David Bowie Vs Elton John

Frank101

In spite of the similarities between these two, their names are barely mentioned in the same sentence. However, what makes it hard to assess who's better, is that they've got strengths in different areas.

Both stood the test of time in the pops, and both continued working into their later years, (more so with performing for Elton, and with writing for David). Both are considered to be pop/rock. Both are also flamboyant dressers. Where Elton's use of melody may be slightly better, Bowie makes up for with the avant garde moods to his songs.

I can understand why Bowie fans might be quick to dismiss Elton's music - since if you didn't know any better, you'd only know him for the over-commercialised hits such as 'Your Song' and 'Can you feel the love tonight', which aren't exactly pioneering rock songs. These are what the millennials know him for. But I guess Elton would do anything to get his face in the news, and this may have been part of ensuring he remained an established household name known to all generations. Bowie too got down in the mud, but in a different way. He knew he'd gain a lot of publicity with those androgynous outfits.

What's interesting to me, is that in spite of the many similarities between these two artists, they seem to have different fans. I personally prefer Elton John - because I know what he is. What I mean is that when you hear him play the instrument, you know it's him... on some level there's a similar vibe beneath most of his songs, even if there's from different genres.

Bowie also explored many genres, but I guess what makes all his songs so different, is all the different musicians that would have been hired in to record. Bowie's strength over John is that he's written all his lyrics himself. But only John would be spontaneous enough that he could come out onto a stage, and with a few flicks of the finger and vocals, be capable of taking you to a completely different place. John is one of the few who can hit that sweet spot between an adrenaline rush and melancholiness... and you only get to see that side of him live.

All in all, as far as I can tell they seem to be equally good writers. Here are some of the under-rated works that I like from both:

Bowie

Lazarus
Thursday's Child
Boss of Me
Survive
Conversation Piece
Everyone says Hi
Speed of Life
Somebody Up There Likes Me
Tis a Pity she was a Whore
Valentine's Day

John

Where to Now Saint Peter
Harmony
Sartorial Eloquence
Blue Eyes
Funeral for a Friend
The One
Recover Your Soul
Blessed
Sweat It Out
Bitter Fingers

OldRio

This is a piss take, right?

Frank101

OldRio wrote: »

This is a piss take, right?

What do you mean?

CarFan100

This is too funny 9.5/10

Frank101

CarFan100 wrote: »

This is too funny 9.5/10

in what way?

Jimmy Garlic

Elton Johns song 'Bennie and the Jets' has to be one of the most annoying songs in history. He has a few like that one that just grate on your nerves. I'm struggling to think of any Bowie songs that I don't like. Bowie wins hands down.

CarFan100

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Elton Johns song 'Bennie and the Jets' has to be one of the most annoying songs in history. He has a few like that one that just grate on your nerves. I'm struggling to think of any Bowie songs that I don't like. Bowie wins hands down.

You're forgetting Crocodile Rock

Frank101

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Elton Johns song 'Bennie and the Jets' has to be one of the most annoying songs in history. He has a few like that one that just grate on your nerves. I'm struggling to think of any Bowie songs that I don't like. Bowie wins hands down.

That's an unusual way of thinking about it. There shouldn't be any negative marking!

Frank101

sloppyarse wrote: »

How does one create a new account around here without being called a re-rege or troll?

Why are Boards forums such a echo chamber?

Is Boards such a closed shop alternative views are not welcome?

Why is a blind eye turned to violations of the forum charter allowed, when it suits a certain agenda?

Is Boards, a commercial enterprise, as well as volunteer Mods, Capablel of impartiality in a debate?

These questions have been asked, will they be answered honestly, or will the poster be banned?

If Boards.ie has skin in the game, it should be declared!

I slept with all the mods!

Jimmy Garlic

CarFan100 wrote: »

You're forgetting Crocodile Rock

That too.. All of his worst ones seem to drone on for at least 5 minutes.

Jimmy Garlic

Frank101 wrote: »

That's an unusual way of thinking about it.

It isn't really Frank. Elton John has made some really unbearable songs.

Frank101

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

That too.. All of his worst ones seem to drone on for at least 5 minutes.

The thing is he'd agree with you... at least on the mention of 'Crocodile Rock'. But that sort of music isn't where Elton's heart lies.

You just don't know his music that well.

poundhound

The 2 artists are not comparable.

While Elton John is legendary in his own right, he was never a risk taker.
I'd compare his career along the lines of Rod Stewart or Phil Collins.

David Bowie on the other hand was the king of risk taking.
Jumping from folk music to glam rock, soul to electronic, pop to drum n bass and finaly introducing elements of jazz with "Blackstar".

