Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding

Zoo Freaks, you're in for a wild ride tonight as we spin the epic "Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding" by Elton John from his 1973 masterpiece Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. This 11-minute medley kicks off with the haunting instrumental "Funeral for a Friend," which Elton crafted while imagining the music he'd want played at his own funeral. In a 2001 documentary, Classic Albums: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, he revealed that the two songs weren’t originally written as a single piece, but they fit perfectly since "Funeral for a Friend" ends in the key of A and "Love Lies Bleeding" picks up in the same key, creating a seamless flow when recorded together. The swirling synths and atmospheric effects, courtesy of engineer David Hentschel on an ARP 2500 synthesizer, were layered in during final overdubs at Trident Studios. Hentschel even wove in melodies from other album tracks like "Candle in the Wind" and "The Ballad of Danny Bailey" to craft this mini-opus.

The transition into "Love Lies Bleeding" hits hard with Davey Johnstone’s blistering guitar riffs, and Bernie Taupin’s lyrics deliver a raw, bitter take on a breakup, with lines like “love lies bleeding in my hands” dripping with emotion. Taupin’s words paint a vivid picture of heartbreak and betrayal, a stark contrast to the tender romance of their earlier hit "Your Song." Fans on Reddit’s r/EltonJohn community rave about the instrumental opening, with one user sharing how they’d replay the first five minutes just for its classical-rock fusion. The song’s influence stretches far—Guns N’ Roses drew inspiration for "November Rain" from its dramatic structure, and Avenged Sevenfold’s M. Shadows has cited it as a defining track in shaping his musical perspective. It’s no wonder this fan favorite became a staple in Elton’s live sets, with a stunning performance captured at Madison Square Garden in 2007, shared by a fan on X.

Elton John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, in Pinner, Middlesex, England, started his musical journey early. By age three, he was picking out tunes on the piano, and at 11, he won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music. But his heart leaned toward rock ‘n’ roll, inspired by Elvis Presley and Little Richard. In his teens, he played in pubs with a band called Bluesology, but his big break came in 1967 when he answered an ad for a talent search by Liberty Records. He failed the audition but was handed a stack of lyrics by another hopeful, Bernie Taupin, who also didn’t make the cut. As shared in a 2018 post on X by @WhatTheFFacts, this chance encounter sparked one of music’s greatest partnerships. Elton began setting Taupin’s words to music, and by 1969, their debut album Empty Sky was released, though it was 1970’s Elton John album and the hit "Your Song" that launched him to stardom.

Stay connected with Elton’s vibrant world through his official website, where you can find tour dates, exclusive merch, and Rocket Club membership for pre-sale tickets. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates, like his 2018 post sharing a live clip of this very song from Madison Square Garden. For Zoo Freaks who can’t get enough, dive into fan communities like the r/EltonJohn subreddit or join discussions on Facebook fan groups dedicated to Sir Elton. Keep those vibes groovy, and let’s keep the turntable spinning!