Between Seventeen and Twenty
Encyclopedia
"Between Seventeen and Twenty" is a song by Elton John
with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
, the eleventh track on his 1976 album Blue Moves
. Many believe that the song is about Bernie Taupin's then-wife Maxine Feibelman, for whom he wrote one of John's most known songs, "Tiny Dancer
". At the time of making the album, Bernie and Maxine divorced, as she had fallen for Elton's new bassist, Kenny Passarelli. Bernie was a close friend of Passarelli at the time, which can be seen in the lyric:
"I wonder who's sleeping in your sheets tonight, whose head rests upon the bed
Could it be a close friend I knew so well, who seems to be so close to you instead"
The title refers to the age difference between Bernie and Maxine. He was 20 years old when he met her, and she was 17. Some also believe that the song is in fact written about Elton, as Bernie was 17 when he met Elton, who was then 20. Shortly after the release of the album, Elton and Bernie decided to take a break from each other.
The songs has not appeared on any other albums.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
, the eleventh track on his 1976 album Blue Moves
Blue Moves
Blue Moves is the eleventh studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1976. It was also his second double album , and his first album released by his own Rocket Records Ltd...
. Many believe that the song is about Bernie Taupin's then-wife Maxine Feibelman, for whom he wrote one of John's most known songs, "Tiny Dancer
Tiny Dancer
"Tiny Dancer" is a 1971 song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It appears on John's fourth album, Madman Across the Water, and was released as a single in 1972...
". At the time of making the album, Bernie and Maxine divorced, as she had fallen for Elton's new bassist, Kenny Passarelli. Bernie was a close friend of Passarelli at the time, which can be seen in the lyric:
"I wonder who's sleeping in your sheets tonight, whose head rests upon the bed
Could it be a close friend I knew so well, who seems to be so close to you instead"
The title refers to the age difference between Bernie and Maxine. He was 20 years old when he met her, and she was 17. Some also believe that the song is in fact written about Elton, as Bernie was 17 when he met Elton, who was then 20. Shortly after the release of the album, Elton and Bernie decided to take a break from each other.
The songs has not appeared on any other albums.