Many songs have been written about fictional characters or imaginary people. One such example is ‘Bennie and the Jets’ written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song was a smash hit when it was released in the 1970s, and it continues to be popular to this day. But who exactly was Bennie and the Jets written about? Let’s take a closer look.
The Origins of Bennie and the Jets
Elton John and Bernie Taupin have been longtime collaborators, working together on many classic songs over the years. According to Bernie Taupin, he came up with the idea for Bennie and the Jets while sitting in a hotel room somewhere in America. He had the idea to create a song about a futuristic rock’n’roll band made up of identical-looking female David Bowie types, that reaches the top of the charts.
The story behind the song is not as straightforward as one would think. Bernie has explained that Bennie and the Jets was not written about a real band, but was rather inspired by a concert he attended where the performer had an onstage persona. Bernie also said that the song was influenced by the glam rock movement of the time, where artists like David Bowie and T. Rex were dressing up in flamboyant costumes.
The Inspiration for Bennie
While the band in the song is fictional, the character of Bennie is not. Bennie was based on a woman Bernie knew early on in his musical career. Sally Bennington, known as Bennie, was someone he dated for a while, and the character in the song was inspired by her unique persona. It is not known exactly what made Sally stand out, but Bernie has said that she was a “hip” early girlfriend who influenced his writing.
In some ways, Bennie is a representation of the women who came out of the 1960s and were starting to make their mark on the world. Sally Bennington was one of these women, and her contribution to the song was to inspire the character of Bennie.
The Cultural Impact of Bennie and the Jets
When Bennie and the Jets was first released in 1974, it became an instant hit. The song topped the charts both in the US and the UK, and it has remained popular ever since. The song’s unique sound, which was a combination of rock, funk, and soul, was unlike anything that came before it. The song is instantly recognizable, with its opening chords and catchy melody.
Bennie and the Jets has also had a profound cultural impact. The song has been covered by many artists, and it has appeared in countless movies, TV shows, and commercials. The song has become a part of the popular culture, and it is often cited as one of the best songs of all time.
Conclusion
Bennie and the Jets is a classic song that has stood the test of time. It is a testament to the songwriting partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and it is a reflection of the cultural moment from which it came. While the song’s fictional band might not have been real, the inspiration from Sally Bennington, known as Bennie, was very real. Benny and the Jets will continue to be a beloved song for generations to come.
FAQ
Did Bernie Taupin write for anyone else?
Bernie Taupin is a well-known English lyricist, poet, and singer. Taupin is best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, for whom he has written the lyrics for most of John’s songs. However, Taupin’s contributions to music extend far beyond his work with John, as he has also written songs for a variety of other artists over the years.
One notable collaboration for Taupin was with Alice Cooper. Taupin co-wrote the songs “Serious” and “Not That Kind of Love” for Cooper’s 1991 album “Hey Stoopid”. Taupin’s songwriting style and Cooper’s theatrical sensibilities meshed well together, resulting in two standout tracks on the album.
Taupin has also written songs for Heart, most notably the ballad “I Didn’t Want to Need You” from their 1990 album “Brigade”. He has also worked with Melissa Manchester, writing the lyrics for her hit song “Don’t Cry Out Loud”, and with Starship, co-writing the hit single “We Built This City”.
In addition, Taupin has collaborated with Rod Stewart on a number of songs, including the hit single “Love Touch” for the soundtrack of the film “Legal Eagles”. He has also worked with Richie Sambora, contributing lyrics to Sambora’s solo projects and co-writing the track “Harlem Rain”.
While Bernie Taupin is mostly recognized for his prolific collaboration with Elton John, he has in fact written lyrics for many other artists, spanning across multiple genres. From Alice Cooper’s rock music, to Heart’s pop-rock ballads, Taupin’s versatility as a songwriter is evident in the wide range of artists he has worked with over the years.
Was Elton in love with Bernie?
There has been a lot of speculation and rumors surrounding Elton John’s relationship with lyricist Bernie Taupin, particularly with regards to whether John was in love with Taupin or not. In a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, John spoke candidly about his relationship with Taupin, revealing that while he was in love with Taupin, it was not in a sexual way.
John stated that he cried when he sang certain songs because the lyrics reminded him of the deep emotional bond he shared with Taupin. John referred to Taupin as his “little soulmate” and indicated that he had been searching for someone like him his entire life. However, John was quick to clarify that their relationship was not romantic or sexual in nature.
John and Taupin’s creative partnership has spanned over 50 years, during which they have written some of the most iconic songs in the history of rock and roll. Despite their close friendship, they have never been romantically involved. While John’s feelings towards Taupin were not romantic, there is no doubt that their connection was exceptionally deep and meaningful. Their unique relationship has helped to create some of the most beloved music of all time and has consolidated their place in music history as one of the greatest songwriting partnerships of all time.
Did Elton John really kiss Bernie Taupin?
There has been a lot of buzz lately surrounding the award-winning film ‘Rocketman’, the biopic about iconic musician, Elton John. In the movie, there is a scene where Elton John, played brilliantly by Taron Egerton, tries to kiss Bernie Taupin, his longtime musical collaborator and friend. Naturally, this scene left many viewers wondering: did this really happen?
It turns out that while the scene might seem like a creative liberty taken by the filmmakers, it actually has some truth to it. Bernie Taupin, the man who wrote the lyrics to many of Elton John’s most famous songs, has confirmed that the scene is based on a real-life moment between the two men.
In an interview with Yahoo, Taupin spoke about the scene, saying: “The only difference between that movie scene and the reality is that he put his hand on my knee, he didn’t try to snog me.”
It is well-known that Elton John and Bernie Taupin have a strong bond, having worked together for over five decades. They first met in 1967 when they were both answering a newspaper ad for songwriters. Since then, Taupin has worked with John to create some of the most iconic songs in modern music history, including “Tiny Dancer” and “Your Song”.
While it might come as a surprise to some fans that Elton John tried to kiss Bernie Taupin, it’s just another example of the bond the two men share. Despite the intimate moment being a bit different in reality than it was depicted in ‘Rocketman’, there is no denying that Taupin and John share a deep and unique connection that has helped to produce some of the most memorable music of our time.
Why did Elton John and Bernie Taupin fall out?
Elton John and Bernie Taupin had a very successful musical partnership that lasted for several decades. They met in 1967 and began working together, with Bernie writing the lyrics and Elton composing the music. They produced several hit songs and albums over the years. However, their partnership was not without its challenges. They had a two-year break between 1974 and 1976, during which time they stopped working together. This break led to rumors that they had fallen out and were no longer on speaking terms.
Many fans and music critics speculated about the reason behind their break, but both Elton and Bernie have spoken about it in interviews over the years. According to them, their split was not due to any acrimonious fallings-out. They both needed a break from the intense pressure of their working relationship. They had been working together continuously for seven years, writing and producing hit after hit. They were both feeling burnt out, and they needed a break to recharge their creative batteries.
During their two-year break, Elton John worked with other lyricists such as Gary Osborne, Tom Robinson, and John Lennon. Bernie also worked on his own projects, writing lyrics for other musicians. However, they both realized that they missed working together and that their partnership was too valuable to let go of. In 1976, they reunited and resumed their working relationship. They continued to produce hit albums and songs, including “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” which became a massive international hit.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s two-year break was not due to any dramatic falling out. Instead, it was a necessary break to give them both a chance to recharge their creative batteries. They realized how much they missed working together and reunited in 1976. Their partnership continued to be successful, producing many more hit songs and albums.
