John, Elton - Grey Seal Lyrics

I still have this album. This song & Harmony are just a part of this brilliant masterpiece. The whole album is amazing.

Probably my fav EJ tracks. The melody always had this bitter sweet groove that grabs me every time I hear it

EJ's piano intro is amazing. Along with McCartney's intro on "Gently Weeps," two best ever IMO.

Bravo ⚘

"Philadelphia Freedom" will always be my fav.
But this is a close 2nd. Love it.

There was an earlier version of this song that was recorded a few years before by Elton John that had come out on a B side of one of his lesser hits that I had heard about but had never actually heard, but now thanks to the internet it can be heard by anyone who knows about it and after giving it a listen it is nowhere near as good as this version is. I’m sure glad that he decided to record it again as it is definitely one of his better and more upbeat songs.

I just loved this song back in the mid 1970’s when I was a Sophomore in high school and had become a big Elton John fan, but I couldn’t figure out what the song was about. So I asked my next door neighbor who was not an Elton John fan but definitely a smart guy as he went on to Harvard and after studying the lyrics for a minute or so said to me, “I don’t know but I’m sure that it has some stupid meaning whatever it is”. I eventually learnt many years later thanks to the internet that it was a “Whiter Shade of Pale” type of song where there just isn’t any meaning to it. So no wonder I was stumped by the obscure lyrics of Grey Seal, but I still like to listen to it now and then nonetheless - brings back good memories.

Why are grey seals so wise?

This is my mystery favorite Elton John track track that I just tracked down after searching his discography. They never played it on the radio much, but the song grabbed me the few times I've heard it. He was singing "Grey Seal".... who knew?

Yeah the best.I was in 9th grade..Fun.:)

Does anybody else get a contact high when listening to this particular album? Dark side of the Moon and Sergeant pepper too...

My favourite song on the album.

This song highlights the brilliance of the Elton John Band at that time. Olsson's drums/Murray's bass/Johnstone's guitar are all just fookin greeat here and I love how they fall into a jam at the end.

This is a good album, all the songs on it are good...16 when this came out..love my old music♥️♥️😘😘

Show!! Amo esta música!! Uma das várias que curto do Sir Elton!! 😉😉👍👍🎶🎶

Davey Johnstone rocking out the solo.

EJ's most under rated songs!

Awesome. After 45 years still no idea what the lyrics mean.

Saw Elton 3 times 1976 his best year played this perfect show Bernie was with him and then 1984 1989 Best album🔊🎵🎹🥁🎸😎

Excellent music ..........

2:54 The ending guitar solo must have influenced the beginning of the CHiPs theme song, meaning the rendition heard on seasons 2-5 re-scored by Alan Silvestri:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPJAwHQj8SI&t=9s

All these old songs are killer

Grey seal.

One of the most underrated EJ songs, this and Amoreena.

Rhythm section is on point

Like all of you I was saturated in this double album at the time. My brothers and I still talk about it. All we had was this, Dark Side of the Moon and Beethovens 5th piano concerto, all on vinyl. Surprised they didn't all vapourise from over playing lol.

It's hard to pick my favorite, this one certainly, but then Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is perhaps his most perfect. Funeral for a Friend I eventually learned to play on Synth and piano but "it's never quite the same as the real one"! :)

His only album

Incredible song. One of many EJ songs that are powerful, melodic, almost orchestral and just give you a feeling.

This is only my opinion This WAS Elton's best album. Only my opinion.

Yes! (or maybe Madman Across the Water) :)

He played this in 1976 his best year also sa w 1984 1989 1976 was perfect Bernie was with him also..

On the big screen the showed us the sun.
IT's never quite as same as the real one.

always thought he was singing about Racine and not Grey Seal, with his brilliant but ambiguous imprecise enunciations...

Added, this is pure ear candy, as only Elton could provide.

Another song from GBYBR that should have been a single, but he had too many hits from that album!

Like a good old friend...The beauty, strength and importance of this album never goes away! One of the best singer/ song writing duos EVER!♥️

This song reminds me always of reading Ray Bradbury stories.... not sure why tho

Reminds me of a good mate of mine at school. Des Gallagher.died in a building site accident in 1987. Used to play this in in house in the morning and then run for the bus

This song and 'Teacher I Need You" are the two greatest Elton John songs you do not hear very often

Back when I was my own social media

Loved this album!! Great song. Bernie Taupin and Elton John are the most incredible songwriters of our time.

