I love when great artists cover other great artists’ songs, especially when the cover version turns a pop tune into a beltress’s torch ballad. Today I present you Sara Bareilles’ piano/vocal rendition of Elton John’s 1973 hit “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Elton John wrote the two-sided album, which features the title song, after having seven Top 40 singles in the previous two years; he was enjoying one of the peaks of his career. John describes the composition period for “Brick Road” as that golden period “before the drugs set in.” The title is inspired by that infamous road in The Wizard of Oz which promises fantasy and prosperity, but leads Dorothy further and further away from home and loved ones. Critics also say that John’s brick road is a metaphor for materialism and all the things that comes with fame. Now, I give you Sara Bareilles singing John.
J. S. Bach: Agnus Dei (Mass in B minor)
In my mind, J. S. Bach is the greatest composer who ever lived. I know that he never wrote an opera, but my first...
Absolutely love, love, love this version of Goodbye YBR!
As an Elton tribute myself, I really appreciate this lovely, heartfelt version.
Sarah Bereilles is a wonderful performer, and does such a great job on this… despite being a little pitchy on the first high note – but isn’t that what makes Live performances unique?
I’d love to hear her take on something like Planes, or maybe what she would do with a Lady Gaga song.