John, Elton - Empty Sky Lyrics






I'm not a rat to be spat on locked up in this room
Those bars that look towards the sun at night look towards the moon
Everyday the swallows play in the clouds of love
Make me wish that I had wings take me high above

And I looked high and saw the empty sky
If I could only, I could only fly
I'd drift with them in endless space
But no man flies from this place

At night I lay upon my bench and stare towards the stars
The cold night air comes creeping in and home seems oh so far
If only I could swing upon those twinkling dots above
I'd look down from the heavens upon the ones I love

Hey the lucky locket hangs around your precious neck
Some luck I ever got with you and I wouldn't like to bet
That sooner or later you'll own just one half of this land
By shining your eyes on the wealth of every man

Just send up my love ain't seen nothing but tears
Now I've got myself in this room for years
I don't see no one, I never see anyone





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John, Elton Empty Sky Comments
  1. r.... ....

    Channeling some Leon Russell here.

  2. M.... ....

    I heard this song back in maybe 1976 on the radio...it stuck in my head ever since then.....but I had forgotten the name of the song, until yesterday when I was in an antique warehouse consignment place in San Diego, when I came across some old albums in a box.....I rifled through it, and came across the Elton John album that this song was on.....I could not believe it, as for the last 6 months the song has been playing in my head for some reason...and suddenly I had my answer, the name of the song and the album it was on....so here I am, reliving my teenage years through this great music.....

  3. E.... S....

    I can't believe i had never listened to this album. Great music and lyrics! So underestimated.

  4. J.... R....

    ELTON BERNIE AND PAUL BACKMASTER...THE BEST

  5. L.... P....

    9th grade 2am weed stoned couldn't believe what i was hearing. indelible

  6. a.... m....

    mate this is just about 50 years old now

  7. j.... s....

    its bernie numnuts

  8. A.... M....

    Empty Sky is the debut studio album by Elton John, released on 6 June1969. 50 years ago.

  9. F.... D....

    i like caleb his first guitarist

  10. f.... ....

    Lyrics

    I'm not a rat to be spat on locked up in this room
    Those bars that look towards the sun at night look towards the moon
    Everyday the swallows play in the clouds of love
    Make me wish that I had wings take me high above

    And I looked high and saw the empty sky
    If I could only, I could only fly
    I'd drift with them in endless space
    But no man flies from this place

    At night I lay upon my bench and stare towards the stars
    The cold night air comes creeping in and home seems oh so far
    If only I could swing upon those twinkling dots above
    I'd look down from the heavens upon the ones I love

    Hey the lucky locket hangs around your precious neck
    Some luck I ever got with you and I wouldn't like to bet
    That sooner or later you'll own just one half of this land
    By shining your eyes on the wealth of every man

    And I looked high and saw the empty sky
    If I could only, I could only fly
    I'd drift with them in endless space
    But no man flies from this place

    Just send up my love ain't seen nothing but tears
    Now I've got myself in this room for years
    I don't see no one, I never see anyone

  11. F.... B....

    Found this on my iPod and had forgotten I had downloaded it. Now I cannot get enough of this gem by Elton and Bernie. Soaring, meaningful lyrics and intricate instrumentals. Just amazing.

  12. N.... D....

    The Empty Sky album deserves way more recognition. This song has to be one of my favourites from him.

  13. M.... j....

    in the 70S I heard mad man across the water . LATER I heard Yellow Brickroad ELTON BECAME ONE MY OF BEST EVER !

  14. s.... ....

    muy buen album debut de elton john

  15. P.... G....

    Love Rock Elton- my favourite Elton 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

  16. C.... E....

    Loved this guy and Bernie Taupin since 1969 (this album was released a few months before I was 6). My first gig was Elton at Earls Court, May 8th, 1975 (still got the ticket). I went off him a bit 'tween 78 and early noughties cos he went all 'pop'....then I came back for the 'sequel' to Captain Fantastic. Sometimes I get pissed off cos now everyone knows the lyrics to Tiny Dancer after Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous (I knew them rote in '71) But the plus side of that movie was that a lot of folk got introduced to Elton and Bernie's much classier early work. Um, I'm not that ancient BTW = 55 - just had a cool Dad. Oh, and still have everything prior to 78 0n vinyl - sadly nowt to play it on - DOH!

