Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is a song by Elton John, released in 1973. Written by John and his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, it was featured on the album of the same name. The album became one of John’s most successful and iconic works. The song reflects on the pressures of fame and the yearning for a simpler, more authentic life. Over the years, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” has become a classic and is widely regarded as one of Elton John’s signature songs.

Elton John

Did You Know?

• “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was released in 1973.
• It was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
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• The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤

Lyrics

When are you gonna come down?

When are you going to land?

I should have stayed on the farm

I should have listened to my old man

You know you can’t hold me forever

I didn’t sign up with you

I’m not a present for your friends to open

This boy’s too young to be singing the blues

Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah

Ah-ah-ah, ah

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can’t plant me in your penthouse

I’m going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny-back toad

Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah

Ah-ah-ah, ah

What do you think you’ll do, then?

I bet they’ll shoot down the plane

It’ll take you a couple of vodka and tonics

To set you on your feet again

Maybe you’ll get a replacement

There’s plenty like me to be found

Mongrels who ain’t got a penny

Sniffing for tidbits like you on the ground

Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah

Ah-ah-ah, ah

So goodbye yellow brick road

Where the dogs of society howl

You can’t plant me in your penthouse

I’m going back to my plough

Back to the howling old owl in the woods

Hunting the horny-back toad

Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies

Beyond the yellow brick road

Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah

Ah-ah-ah, ah