Released: December 4, 2005

Songwriter: Lee Hall Elton John

Producer: Phil Ramone Martin Koch Elton John Nick Gilpin

[Spoken BILLY]
Grandma, do you really not remember about granddad?

[Spoken GRANDMA]
'Course I do!
How could I forget your granddad, Billy
We were married thirty-three year

[Spoken BILLY]
So what was like like
[Spoken GRANDMA]
He was a complete . . . Bastard!

[GRANDMA]
I hated the sod - for thirty-three year
We should never have married of that I'm quite clear
He spent the housekeeping money on whiskey and beer
And never lifted a finger
Times were hard, but the swine rolled back pissed
So we'd fight and he'd swing and he rarely missed
So I'd clobber the sod when he couldn't resist:
Asleep, you can't lift a finger

But we'd go dancing
And he'd hold me tight
He was air, He was water, He was breath, He was light
And he would hold me there, with all his might
And it was bliss for an hour or so
But then they called time to go
And in the morning we were sober

O he'd drink and he'd talk just like a fool
Lie like a bairn and snore like a mule
Rarely was sober, pretty much was the rule
And he never lifted a finger
I suppose times were hard, things were different then
Women were women and men, they were men
Seventeen, that was it, your life ended when you had a ring around your finger

But we'd go dancing, he was me own Brando
And for a moment there my heart was a-glow
We had dust in our hair and nowhere to go
Boo we were free for an hour or three
From the people we had to be
But in the morning we were sober

But if I went through my time again
Oh I'd do it without the help of men
Or at least your Grandad
But then again, you know
Best not to linger

What is the use of dreaming now?
I had my chance, well anyhow
If I'd only known then what I know now
I'd've given them all the finger

And gone dancing, and not give a shit
And spin around and reel and love each bit
And I'd dance alone and enjoy it
And I'd be me for an entire life
Instead of somebody's wife
And I never would be sober
And I never would be sober

Elton John

Elton John is a British singer, pianist and composer whose unique blend of pop and rock styles turned him into one of the biggest music icons of the 20th century. Elton has sold more than 250 million albums, making him one of the best-selling musicians ever.

He excelled in music from a young age, attending the prestigious Academy of Music on a scholarship at just eleven years old. In 1970 he released his first self-titled album, making him a huge international star.

Some of his most famous hits include “Crocodile Rock”, “Philadelphia Freedom” and “Take the Long Way Home”.