Covers Revue – Elton John covers “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” :: Originally by The Beatles

This week in the Covers Revue, we have another classic covering a classic! The Beatles’ “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” was long suspected to be about the biggest trip in history, but John Lennon claimed the song was about a painting his son Julian came home from school with. Riiiiight! We all know The Beatles were trippin’ in their psychedelic days! At any rate, “Lucy” is one of the greatest Beatles songs of all time. From the creepy guitar melodies to John’s child-like voice during the verses, “Lucy” certainly makes you feel like you’re on a trip. The chorus’s organs and harmonization make this song super fun and poppy, but the verses come back to that weird LSD-trip feeling.

Fellow across-the-pond-er Elton John is a legend in his own right and his 1974 cover of “Lucy” topped the Billboard charts at one point. It certainly didn’t hurt that Lennon provided backing vocals (under the name Dr. Winston O’Boogie). John’s version is a little more funky, especially during the verses, but the chorus doesn’t stray very far from the original. A little more guitar and pop feeling make John’s a less trippy version, but a great version nonetheless.

Were you digging this article? Here are some others you may want to get your shovel out for!:

• Artist of the Week [Legend Series] – Elton John
• Editorial – Ringo Starr
• Covers Revue – Joe Cocker covers The Beatles
• Artist of the Week [Legend Series] – The Beatles