SONG OF THE DAY

“Burn Down The Mission” by Elton John (Tumbleweed Connection, Uni Records USA/ DJM Records UK, 1970). Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

INTERESTING FACTS (a la wikipedia)

– “Burn Down the Mission” is the tenth and final song on Elton John’s album Tumbleweed Connection, released in 1970.

– The lyrics themselves, while telling a simple story, are vague enough to be open to interpretation. Ostensibly the story is that of a poor community oppressed by a rich and powerful force, and the narrator, driven by some sort of revelation has decided to take direct action to remedy the situation. However, his attempt fails and he is “taken away”, presumably to meet his fate, and justifies his actions as an attempt to defend his family.

– The music reflects this narrative structure by starting with a slow piano introduction and the telling of the hero’s situation and his progress towards direct action; the middle section, which is faster, jazzier and brings in full instrumentation, can be read as an interpretation of the actual struggle in which the hero engages. Finally, the struggle has ended and the music returns to its initial understated form, reflecting the eventual defeat of the hero. The song ends with a restatement of the middle section while it fades out.

– The song was recorded by Toto for their album Through the Looking Glass in 2002.

– The song was also covered by Phil Collins for the tribute album Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin.

– The album peaked at #6 on the UK Album chart and #5 on the US Billboard Pop chart in 1971.

– The album did not chart any singles.

– In 2003, the album was ranked #463 on The Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.