  17. C.... B....

    It never had a chance of happening but how great would it have been for Elton to have played this as the opening song on the farewell tour

    C.... B....

    Might have been because this album wasn't first released in America until 1975; he actually did play this song on a few dates of his Captain Fantastic tour. He may also have declined to play this oldie since he can't hit some of the highest notes on this.

    C.... B....

    Agree with you but would have been very cool

  18. T.... G....

    in   the   70s   looked   all  over   for   this   record.....can   vividly   remember   the  day   I  found  it   …..  even   today no  man  flies  from  this  place....  nothing  compares  to  Empty  Sky

  19. S.... O....

    I looked high for a pumpkin pie
    I wish that I
    Just had a fish to fry

    S.... O....

    stop already lacks humor

  20. S.... T....

    At one point, Elton John sold 13% of all music worldwide.  Quite a feat.

  21. S.... C....

    Always cherished the songs from Greatest Hits dearly! Time is long overdue for me to check his albums out! Now I'm wondering why I haven't gotten around to it sooner!

    S.... C....

    Caleb.Up to Madman...then Davey.Then Caleb again on Blue Moves with Davey

  22. K.... K....

    he takes it where the sun don't shine

  23. c.... s....

    Still the best!!!!!!!

  24. R.... B....

    His first and really, his best.

  25. G.... H....

    remeber buying this record from the cut out bin... F'n Fantastic

  26. M.... P....

    Sem dúvidas um dos melhores trabalhos produzidos por Elton John, dentro de um universo harmonioso de musicalidade e vocal, mesmo decorridos quarenta e poucos anos quando conheci esta performance....

  27. H.... H....

    His best work is all 70s

    H.... H....

    Hope Howley that’s usually how it works after 30 plus studio albums. There are still plenty of gems after the 70’s though.

    H.... H....

    this is 1969

  28. n.... ....

    If there's a GOD in heaven , what's he waiting for , if aint for the children it must be the war.It seems he leads leads his lambs to the slaughter not the promised land

    n.... ....

    21 at 33. Not a bad album. My fave from that one is "Sartorial Eloquence."

    n.... ....

    This is not from "21 at 33". "If there's a god in heaven" is from "Blue moves" (1976).

  29. n.... ....

    Was always an Elton John fan ...but it wasn't till I got older (55) that I realized how intelegent the lyrics were. Byrnie was a geniuse

    n.... ....

    IS a genius!

    n.... ....

    yep bernie a true poet

    n.... ....

    Bernie's work IS awesome, but without Elton... eh...

    n.... ....

    @Wendybabendy Those two just worked so well together.

    n.... ....

    Like Brooker and Reid as well! 💎

  30. C.... ....

    3:00 - Has anyone noticed that some of the electric guitar sounds are reminiscent of those heard in Donovan's 1966 hit "Sunshine Superman" and Peter, Paul & Mary's 1967 hit "I Dig Rock & Roll Music"? Even the congas you hear that start the song remind me of "Sunshine Superman."

  31. F.... A....

    Pearl Jam should re-do this one.

    F.... A....

    Now you say that I can just hear it..!

    F.... A....

    This is where Vedder got his vocal style from

    F.... A....

    good call, ideal for vedders voice

  32. D.... M....

    True sound reproduction 👍🏻

  33. D.... M....

    In many ways a masterpiece

  34. �.... �....

    great album. too good for the debut.

  35. D.... F....

    50 years this year.,

    D.... F....

    gonna be 50 this year

  36. R.... D....

    This was 1969.  MCA re-issued the ablum in  1974 after Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Caribou, EJ Greatest Hits.  Anything with Elton John sold.

