One Horse Town

Elton John

About One Horse Town

"One Horse Town" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is the third track of his 1976 album, Blue Moves. The song tells a story about a man who lives in a small village in Alabama, and how there's nothing to do; simply a "one horse town". It might reference the American civil war; "They ain't too well acquainted with the stars and stripes". Musically, it uses a lot of instruments; a string section, xylophones, vibraphones, organs and more. The first one and a half minutes is a slow-tempo intro with heavy orchestration, before settling into the main upbeat tempo which could remind a little bit of disco. It was also performed at his last concert before his throat surgery in Sydney, on 14 December 1986. 


Year:
1976
5:56
575 
#8

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Saw a Cadillac for the first time yesterday
I'd always seen horses, buggies, bales of hay
'Cause progress here don't move with modern times
There's nothing to steal
So there's not a great deal of crime

It sure is hell living in a one horse town
There's half a mile of Alabama mud bed ground
Nothing much doing of an afternoon
Unless you're sitting in a rocking chair just picking a tune

And they ain't too well acquainted with the stars and stripes
But if you want to hear Susanna then they'll pick all night
They'll pick all night

'Cause it's no dice living in a one horse town
Laid back, as my old coon hound
And I just can't wait to get out of this one horse town
There's nothing to steal 'cause there's simply nothing much around

Sure is hell living in this one horse town
There's half a mile of Alabama mud bed ground
And I just can't wait to grow out of this one horse town
There's nothing to steal 'cause there's nothing much around

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Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor. He has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriter partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. more »

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Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, JAMES NEWTON-HOWARD, ELTON JOHN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Release
"One Horse Town" is a song from Elton John's 11th studio album titled "Blue Moves," released in 1976.
Song Background
The song is a part of Elton John's concept album, and its narrative revolves around the melancholy and isolation of living in a small, quiet town.
Lyrics & Composition
The lyrics of "One Horse Town" were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton John's long-time collaborator. Elton John himself composed the music for the song.
Musical Style
"One Horse Town" is characterized by its fusion of rock and pop elements, with an orchestral arrangement that sets it apart from many other songs in Elton John's catalogue.
Chart Performance
Although "One Horse Town" was not released as a single, the album "Blue Moves" peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart and number 3 on the US Billboard 200.
Critical Reception
"One Horse Town" is often highlighted as one of the standout tracks on the "Blue Moves" album, known for its sophisticated orchestration and poignant lyrics.
Live Performances
Despite its popularity, "One Horse Town" is seldom performed live by Elton John. However, when it is, it's known for its strong and dramatic orchestration.
Backing Vocals
Band member Davey Johnstone and British singer Cindy Bullens provided backing vocals for this song.
Collaboration with London Symphony Orchestra
For this track, Elton John collaborated with the London Symphony Orchestra, which added a unique touch to the song's overall feel and texture.
Influence
"One Horse Town" serves as an example of the more mature, reflective direction that John's music took during the mid-1970s, demonstrating his versatility as an artist.

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