"Tiny Dancer" is an epic triumph of a song release known for its beautiful melody, heartfelt lyrics, and Elton John's signature piano playing.
This is one of those types of songs that give you simplicity and emotional depth that begs to explode from inside you every time you hear it.
The crazy thing about it is that when "Tiny Dancer" was released as a single in 1972, it only reached modest chart positions.
In the United States, it peaked at No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, the song reached No. 41 on the UK Singles Chart.
The problem was with the radio edit, which cut out the emotional build of this rich 6-minute song and made it a bit hollow, taking away from its entrancing effect.
Surprisingly, movies and TV shows, especially the movie "Almost Famous", are what helped bring appreciation to this gem of a song.
"Tiny Dancer" was written by Elton John's long-time songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin who crafted the lyrics while John focused on the instrumentation.
Bernie Taupin is a British lyricist, and he has collaborated with Elton John on numerous hit songs throughout their long and successful partnership.
Taupin got the inspiration for the lyrics from a girlfriend of his by the name of Maxine Feibelmann, but that inspiration (likely unintentional) brought a bout of artistic inspiration that would later touch the hearts of millions and speak to their lives as well.
With lyrics like "blue jean baby, LA Lady, seamstress for the band", Taupin did use her as a muse, but he claims to have gotten far more inspiration from California girls.
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He said in an interview:
"We came to California in the fall of 1970, and sunshine radiated from the populace. I was trying to capture the spirit of that time, encapsulated by the women we met - especially at the clothes stores up and down the Strip in LA."
"They were free spirits, sexy in hip-huggers and lacy blouses, and very ethereal, the way they moved. So different from what I'd been used to in England. And they all wanted to sew patches on your jeans. They'd mother you and sleep with you - it was the perfect Oedipal complex."
Taupin's creativity comes from a place of sexual curiosity, comfort, and liberation, but the theme of the lyrics resonates with anyone yearning for those same emotions without necessarily feeling romantic attraction.
Pair this with Elton's skill for crafting a story through chord progressions that lift you high with major hopeful chords, then sections that hit you in the gut with minor and somber melodies, and you get a hit song that truly resonates with the world.
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The long verse of this song tells a story of an L.A. lady who is attractive, fearless, and the type to leave a mark on any man.
"Blue-jean baby, L.A. lady. Seamstress for the band. Pretty-eyed Pirate smile, You'll marry a music man."
Taupin described these Californian women as being a burst of color in comparison to the world of black and white that he was used to in the UK.
"And now she's in me, always with me. Tiny dancer in my hand."
Those free spirits really resonated with Taupin to the point where he won't let go of that memory. This can easily make listeners connect with the wonder and freedom that someone or just the general era of the past has imprinted on them.
The prehook further brings home a feeling of yearning with these lyrics, along with a minor chord progression that makes you get a sense of loneliness in the present time after looking back on better times.
"But oh, how it feels so real. Lying here, with no one near. Only you and you can hear me."
The reminiscing lyrics lead into the simple yet poignant lyrics of the hook:
"Hold me closer, tiny dancer. Count the headlights on the highway. Lay me down in sheets of linen; you had a busy day today."
This tiny dancer, or memory of curiosity, comfort, and liberation, is something that Elton wants to hold on to and never let go of while he's on the road.
The memory/dancer had such a "busy day" because these feelings just keep popping back into his heart as he lives his daily life.
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While we may not all have a tiny dancer from California that we had a moment of attraction to, we all have a place, person, or time that we hold close to our hearts that is always with us.
Some fans of this song will say that it reminds them of a lover who turned out to be the one who got away, even though they will never forget the feelings they had at that moment.
Other fans may see the tiny dancer as that spark of energy and free-spiritedness that they had at one time, but can only remember when "no one is near" and "only you and you can hear me."
Holding on to memories of when you were more fearless can have this song leading you to a whole emotional spiral!
Many listeners of this amazing track think back to a time when they were with a parent or other family member in their past who gave them feelings of fearlessness and comfort that they deeply mourn.
One of my favorite music videos of all time was released in the 2000s (this song didn't even have a video when it first came out!) and encompassed the many feelings this song can give you.
Max Weiland took the art of this track to a whole new level by sharing various different perspectives of people going through struggles in their lives and singing along to the song.
Tell me you can't watch the video below without getting tear-eyed!
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