Elton John - Tower Of Babel Lyrics






Snow, cement and ivory young towers
Someone called us Babylon
Those hungry hunters
Tracking down the hours
But where were all your shoulders when we cried
Were the darlings on the sideline
Dreaming up such cherished lies
To whisper in your ear before you die

It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
Have a ball y'all
See the letches crawl
With the call girls under the table
Watch them dig their graves
`Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel

Watch them dig their graves
`Cause Jesus don't save the guys
In the tower of Babel, no no no

Junk, angel, this closet's always stacked
The dealers in the basement
Filling your prescription
For a brand new heart attack

But where were all your shoulders when we cried
Were the doctors in attendance
Saying how they felt so sick inside
Or was it just the scalpel blade that lied





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Elton John Tower Of Babel Comments
  1. C.... H....

    Bernie and Elton...jeezus

  2. D.... M....

    Last album with this band damn good damn

  3. D.... M....

    Captain Fantastic underrated underrated underrated the best the best the best love love love love

  4. j.... L....

    And I'm 16 again

  5. S.... ....

    Gospel feel?

  6. M.... B....

    Working on getting these Nigel's drums correct for (obviously) an upcoming tour. Chrome over wood CONCERT toms.
    Not Slingerland, but DW

  7. j.... L....

    Poet Motherfuckers

  8. j.... s....

    they dont play drums charles....lol

  9. J.... D....

    As a teen had the 8 track tape... Click click. The only issue I had wit dat is no album cover to roll on... Grin

  10. G.... I....

    One of my favourite albums of all time. Never get tired of this album. EJ along with Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olson at their best.

  11. R.... F....

    Nigel’s drumming on this song is so on point.

  12. J.... S....

    i dont know about Jesus.But a load of ems assholes can rot out in their drawers.

  13. J.... H....

    Party 🎉 time have ball y'all

  14. f.... ....

    close to being a perfect record

  15. y.... k....

    Many, many, days of my youth listening to this, stoned, and studying the album cover.

    y.... k....

    The dealers in the basement

    y.... k....

    So funny, I feel you, girl❤

  16. G.... D....

    I was in 7th grade, about 14-15 years-old, and Phillip Tullos made me aware of this album by DRAWING THIS COVER ON HIS MATH FOLDER! (Pretty damn good, too!) Still, I believe this album is one of my TOP-2 favorites from Sir Elton! Truly a wizard at the peak of his power! Fantastic LP!

  17. J.... H....

    Cause Jesus don't save the guys in the tower of babel. Have a ball ya. I'm crawling up under the table.✌️🍦👀🌝❤️🇺🇸😃🏡👌🏻👉🍸🥃🌲✋🏿🥂🍫🍻☁️🎄👈😁🍢🍽🤞🌚👍🏼👃🏼🍰🌻🍺☁️🇺🇸

    J.... H....

    Perfect. Now if can DW to make a correct drum kit (chrome over wood) concert toms for you know there will be a tour...movie screw up. Nigel played Premier, then went to Slingerland in the US
    Just like Ringo...Premier, then bought his first Ludwig kit in NYC

  18. T.... J....

    I remember hearing this song for the first time on a 8 track tape . Those were the days.

  19. C.... D....

    Beautiful song...best on the album

  20. S.... M....

    Nigel on those Slingerlands

  21. L.... B....

    He was top of the bill at an all day show at Wembley Stadium less than a week after this album came out . Me and my mate went as 16 yr olds . It was a really hot day . A few lesser bands and then ..Joe Walsh band , terrific ...Then The Eagles ..terrific ( Joe played with them on that day ) ..then The Beach Boys had the whole place rocking in the sun ...Then Elton John ...Played the whole of Captain Fantastic ...nobody knew it ..His arrogance ruined the whole day . It was a disaster ...Love the album now , but will never forgive him for that display of contempt for the crowd .

  22. m.... ....

    Great george Harrison solo part

  23. M.... R....

    Have a ball you'll

  24. c.... e....

    I’m ten again looking at the artwork and singing.... 4 plus decades I’m doing the same!
    Elton Bernie Alan and so many many more... thank you beyond measure

  25. m.... ....

    Still the greatest album of all time.

  26. l.... m....

    Elton at piano is an excelsior talent...What a sensibility.....And Davey on guitar a sheer player...

    l.... m....

