NationStates Jolt Archive

So I was listening to Elton John's song "Levon", when I came to the conclusion that I had no fricking idea what its really about. Can I have some help here?????


Here are the lyrics

Levon wears his war wound like a crown
He calls his child jesus
`cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town

Levon, levon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spend his days counting
In a garage by the motorway

He was born a pauper to a pawn on a christmas day
When the new york times said God is dead
And the war’s begun
Alvin tostig has a son today

And he shall be levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be levon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be levon

Levon sells cartoon balloons in town
His family business thrives
Jesus blows up balloons all day
Sits on the porch swing watching them fly

And jesus, he wants to go to venus
Leaving levon far behind
Take a balloon and go sailing
While levon, levon slowly dies

It means whatever you want it to mean.

It means that Elton was high when he wrote it?

It means that Elton was high when he wrote it?


I agree

This song depicts the United States after a holy war has occurred and a theocratic government has couped and taken power. Levon was on the side of the religious faction, which is why he named his child "Jesus." Levon's "war wound" was received during the war, and his son was born on Christmas Day during the peak of the war, when "the New York Times said God is dead, and the war's begun." Since Levon fought for the new religious government he receives special treatment; that is why Levon sends Jesus "To the finest school in town

*Damn* .. now I'm forced to admit he has something going for him. ;) What exactly that is.. ? LSD-25?

This is one of those songs which tap into the differing backgrounds of the people who hear it. People tend to interpret it based on what their own lives have been like.

I tend to see Levon as a veteran who has made a family business, and whose son is suffering from teenage angst and wishes he could fly away.

This song depicts the United States after a holy war has occurred and a theocratic government has couped and taken power. Levon was on the side of the religious faction, which is why he named his child "Jesus." Levon's "war wound" was received during the war, and his son was born on Christmas Day during the peak of the war, when "the New York Times said God is dead, and the war's begun." Since Levon fought for the new religious government he receives special treatment; that is why Levon sends Jesus "To the finest school in town

Or, it means nothing at all.

I'm much more concerned about Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard"


The mama pajama rolled out of bed, and she ran to the police station
When the papa found out, he began to shout, and he started the investigation
It's against the law, it was against the law
What the mama saw, it was against the law.
The mama looked down and spit on the ground ev'ry time my name gets mentioned
The papa say "Oy, if I get that boy
I'm gonna stick him in the house of detention."
I'm on my way, I don't know where I'm goin',
I'm on my way, I'm takin' my time, but I don't know where.

Goodbye to Rosie, the Queen of Corona
See you, me and Julio down by the schoolyard
See you, me and Julio down by the schoolyard

In a couple of days they come and take me away
But the press let the story leak
And when the radical priest come to get me released
We's all on the cover of Newsweek
Well, I'm on my way, I don't know where I'm goin'
I'm on my way, I'm takin' my time, but I don't know where

Goodbye to Rosie, the Queen of Corona
See you, me and Julio down by the schoolyard
See you, me and Julio down by the schoolyard
See you, me and Julio down by the schoolyard


I've thought it might be about a drug dealer, but I've heard other theories as well.

It means that Elton was high when he wrote it?

Bernie Taupin would have been the one who was high, rather than Elton, shurely?

I've thought it might be about a drug dealer, but I've heard other theories as well.

Pedophilia, obviously.

That paul simon is so short lends credence to this.

Bernie Taupin would have been the one who was high, rather than Elton, shurely?
LOL :p. I was waiting for someone to probably point out that some random other type wrote it, but I actually forgot that Elton has his own private writer for all his songs. No cookie for me.

LOL :p. I was waiting for someone to probably point out that some random other type wrote it, but I actually forgot that Elton has his own private writer for all his songs. No cookie for me.

Well, for the lyrics at least. IIRC most of his output (covers aside) has had the music penned by John and the lyrics by Taupin.

Well, for the lyrics at least. IIRC most of his output (covers aside) has had the music penned by John and the lyrics by Taupin.
There was a brief period in the 80s I think when John and Taupin split, and it damn near killed John's career. But outside that, you are correct.

Supposedly, "Me and Julio" is about homosexuality and public opinion towards it in the past. The entire first stanza shows the hostility shown towards homosexuals and the later stanza with the "radical priest" shows that there were some people sympathetic toward the gay community. Another fun fact for ya'. Supposedly, "Rosie" from the lines concerning "Rosie Queen of Corona" is, in theory, a homosexual transvestite that Paul Simon knew at some point in his life, but no knows for sure. Its a great song anyway and that's all that counts. Besides, its this element of mystery that makes the song a bit more appealing I think.

Supposedly Levon was inspired by Levon Helm, drummer and one of the founding members of 'The Band'. Although the lyrics don't really have much to do with Helm, Elton and Bernie were supposedly big fans of The Band at the time the song was written.