SIR ELTON JOHN’s Famous Ode to NYC – “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters”
If you’ve never listened to Elton John’s , “Mona Lisas and Madhatters”. STOP AND GO LISTEN NOW!
Also it is featured in the movie “Almost Famous” when they get to New York.
The song was released in 1972. The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin and was his take on New York City (NYC) after hearing a gun go off near his hotel window during his first visit to the city. He was just a farm boy from England after all!
The song’s lyrics were partly inspired by Ben E. King‘s “Spanish Harlem “claiming “There is a rose in Spanish Harlem.”
Now I know
Elton John’s “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Opening Lyrics
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew,
but now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City
THE SONG’S ACCLAIM
Rolling Stone magazine praised the song when it was released, as one of his best, writing:
“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” shows how much John can really do in the space of a single cut. Using minimal instrumentation and singing one of Taupin’s most direct lyrics, John effortlessly reveals the myth beneath the myth of “… a rose in Spanish Harlem.” He expresses his involvement with the city, his need for its people, and his final desire to be alone through one of his best tunes, simplest arrangements, and most natural vocal performances. ( emphasis added).
https://www.rollingstone.com/
The song is also one of Elton’s favorites (AND he’s released a LOT of Amazing music!)
Elton, himself , called the song “one of my all-time favourites “when introducing it at his 60th-birthday concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden.
He also delivered a heartfelt rendition at “The Concert for New York City” at Madison Square Garden on 20 October 2001.
The concert was meant primarily a tribute for family members and fellow workers of New York’s Fire and Police and Emergency Medical Services departments, who had been participating in the ongoing recovery efforts at the demolished World Trade Center complex following the terrorist attacks of 9/1111 September 201. John dedicated the song to the emergency workers and their families, as well as to New York City, herself
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisas_and_Mad_Hatter
THE SONG’s POWER
The ballad”alternates between despair and optimism”.
Hmmm, kind of sounds like life, right?
Sure, those are things we ALL go through in life. Yet, when you’re extremely sensitive and dealing with even a small level of anxiety/depression.
Despair feels unending. Optimism feels impossible.
In This Prior Post I open-up about mental health issues:
https://braincancerbabe.com/2020/08/07/opening-up-about-depression-and-mental-health/
In This Prior Post I open-up about having a “Hyper-Sensitive Personality (Yes, it’s real and Yes, it’s not easy!)
https://braincancerbabe.com/2019/12/29/when-do-you-walk-away/
Sir Elton seems like a deeply sensitive, caring person in all he’s done for multiple charities!
Despite the flamboyant costumes, there’s still a young boy seeking acceptance (that’s my personal opinion, but I believe he’s actually admitted it – though don’t quote me! 🙂
Further, it’s no secret Elton battled his own personal demons, facing mental health issues, and addiction. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/elton-john/mona-lisas-and-mad-hatters
Personally though, I feel that’s the essence and power of the ballad!
THE DESPAIR
As the lyrics begin, Elton speaks to the disappointment in realizing, NYC was not the magical place it was supposed to be, or at least what he “thought he knew of the City”.
“How do you feel when reality doesn’t match your high expectations?
In this world of New York City everyone appears to be super-busy, too busy to know if it is day or night“. They might be busy because they are out partying all night or out working and making a lot of money, but their life is defined by its speed. In this world people “run you through”. http://”https://thegreatestsongs.com/393-mona-lisa-and-mad-hatters-elton-john/
No doubt there’s a sad disillusionment that exists. Homeless people are ignored. Whereas in a small town, they likely would not be. However, we know some people “pretend” to be homeless and earn decent cash doing so too!
Also, you simply cannot give to every “hobo” you see. (I don’t like the term, but things were different in ‘72.
WORK, WORK, WORK, WORK!
Personally, while I’m not the “son of a lawyer” . However, I was a practicing litigation attorney in New York City when I was diagnosed with brain cancer. Yes, that life absolutely depends on how many hours you can bill in a day; the speed in which you work; and for many people, the money. I wasn’t raking in the big bucks so… the money was not the driving force .