Bowie had an edge to him and influenced more bands/musicians than practically any other artist.

Regardless of whether your a Bowie fan or not, your record collection would look very different had Bowie never existed.

chicorytip

Frank101 wrote:

In spite of the similarities between these two, their names are barely mentioned in the same sentence. However, what makes it hard to assess who's better, is that they've got strengths in different areas.

A more appropriate comparison would be Elton John vs Billy Joel, the American being the vastly greater talent in terms of singing, playing and songwriting.

Frank101

chicorytip wrote: »

A more appropriate comparison would be Elton John vs Billy Joel, the American being the vastly greater talent in terms of singing, playing and songwriting.

In terms of writing lyrics, yes. But song writing? hard to say? I'm not that familiar with Joel's writings outside of his hits.

Elton is better at playing and improvising (as Joel admitted), and clearly miles more comfortable on the piano - hence Joel does NOT do solo piano performances. The fact you believe otherwise reveals how little you know about Elton in the first place.

Their both great singers.

Frank101

poundhound wrote: »

I'd compare his career along the lines of Rod Stewart or Phil Collins.

For goodness sake, Elton is not in the same league as Rod Stewart. Rod Stewart doesn't seem to even play an instrument.

Although these days, it seems most people think of Elton as the piano man for a few pop ballads, it mustn't be forgotten what fantastic pioneering rock n roll musician he was.

telecaster

Frank, you're asking us to compare a cabaret man who employs a lyricist with one of the most groundbreaking and original artists from the post 60's era.

The similarities are few, the differences vast.

Elton has a few crackers from the 70's admittedly, but his legacy is submerged by schmaltzy turkeys.

Frank101

telecaster wrote: »

Frank, you're asking us to compare a cabaret man who employs a lyricist with one of the most groundbreaking and original artists from the post 60's era.

The similarities are few, the differences vast.

Elton has a few crackers from the 70's admittedly, but his legacy is submerged by schmaltzy turkeys.

But you've to take account that Elton's a far better performer.

Joe_ Public

Frank101 wrote: »

In terms of writing lyrics, yes. But song writing? hard to say? I'm not that familiar with Joel's writings outside of his hits.

Elton is better at playing and improvising (as Joel admitted), and clearly miles more comfortable on the piano - hence Joel does NOT do solo piano performances. The fact you believe otherwise reveals how little you know about Elton in the first place.

Their both great singers.

I'd prefer Elton John to Billy Joel, but this comparison reminds me of a story. The two, being good pals, were together one day when John, reflecting on Joel's decision not to record any new albums (since sometime in the 90s I think), asked his friend "why don't you make more records?" To which Joel replied laconically: "why don't you make less?"

Anyway, I like quite a bit of Elton John's early stuff. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is probably one of the best albums ever recorded. I'm not the biggest Bowie fan, but he's in another league entirely, simple as.

stateofflux

Frank101 wrote: »

For goodness sake, Elton is not in the same league as Rod Stewart. Rod Stewart doesn't seem to even play an instrument.

Although these days, it seems most people think of Elton as the piano man for a few pop ballads, it mustn't be forgotten what fantastic pioneering rock n roll musician he was.

with Crocodile rock?

chicorytip

Frank101 wrote:

In terms of writing lyrics, yes. But song writing? hard to say? I'm not that familiar with Joel's writings outside of his hits.

I find his (John's) vocal mannerisms infuriating and his piano playing heavy-handed. I presume he has written his own lyrics on his later recordings but most of Bernie Taupin's poesy represents the most embarrassingly trite ever committed to vinyl.

Frank101

stateofflux wrote: »

with Crocodile rock?

Yeah, because that's his only song. Your comment says more about you that Elton.

Jimmy Garlic

Frank101 wrote: »

Yeah, because that's his only song. Your comment says more about you that Elton.

Bennie and the Jets. Shooting star. I am your robot. It Ain't going to be easy. There are lots of EJ songs that are excruciating. Maybe as a result of too much coke and everyone around him telling him that everything he did was fabulous. Elton John had a serious coke habit for much of his career, I do believe that took the edge of his artistic ability and affected his judgement somewhat. He is very talented, but some of the stuff he made is just dire.

You couldn't get a more middle of the road UK "entertainer" than Elton John and you'd be hard pushed to find a UK artist more experimental, more cutting edge and more influential than David Bowie. That's the dichotomy you're looking at here OP.

