Oh it kills me to think of you with another man.

“Funeral For A Friend” and “Love Lies Bleeding” are obviously two songs that have been fused into one. The lyrics for Love Lies Bleeding seem to describe a lover’s quarrel turned bad. There is physical violence and obsession. It is one of Taupin’s most intense poems. The lover is perhaps a former fan.

One thing classical music composers are often measured by is their ability to create symphonies, or “big” pieces. “Funeral For a Friend” is as close to a rock symphony as you can get. It is epic, it has about 5 different motifs that still tie together…it is a rock symphony.

We’ll have one more one this list, but many have tried and it is just too much to create several great motifs and create a cohesive song. Only the best can do it. Elton John can.

Lyrics Funeral For A Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding
The roses in the window box
Have tilted to one side
Everything about this house
Was born to grow and die

Oh it doesn’t seem a year ago
To this very day
You said I’m sorry honey
If I don’t change the pace
I can’t face another day

And love lies bleeding in my hand
Oh it kills me to think of you with another man
I was playing rock and roll and you were just a fan
But my guitar couldn’t hold you
So I split the band
Love lies bleeding in my hands

I wonder if those changes
Have left a scar on you
Like all the burning hoops of fire
That you and I passed through

You’re a bluebird on a telegraph line
I hope you’re happy now
Well if the wind of change comes down your way girl
You’ll make it back somehow

And love lies bleeding in my hand
Oh it kills me to think of you with another man
I was playing rock and roll and you were just a fan
But my guitar couldn’t hold you
So I split the band
Love lies bleeding in my hands

And love lies bleeding in my hand
Oh it kills me to think of you with another man
I was playing rock and roll and you were just a fan
But my guitar couldn’t hold you
So I split the band
Love lies bleeding in my hands
Love lies bleeding in my hand

written by Elton and Bernie Taupin