    Dee Murray and Nigel Olsen, also in top form

  27. C.... P....

    Isn’t this just an amazing song and what a voice. I was 13 when I heard this and I never ever forgot it. The whole album should be recognised as a classic

  28. M.... W....

    The lyrics are so great. Watch em dig their graves cause Jesus don't save the guys in the Tower of Babel.

    M.... W....

    Maureen Wagg given the topical nature of the song, i.e. debauchery, I always had a hunch that it was only record biz controls that prevented them from using the words Bernie really meant: "Snow, semen..." Makes more sense with those "ivory young towers."

  29. C.... B....

    Love Davey Johnstone's guitar on this album

  30. O.... ....

    I can listen to this album front to back and be amazed every time. A true classic.

  31. D.... ....

    JESUS CHRIST IS LORD amen.

  32. M.... L....

    I was born in Chile and I dreamt the day I would ever see Elton john I moved to Canada in '79 I finally got to see Elton in '95 he already had been in Chile by then. Thanks to the Lion King otherwise I would have never seen him.

  33. H.... H....

    7 years old and he was awesome

  34. D.... B....

    I've always put this album slightly and JUST slightly above GBYBR. There's probably not as many 'Hits' on this album, but In my opinion It's more intricate, better engineered sound and really shows Elton and all the bands musicianship and versatility.. Top album!!!

    D.... B....

    David Barton well put and I agree. It coheres brilliantly. It's a masterpiece by any measure.

    D.... B....

    This is by far my favorite Elton John album

  35. B.... ....

    Listen to this when i was a nipper in 70s

  36. S.... T....

    Poetry.  Taupin at his best.  Elton too.  A slightly self-indulgent album, but definitely one of EJ's three best (other two being GBYBR and Blue Moves).  Thanks for posting this excellent song!

  37. k.... t....

    The best never seen

  38. S.... G....

    Truly a Classic!!!!!!!

  39. G.... F....

    pop music at its finest. Epic, sublime

  40. D.... G....

    Got this on vinyl for soo cheap $0.50

    D.... G....

    My mom managed to get it for $0.25 back in the day.I’m honestly so jealous of how much cheaper things were back then

  41. r.... s....

    Nod if you can hear us?

  42. I.... S....

    Oh hell yeah! Always one of my favorites. This song is so complex it can make your head explode. This song could match anything Brian Wilson every cranked out, IMHO. Great, just great!

  43. W.... C....

    Captain Sodomite.

  44. J.... M....

    Loved this song most......bought this album the day it was released. Was the 1st album ever with 1,000,000 sales on day 1 , I believe.

    J.... M....

    Capt. Fantastic (and it's follow up Rock of The Westies) were the first time that an artist had back-to back album releases debut at Number One on the Billboard Album Charts. No other artist or group up until then had never accomplished such a feat.

    J.... M....

    You are correct.  I was part of that.  15 years old, took my 7 bucks to The Record Hut in Salem, Oregon and snapped up 'Captain Fantastic' the day it came out.  It remains one of my top 5 favorite albums ...... (others being 'Some Girls'/Stones...'Yellow Brick Road'/EJ...'The Pretender'/Jackson Browne...and 'Achtung Baby'/U2)

    J.... M....

    Jade Martin l did too. I knew it was good and bought it with money saved up.

    J.... M....

    You're right; it went at LEAST platinum BEFORE it hit the stores

  45. M.... S....

    A Super-Band, indeed.

  46. K.... H....

    Elton at his height, the entire album is a classic

    K.... H....

    agreed ... at the height of his powers .... and incredible album start to finish ....

  47. J.... D....

    Nigel Olssen's drums are unmistakable.

    J.... D....

    So are Dee Murray's and Davie Johnstone's

  48. R.... B....

    Snow, cement and ivory young towers
    Someone called us Babylon
    Those hungry hunters
    Tracking down the hours

    But where were all your shoulders when we cried
    Were the darlings on the sideline
    Dreaming up such cherished lies
    To whisper in your ear before you die

    It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
    Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
    Have a ball y'all
    See the letches crawl
    With the call girls under the table
    Watch them dig their graves
    'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
    In the tower of Babel

    Watch them dig their graves
    'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
    In the tower of Babel, no no no

    Junk, angel, this closet's always stacked
    The dealers in the basement
    Filling your prescription
    For a brand new heart attack

    But where were all your shoulders when we cried
    Were the doctors in attendance
    Saying how they felt so sick inside
    Or was it just the scalpel blade that lied

