"Levon" is a song written and recorded by Sir Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is from John's fourth album Madman Across the Water and was recorded on February 27, 1971.[1] The song reached #24 on the Billboard Hot 100.
History
Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics for "Levon", was inspired by The Band's co-founder, drummer, and singer Levon Helm to name the title character after him. The Band was apparently Elton John's and Bernie Taupin's favourite group in those days. The "Alvin Tostig" mentioned in the song (Levon's father) is, according to Taupin, merely fictional.[2]
Elton John and his civil partner, David Furnish, named their son "Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John", in part as he was born on Christmas Day 2010 (as Levon was in the song).[3]
Notable covers and performances
"Levon" has since been covered by several artists, including Taylor Hicks, Jon Bon Jovi (who covered the song on the tribute album Two Rooms and claims that "Levon" is his favourite song of all time and that he looks up to Elton John as his idol)[4] and Billy Klippert.[5]
References
- ^ Madman liner notes
- ^ Straight Dope Science Advisory Board, 24 March 2000. The Straight Dope Mailbag, "In the Elton John song 'Levon,' who is Alvin Tostig?". Accessed 15 July 2008.
- ^ Sir Elton John becomes father via surrogate
- ^ Archive of the Bon Jovi Library
- ^ Discography at Billy Klippert's official site
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