Recorded in the summer of 1974, during breaks between the sessions for Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, the song was at the time the only song Elton and Taupin ever consciously wrote as a single, as Elton told journalist Paul Gambaccini. Elton, looking to honour his friend, tennis professional Billie Jean King, asked Taupin to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom," an homage to her tennis team. In His Song: The Musical History of Elton John, Elizabeth Rosenthal recounts that Taupin said, "I can't write a song about tennis," and did not. Taupin maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philly Soul or even flag-waving patriotism. Nonetheless, his words have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting, and even though released in 1975, the song's sentiment, intended or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience already gearing up for the country's bicentennial celebration in July of the next year. In the U.S. it was certified Gold in 1975 and then Platinum in 1995 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[1]
[edit]Dedicated to Philadelphia
The song was, however, dedicated in part to the sound of Philadelphia, especially the music of the Delfonics, producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and The Spinners and that group's producer, Thom Bell, with whom John would work two years later (on The Thom Bell Sessions EP).
[edit]Performances
Elton performed the song on Soul Train (along with "Bennie and the Jets"). Another of Elton's stage favourites, crowds have heard it numerous times live in concert through the years, including a rarely-performed solo version performed in October 1999 and released on Live in Madison Square Garden Vol. 1 for EltonJohn.com subscribers.
[edit]Franklin Institute
This song plays in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute IMAX Theater before every show to express the city's love for freedom and impact on shaping the country. The lyrics can also be found printed on the walls of the Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia.
[edit]Hall and Oates cover
The song was covered by Hall & Oates on the 1991 tribute album Two Rooms.
[edit]I Saw Her Standing There
The B-side, "I Saw Her Standing There" is a live recording of the Elton John Band with John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, 28 November 1974. Three songs of this collaboration would also be featured on the 1975 album Elton John Band featuring John Lennon and the Muscle Shoals Horns (DJM Records).[2] These recordings can also be found on the Lennon box set and the remastered edition of Elton John's Here and There album.
wiki states the following: Reception
Recorded in the summer of 1974, during breaks between the sessions for Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, the song was at the time the only song Elton and Taupin ever consciously wrote as a single, as Elton told journalist Paul Gambaccini. Elton, looking to honour his friend, tennis professional Billie Jean King, asked Taupin to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom," an homage to her tennis team. In His Song: The Musical History of Elton John, Elizabeth Rosenthal recounts that Taupin said, "I can't write a song about tennis," and did not. Taupin maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philly Soul or even flag-waving patriotism. Nonetheless, his words have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting, and even though released in 1975, the song's sentiment, intended or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience already gearing up for the country's bicentennial celebration in July of the next year. In the U.S. it was certified Gold in 1975 and then Platinum in 1995 by the Recording Industry Association of America.[1]
[edit]Dedicated to Philadelphia
The song was, however, dedicated in part to the sound of Philadelphia, especially the music of the Delfonics, producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, and The Spinners and that group's producer, Thom Bell, with whom John would work two years later (on The Thom Bell Sessions EP).
[edit]Performances
Elton performed the song on Soul Train (along with "Bennie and the Jets"). Another of Elton's stage favourites, crowds have heard it numerous times live in concert through the years, including a rarely-performed solo version performed in October 1999 and released on Live in Madison Square Garden Vol. 1 for EltonJohn.com subscribers.
[edit]Franklin Institute
This song plays in Philadelphia's Franklin Institute IMAX Theater before every show to express the city's love for freedom and impact on shaping the country. The lyrics can also be found printed on the walls of the Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia.
[edit]Hall and Oates cover
The song was covered by Hall & Oates on the 1991 tribute album Two Rooms.
[edit]I Saw Her Standing There
The B-side, "I Saw Her Standing There" is a live recording of the Elton John Band with John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, 28 November 1974. Three songs of this collaboration would also be featured on the 1975 album Elton John Band featuring John Lennon and the Muscle Shoals Horns (DJM Records).[2] These recordings can also be found on the Lennon box set and the remastered edition of Elton John's Here and There album.