Skyline Pigeon

Infobox Song
Name = Skyline Pigeon
Type = Song
Artist = Elton John
Album = Empty Sky


track_no = 8
Released = June 3, 1969 (UK)
January 13, 1975 (USA)
Recorded = DJM Studios, 1969
Genre = Pop, Folk
Length = 3:37
Label = DJM Records MCA Records (US/Canada-1975)
Writer = Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer = Steve Brown
prev = "The Scaffold"
prev_no = 7
next = "Gulliver/Hay-Chewed/Reprise"
next_no = 9"Skyline Pigeon" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It is the eighth track off his first album, "Empty Sky". It was one of John's first songs to become popular.

Musical structure

The original recording did not include piano played by Elton John but a harpsichord instead. This was because the song was written in the same style as a hymn. Elton John always had the philosophy "If in doubt, write a hymn!" and with this song he could not get a feel for the genre of which to write it, therefore, he wrote it in the style of a hymn. It is the only song on the album that features John solo.

The sound quality is loud; John has a heavily echoed vocal making the song even more hymn-like. The reverb could sound like it was recorded in a church.

Lyrical meaning

As many of Taupin's early composition, it deals with imprisonment and the wish for freedom. The line, "Free me from this aching metal ring" could be a symbol of an unsuccessful marriage, something Elton John was about to go into (Also the matter of "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"). It could also symbolize a country boy longing for the home, describing cornfields and trees, something Taupin might have felt at the time.

Performances

It was played in the radio as early as 1968. Though the most popular song of this time of Elton's career, it was not released as a single. It was performed live various places, mainly in Britain. Later on it has been a staple at John's solo shows, but isn't anymore. However, John still regards this song as the first "great" one he wrote.

1972 version

It was re-recorded in 1972 with his band. The sound quality was far better than the original, and also features strings. This was released as the b-side to the hit-single "Daniel" and appeared as one of the bonus tracks of the 1995 reissue of "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player".

Personnel

*Elton John - harpsichord, organ, vocals