It's Me That You Need

Single infobox
Name = It's Me That You Need


Artist = Elton John
from Album = Empty Sky (1995 reissue)
B-side = "Just Like Strange Rain"
Released = May 16, 1969
Recorded = April, 1969
Olympic Studios
Genre = Rock, Pop
Length = 4:01
Label = DJM Records
Writer = Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Last single = "Lady Samantha"
(1969)
This single = "It's Me That You Need"
(1969)
Next single = "Border Song"
(1970)Extra tracklisting
Album = Empty Sky (1995 reissue)
Type = studio
prev_track = "All Across the Havens"
prev_no = 11
this_track = "It's Me That You Need"
track_no = 12
next_track = "Just Like Strange Rain"
next_no = 13

It's Me That You Need is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was his third single, released five months after "Lady Samantha". As with his two previous singles, it failed to chart. It was also his first single to be released in Japan.

Musical structure

It opens with a string section accompagnied by piano. When the song begins, a somewhat distorted electric guitar plays with the strings. Horns are also featured. These two features would be standard in later releases by John. It has a light pop sense and was penned by critics to be a radio hit. Unfortunately, it did not go well at the charts, in fact it went worse than his previous two. The song ends with Elton playing solo for the last fifteen seconds.

Lyrical meaning

It is a plain love song. However, the words are a bit advanced and more cryptic for other love songs at the time of its release. It tells a story about a man who is convinced he is the right one for the woman he is adoring. The last verse could also indicate it's a story of an ex-girlfriend;

"Watching, watching the swallows fly
"It all means the same
"Just like them
"You can fly home again
"But don't, no don't forget yesterday
"Pride is an ugly word girl
"And you still know my name"

Performances

It was not performed by John at any time or place with one exception. He played a solo version live as the first track on his 1971 tour of Japan. It was heavily applauded, as it was his first single to be released there. Since then it has not been played anywhere.

Covers

As with many British songs at the time it was covered elsewhere in Europe. In Italy it was covered by Maurizio Vandelli who had translated the song into Italian. It was called "Era Lei" (Literally meaning "That Was Her") and the lyrical meaning had been altered a little bit. This version charted in Italy and became a big hit.

Personnel

*Elton John - electric piano, piano, vocals
*Caleb Quaye - guitar
*Tony Murray - bass
*Roger Pope - drums