
The song was released in 1973 as the album's second single and entered the top ten in both the United Kingdom and the United States. I had to travel a long road and visit the school of hard knocks before I could come even close to achieving that goal." Release and reception Release My only naiveté, I guess, was believing I could do it so early on. I think I was just hoping that maybe there was a happy medium way to exist successfully in a more tranquil setting. I just don't believe I was ever that naïve. In 2020, he added, "I don't believe I was ever turning my back on success or saying I didn't want it. I don't mind getting out there and doing what everybody else was doing, but I always had to have an escape hatch." The lyrics to the title track do say that I want to leave Oz and get back to the farm. In 2014, Taupin reflected, "It's been said many times, but Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a cinematic album. The song expresses a desire to get back to one's "roots", a common theme of Taupin's early lyrics. The lyrics, written by Taupin, contain autobiographical elements, referring to his childhood on a farm in Lincolnshire. In the US, it was certified gold on 4 January 1974 and platinum on 13 September 1995 and 2× platinum on 2 March 2020 by the RIAA.


390 of its 500 greatest songs of all time in 2010. The song has been widely praised by critics some consider it a strong contender for John's finest song ever.

Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz film and book series. It is the title track on John's album of the same name. " Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is a ballad written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. 1973 single by Elton John "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