Beasty

Saw Elton John 4 times in the early to mid 80s and he could really put on a show. Saw him again maybe 12 years ago and he was having a strop, leaving the stage after an hour and not coming back - probably the most disappointing concert I've ever attended. After his throat problems he was never the same again, although he does remain an incredibly talented performer

First saw Bowie at Milton Keynes Bowl in 1983, then Live Aid, the Glass Spider Tour and again in the early noughties (I think!). He oozed class every time. The show he put on was very different every time. He was the epitomy of a Rock star. In my view no-one gets near him for the sheer breadth of talent, re-inventing himself but retaining and always displaying the highest quality in whatever guise he performed

Frank101

Jimmy Garlic wrote: »

Shooting star. I am your robot.

How did you even manage to stumble upon those ones!?

Anyway, here's a video of em talking! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwspyr8KiE8

Jimmy Garlic

Frank101 wrote: »

How did you even manage to stumble upon those ones!?

Anyway, here's a video of em talking! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwspyr8KiE8

I actually like a lot of his stuff which is really good. There is other stuff that is awful cringe that is badly arranged and lyrically random, the kind of stuff I imagine he made when he was out of it. I blame his hangers on for being yes men that never gave him honest feedback.

Frank101

chicorytip wrote: »

I find his (John's) piano playing heavy-handed.

You mean in the live shows? It's rock n' roll for Christ's sake. No one plays piano with more sole than Elton.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea0yDdAhXk8

In the studio versions I'm sure the piano is drowned out anyway, so I don't know how you noticed that.

Beasty

Beasty wrote: »

Saw Elton John 4 times in the early to mid 80s and he could really put on a show.

Still Standing, Queens Hall Leeds, 1984, European Express Tour

Beasty wrote: »

First saw Bowie at Milton Keynes Bowl in 1983

Little China Girl, Serious Moonlight Tour

Pictures Of Lilly

Deleted User wrote: »

You couldn't get a more middle of the road UK "entertainer" than Elton John

Middle of the road? I think not. You obviously haven't heard this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YTsWeK6RUw

A lot of people have been misled by Elton's clown like behavior, that he's no more than such. There's a reason why Bowie is dead and Elton still has the energy of a 20 year old! He could have went the Beethoven route if he wanted to.

Pictures Of Lilly

Pictures Of Lilly wrote: »

There's a reason why Bowie is dead and Elton still has the energy of a 20 year old! He could have went the Beethoven route if he wanted to.

I've never heard such tripe.

Beasty

When I saw Elton in 1984 he had lots of energy. Since then he's definitely slowed down, and nowadays I don't think he does much beyond sitting at his piano and singing. I saw him in the mid 90's and he stropped off stage after an hour, without having put much effort at all into his performance.

He's turned himself into more of a cabaret act. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, but he is now very different on stage to how he was 30+ years ago

Pictures Of Lilly

Beasty wrote: »

When I saw Elton in 1984 he had lots of energy. Since then he's definitely slowed down, and nowadays I don't think he does much beyond sitting at his piano and singing. I saw him in the mid 90's and he stropped off stage after an hour, without having put much effort at all into his performance.

He's turned himself into more of a cabaret act. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with that, but he is now very different on stage to how he was 30+ years ago

For goodness sake, nearly every Elton John concert on youtube has more than 21-25 songs, and they're all between 2 to 2.5 hours. The average time of his concert has not reduced. The amount of live Elton John footage on youtube is ridiculous... from any decade.

I think you'd a different thing in mind by stamina! He does get up from the piano, and hop around the stage between some of the songs... he just doesn't jump up on it anymore. He still comes out with some hauntingly beautiful improvised stuff, and that's why I follow him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIivlHjIUmQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4jFV27W34A

Beasty

I remain a fan, but I will re-iterate he has changed his style over the years and most certainly eased back. His voice never recovered from when he had those nodules removed from his throat. Yes I'm a hard taskmaster in terms of what I expect, but that is because I actually saw him at his pomp. I also saw Bowie at his very best, and TBH Bowie was head and shoulders above Elton when it comes to his stage presence, and all round quality of performance

Pictures Of Lilly

Beasty wrote: »

I remain a fan, but I will re-iterate he has changed his style over the years and most certainly eased back. His voice never recovered from when he had those nodules removed from his throat. Yes I'm a hard taskmaster in terms of what I expect, but that is because I actually saw him at his pomp. I also saw Bowie at his very best, and TBH Bowie was head and shoulders above Elton when it comes to his stage presence, and all round quality of performance

Well I wasn't alive in those times. I loved Elton's 90s voice most. It doesn't sounds damaged, but it sounds very strong... there's something good about it. Just listen to the first few line of this any you'll see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJKA4i12iJw

I think he really started lose his voice until the early 00s.