Country Comfort

Zoo Freaks, get ready to groove to "Country Comfort" by Elton John from his iconic album Tumbleweed Connection! This track is a gem, dripping with rustic Americana vibes, and it’s got some wild stories behind it. Did you know Rod Stewart beat Elton to the punch, covering this song on his 1970 album Gasoline Alley, four months before Tumbleweed Connection dropped? That’s right—Rod’s version hit the airwaves first! Kate Taylor, James Taylor’s sister, also gave it a spin on her 1971 album Sister Kate, and even country star Juice Newton took a crack at it in 1981. The song’s got serious roots, featuring a fiddle by jazz veteran Johnny Van Derek, pedal steel guitar by Gordon Huntley of Matthews Southern Comfort, and harmonica by Ian Duck from Hookfoot, Elton’s labelmates. Elton himself has called Tumbleweed Connection one of his most perfect albums lyrically and melodically, saying there’s not a single song that doesn’t fit its vibe. Oh, and here’s a juicy tidbit: the track was recorded back in March 1970 at Trident Studios in London, with backing vocals by Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson, who’d become Elton’s longtime rhythm section.

Now, let’s talk about how this song fits into the bigger picture. Tumbleweed Connection was a bold move for Elton and his lyricist Bernie Taupin, who were just two Brits obsessed with the American West. Bernie’s lyrics were heavily inspired by The Band’s Music from Big Pink and Robbie Robertson’s storytelling, even though he hadn’t set foot in the States when he wrote them! He’s said his love for Americana and Westerns, especially Marty Robbins’ "El Paso," drove the album’s vibe. Fans on Reddit even voted "Country Comfort" a standout track in a 2019 survivor poll, tying with other heavyweights from the album. And get this—Elton was so confident in the album’s sound that he posted on X in 2020, saying it surprised folks but saved him from being pigeonholed as an orchestral artist. That’s the kind of gutsy move that makes this track a Zoo Crew favorite!

So, how did Elton John, the man behind the shades, get his start? Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, he was a piano prodigy who snagged a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at just 11. By his teens, he was gigging in pubs with a band called Bluesology, backing soul acts like The Isley Brothers. In 1967, fate stepped in when he answered a talent ad from Liberty Records. He bombed the audition, admitting he couldn’t write lyrics, but the exec handed him a stack of poems by another failed auditioner—Bernie Taupin. That chance meeting sparked one of the most legendary songwriting partnerships in music history. By 1969, Elton’s debut album Empty Sky was out, but it was his 1970 self-titled album and the hit "Your Song" that launched him into stardom. His August 1970 Troubadour gig in Los Angeles, hyped by Quincy Jones and Leon Russell, sealed the deal, and Tumbleweed Connection soon followed, cementing his place in rock royalty.

Want to keep up with Elton and his legacy? Check out his official website for tour dates, news, and merch. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, like his recent collabs with Dolly Parton or his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour highlights. Fans are buzzing in places like the Elton John Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and rare vinyl finds. For deeper dives, head to Elton John World or join the chatter on Reddit’s r/EltonJohn. So, crank up "Country Comfort," let that country-rock soul wash over you, and keep it locked to THE ZOO for more righteous tunes!