- Levon
Infobox Single
Name = Levon
Artist =Elton John
from Album =Madman Across the Water
B-side = "Goodbye"
Released =November 29 , 1971
Format =vinyl record (7")
Recorded =Trident Studios
Genre = Rock
Length = 5:37
Label = Uni (US/Canada)DJM Records
Writer =Elton John ,Bernie Taupin
Producer =Gus Dudgeon
Last single = "Friends"
(1971)
This single = "Levon"
(1971)
Next single = "Tiny Dancer "
(1972)"Levon" is a song recorded byElton John with music written by him and lyrics [ [http://www.rhapsody.com/eltonjohn/greatesthits19702002/levon/lyrics.html Free Music and Lyrics to the song Levon by Elton John - Rhapsody Online ] ] written byBernie Taupin . It is from John's sixth album, "Madman Across The Water ", and was recorded onFebruary 27 ,1971 . ["Madman" liner notes]History
The titular character's name derives from
The Band drummerLevon Helm . [ [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlevon.html Levon on StraightDope.com] ] However, the lyric "He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas Day" does not refer to Helm, as Helm was born in May.The "Alvin Tostig" mentioned in the song (Levon's father) is, according to Taupin, merely fictional. [Straight Dope Science Advisory Board,
24 March 2000 . "The Straight Dope Mailbag", " [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mlevon.html In the Elton John song 'Levon,' who is Alvin Tostig?] ". Accessed15 July 2008 .]The track's power derives from John's solid vocals and his piano-based melody married to
Paul Buckmaster 's dynamic stringarrangement , as well as powerful drumming by Barry Morgan.Notable covers and performances
"Levon" has since been covered by several artists, including
Taylor Hicks ,Bon Jovi (who claims the song as his all time favourite) [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20070630072735/http://www.islandrecords.com/bonjovi/archives_atoz_j.las Archive of the Bon Jovi Library] ] andBilly Klippert . [ [http://billyklippert.ca/ Discography at Billy Klippert's official site] ]References
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