Songfacts®:

• The offbeat title of this song gives no clues as to its subject matter; in fact it was inspired by lyricist Bernie Taupin's first visit to New York. Country boy Bernie was born on a farm in Lincolnshire and was still not entirely comfortable about city living three years after it was recorded, as evinced by the downtempo track "Tell Me When The Whistle Blows."
• "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" runs to exactly five minutes and is the fourth track on the second side of the 1972 Honky Château album, named for the studio where it was recorded: the Château d'Hérouville in France.
• The song is one of Elton's personal favorites because it alternates between despair and optimism. In spite of his talent, fame, critical acclaim and wealth, Elton John has experienced more this his fair share of psychological problems, including extreme bulimia and of course those staples of rock musicians everywhere, alcohol and drug abuse.
  
  It found its way into Elton's setlists long after he had scores of hits to choose from, making it one of his most popular album cuts.
• New York City references in the song include Broadway, the subway, and Spanish Harlem, which is not just a neighborhood in the city but also a "popular song." It shows up in the opening lines:
  
  And now I know
  Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above