Tiny Dancer

"Tiny Dancer" is a 1971 song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It appears on John's fourth album, Madman Across the Water, and was released as a single in 1972. In the U.S. it was certified Gold on 19 May 2005, and Platinum on 19 August 2011 by the Recording Industry Association of America. It has sold 115,501 copies in the UK, despite never being released as a proper single.

Background and writing

The words of the song were written by Bernie Taupin to capture the spirit of California in 1970 encapsulated by the many beautiful women he met there. A common misconception is that the song was written for Maxine Feibelman, Taupin's first wife. Rather, it was simply dedicated to her on the album Madman Across the Water.

History

The song features a piano-based melody during verses and an arrangement that at the start features pedal steel guitar and light percussion but, transitioning subtly halfway through one of the choruses, by the end is driven by Paul Buckmaster's dynamic strings, along with a barely heard backing choir.

Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)

"Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer)" is a song by Ironik, from his debut album No Point in Wasting Tears, released on 11 May 2009. The song heavily samples British singer Elton John's 1972 single "Tiny Dancer". This is the first single by Ironik to be released without a maxi single.

Music video

The video features both Ironik and Chipmunk while Elton John is played on TV screens in the background. The video is completely black and white. It begins with Ironik and Chipmunk walking down a hotel corridor in suits on the way to their room. They knock on their room and are let in by a woman dressed in bondage and stockings. The video unfolds with Ironik and Chipmunk dancing with the females and flirting.

Formats track listing

CD single
(27 April 2009)

Digital download
(27 April 2009)