying the land, dating the women and "[drinking] all our beer", and who use the local area as an escape from their normal lives, and don't take any notice of the fact that people actually live and work in the area, rather than it being a resort. The song's viewpoint is that City folk believe that country folk (often referred to in the pejorative sense as 'rednecks') are uncivilised, racist, squalid, "home-spun and green", and are stereotyped as poor, white farmers. The locals in this instance do not take kindly to this attitude, and insist that they will be run out of the town.
Ironically, Bernie Taupin would buy a ranch
in Southern California
a few years after the song's release, where he still resides today.
In spite of the album's popularity, the song has only ever been performed once - at a concert during the 'Big Picture
' tour in Austin, Texas
in 1998. As he had two guitarists for the tour Davey Johnstone
was able to replicate both the stand-out acoustic guitar part (for which he was the original contributing musician), and John Jorgenson
played the Mandolin
.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
released on his 1973 album, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player is the sixth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John. It was released by DJM Records....
. The music was written by Elton John and the lyrics by 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...
. It is significantly more Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
-orientated than any other songs on the album. It is also the only song on the album which does not contain a piano track.
The song's lyrical meaning is about the natives of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
being invaded by hippies from cities out of the area (and indeed the country), who are buying the land, dating the women and "[drinking] all our beer", and who use the local area as an escape from their normal lives, and don't take any notice of the fact that people actually live and work in the area, rather than it being a resort. The song's viewpoint is that City folk believe that country folk (often referred to in the pejorative sense as 'rednecks') are uncivilised, racist, squalid, "home-spun and green", and are stereotyped as poor, white farmers. The locals in this instance do not take kindly to this attitude, and insist that they will be run out of the town.
Ironically, Bernie Taupin would buy a ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
a few years after the song's release, where he still resides today.
In spite of the album's popularity, the song has only ever been performed once - at a concert during the 'Big Picture
The Big Picture (Elton John album)
-Outtakes:The original single version of "Live Like Horses" was a duet with Luciano Pavarotti in 1996, but was performed solo for this album. "Past Imperfect" and an alternate version of "Recover Your Soul" were completed by Elton John for inclusion on The Big Picture...
' tour in Austin, Texas
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
in 1998. As he had two guitarists for the tour Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
was able to replicate both the stand-out acoustic guitar part (for which he was the original contributing musician), and John Jorgenson
John Jorgenson
John Jorgenson is a US musician. Although best known for his guitar work with bands such as the Desert Rose Band and The Hellecasters, Jorgenson is also proficient in the mandolin, mandocello, Dobro, pedal steel, piano, upright bass, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone...
played the Mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
.