Classic Albums

Elton John talks about the creation of his 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, describing the recording process, the studio environment and artistic decisions involved. Lyricist Bernie Taupin contributes, explaining the collaborative approach taken when writing the album’s songs and the themes they aimed to capture.

The broadcast titled Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is presented as a programme episode. It centres on the iconic 1973 record that cemented Elton John’s place in popular music, and it brings the two principal creators of the work together for a focused discussion. In the segment, Elton John talks through the process of recording the album, describing how the tracks came together and what the sessions felt like at the time. Complementing his recollections, lyricist Bernie Taupin offers his own perspective, explaining the way the songs were penned and the ideas that guided the writing. Together they provide a straightforward account of how the music and words were shaped. The episode is built around these two viewpoints, allowing listeners to hear the artist and his collaborator reflect on the same project from their respective angles. By juxtaposing John’s recollections of the studio work with Taupin’s insights into the lyrical craft, the programme gives a clear picture of the collaborative effort behind Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The format remains simple and conversational, with both participants speaking directly about the album’s creation without any additional narrative or external commentary.