Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" | ||||
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Single by Elton John | ||||
from the album Reg Strikes Back | ||||
B-side | "A Word in Spanish" | |||
Released | 1988 (U.S.) | |||
Recorded | 1987 | |||
Genre | Rock, Latin jazz, dance | |||
Length | 4:12 (album version) 6:19 (12" Renaissance version) | |||
Label | Rocket | |||
Songwriter(s) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | |||
Producer(s) | Chris Thomas | |||
Elton John singles chronology | ||||
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"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin from the album Reg Strikes Back.
It was released as a 12" single in 1988 (only in the U.S.).[1] The single did not include the basic version from Reg Strikes Back album.
Although not a particularly popular song, some critics judged it as a "most intriguing" song or the "brightest moment" of the album.[2][3] John said: "That's probably my favorite track on the album. It just has a great New York feel".[4] He played both versions of the song sequentially in concerts from the release of "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two" in 1988 through to 1993.[5]
Lyrics and composition[]
The song is about New York City and is a continuation of the song "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" from the 1972 album Honky Château. Although the song follows the same meaning of its predecessor, it has a very different tempo and instrumental arrangement, and is in many ways a more complex song, with a variety of key changes and unusual chords throughout the song. There is also a brief homage to the Beatles' song "Drive My Car" that can be heard during the trumpet solo at 2:18, where Elton and the backup singers interject "beep beep, beep beep, yeah!".
Track listing[]
- 12"
A.
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two (The Renaissance Mix)" — 6:15
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two (The Da Vinci Version)" — 4:47
B.
- "A Word in Spanish" — 4:35
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two (Self Portrait Instrumental)" — 4:55
Personnel[]
- Elton John – Roland RD-1000 digital piano, lead vocals
- Fred Mandel – synthesizers
- Davey Johnstone – electric guitars, backing vocals
- David Paton – bass
- Charlie Morgan – drums
- Dee Murray – backing vocals
- Nigel Olsson – backing vocals
- Freddie Hubbard – trumpet, flugelhorn
References[]
- ^ "Song information on Discogs". Discogs.
- ^ Grein, Paul (3 July 1988). "Elton: Second Wind". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (17 July 1988). "RECORDINGS; Three Veteran Rock-and-Rollers Spin New Disks". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ Rosenthal, Elizabeth (2001). His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John. Billboard Books. p. 299. ISBN 0-8230-8892-8.
- ^ "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two) statistics". setlist.fm.
- 1988 songs
- Elton John songs
- Songs about New York City
- Songs with music by Elton John
- Songs with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
- Song recordings produced by Chris Thomas (record producer)
- Sequel songs
- 1980s pop song stubs