Grey Seal by Elton John

Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

Elton John's lyricist, Bernie Taupin, stumped a lot of listeners with this song. While Taupin has sensible explanations for the "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon," the wise Grey Seal is a bit of a mystery, even to him. Taupin has said that it's one of the songs he wrote with lyrics he never really understood, but somehow work. As for Elton, the song is one of his favorites, as he loves the way the music matches up to the lyrics. In the tradition of "A Whiter Shade Of Pale," the lyrics form a series of images that are open to translation. Elton called it "Procol Harum-ish absurd, like a Dali painting."
This song dates back to 1970, when it was recorded for Elton John's second (self-titled) album. It didn't make the cut, but was revived for the double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The original can be heard on the compilation Rare Masters, released in 1992.

Comments: 7

Robin from BerkshireA lot of it was about his poor schooling at a dodgy comprehensive near Grimsby. And his escape from that life
Rob Mcgowan from San DiegoLife is often cloudy. Yet, the grey seal sees what is real. He is peaceful, happy, wise. Non-duality. Artists create visions of non-dualistic love without knowing.
Pat from Saint Paul, MnI heard this song on the radio today. What I really like about the song is Elton's piano playing, especially in the final verse. It is top notch! I can picture his hands gliding across the keyboard.
Jz from BeatWhat he said, the author.
Mcwillie from HamptonsGrey Seal was written in response to Elton John finding out that the 5'8" round faced brown eyed James Paul McCartney was replaced by 5'11" green eyed long faced William Shepherd as the Beatles bass player after Revolver.
Tim Burton from UkGrey Seal - Walrus - I am the walrus? It’s a piss take of John Lennon and his pontificating: perhaps.
Clint from 18510I think it alludes to a dystopian future not unlike Rush's 2112 where in the character finds that he has been told lies by the priests and there is a whole beautiful world and rich past out there that he knows nothing about the character in Grey seal has been sheltered all his life and told lies by the Grey seal who ever and whatever that may be

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana

Teen Spirit was a kind of deodorant marketed to young girls. That's where Kurt Cobain got the title "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Down UnderMen at Work

Often heard as a patriotic song celebrating their homeland of Australia, "Down Under" by Men At Work is really about the selling of that country, and it makes a strong political statement.

China GroveThe Doobie Brothers

There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.

IronicAlanis Morissette

The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.

Do You Want To DanceBobby Freeman

Bobby Freeman's '50s hit "Do You Want To Dance" was also a Hot 100 hit for Del Shannon, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, Bette Midler and the Ramones.

Beautiful LoserBob Seger

Bob Seger's song "Beautiful Loser" was inspired by book Leonard Cohen published in 1966 called Beautiful Losers.