  37. M.... P....

    Lilly Kopp: Wasn't my intention to sell you on either version. Do what you like. I was only mentioning my experiences with this lp. I used to buy LOTS of lps in the 70s and 80s(I am 54 and grew up with vinyl).  A few weeks ago I asked a guy in a record shop,a privately owned one,if he'd seen it lately. He hadn't but said he could order it. What I expected him to say. The original one probably is more valuable---if record collectible books deem it so. The difference here might not be that great. I haven't checked. Sometimes the reverse happens: I have a vinyl copy of SKYLARKING by XTC,one of the first issues,without the song ''DEAR GOD'',a song that upset a LOT of stupid people. VIRGIN then added the song to the lp. I was told by a record shop owner that if the lp ever became valuable the version I had was the preferred one. The lp isn't valuable and I knew it never would be. Oddly enough,plenty of XTC fans went nuts going after the newer lp. Anyway... Sorry to bore you. lol. (I still think the reissue is a nicer cover)

  38. M.... P....

    Lilly Kopp: Keep looking. Have to admit that I haven't seen it on vinyl in decades. Mine has a painting on the cover,sort of sphinx like with a man next to it. It's blue. Painting may actually be a drawing. Gatefold has the lyrics against a photo of a countryside. Back has a photo of Elton sitting at a white piano and staring at the camera. Photo,I think,says circa 1969-70 or something. Anyway,I wish you luck in tracking it down.

    M.... P....

    Yes, that's the one I had. I think that's the one issued in the US

    M.... P....

    The Sphinx cover is the original release from 69. The cover shown above is from a re-release. I'm super jealous of you for having the first release of this album!

  39. B.... S....

    So typical that some of his best stuff NO ONE has even heard.

    B.... S....

    That's how it usually goes! I always go way back in time! So glad i did with Fleetwood Mac especially! 💎

    B.... S....

    @M. Hall - I got that copy of that album when I was in 5th grade from an aunt and uncle; a bit of an odd gift to give to someone so young if you ask me, but I believe I still have the album.

    B.... S....

    thespeez spezio Most of my old possessions were destroyed in 2006. This album with the blue Sphinx painting and the liner notes by author Eric von Lustbader was among them.

    B.... S....

    thespeez spezio My Uncle gave me a cassette of “Abbey Road” when I was ten. I wore it out.

    B.... S....

    @M. Hall - Sorry to hear! Was it a fire or flood; or would you rather not say?

  40. M.... P....

    His earliest stuff is still his best. I remember buying a copy of this in 1975 when I was but 13(different cover). I'm now 53 but I still love this lp. A mixture of pop,rock,folk,jazz and blues. Kind of hard to define but it did indicate what was coming next.

    M.... P....

    I thought I remembered a different cover, as well! Still have my copy somewhere, buried too deeply to check just now.

    M.... P....

    The cover with the sphinx and the liner notes by Erik von Lustbader is the 1975 reissue in the US.

    M.... P....

    Absolutely!!!!

    M.... P....

    This is 1968

    M.... P....

    I love him but the more I listened he copy's sounds.... It's compliment. From 68- 75 the sound differentiates ..this album. Particulary this has hints of the who,, Jethro tull ,,,then in 1971-73 funeral for a friend has identical bars as Layla riff.whys.... he is legend he did on the backs of others and perfected it.....that's a compliment

  41. M.... J....

    his beat stuff ever was from empty sky to captain fantastic

    M.... J....

    I listened to this when my Dad was working in the Philippines in 1974
    Can’t understand why so many people had not heard of it.

    M.... J....

    Exactly, and at CF is where my collection ends (except for "Song for Guy")

  42. c.... n....

    What a man.

  43. D.... M....

    when i saw elton in concert i 1976 he played this song..i had never heard it before...but i instantly loved it...there i was in that arena along with 20,000 people...i remember i went to the bathroom once,...and i was taking a leak i could hear him singing dont let the sun go down on...and i thought..man is that guy fucking talented...the how was 3 hours...i kept track of that...till this day...one of the greatest entertainment experiences i have ever had...i wouldnt want it to be that year..but 1991 would do me just fine...knowing what i know now...

    D.... M....

    I saw Elton John is 1976 in Landover Maryland

    D.... M....

    Awesome! Would've been cool to see him and Lennon share the stage back in 1975!

  44. Z.... (....

    THIS IS LIKE THE SECRET ALBUM LOL! CANT FIND ANY OF THIS ON ANY JUKE BOX ANYWHERE I GO!

    Z.... (....

    ah, the pleasures of being a record collector!

  45. R.... S....

    And so it began.

  46. b.... m....

     and i looked high............

