Elton John • Your Song
51 years ago today, Oct. 26, 1970, Elton John released Your Song, (in my opinion, one of the best pop songs of all time) which became his first hit, and launched his amazing career into orbit. John would go on to sell more than 300 million records, making him one of the best selling artists of all time.
Elton John is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, he has more than fifty Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. That list includes nine number one singles, in addition to seven consecutive number-one albums.
Your Song was first released by American rock band Three Dog Night in March 1970. Elton John was an opening act for the band at the time and allowed them to record it. They did not release it as a single as they wanted to let John, then an upcoming artist, have a go with it. He did, and it was a smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic.
In 2004, the song was placed at number 137 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of all Time. It is also listed among the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Your Song on Spotify:
Elton John Greatest Hits 1970-2002 on Spotify
Your Song official video:
Also, on this day, October 26th, in…
• 1935 - Judy Garland, at the age of 12, sang on Wallace Berry's radio show on NBC
• 1958 - Bill Haley and his Comets played the first rock 'n' roll concert in Germany. Over 7,000 rock fans turned the show into a riot
Also, on this day in…
• 1970 - A wake was held at the Lion's Share in San Anselmo, California to celebrate the life of Janis Joplin. The singer who died of a drug overdose had left $2,500 in her will to throw a wake party in the event of her demise. It seems that brownies laced with hashish were passed around amongst the guests
• 1985 - Whitney Houston scores her first # 1 on the Hot 100 when Saving All My Love For You reaches the top spot. She goes on a remarkable run, with her next six singles all topping the chart
