Kaydyn Neeley

February 20th, 2022

English comp. 2

“Your Song” by Elton John and Billy Paul

The song "Your Song" is one of the most romantic and odd love songs of the 21st century. Its original

version is known by many to be originally done by Elton John, but there was a cover also done by a singer

named Billy Paul. While the lyrics for both were the same, the versions were very different from each other.

Elton John's version of "Your Song" was very dramatic and intimate. Billy Paul's was very upbeat and cheery.

He took the original melancholy version and made it into something new, giving it new life and a happier feel.

Billy Paul's version makes anyone who hears it want to sing of love at the top of their lungs, and Elton's might

make you want to slow dance with someone you care about.

The videos for both setting and subject-wise were similar in some aspects but overall gave pretty

different tones. In Elton's version, Elton John is shown playing himself. He walks through a park alone, singing

about the song. He walks past several people that don't pay him any mind, and he never looks away from the

camera. In Billy's version, he is also playing himself. The video cuts back and forth between him singing and

shots of him walking down the street, talking to people, and admiring the world. He seems to want to share

the love he's singing about with everyone he meets.

While the lyrics of the song are the same, the videos are very different. For Elton John’s version, the

main claim of the music video seemed to show a more intimate side of being in a relationship. The tone of his

version of the song, paired with the scene of him alone in the park gives the song a moodier and more serious

tone. It also makes me think of a person reminiscing about a breakup with someone they loved, or just the

feeling of experiencing heartache over loving another person. The main claim of Billy Paul’s video was to show

the joy and happiness a person can get from a relationship. Billy is seen smiling when he's walking down the
street and talking to people while the song plays over the scene. This gives the viewer the idea that he's happy

because he's in love and wants to tell the person. Therefore, writing a song for them, that will always sound

like it's being sung to them.

Neither video seemed to be based on anything factual. They were both based on the emotions of the

singers, and how the lyrics made them feel. They never gave any facts or statistics, but they never really

needed to. The point of the song wasn't to prove a point, they just wanted to share their feelings. Their

audiences were bound to understand, and if not, there was no loss taken

Both videos used mostly pathos to appeal to viewers. Elton’s was a very intimate and emotional

rendition. It makes the viewer think about their current or past relationships, and the feeling that came with

them. It casts a certain intimacy and melancholy feel to romantic relationships. Billy appeals to people

emotionally by showing them the joy being in love can bring. It's a reminder of how overpowering love can be.

It shows how (often in the beginning of relationships) being so in love with a person, wanting to tell them and

everyone you meet about them and how much you love them. It's a sweet reminder of how good love can

feel.

Both versions of the song have pretty different target audiences. Elton's version of “Your Song” is for

everyone who is or has been in love. It can be a song that reminds someone of a love they used to have, or

that's unrequited. It can also be for people who feel more intimately about love and relate to the slowness

and sweetness of the lyrics. Billy’s version is meant mostly for people currently in love at the time of listening.

It's reminiscent of the "honeymoon phase" or relationships. It can also remind people of the feeling of being in

love and the joy it brings.

Both versions show how a difference in tone and video aesthetic can really change the way we hear

the music, and how different it can make the listener feel. While each song has the same lyrics, they give off
completely different feelings. Elton's slow take might be more well known, the classic sound of Billy Paul gives

it such a joyous feel. Both are wonderful and can be appreciated in different ways.