My Gen X Playlist: Tiny Dancer – Elton John

I finally donated a certain pair of jeans to Goodwill. It had a surprisingly long lifeline. It started out as my dark jeans that I wore with dress shoes and a button down for a nicer casual look. Gradually, they transitioned from dark to blue, and I wore them with a polo and a nice pair of casual shoes. The full fade eventually found its way in and I paired them with my old Converse sneakers and whatever clean, presentable t-shirt I could find. Ultimately, the last phase came when I found a big rip at the knee. It became the perfect match with a pair of beach sandals and whatever t-shirt passed the sniff test. Me with a ripped pair of jeans? It makes me laugh to imagine this because it sounds too trendy for me.

Frayed belt loop, hole in the back pocket, loose threads at different seams. These were signs that it was time to say goodbye. I squeezed almost every ounce of life out of them and I can honestly say with confidence that I got my money’s worth. The funny thing is, I’m probably going to miss those jeans. They were worn out perfectly in all the right spots and were pretty comfy. Fortunately I have a few pairs in various stages making their way down the line. Damn, there’s nothing like a good pair of jeans.

I already chose Forever in Blue Jeans a while ago. I found another song that didn’t immediately scream denim when searching for the playlist. But Tiny Dancer’s opening line is so memorable.

The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton’s writing partner, and were inspired by Taupin’s first trip to America.

The “blue jean baby, LA Lady, seamstress for the band” sure sounds it’s Maxine Feibelmann, who was Bernie Taupin’s girlfriend when he wrote the song and who became his first wife in 1971. She traveled with the band on their early tours, often sewing together the costumes and fixing their clothes.

Well, Taupin says that the song is not about Maxine. Here’s the story he tells: “We came to California in the fall of 1970, and sunshine radiated from the populace. I was trying to capture the spirit of that time, encapsulated by the women we met – especially at the clothes stores up and down the Strip in LA. They were free spirits, sexy in hip-huggers and lacy blouses, and very ethereal, the way they moved. So different from what I’d been used to in England. And they all wanted to sew patches on your jeans. 

Songfacts

The fun part of this blog is learning about odd and interesting backstories to music like that. Now I’ll forever think of this as a denim song.

P.S. The video is an interesting take on this song. I didn’t quite get it at first, but didn’t initially care because I really enjoyed it at the same time. I like the thought of random people listening to the same song on the radio, each experiencing different life circumstances and seeing the unique impact of the melody and lyrics. And by the way, I love Jim’s Burgers at the end of the clip. Great hole in the wall burger stand.

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For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Blue jean baby, L.A. Lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand
Now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

There's Jesus freaks out in the street
Handing tickets out for God
She just laughs, turning back
The boulevard is not that bad
Piano man, he makes his stand
In the auditorium
Looking on, she sings the songs
The words she knows, the tune she hums

But oh, how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you, and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly

Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
See the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

Blue jean baby, L.A. Lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand
Now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

But oh, how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you, and you are with me
When I say softly, slowly

Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today

(Fade it)
Hold me closer, tiny dancer
See the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today