I thought I knew/
But now I know that rose trees never grow/
In New York City.

Elton John wrote almost all of his songs with lyricist Bernie Taupin. “Mona Lisa’s and Mad Hatters” is about the disillusionment Taupin felt while in the big city. How do you feel when reality doesn’t match your high expectations? In this world everyone appears to be super-busy, too busy to know if it is day or night.

They might be busy because they are out partying all night or out working and making a lot of money, but their life is defined by its speed. In this world people “run you through”. However, there are special people you can meet in the city, and he is thankful for those people and the small amount of joy he has been able to carve out for himself in this world.

Elton’s voice sounds great here. The difference in this song- compared to other works by John- is that the piano is not solely featured. There are times when a mandolin is the primary instrument. Overall, the arrangement is sparse and gets the feel of Spanish Harlem with its combination of instruments.

Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters Lyrics

And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City

Until you’ve seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord
There’s people out there like you
I thank the Lord there’s people out there like you

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light

This Broadway’s got
It’s got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I’ll go my way alone
Grow my own, my own seeds shall be sown, in New York City

Subway’s no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light

And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
In New York City

Subway’s no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found

While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light
They know not if it’s dark outside or light

Songwriters: Bernie Taupin / Elton John

This time around/
You can be anyone.

Helen Stellar’s “Io” is a truly unique song. I’ll start off with the most obvious first. There is only one line in the song, but they sing it many different ways. I think this really makes the lyric hit home—maybe more so than a Dylanesque song—with the complicated lyrics, that requires hours to unpack.

You can imagine the background to Helen Stellar’s “Io”. I imagine a girl who screwed up her life, but is a good person at heart, and her older brother is telling her to leave this small town and go be someone different in the big city. (I expect royalties when a movie uses this).

“Io” is not just a gimmick. I am not even sure that I noticed the repeating lyrics the first time I heard it—the music and vocal was that good. I love the piano at the beginning that sounds so delicate that turns into a hardcore rock song into the end.

The addition and crescendo of drums as the song goes on really rocks. Additionally, the bass playing sixteenth notes sounds like the beat of a heart. There is so much attention to detail in the production of this song. I was an instant fan of it.

Io Lyrics

This time around, x 4

You can be anyone,
This time around,
This love of ours,

This time around, x2

You can be anyone, x4

Come as you are, as you were/
As I want you to be.

Nirvana’s “Come As Your Are” expresses a simple idea: the author is hoping you will be authentic with him. There is nothing to fear about just being yourself. Whether you are friend or foe, early or late, he doesn’t care, just be as you are and as you were. Be authentic. Around the time this was written one of the worst things you could call someone was a “poser”. This song had a lot to do with the emphasis on authenticity that was so big in the music scene in Seattle in the 90s.

The bass guitar riff that the song opens with is one of the more recognizable ones in rock music. It sounds awesome. It establishes the tone for the song. It also acts kind of like lead guitar, in that we don’t hear much other guitar until the solo. It is such an interesting bass-line that it creates a great sound. Like all Nirvana songs, the vibe is depressing, but the message is actually light-hearted. However, Cobain may be fretting about the fact that it is difficult to find people who will be genuine with him.

Lyrics Come As You Are

Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy

Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don’t be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old

Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria

Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach
As I want you to be
As a trend, as a friend
As an old

Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria

And I swear that I don’t have a gun
No, I don’t have a gun
No, I don’t have a gun

Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria
(No I don’t have a gun)

And I swear that I don’t have a gun
No I don’t have a gun
No I don’t have a gun
No I don’t have a gun
No I don’t have a gun

Songwriters: Kurt Cobain