I was feeling insecure/
You might not love me anymore/
I was shivering inside.

“Jealous Guy” might be Lennon at his most personal and introspective. Say what you want about Yoko, but she was a great muse for him. He uses a lot of words that men often feel but don’t admit to feeling: Jealously and insecurity which made him shiver inside. That is personal writing, and it makes him more relatable than A Beatle.

He apologizes for his behavior; he never meant to hurt her or make her cry he is just pointing out a flaw in his personality and hoping that his love can accept him for who his is. He can’t help it; he is a jealous guy.

The song is sung beautifully in a conciliatory tone, and Lennon’s voice sounds great. Some days I love the whistle solo and some days I don’t, but it is different. I think the only other time I have heard it is on Sittin on the Dock of the Bay. Songs with a piano and light orchestra are usually one of my preferred combinations, but I think this song would also sound good with just him and an acoustic guitar.

Jealous Guy Lyrics

I was dreaming of the past
And my heart was beating fast
I began to lose control
I began to lose control
I didn’t mean to hurt you
I’m sorry that I made you cry
Oh my I didn’t want to hurt you
I’m just a jealous guy

I was feeling insecure
You might not love me anymore
I was shivering inside
I was shivering inside
Oh I didn’t mean to hurt you
I’m sorry that I made you cry
Oh my I didn’t want to hurt you
I’m just a jealous guy

I didn’t mean to hurt you
I’m sorry that I made you cry
Oh my I didn’t want to hurt you
I’m just a jealous guy

I was trying to catch your eyes
Thought that you was trying to hide
I was swallowing my pain
I was swallowing my pain
I didn’t mean to hurt you
I’m sorry that I made you cry
Oh no I didn’t want to hurt you
I’m just a jealous guy
Watch out baby I’m just a jealous guy
Look out baby I’m just a jealous guy

Songwriters: John Lennon

Jealousy…Open up my eager eyes/
‘Cause I’m Mr. Brightside.

The Killers “Mr. Brightside” is a song about the discovery of an affair. The narrator describes himself as “Mr Brightside” as he must have ignored signs that his girlfriend was cheating. He is asking the god Jealousy to open up his eyes so that he doesn’t act like this again. In other words, perhaps he needs to act more jealous and possessive in a relationship and then his (next?) girlfriend wouldn’t be able to sneak around on him.

(I am sure the narrator realizes these are destructive thoughts. That is what this song is about). The description of discovering the cheating is haunting. It is devastating how the thoughts linger and repeat in your mind.

The vocals and pace of the song sound frantic. They seem to match the pace of a man whose world is unraveling. The drums are a basic beat in the song, but they provide something special. I think it is the way the tom is attacked sounds differently than in other songs. Great concept for a song; one of the best songs from the 2000s.

Mr. Brightside Lyrics

Coming out of my cage
And I’ve been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss
Now I’m falling asleep
And she’s calling a cab
While he’s having a smoke
And she’s taking a drag
Now they’re going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it’s all in my head
But she’s touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
And I just can’t look, it’s killing me
And taking control

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibis
But it’s just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
‘Cause I’m Mr. Brightside

I’m coming out of my cage
And I’ve been doing just fine
Gotta gotta be down
Because I want it all
It started out with a kiss
How did it end up like this?
(It was only a kiss), it was only a kiss
Now I’m falling asleep
And she’s calling a cab
While he’s having a smoke
And she’s taking a drag
Now they’re going to bed
And my stomach is sick
And it’s all in my head
But she’s touching his chest now
He takes off her dress now
Let me go
‘Cause I just can’t look, it’s killing me
And taking control

Jealousy, turning saints into the sea
Swimming through sick lullabies
Choking on your alibi
But it’s just the price I pay
Destiny is calling me
Open up my eager eyes
‘Cause I’m Mr. Brightside

I never
I never
I never
I never

written by: Brandon Flowers / Dave Brent Keuning / Mark August Stoermer / Ronnie Jr. Vannucci

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