I Guess That`s Why They Call It The Blues - Elton John (Solo Piano cover)

The song "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" has always fascinated me because it combines the blues elements and those of a pop song so beautifully. That's what makes this song so appealing.

I perceive Elton`s commercial version from the year 83 more as a pop song, the versions of his live performances only with piano sound more like blues music to me.

His live performance at the "House Of Blues" in New Orleans in 1997 also inspired me to play a piano solo interpretation, which can be seen in this video. I play the blues elements more in verses 1. and 2. - also between the vocal parts, and especially in the short blues piano solo (verse 3. part 1).
In the choruses I used less blues elements because the chord progression forms such a nice pop song.

The final chord of the song is followed by a little solo (epilogue), in which I want to summarize the expressive character and versatility of the blues. Part 1 is rhythmically sweeping. Let`s groove!
In Part 2 I play a few runs across the C blues scale with my right hand, which sounds tense, melanchlic and sad.
The blues runs build up a lot of tension that you long for the final chord. The C minor chord with the tone E flat would have fit perfectly. But the unfortunate, unfulfilled love story that the lyrics of the song are about would have ended as a tragedy (a minor chord sounds tragic) .
The entire song is in the key of C major and seems fresh and happy to me. So I play the note E flat (for the sad sound in minor) as a short blue note only and the index finger of my right hand slips down on the note E (happy sound), which turns everything around for the better. A semitone step can be so powerful!

Song structure:
0:00 Intro:

0:13 Verse 1a: Don't wish it away...
Don't look at it like it's forever
Between you and me I could honestly say
That things can only get better

0:35 Verse 1b: And while I'm away...
Dust out the demons inside
And it won't be long before you and me run
To the place in our hearts where we hide

0:58 Chorus: And I guess that's why they call it the blues...
Time on my hands could be time spent with you
Laughing like children, living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why they call it the blues

1:26 Verse 2a: Just stare into space...
Picture my face in your hands
Live for each second without hesitation
And never forget I'm your man

1:47 Verse 2b: Wait on me girl...
Cry in the night if it helps
But more than ever I simply love you
More than I love life itself

2:10 Chorus: And I guess that's why they call it the blues...
Time on my hands could be time spent with you
Laughing like children, living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why they call it the blues

2:39 Verse 3a (blues piano solo)

2:58 Verse 3b: Wait on me girl...
Cry in the night if it helps
But more than ever I simply love you
More than I love life itself

3:22 Chorus: And I guess that's why they call it the blues...
Time on my hands could be time spent with you
Laughing like children, living like lovers
Rolling like thunder under the covers
And I guess that's why they call it the blues

3:46 Ending: Laughing like children, living like lovers and I guess that's why they call it the blues (3x)
Laughing like children, living like lovers and I guess that's why they call it the blues
Laughing like children, living like lovers and I guess that's why they call it the blues

4:11 Epilogue solo part 1 (grooving)
4:24 Epilogue solo part 2 (runs, C blues scale)
4:54 Epilogue Final C major Chord (Cmaj 9/13)
My son Marvin filmed me playing this song. That was great fun again.

Have a lot of fun too!
#Blues #Elton #John

Видео I Guess That`s Why They Call It The Blues - Elton John (Solo Piano cover) канала Thomas Schulz