Lady Samantha

Album: Empty Sky (1969)
Play Video

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...

Editor's Picks

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo Lyric

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo LyricMusic Quiz

In this quiz, spot the artist who put Romeo into a song lyric.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn MullinsSongwriter Interviews

"Lullaby" singer Shawn Mullins on "Beautiful Wreck," beating the Devil, and his writing credit on the Zac Brown Band song "Toes."

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.