  47. B.... ....

    Elton always had cool glasses <3

    B.... ....

    He is better known for his iconic glasses 👓

  48. C.... ....

    @wjolly
    And after Caribou and Greatest Hits.

    C.... ....

    ClassicTVMan1981X

  49. C.... K....

    Can you believe this. First track of the first album. Is this an omen for future success or what? Simply fantastic!!! Thank you!!!

    C.... K....

    Corea Kixx oh my God you're so right

  50. l.... ....

    A good album!

  51. b.... ....

    Just play this song and "Love Lies Bleeding" for an apertif, very tasty!

  52. c.... s....

    There is absolutely nothing like old, vintag Elton John from his Troubadour days...man oh man...what a team he and bernie Taupin!!!! Fabulous tuff indeed. What;s with "Stop Pulling out the gay card? i that a dis? if so you are a complete moron and should take down your post idiot.

  53. D.... ....

    Very R&B-ish, interesting.

  54. L.... R....

    @musictomyears8 stop pulling out the gay card

  55. m.... ....

    This should have been a hugely popular rock ballad! Another of the many hidden gems by Elton John... I am wondering why they are not discovered and played again and again on the radio? Maybe because radio stations will be Elton's radios? Or because some stupid people are put off by his flamboyant looks and gay sexuality? What do you think?

    m.... ....

    there are various reasons people don't like Elton, and most of them are vacuous or bigoted.

  56. M.... B....

    ok he was a very good piano player...a great composer...but gawd he was an incredible singer!

  57. B.... ....

    Boy, this is dated. But full of ideas.

  58. T.... M....

    Elton shows up on the scene kicking ass and taking names with this tune.

  59. j.... ....

    One of the Rocket Man's best IMO!

  60. j.... ....

    jesus they don't make songs like this anymore. Freaking awesome music.

  61. B.... M....

    yea, what he said...

  62. y.... ....

    This sounds even better through a nice hifi system, with a turntable. Maybe I'm romanticising the memory - no doubt, but the LP comes truly to life!

  63. m.... ....

    It's ages since i heard this, i really didn't remember it being so good

  64. J.... R....

    I will never, ever forget hearing this drum work and piano! I was not yet 13 when I heard it first - my dad was into progressive rock - but I remembered it when I heard just that intro next!

    J.... R....

    A great song nobody knows about..

  65. C.... M....

    It's hard to believe that this was over 40 years ago...
    amazing.

  66. B.... M....

    What a JAM. This appears to be mostly live-studio, not much overdubbing (low-budget, I'm sure).

  67. B.... M....

    Un-freakin-believable...

  68. D.... ....

    I love this. Funky piano. This shit kicks any bullshit that is released today. Elton is a REAL musician.

  69. a.... ....

    Sometimes old songs don't stand
    the "test of time". This isn't one
    of those times. I think I'll listen to the
    entire album before I crash!

  70. m.... ....

    The Greatest Melody Writer Ever In Popular Music

  71. C.... B....

    @efil4aggin92. Indeed it is.

  72. J.... O....

    this song is so underrated

  73. A.... ....

    What song is it where the song is about 1969? ANYONE?! I need help! I love that song and want to use it in my vids. THese are great songs.

    A.... ....

    The album (his first) was produced in 1969

  74. l.... h....

    buen rock de elton john en sus comienzos desde youtube...la honorable sociedad

  75. g.... ....

    yes my channel lol Elton John live 1975 Empty Sky its an extra long play too, the sound quality isnt the best buts its satisfying to me and its good still.

  76. c.... ....

    Interestingly, it wasn't until the US release that he'd perform the track a few times live in 1975/6.

  77. P.... ....

    eight minutes of pure art

  78. C.... M....

    The Rock Classic that never was. After nearly 40 years I;m still waiting to hear a decent metal band cover this and provide the guitar solos etc. that the session men oh EJ's first album didn't have time to develop.

    C.... M....

    Great idea Chic

  79. s.... ....

    One of his ANTHEMS... Just came too soon in his career.. I would like to find a 'track/karaoke track' of this.. If someone would take this and do a modern day cover, you'd get a hit on your hands! Let that Leslie keyboard 'swish in and around'..

  80. T.... G....

    First track. First album. Fucking good