When Elton John sang Sad Songs (Say So Much) in 1984, he wasn’t kidding. That message proved to be a prelude to what would come nearly a decade later with today’s featured track – The Last Song – from an album I was deeply engrossed in when it was released in 1992, his 23rd studio record, The One (see image above). Typically, when I write about a song here, I’ll listen to it and write about my reflections during the course of the performance. But here I can’t do that. I’m left speechless and words escape me as emotions envelope my senses. Even Elton said “I was crying all the time as I wrote the music and it was very hard for me to sing it“. Taupin went on to explain:
“We didn’t go for the obvious. I tried to do something lyrically that would thaw the intolerance of not understanding. That’s why I used the idea of a father coming to terms with his son’s status in life and his sexuality, but unfortunately understanding too late. If you can melt a little intolerance along the way, I’m happy with that.“
For me it’s difficult not to draw parallels between this – The Last Song and Philadelphia (1993) by Neil Young which finalised the Jonathan Demme movie of the same name. Both are poignant reflections on love, loss, and acceptance in the shadow of the AIDS crisis. With understated grace, each ballad captures the emotional weight of estrangement and reconciliation, offering a deeply personal lens on broader social struggles.
Most of the following was extracted from the Wikipedia article below:
The Last Song was as usual composed by John, with lyrics provided by Bernie Taupin. The song marked the first of John’s American singles to benefit his AIDS foundation. The song tells the story of a boy dying of AIDS who is rejected by his father because of his homosexuality. The dying son meets his father and confesses his illness to him. Originally titled “Song for 1992“, it was renamed for its position on the album to avoid dating it. It’s hard not to draw paraellesl
It reached No. 7 in Canada and No. 21 in the United Kingdom while peaking within the top 40 in several countries worldwide, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. A music video, directed by Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting), was made for the song as seen below.
[Verse 1]
Yesterday you came to lift me up
As light as straw and brittle as a bird
Today I weigh less than a shadow on the wall
Just one more whisper of a voice unheard
Tomorrow leave the windows open
As fear grows please hold me in your arms
Won’t you help me if you can to shake this anger
I need your gentle hands to keep me calm
[Chorus]
Because I never thought I’d lose
I only thought I’d win
I never dreamed I’d feel
This fire beneath my skin
I can’t believe you love me
I never thought you’d come
I guess I misjudged love
Between a father and his son
[Verse 2]
Things we never said come together
The hidden truth no longer haunting me
Tonight we touched on the things that were never spoken
That kind of understanding sets me free
References:
1. The Last Song (Elton John song) – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
I do remember this song…and I don’t remember many John songs from the 90s on…this is a great one. Very touching song.
I’m glad it resonated with you too Max. This album ‘The One’ was probably the last album by him I listened to closely. There are some great songs on it like the Title track, this song, ‘Whitewash County’ and ‘The North’. Those latter two are overlooked in his collection, which I don’t think should have been.
I’m closer to the 70s of course but he had some good songs in the 80s…my favorite would be Empty Garden…not because of the subject…I just like it.
But yea….I’ll check those songs out.
We spoke about Empty Garden, I think in another post about his 2 low for Zero album. Yeh ‘Whitewash County’ is definitely worth a peek at least.
Very impactful song. While I recall the album’s title track, I don’t think I had heard “The Last Song.” I can see why you see parallels to Neil Young’s “Philadelphia.” After his 1985 album “Ice on Fire,” John started to fade away from my radar screen, though I do remember hearing some of his more popular songs on the radio thereafter.
I think Philadelphia by Young is the way better song, not to take anything away from this. This album was my last foray into his music.
Oh, by the way Christian I wanted to apologize for my having sequestered your post the other day with Perri. My family can tell you only too well how I have a habit of that.
No worries, Matt. Christina Perri is a compelling artist. I’ve probably not paid as much attention to her as I should, so it was good to hear these songs!