Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" | |
---|---|
Song by Elton John | |
from the album Honky Château | |
Released | 1972 |
Recorded | January 1972 |
Genre | Soft rock |
Length | 5:00 |
Label | Uni |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon |
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was released on the 1972 album Honky Château. The lyrics conveyed Taupin's take on New York City after hearing a gun go off near his hotel window during his first visit to the city.[1] The song's lyrics were partly inspired by
The song was also released as the B-side of the "Harmony" UK single in 1980.
Personnel
- Elton John – vocals, acoustic piano
- Davey Johnstone – electric, acoustic and slide guitars, mandolin
- Dee Murray – bass guitar
Reception
Rolling Stone magazine's Jon Landau praised the song when it was released, writing:
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" shows how much John can really do in the space of a single cut. Using minimal instrumentation and singing one of Taupin's most direct lyrics, John effortlessly reveals the myth beneath the myth of "... a rose in Spanish Harlem." He expresses his involvement with the city, his need for its people, and his final desire to be alone through one of his best tunes, simplest arrangements, and most natural vocal performances.[5]
Performances
Elton John himself called the song "one of my all-time favourites"[6] when introducing it at his 60th-birthday concert in New York's Madison Square Garden, as he performed it more than a hundred times in concert.[7]
John also delivered a heartfelt rendition of this song at
In popular culture
The song was used in the film Almost Famous, in a scene in New York City, highlighting the loneliness of Kate Hudson's character, who overdoses on Quaaludes and champagne.[4]
Sequel
A more upbeat sequel to the song called "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" was recorded 16 years later for John's album Reg Strikes Back.
References
- ^ "Lyrics for Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John".
- ^ "Ben E. King – Spanish Harlem Lyrics". Metrolyrics.com. 26 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters by Elton John Songfacts". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
- ^ a b Mason, S. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ^ Landau, Jon (17 August 1972). "Honky Château". Rolling Stone.[dead link]
- ^ Chinen, Nate (27 March 2007). "Elton John Celebrates 60, Lavishly, in His Garden". The New York Times.
- ^ "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters by Elton John Song Statistics | setlist.fm". www.setlist.fm. Retrieved 22 July 2022.