24-Year-Old Elton John’s ’71 “Levon” Performance Will Seriously Bring You Back

He Shall Be Levon

“Next song is about a little boy who gets fed up with what he’s doing and, uh, just wishes that he could get away from it but he really can’t… it’s called Levon.” 

In his 1971 live performance of hit “Levon,” a 24-year-old baby Elton John is electric in every way possible with incredible vocals per usual and the most calming and professional energy you have ever seen. As he calmly sits at his piano, he serenades the crowd with a story about a troubled young man that wishes he could pass on through boredom and frustration.

“And he shall be Levon, and he shall be a good man, and he shall be Levon, in tradition with the family plan…”

Despite what many fans choose to believe about the song, whether it has religious intentions or not, Elton explained that it was just a lyrical piece that was randomly sketched into a beautiful story with scarce meaning behind it. Considering it is and always has been on our favorites, we will admit to pondering the meaning behind the lyrics all these years.

Interesting Quote: “It was a free-form writing.” he said. “It was just lines that came out that were interesting.”- Elton John

It is so nice to see the early Elton before his life was corrupted by substances that took him to different dimensions, on and off stage. Feast your eyes on the adorable, youthful and extremely talented Sir Elton John and enjoy this lovely performance!

+ Levon Lyrics +

Levon wears his war wound like a crown
He calls his child Jesus ’cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town

Levon, Levon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spends his days counting
In a garage by the motorway

He was born a pauper
To a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times
Said God is dead and the war’s begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today

And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon

Levon’s sells cartoon balloons in town
His family business thrives
Jesus blows up balloons all day
Sits on the porch swing watching them fly
And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus
Leave Levon far behind
Take a balloon and go sailing,
While Levon, Levon slowly dies

He was born a pauper
To a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times
Said God is dead and the war’s begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today

And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan, woo
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon

And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan, woo
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon