Levon (song)
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| "Levon" | ||||||||
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| File:Levon-fra.jpg | ||||||||
| Single by Elton John | ||||||||
| from the album Madman Across the Water | ||||||||
| B-side | "Goodbye" | |||||||
| Released | November 29, 1971 | |||||||
| Format | Vinyl record (7") | |||||||
| Recorded | February 27, 1971; Trident Studios (London, England) |
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| Genre | Rock | |||||||
| Length | 5:22 (album version) | |||||||
| Label | Uni (US) DJM Records (UK) |
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| Writer(s) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | |||||||
| Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon | |||||||
| Elton John singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Levon" is a song written and recorded by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is from John's fourth album Madman Across the Water and was recorded on February 27, 1971.[1] The song reached #24 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #6 on the Canadian RPM singles chart.[2]
History
According to Gus Dudgeon, Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics for "Levon", was inspired by The Band's co-founder, drummer, and singer Levon Helm to name the title character after him. The Band was apparently John's and Taupin's favourite group in those days. However, in 2013, Bernie Taupin said that the song is unrelated to Levon Helm.[3]
The "Alvin Tostig" mentioned in the song (Levon's father) is, according to Taupin, merely fictional.[4]
Notable covers and performances
"Levon" has since been covered by several artists, including Jon Bon Jovi (who covered the song on the tribute album Two Rooms and claims that "Levon" is his favourite song of all time and that he looks up to Elton John as his idol)[5] and Canadian rock singer-songwriter Billy Klippert. Phil Lesh and Friends started playing the song in April 2012 shortly after the death of Levon Helm.
References
- ↑ Madman liner notes
- ↑ Library and Archives Canada, Top Singles - Volume 16, No. 26, 12 February 1972
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Archive of the Bon Jovi Library
