Philadelphia Freedom (song) honour Billie Jean King, and so asked Taupin to write a song called "Philadelphia Freedom" as a homage to her tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. In "His Song: The Musical History of Elton John", Elizabeth Rosenthal recounts that Taupin said, "I can't write a song about tennis," and did not. Taupin maintains that the lyrics bear no relation to tennis, Philly Soul, or even flag-waving patriotism. Nonetheless, the lyrics have been interpreted as patriotic and uplifting, and even though it was released in 1975, the song's sentiment, intentionally or not, meshed perfectly with an American music audience gearing up for
Madness (Elton John song) Madness (Elton John song) "Madness" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the ninth track off his 1978 album, "A Single Man". The song fades in from the previous track on the album "Shooting Star". The rhythm section is driven by a disco-esque 4/4 beat, and in the middle of the song, a string section is featured giving it a more modern feel. John also sings in a high falsetto range in the choruses. Towards the end of the song, the song gets more and more chaotic, fitting with the lyrics. The song fades