Almost Famous Pays Tribute To Elton John Classic, “Tiny Dancer”
“Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer…”
Cameron Crowe’s 2000 comedy-drama Almost Famous was a love letter to all things rock and roll. It told the tale of 15-year old William Miller, an aspiring rock journalist following fictional band Stillwater and its impressive soundtrack boasted work from some of classic rock’s most prolific artists, including Elton John.
The most iconic moment of Almost Famous came during the infamous ‘Tiny Dancer’ scene; stuck on a tour bus and at odds with each other for one reason or another, William [Patrick Fugit], Penny Lane [Kate Hudson] and Stillwater hear Elton John’s ‘Tiny Dancer’ come over the radio and before long, a sing-a-long starts, dissolving the tension.
Fun Fact: Elton John credits this scene with positively changing the way he viewed himself as a songwriter, past and present.
It’s not just a sing-a-long, though. The ‘Tiny Dancer’ scene in Almost Famous speaks to the power of music when it comes to its ability to unite. These kids on a tour bus, careening towards an uncertain future have quite literally nothing to hold on to but the moment they share together singing a song that’s no doubt inspired their career in some way.
This scene is a love letter to the parts of us that remember being somehow saved by music and the people with whom we shared it, and it’s one that you definitely don’t want to miss!
+ Tiny Dancer lyrics +
Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
Jesus freaks out in the street
Handing tickets out for God
Turning back she just laughs
The boulevard is not that bad
Piano man he makes his stand
In the auditorium
Looking on she sings the songs
The words she knows, the tune she hums
But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly
Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Blue jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band
Pretty eyed, pirate smile, you’ll marry a music man
Ballerina, you must have seen her dancing in the sand
And now she’s in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand
But oh how it feels so real
Lying here with no one near
Only you and you can hear me
When I say softly, slowly
Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
Hold me closer tiny dancer
Count the headlights on the highway
Lay me down in sheets of linen
You had a busy day today