    It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
    Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
    Have a ball y'all
    See the letches crawl
    With the call girls under the table
    Watch them dig their graves
    'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
    In the tower of Babel

    Watch them dig their graves
    'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
    In the tower of Babel, no no no

    It's party time for the guys in the tower of Babel
    Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel
    Have a ball y'all
    See the letches crawl
    With the call girls under the table
    Watch them dig their graves
    'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
    In the tower of Babel
    Watch them dig their graves
    'Cause Jesus don't save the guys
    In the tower of Babel, no no no

    Written by Bernie Taupin, Elton John • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group

  49. J.... S....

    havn't listened to this album for ages,,but it sJUST as BRILLIANT as ever!! brings memories flooding back from the 70's when i first heard it; TIMELESS!!!

  50. R.... S....

    Fucking fantastic voice. Jeezus!

  51. K.... ....

    0:00 "Slow... semen... and diarrhea on toes..."

    K.... ....

    KrimsonApoLLo LOL

    K.... ....

    Yep.....thank you......I always wondered if he is really singing 'semen'.........glad I'm not the only one

  52. c.... d....

    cuz jesus don't save the guys in the tower of babel

    c.... d....

    he knows he and his kind are fried

  53. B.... K....

    Oh wow. I LOVED this album. Thank goodness for older brothers that brought so much great music into the house when I was young. Funny how after decades, the lyrics come back. So glad I was alive during the 70's - don't think there will ever be another time of so much great music.

    B.... K....

    Bee Kay I have said that soo many times...the 70's were just a special time for music...

    Or maybe those were my formative years as the 60'..50's were special to those generations.

    B.... K....

    I know what you mean. Hard to be objective. But my gut tells me the 70's really were the best! Despite my bias :)

  54. A.... L....

    Elton John's Finest Hour.

    A.... L....

    Anthony LaRusso totally !

    A.... L....

    @Sara Maya yup . Totally is right !

    A.... L....

    His final hour

  55. A.... w....

    "Wonderful Crazy Night" is the latest album by Sir Elton John! Released in early 2016. Maybe something for you!

    A.... w....

    'Wonderful Crazy Night'......A few good tracks, evocative of EJ's heyday.  'Looking Up' and 'Blue Wonderful' are great.  But some lackluster, filler tunes too.

  56. M.... A....

    his voice was soooo sweet ;__;

  57. h.... j....

    BEAUTIFUL

  58. g.... h....

    I use to have this album, I think it might be in my moms basement. God songs were good in the 70`s

    g.... h....

    +Greg Ivanovs   What makes you think it might be in his mums basement?

    g.... h....

    +billy porter I agree that 70's music is great. Don't know about the location of the album, lol!

    g.... h....

    +glenda harris yes they were... some pretty good stuff being made now too! Just have to look...

    g.... h....

    This was THE album to own...it was a summer I'll never forget.

    g.... h....

    Audrey Yerdua my exact sentiments.!

  59. A.... M....

    Love this song. This and curtains are my favorites off this album

  60. J.... B....

    I love this song, but do all Brits mispronounce Babel?

    J.... B....

    @Jason Bennett It's impossible for the Brits to mispronounce Babel! Its their language

    J.... B....

    +Jason Bennett  either is correct, try a dictionary

    J.... B....

    +Jason Bennett Bollocks

    J.... B....

    Barbel; a powerful, whiskered bottom-feeding fish that is found in some fast flowing British rivers. Nothing at all to do with this fine song, merely word association!

  61. L.... D....

    Sodom meet Gomorrah, Cain meet Abel...

    L.... D....

    Yes, those are lyrics in the song. Congratulations, you can quote things.

  62. S.... K....

    One of my all time favorite albums. This song has always been one I can not get tired of. Sir Elton John is an amazing performer. The world is a happier place for him sharing his talent with the world. And yes I know he's made a fortune. He has earned it and I'm glad to have spent most of my life listening to has awesome work.

  63. M.... ....

    One of my favorites from the start, the whole album is great.  Yet, it took how many years for ppl to realize what a "brown dirt cowboy" was, accept it, and admit Sir Elton John was on the forefront of acceptance? 

    M.... ....

    Tell Me When the Whistle Blows has nothing to do with being gay either. It's about, as far as I can tell, life on the road when you're a struggling young music artist.

    M.... ....

    @***** I acknowledge the possibility that I'm wrong on this. Did Bernie state the intent of that song in an interview somewhere?

    M.... ....

