Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Lyrics

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Lyrics by Elton John Details

The fourth tune of Elton John’s 1973 double album of the same name, and the album’s second single. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” written by Elton and his co-writer Bernie Taupin, is about yearning to give up luxury for a simpler life away from all the sparkle and glory. Because Elton was enjoying the high life at the time, this message may be more pertinent to Bernie than Elton, as he was frequently the man who wanted to keep it low-key in comparison to his more renowned partner.

It is one of Elton John’s most renowned and commercially successful tracks, landing at #2 on the US Billboard Top 100 and topping the Canadian RPM 100 Top Singles Chart. It also widely regarded as one of his finest songs.

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When are you gonna come down?
When are you going to land?
I should have stayed on the farm
I should have listened to my old man
You know you can’t hold me forever
I didn’t sign up with you
I’m not a present for your friends to open
This boy’s too young to be singin’ the blues

[Refrain]
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah

[Chorus]
So good-bye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can’t plant me in your penthouse
I’m goin’ back to my plough
Back to the howlin’ old owl in the woods
Huntin’ the horny-back toad
Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road

[Refrain]
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah

[Verse 2]
What do you think you’ll do, then?
I bet they’ll shoot down the plane
It’ll take you a couple of vodka and tonics
To set you on your feet again
Maybe you’ll get a replacement
There’s plenty like me to be found
Mongrels who ain’t got a penny
Sniffin’ for tidbits like you on the ground

[Refrain]
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah

[Chorus]
So goodbye yellow brick road
Where the dogs of society howl
You can’t plant me in your penthouse
I’m goin’ back to my plough
Back to the howlin’ old owl in the woods
Huntin’ the horny-back toad
Oh, I’ve finally decided my future lies
Beyond the yellow brick road

[Refrain]
Ah, ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah-ah, ah

gudbye Yellow Brick Road FAQs

Written by: Elton John & Bernie Taupin