I still love this decades later <3

Hello Elaine Davey if you are here... ( Adelaide 1974 )

Bought in 1973 for my girl....and 46 years later.......still together ......x ❤️

Greatness nothing less

So great the music from elton

EVERY SONG IS A HIT LOVED GREY SEAL AS A KID.......

What is GREY SEAL.

Bass ain't too shabby either!.....

In the evening of my personal groundhog day, I'm 17 again, sitting in my room with Lesley and listening to G Y B R. Grey seal always makes me think of her - how does feel to be so wise, to see through eyes that only see what's real....

Great album. I was 19 back in 1974, when I bought this album. Great to be a young in the United States Marine Corps.

"If the Phoenix Bird can fly, then so can I"

Its a pity when you mentuon Elton all some people think of is the lion king

And an unbelievable bass line

Grey seal

Great song, great playing. But for me (as usual) Dee Murray adds so much more to Elton’s music than what could have been with a very competent but more ordinary bassist/musician. He deserved to be known as one of the major bass players in rock/pop, and I’ve always been sorry he did not quite get there. Rhythmically, melodically, dynamically, note choices, and feel, he was his own artist within the songs. RIP.

one of my all time Favourites

All my life is reading from the eye

I think his best ever album, which obviously makes this one of the best albums of all time. The baselines on all the tracks are out-of-bounds-awesome. I've never heard this song on the radio, but I love it to pieces.

Another Elton John song that I am just getting to know now.

Good song

Nigel Olssen is a god on this track🙌

Dee Murray too!

Your mission bells were wrought by ancient men......

I would think that an Owl would be wiser than a Grey Seal.

God, I love this album! I remember 46 yrs ago when it came out. Couldnt stop playing it the ..now cant stop listening to it. Thank you Sir Elton for some great music and memories!

😍😍😍😍

Pure genius.....

Super! Thanks!

Rock on Elton John.

Took me to a regional, championship,Bennie and the Jets 1974.we won.

Beautifull voice Elton you are a STAR I will NEVER EVER forget you

The best.

aluminum salts why he didnt see the real salt,however manganese ,preferably silver lead us to Matthews daily prayer ofno temptation,Jesus.

Innovative song by Elton and Bernie.

Such a great bass line

GREY SEAL 💕

I only love this song more than I love my family is that bad do you think

And a killer bass line

Getting this album for x-mas in 1975 was my favorite x-mas present I ever received. Listened to it for the first time on my uncle's quadrophonic system - what an aural orgasm!!!!

This record made so many people so happy! and it's going on after all these years! Eternal youth!

Only bad thing I would say about this song is that it was too short.

Awesome tune

WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina used the opening of this song to introduce their newscasts in 1975 or thereabouts. This clip has the song 1:00 into it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw4S2VD-zVM&t=91s

This is one of Elton's lesser known songs from this LP but it has always been one of my favorites what with the abrupt changes, stops and starts.

But what does this song mean to say? Great song but the lyrics are veiled in mystery.

Why's it never light on my lawn
Why does it rain
And never say good-day to the new-born
On the big screen they showed us the sun
But not as bright in life as the real one
It's never quite the same as the real one
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel
To be so wise
To see through eyes
That only see what's real
Tell me grey seal
I never learned why meteors were formed
I only farmed in schools
That were so warn and torn
If anyone can cry then so can I
I read books and draw life from the eye
All my life is drawings from the eye
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel
To be so wise
To see through eyes
That only see what's real
Tell me grey seal
Your mission bells were wrought by ancient men
The roots were formed by twisted roots
Your roots were twisted then
I was re-born before all life could die
The Phoenix bird will leave this world to fly
If the Phoenix bird can fly then so can I
And tell me grey seal
How does it feel
To be so wise
To see through eyes
That only see what's real
Tell me grey seal

Grey seal??

That's a big sound .. the chorus is intense

not bad for a limp wrist

what a great song

If anyone can decode this song, please post it. My guess is it's of some "hidden" knowledge.

Agree completely. Dee Murray was one of the greatest bassists in the world, and so underrated. Just listen to his other work on Philadelphia Freedom, Pinball Wizard, Benny and the Jets, and so many others. RIP Dee.

Absolutely great!

the butt of sick jokes
scott and laurie santanders
movies outlandish

Jodi and Timmi...

from tremendous songs like this to gutter garbage like crocodile rock and saturday is alright for fighting.

If this album does not make your arse pucker. You are not human. Has something for everyone.

My favorite album...

michael welch junior
in life winners and losers
michaels engagement

Tarentino Strong

"It is not those who can inflict the most, but those that can suffer the most who will conquer."