It has been exactly 50 years this week since Elton John released the album that catapulted him to stardom: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Here is where you can listen to the brilliant track which inspired the album’s title:

Earlier in 1973, Elton John (born Reg Dwight) was staying in Jamaica when he received a set of lyrics by his long-time collaborator, Bernie Taupin. In three days, he wrote all the music for his new double LP, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

The title ballad unfolds slowly. The beginning introduces only Elton and his soft pianoing. Gradually, the orchestra swells in before a great crash of Nigel Olsson’s soft-rock drums. The perfect lead for this seminal glam rock album, the wordless chorus harkens back to the psychedelic harmonizing of The Beach Boys.

The whole album is a masterpiece, showcasing Elton’s emotional songwriting, classics like ‘Bennie and the Jets’ contrasting with the sorrowful ‘Candle in the Wind’. Enjoy Elton, complete with glam rock glasses and dress, rocking out a full 50 years ago.

Mr Mercer, Head of Co-Curricular Music