Lady Samantha by Elton John

Album: Empty Sky (1969)

License This Song

lyrics

artistfacts

Songfacts®:

One of the earliest Elton John/Bernie Taupin collaborations, this one is a ghost story, telling the tale of the banshee-like Lady Samantha, who glides like a tiger in the night. Although instilling fear in everyone who hears her cry, she is tragic rather than evil. Shades of "Lady Jay"/"Kitty Jay" perhaps?
"Lady Samantha" was Elton John's first single in America and his second in the UK, following the short-lived "I've Been Loving You." He recorded it during sessions for his debut album, Empty Sky, but left it off the album until 1995 when it was included as a bonus track on the re-issue.
Elton didn't have a band when he recorded this, so he used session musicians, including Caleb Quaye on guitar and Roger Pope on drums. Pope played on several more Elton John albums, and Quaye joined his band in 1975.
On October 28, 1968, the song was performed with Caleb Quaye on guitar, in what was Elton's first ever live performance at the BBC.
In 1972, "Lady Samantha" was re-released as the B-side of "Honky Cat" in the UK, coupled with "It's Me That You Need."
Three Dog Night covered this in 1969 on their album Suitable for Framing. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

Comments

Be the first to comment...

More Songfacts:

Live ForeverOasis

The Oasis song "Live Forever" was written in response to "I Hate Myself And I Want To Die" by Nirvana. "Kids don't need to hear that nonsense," said Noel Gallagher.

Put Your Records OnCorinne Bailey Rae

Corinne Bailey Rae's 2006 hit "Put Your Records On" borrows the opening line ("Three little birds sat on my window") from the Bob Marley song "Three Little Birds." Both songs have the same message: Don't worry, because every little thing's going to be alright.

When I'm 64The Beatles

In The Beatles' "When I'm 64," Paul McCartney asks a woman if she'll still be there for him when he's 64. In 2006, he got his answer when shortly before his 64th birthday, he and Heather Mills separated.

Try AgainAaliyah

Until December 5, 1998, a song had to be issued as a single to make the Hot 100. Aaliyah's "Try Again" was the first tune to top the chart based on airplay alone, without any sales figures being included.

I Remember EverythingZach Bryan

Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves had both gone through divorces when they wrote and recorded the wrenching duet "I Remember Everything." It was the first #1 Hot 100 hit for each of them.

Bad RomanceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga is a big fan of horror movies; listen for the names of these three Alfred Hitchcock films in the lyrics to "Bad Romance": Psycho, Vertigo, Rear Window.