My office was right by the New York Stock Exchange. Almost everyday, I saw the guys who worked there ( I don’t recall ever seeing a female in their “uniformed” blue jacket) They always looked haggard, demanding their lunch be served quick enough so they could get back to work. It’s definitely a “rat race”out there! and you NEVER wanted to get onto a subway when those guys left work!
Rush hour was always a nightmare regardless. I’m 100lbs and 5’2! Guess who gets pushed in the rush to get onto the subway car? I’s not the 200lbs. 6’4 guy! It was total misery.
I WAS CONSTANTLY TOLD AFTER I GOT SICK THAT I NEEDED TO SLOW-DOWN MY WALKING PACE. Yet, it’s engrained in you. I could never slow down my pace, until now that I can barely walk at all. This is its own misery.
THE GOOD OLD PARTY NIGHTS LASTING INTO THE DAY!
Also, I’ll admit I was a club girl in my youth. I would dance all night into the early morning hours. So, yes, guily of “partying all night” barely able to see when I stumbled out of the club, until my eyes adjusted to the sunlight! There was no despair for me back then though!
THE OPTIMISM: THE “LIFE” NEW YORK RADIATES
Ya gotta be tough to “make it” here. No doubt about it! However, it’s not all disillusionment and despair. As Elton sings, it’s clear how truly thankful he is for the very special people he’s found. Yet’s he’s going “to make it” on his own! He’s going to plant himself here and grow, even if “Rosetrees never grow in New York City.” “https://thegreatestsongs.com/393-mona-lisa-and-mad-hatters-elton-john/
Personally, I believe that’s what he is conveying, at least.
THE LYRICS – in full
And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York CityUntil you’ve seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord
There’s people out there like you
I thank the Lord there’s people out there like youWhile Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or lightThis Broadway’s got
It’s got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I’ll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York CitySubway’s no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have foundWhile Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or lightAnd now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
FEELING SO ALONE, WHILE SURROUNDED BY 1,000s OF PEOPLE
Lately, I’ve been feeling very alone even though I live just outside of NYC. There’s thousands of people around me. Yet, I feel very alone.
COVID is NOT helping the situation!
OUR “IDEAL” RETREAT
So, we bought a home in the Catskills as a retreat from City life. Boy was that a mistake. Although the EPA claims it’s all been remediated, our property was part of a toxic dumping ground (called a Superfund site). The American Thermostat Co. used countless chemicals, dumped them into the soil and an old septic system, as well as some ponds nearby the plant.
I don’t exactly want to risk what remaining years I have left potentially exposing myself to even more carcinogens than necessary…. plus I don’t believe the government for a second!
The extent of the toxicity that was permissible in some categories was03. When this was first discovered in the mid to late 80’s the levels were at 7000!! The company claimed bankruptcy and the President and VP fled the country.
Sometimes, it just really feels like the “Bad guys ALWAYS win, no matter what.
CANCER IS ISOLATING ENOUGH. YOU THINK IT’S ISOLATING IN A BIG CITY TOO
IT’S A HELL OF A LOT WORSE UP IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE! BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO F-ING IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH YOU IN THE STICKS!
THE MEDICAL CARE I’VE RECEIVED IN NYC IS LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF THE E.R. I HAD TO GO TO IN THE CATSKILLS UPSTATE
CHRIST, in this “hospital” in the Catskills the staff doesn’t even wear masks!!! You need a mask to enter the Dollar store up there….Yet, you arrive in an E.R. where doctors, nurses, staff aren’t wearing any PPE! LET THAT SINK IN FOR A MINUTE! It’s terrifying what I witnessed and I won’t even get into the details.
So, New York City, I have a rekindled love for you. Yeah, you’re tough. But I’m stronger because of you.
I ❤️N.Y.
I thank the Lord for the doctors/nurses, etc. I have found...In New York City
