Elton John - “Someone saved my life tonight”
Lyrics don't have to be emotional, gut-wrenching, sad, or poignant to be great. But those are powerful tools when used well. Some songwriters use the lyrics to tell stories of key moments in their lives. In this case of course, it is the remarkable writing of Bernie Taupin reaching into moments of deep despair in the life of Elton John.
It's well documented that “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” covers suicidal moments and feelings of Elton early on in his musical career. He was struggling badly and felt trapped by an engagement to Linda Woodrow, despite being gay. The song describes a suicide attempt and friends intervening to save him.
It’s quite stunning to appreciate how well Taupin covers the emotions of all that. I could select many lines from the song to show Taupin’s work, this section stands out for me. “You almost had your hooks in me / Didn’t you dear / You nearly had me roped and tied / Altar bound hypnotized sweet freedom / Whispered in my ear.” You can really feel the pain and torment.
John Lennon - “Imagine”
John Lennon’s iconic song “Imagine” has attracted controversy for its words. Partly because they suggest a world without religion and include other humanistic points. But that is entirely the point being made by him.
“Imagine there’s no countries / It isn’t hard to do / Nothing to kill or die for / And no religion, too / Imagine all the people / Living life in peace…” When you look around at the world today, many years after it was written, his points remain valid to many. Some things don't change.
The song also has its critics for being too sickly sweet, Lennon himself referred to it as sugar-coated. He took some of the inspiration for his lyrics from a book by Yoko Ono, Grapefruit. And a part from activist and comedian Dick Gregory. But felt the need to soften from a tough protest approach. The song certainly made its mark.