The Cage (Elton John song)
Encyclopedia
"The Cage" is a song by Elton John
with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
. It is the ninth track of his self-titled second album
and is, by the exception of "Take Me to the Pilot
", the only 'rocker' on the album.
". This song could be placed in the same vein as "Bad Side of the Moon
", which also deals with the same thing. According to Elton, Bernie was reading many science fiction
books at the time, which most likely could have been the inspiration.
break appears, before going back to its original form and fading out. Throughout the song, after each verse, Elton sings "Aaa-aa-oo-oo, aaa-aa-oo-oo, oh-oh-aa-aa", in a very high falsetto
. This could be the reason why this song has never been performed live. The song was also released as a single in Belgium
in 1971 with no success.
In the "Scraps" book included in the 1975 LP release of Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
, this is one of the songs visible in the picture of old singles and lyrics.
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...
. It is the ninth track of his self-titled second album
Elton John (album)
Elton John is the eponymous second album by English singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1970. It was his first album, however, released in America, thus commonly assumed by many as his debut, as Empty Sky would not be released in the U.S. until 1975...
and is, by the exception of "Take Me to the Pilot
Take Me to the Pilot
"Take Me to the Pilot" is a rock song performed by British musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his eponymous second album in 1970....
", the only 'rocker' on the album.
Lyrical meaning
The lyrics deal with imprisonment and estrangement; at the time of writing, Taupin was tired of living in London and its people, also described in "Border SongBorder Song
"Border Song" is a gospel ballad originally performed by British musician Elton John. Lyrics are credited to Bernie Taupin . The music was composed by John....
". This song could be placed in the same vein as "Bad Side of the Moon
Bad Side of the Moon
"Bad Side of the Moon" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It is the B-side of his single "Border Song", and was originally released in 1970. It was included on the reissue of his self-titled album in 1995 and on his live album, 17-11-70...
", which also deals with the same thing. According to Elton, Bernie was reading many science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
books at the time, which most likely could have been the inspiration.
Song structure
It starts off with a bluesy piano, with small bass kicks. The first verse then kicks off, which adds drums and percussion. There are both rhythm and lead guitar, and orchestral backing, featuring horns. In the middle of the song, a strange synthesizerSynthesizer
A synthesizer is an electronic instrument capable of producing sounds by generating electrical signals of different frequencies. These electrical signals are played through a loudspeaker or set of headphones...
break appears, before going back to its original form and fading out. Throughout the song, after each verse, Elton sings "Aaa-aa-oo-oo, aaa-aa-oo-oo, oh-oh-aa-aa", in a very high falsetto
Falsetto
Falsetto is the vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the modal voice register and overlapping with it by approximately one octave. It is produced by the vibration of the ligamentous edges of the vocal folds, in whole or in part...
. This could be the reason why this song has never been performed live. The song was also released as a single in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
in 1971 with no success.
In the "Scraps" book included in the 1975 LP release of Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy is the ninth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1975. It debuted at number 1 on the U.S. Pop Albums chart, the first album ever to do so, and stayed there for seven weeks. It was certified Gold on 5/21/1975 and was...
, this is one of the songs visible in the picture of old singles and lyrics.
Personnel
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
- pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Caleb QuayeCaleb QuayeCaleb Quaye , is an English Afro-European rock guitarist and studio musician best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with Elton John, Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney and Hall & Oates...
- guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Clive Hicks - acoustic guitarAcoustic guitarAn acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
- Alan Weighll - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Barry Morgan - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Diana Lewis - Moog synthesizerMoog synthesizerMoog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
- Tex Navarra - percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...