    I'm pretty sure Bernie (who is straight) is the brown dirt cowboy. He likes country music, even has a westernish solo album. Brown dirt 'cuz he's down to earth compared to Elton, image wise. Elton is CAPTAIN FANTASTIC! The whole album is autobiographical about them. Look at their respective cartoon depictions on the front and back artwork on the album.

    M.... ....

    I think the reference to Bernie as the "Brown dirt cowboy" comes from the reason that he is actually a country boy (he comes from about 20 miles or so from where i live and its out in the sticks). Elton is from the outskirts of London, certainly not out in the backwoods

    M.... ....

    I am a drummaker and want to reproduce the exact kit Nigel had at that time.chrome over wood CONCERT TOMS
    since Slingerland doesn't exist anymore, it would be DW. I would unveil it at his first show, looking just like the yellow brick road album pic of him.what do you think?

  64. G.... K....

    This was when he could sing, now sadly he sounds awful just listen to anything he sings now a days.    George K

    G.... K....

    I would rather take old, hoarse, modern Elton any day, over modern, tone-deaf pop "singers", aka insufferable wailers.

    G.... K....

    Any day, Reg got me through my Teenage years.

    G.... K....

    Elton's voice has definitely changed.....  but none of us can do at 70 what we did at 25.

    G.... K....

    akiuop123 that's for goddamn sure!

  65. R.... M....

    "FANTASTIC" Album!!! Grew up with this album and it is one the best albums ever produced in my humble opinion. This was my favorite song from that album!

    R.... M....

    Concur.  Masterpiece.

    R.... M....

    Rich Moore- @'!?

    R.... M....

    Rich Moore completely agree....much nostalgia

    R.... M....

    THE best ever.

    R.... M....

    I really think it's the pinnacle which Elton to this day never surpassed and likely never will. It's interesting that the album that was Elton and Bernie's bio-pic would be their crowning achievement. And that's not inconsistent with a trend of 8 or so years for bands before they start to wane. Even genius has its logical limits before formulaic repetition or mediocrity set in. Personally, I think that once you've reached the dizzying heights of The Tower you just don't possess the drive, the hunger that inspired your climb there. I have loved the work of EJ since my first encounter in 72 and the Johnstone, Murray, Olsson band is an unbelievable powerhouse of talent that fleshed out so many tunes. I've been a lifelong Beatles fan and they will always have the honorary top spot with me but honestly, Captain Fantastic may be a better album than they ever did. Story wise, song hooks and atmosphere are, even after 40 years, as spellbinding as the day it was released. And none of it would have happened without Bernie Taupin - what a writer!

  66. k.... r....

     I grew up with this Gem of an album!! one of best vocals...thx

    k.... r....

    Me too.

  67. p.... l....

    This is still my fave song on this album. Brilliant.  "It's party time for the guys in the Tower of Babel. Sodom meet Gommorah. Cain meet Able. Have a ball y'all." Damn, Bernie, what a poet!

    p.... l....

    @Christian LeGault Always LOVED that weird line!!

    p.... l....

    cuz jesus don't save the guys in the tower of babel

    p.... l....

    Junk, angel, this closet's always stacked
    The dealers in the basement
    Filling your prescription
    For a brand new heart attack

    p.... l....

    Elton was my first rocknroll idol, when I heard Rocket Man at age 5...my musical tastes have changed though the decades, but I've always loved Elton...

    p.... l....

    "Watch em dig their graves" Brilliant.

  68. K.... G....

    brillent

    K.... G....

    yes ,who are you the village illiterate

    K.... G....

    @wenesdae No. The village executioner. Don't call someone a village illiterate or rag other people about their spelling when you can't even end a sentence with a period!

    K.... G....

    You wouldn't say that if you were standing in front of me.

    K.... G....

    And you, wenesdae, are going to die sad and alone someday. But have fun with that shallow existence you lead, you piece of detritus!

    K.... G....

    @akiuop123 Don't waste your time, akiuop123. That guy has major self-esteem
    problems, I mean does not have open a door, he just slithers under it.

  69. t.... k....

    Who produced this?

    t.... k....

    How many and how many years?

  70. r.... ....

    Nigel rocks on this..cool style..

  71. j.... d....

    I just flashed back to the age of 13

    j.... d....

    Too bad I was much older then. May be it’s not too late!

    j.... d....

    Me too.

    j.... d....

