Grimsby by Elton John

Album: Caribou (1974)

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In Barry Toberman's biography of Elton, it is claimed that he prompted his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, into writing "Grimsby" because Randy Newman had written a song about Cleveland. There was some suggestion they could make it sound like The Beach Boys. Grimsby is an unprepossessing fishing port on the Lincolnshire coast, so this was probably a private joke.

In His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John, Elizabeth Rosenthal writes: "The joke has probably been lost on many non-British listeners" who may have taken it literally. Taupin was born on a farm near Sleaford, which is about 50 miles from Grimsby. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander - London, England
Elton John included "Grimsby" in his setlists from time to time until 1976, when he stopped playing it. It's an album cut from Caribou, the fourth in a run of six #1 albums in America. The singles from the album were "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" and "The Bitch Is Back."

Comments: 3

Eltonfan from UkIt annoys me when songwriters downplay the songs they wrote. Some fans actually like the songs the songwriters trash. Grimsby is one of my fav elton john songs and would have been a better single than the dreary don't let the sun go down on me
Catherine from London Ontario It matters to people in Grimsby Ontario, lol
Gregpry Mckinney from Glendale Ca UsaYes, this is just another "throwaway" from the Caribou LP from Elton John. And like the other non-releases from this album, it sits like a jewel hovering over just about anything else of its day. Pop radio was so full of wondrous music and spotless production at that time that even this phenomenal track was not even considered Top 40 material.

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