Artists
Elton John – lead vocals, piano
Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar
Chris Spedding – electric guitar
Herbie Flowers – electric bass
Terry Cox – drums
Ray Cooper – percussion
Diana Lewis – ARP synthesizer
Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangement, conductor
Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, engineered by Robin Geoffrey Cable. The title track (5:57) of Madman Across the Water (DJM Records, 5 November 1971).
The title track was recorded in just four days, and it gave Davey Johnstone his first session on an Elton John album: on 14 August 1971, Gus Dudgeon brought him in to try the song’s distinctive guitar intro, and the first take won cheers from the room. That session led to Johnstone joining Elton’s band as a full member. The track had originally been tried earlier with Mick Ronson on guitar, but that version was set aside, and the song was re-recorded for the album.
Elton John, Bernie Taupin – Madman Across the Water Lyrics
I can see very well
There’s a boat on the reef with a broken back
And I can see it very well
There’s a joke and I know it very well
It’s one of those that I told you long ago
Take my word, I’m a madman, don’t you know
Once a fool had a good part in the play
If it’s so would I still be here today?
It’s quite peculiar in a funny sort of way
They think it’s very funny everything I say
Get a load of him, he’s so insane
You better get your coat, dear, it looks like rain
We’ll come again next Thursday afternoon
The In-laws hope they’ll see you very soon
But is it in your conscience that you’re after
Another glimpse of the Madman across the Water
I can see very well
There’s a boat on the reef with a broken back
And I can see it very well
There’s a joke and I know it very well
It’s one of those that I told you long ago
Take my word, I’m a madman, don’t you know
The ground’s a long way down but I need more
Is the nightmare black or are the windows painted?
Will they come again next week, can my mind really take it?
We’ll come again next Thursday afternoon
The in-laws hope they’ll see you very soon
But is it in your conscience that you’re after
Another glimpse of the Madman across the Water
To listen to other songs from the the Teleskop 22 program click here.