"Take Me to the Pilot"
Single by Elton John
from the album Elton John
Released	1970
Format	vinyl record (7")
Recorded	Trident Studios
Genre	Country Rock
Length	3:47
Label	Uni
Writer(s)	Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer(s)	Gus Dudgeon
Elton John singles chronology
"Border Song" (1970)	"Take Me to the Pilot/Your Song" (1970)	"Friends" (1970)

"Take Me to the Pilot" is a country rock song performed by British musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his self-titled second album in 1970. A collection of various CD singles In music, a single is a short record, usually featuring one or two tracks as A-side, often accompanied by several B-sides, usually remixes or other songs. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1] (born March 25, 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Elton John is the self-titled second album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1970 (see 1970 in music). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... A gramophone record, (also phonograph record - often simply record) is an analog sound recording medium: a flat disc rotating at a constant angular velocity, with inscribed spiral grooves in which a stylus or needle rides. ... Located on a side-street in Londons Soho district. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Country rock is a musical genre formed from the fusion of rock and roll with country music. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Music Corporation of America, commonly known as MCA, is a United States based corporation in the music business. ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1] (born March 25, 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Bernie Taupin (born May 22, 1950) is an English lyricist famous for his collaboration with Elton John. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Gus Dudgeon (1942 - 2002) was a British record producer, and the inventor of audio sampling as a musical device. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1] (born March 25, 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Your Song is the first single from Elton Johns self-titled second album. ... Country rock is a musical genre formed from the fusion of rock and roll with country music. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1] (born March 25, 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... Bernie Taupin (born May 22, 1950) is an English lyricist famous for his collaboration with Elton John. ... Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE[1] (born March 25, 1947) is an English pop/rock singer, composer and pianist. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ...

It was released in 1970 (1970 in music) as the second single from the album, backed by "Your Song." Both received airplay, but "Your Song" was preferred by disc jockeys and replaced "Take Me to the Pilot" as the A-side, eventually making the U.S. Top Ten. See also: 1969 in music, other events of 1970, 1971 in music, 1970s in music and the list of years in music // Events Charles Wuorinen, aged 32, becomes the youngest composer ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. ... Your Song is the first single from Elton Johns self-titled second album. ... For other meanings of DJ, see DJ (disambiguation). ...

Lyrics

Many have cited the song's lyrics as incomprehensible. "If you feel that it's real/I'm on trial/and I'm here in your prison/like a coin in your mint/I am dented and spent with high treason" reads the first verse. The speaker in this odd tale then observes. "Through a glass, eye, your throne/is the one danger" and exhorts his captor to "Take me to the pilot for control/take me to the pilot of your soul."

Bernie has said that he has no idea what the lyrics mean, comparing his writing style in the song to poets like "Baudelaire and Rimbaud...(who) just threw things together and went 'Wow! That sounds good'." The lyrics possess many elements: betrayal, either political or personal ("treason"); the illusion of danger ("through a glass eye"); and fearlessness toward the unknown ("take me to the pilot of your soul"). According to Elton, this and other songs recorded during this period were inspired by the science fiction books Bernie was reading at the time. Betrayal, as a form of deception, is the violation of a social contract (trust, confidence) that produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship between individuals, organizations, or individuals and organizations. ... Politics is the process and method of decision-making for groups of human beings. ... personal could refer to personal identity; a personal advertisement; an persons ego or self image, interests or goals; a personal problem; personal involvement; a trademark belonging to Sony. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Science fiction is a form of speculative fiction principally dealing with the impact of imagined science and technology, or both, upon society and persons as individuals. ...

Song history

Since its 1970 release, "Take Me to the Pilot" has become a staple of John's live shows and can be heard on a many of his concert recordings — ranging from a performance with his early '70s backup musicians, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson on 11-17-70 (1970) to Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1987) with a full scale orchestral reworking the original Paul Buckmaster score. There have also been numerous notable cover versions from the likes of Jose Feliciano, folk/blues guitarist Buzzy Linhart, R&B vocalist Ben E. King as well as blues icon Odetta. Dee Murray (April 3, 1946 - January 15, 1992; born David Murray Oates in Southgate, London) was a British bassist, best known as a member of Elton Johns original rock band. ... Olsson (back) performing at an Elton John concert at the Royal Opera House. ... 11-17-70 is a live album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1971 (see 1971 in music). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (the link is to a full 1970 calendar). ... Track listing Sixty Years On 5:06 I Need You To Turn To 2:34 The Greatest Discovery 3:48 Tonight 7:26 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word 3:30 The King Must Die 4:58 Take Me To The Pilot 3:54 Tiny Dancer 6:06 Have... 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... José Montserrate Feliciano (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican singer. ... William Buzzy Linhart is an American musician and songwriter. ... Ben E. King (born Benjamin Earl Nelson in September 28, 1938 in Henderson, North Carolina) is an American soul and pop singer. ... Odetta (b. ...

Format and tracklist

• 1970 US 7" single

1. . "Take Me to the Pilot" 3:43
2. . "Your Song" 3:57

• 1988 US 7" single

1. "Take Me to the Pilot (live)" 3:58
2. "Tonight (live)" 7:26

• 1992 US 7" single

1. "Nikita"
2. "Take Me to the Pilot"

• 1995 US CD single

1. "Blessed" 4:19
2. "Honky Cat (live)" 7:05
3. "Take Me to the Pilot (live)" 5:55
4. "The Bitch is Back (live)" 4:26

External links

• "Take Me to the Pilot" lyrics