Written by John and decades-long writing partner Bernie Taupin, it's just a song about going to the pub on a Saturday night, getting blitzed (oiled as a diesel train, as Taupin's lyrics put it), and letting fists fly—pretty much for no reason other than the recreation of it. Not an exclusively British concept; although, the vibe of the song feels pretty blue collar Brit in its rugby rivalry/courage at the bottom of a pint kind of way.
(Side note: some American radio stations refused to play it in 1973 because they thought it would incite "youth violence." Can you even imagine that headline? "Dateline: Kenosha, WI, July 1973 — Teenagers Burn Bob's Big Boy to Ground After Listening to Elton John Record.")
Anyway, the key to the song is guitarist Davey Johnstone's raunchy riff. It explodes with hard rock fury that resides somewhere between Keith Richards and Mick Ronson from David Bowie's band; it's a rare sound to hear on an Elton John record.
My favorite moment, though, comes right after the second chorus: there's suddenly this wall of overdubbed guitars, slashing their way through the riff, foreshadowing Elton's Sat-ur-day! Sat-ur-day! Sat-ur-day! vamp that closes the track. I've always marveled at how producer Gus Dudgeon mixed that part to make it sound like it's right in your face—not unlike some drunken lout who's ready to throw a punch.
No comments:
Post a Comment