My final Elton John Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert was last night and omg what an event! He updated the setlist and the graphics. Having a two year rest really paid off for him. His singing and piano playing was the best I’ve seen in a long time, possibly ever. Honestly, his piano playing was like nothing I’ve heard him play before. He kind of noodles and improvises before certain songs (one of my favorite things about seeing him live…and I try to guess the song before he goes into it…9/10 times I’m usually right!) and omg…he took these little improvisations to the next level. He seemed like he was in such an awesome mood and was genuinely enjoying himself and he was so thankful and grateful to be playing for the audience. It was truly a magical night and one I will not forget for a long time.
I’m very obviously on an Elton high and cannot stop listening to him currently. I didn’t cry as much as I thought I would, but I did really loose it at the end when he went up the staircase and waved goodbye. I know he wasn’t waving at me, but he was waving at me and I waved back and cried and yelled “I love you Elton!” before we booked it out of there (the garaged closed at 11pm and it was almost 10:30pm and we had about a 15 minute walk to the garage so we had to really move). His music has meant so much to me throughout my life and if I could ever actually thank him, I would.
His music has been there through all my ups and downs. All the relationships and breakups. All the successes and failures. He was my inspiration to continue to be a musician. He was a big reason I wanted to be a music teacher and help other kids find their value through music. He was a nerdy, glasses wearing kid like I was. I really connected with him being a glasses wearer, strange as that might sound. Not a lot of kids had glasses when I got them in 4th grade. I had to wear them all the time. I saw a piece of myself in him with the glasses and really needing to wear them constantly, along with the piano playing. The more I listened to his music, the more I fell in love with his music and music in general. His music helped shape me into the musician I am today. I am so grateful for that. His songs aren’t just basic rock songs. There are layers to them. He can play in almost any style. Each album is so different from the last and in many albums, the songs are so different and varying. His music, along with Bernie’s lyrics, really bring you on an emotional journey. Bernie paints pictures with his words like no one else. Elton creates songs and play piano like no one else. In “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”, one of the lines goes “Maybe you’ll get a replacement/there’s plenty like me to be found” and I just heard my dad next to me go “Nope…no way there’s anyone like him!” and in my opinion, there really isn’t. He paved the way for so many people…the weirdos, the LGBTQ+ community, the aspiring rock piano players, and so many more…his music is always talking about being your authentic self. And sometimes that is so hard to do. I’m going to be 34 and I’m still working on being my most authentic self. Why can’t I wear a hot pink jacket if I want? Why can’t I listen to whatever music I’m into at the time on repeat? Why can’t I just laugh and have fun all the time? We can and should just be ourselves no matter what. That is what his music has done for me in my life. Thank you for everything, Elton. I’ll continue to listen and cherish everything you’ve done for me, even if you have no idea who I am. You’re music brings me joy and I’ll forever be your fan.
sigh And I’m so grateful for my parents for always buying me tickets to see him when they could. I wouldn’t have been able to afford it otherwise and I’m so happy they’re also such big fans and we will always have Elton to bond over.
Thanks Elton.
~mana~
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