    I’m 16, and I’m honestly so envious of everyone who got to witness Elton John in his prime.Not to mention, the MUCH cheaper concert tickets.Y’all are so lucky!!

  72. B.... ....

    I had just started appreciating Elton John in 1975, and it was the spring of 1976 when I bought this album.  I was much more a singles buyer, so I found the lyrics a treat.  Even now, I find out that I've had lyrics of songs wrong for decades!  I use You Tube to correct them for the next time I play the 45's.

    B.... ....

    I wouldn't recommend using YouTube for lyrics. Lyrics videos on this site are fairly notorious for getting words wrong.

    B.... ....

    I agree. Sometimes they get the words wrong, so I test the lyrics. I also go elsewhere for the lyrics. At the very least, I've corrected most of my errors. It's also a good practice to ward off Alzheimer's!

  73. R.... G....

    Again a non stop train of hit after hit. where are the groups of today that are able to do that?

    R.... G....

     warren-  open the dictionary before you post things you cant spell- scalpel

  74. L.... G....

    PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  75. p.... l....

    I had forgotten how good this album is! I used to play this album all the time as a teenager! As soon as I got home from work, had my tea and then whoosh, got ready to go out while listening to this! Happy memories. Gonna buy the cd now!

  76. D.... G....

    no need to compare them whats the point

  77. p.... t....

    the cover here would make a brilliant tattoo

  78. r.... ....

    Wow......I am an old due.....I wore this vinyl out back in the 70's.

    Althout the duo had many a great tune, this is one of the best. Great album.

  79. Q.... ....

    I really don't think Page & Plant can qualify in those two sets of writer's company, mostly because they so liberally "borrowed" (or is it plagerized?) from so many early bluesmen for many of the songs they recorded. Page is undoubtably a total master of the guitar, and Plant's voice and stage presence was epic at times, but in NO WAY does "their" songwriting compare to Bernie & Elton nor John & Paul.

    Q.... ....

    Led Zeppelin created the Heavy Metal sound genius.

  80. 1.... ....

    Elton-CF, Bernie... Brown dirt cowboy.

  81. O.... ....

    This song is excellent. I got turned onto it about six months ago as I'm just now getting into a lot of Elton's early stuff and IMO this is one of the finest from this era. From the scathing lyrics directed at music industry execs, to the guitar fills in between some really strong vocals from Elton. It's just about perfect.

  82. j.... ....

    .... Good Call man ~ Elton's been knighted by Royalty, and has countless Top-10 singles and albums, and most people couldn't even NAME his guitar-player. What a shame. Easily one of the MOST under-rated, over-looked, and FORGOTTEN guitarists in all of Rock and Roll. Glad you mentioned him here... Rock On Davey...

  83. E.... O....

    At age 11 me folks took me to my first concert. It was Elton right before release of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. August 1973 Dallas TX at Cotton Bowl. THIS album was the album of '75!

    E.... O....

    Wow,...I didn't get to see him til 1976,...the night he announced he'd retire after that show!.....it was at MSG in NYC.

  84. B.... K....

    I remember when I was 12 years old,I had Captain Fantastic on 8 track and listened to it relentlessly and even though I love all of Elton's early stuff this is by far my favorite,Bernie Taupin's lyrics are pure genius!! Also,I am a drummer and was VERY influenced by Nigel Olsen,especially this album!!!

  85. f.... ....

    Almost a given that the song is near genius from song construction to Bernie's awesome lyrics...but I get a kick from Davey Johnstone's very tasty guitar fills...that is a clear intersection of tone and talent!

  86. N.... C....

    sir bernie ?

  87. M.... ....

    100 PCT CORRECT.

  88. M.... ....

    SO AWESOME!

  89. J.... A....

    I'd prefer to get on out of the tower and have some good clean fun before the whole thing comes crashing down on us while being foolish... I'm just sayin'

  90. S.... B....

    The gods have spoken....

  91. 1.... ....

    Well, it's in the conversation, but Don't Shoot Me, Tumbleweed and GBYBR, keep it from being "by far".

  92. F.... ....

    This and Yellow Brink Road are two albums that are outstanding. There's probably only a couple dozen albums that can compete for its excellence in the annals of rock 'n roll history.

  93. n.... ....

    classic and historic

  94. T.... T....

    ~ Have a ball, ya'll ! ~

  95. C.... T....

    a fking genius is right

  96. s.... !....

    Got my fix tonite............thanks.

  97. J.... ....

    And only a bright musician knows how to put great music to it