Not to be picky but technically it is a love song but not a romantic one. It is about a friend (the "someone") that helps EJ through the tough times of depression which included serious cocaine abuse ("sweet freedom whispered in my ear", "butterfly", "sugar bear", and the "princess perched in her electric chair"). I like the lyrics, especially the metaphors, even though they are a bit tormented.Top Jimmy said:Here's a hint: Despite its inclusion on the Elton John "Love Songs" CD, do NOT use "Someone Saved My Life Tonight". How it ended up on a lovesong album just goes to show that his record company doesn't even listen to anything he's put out since "Rock of the Westies" in the 70's.
Someone Saved My Life Tonight Lyrics
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
When I think of those East End lights, muggy nights
The curtains drawn in the little room downstairs
Prima Donna lord you really should have been there
Sitting like a princess perched in her electric chair
And it's one more beer and I don't hear you anymore
We've all gone crazy lately
My friends out there rolling round the basement floor
And someone saved my life tonight sugar bear
You almost had your hooks in me didn't you dear
You nearly had me roped and tied
Altar-bound, hypnotized
Sweet freedom whispered in my ear
You're a butterfly
And butterflies are free to fly
Fly away, high away, bye bye
I never realised the passing hours of evening showers
A slip noose hanging in my darkest dreams
I'm strangled by your haunted social scene
Just a pawn out-played by a dominating queen
It's four o'clock in the morning
Damn it listen to me good
I'm sleeping with myself tonight
Saved in time, thank God my music's still alive
And I would have walked head on into the deep end of the river
Clinging to your stocks and bonds
Paying your H.P. demands forever
They're coming in the morning with a truck to take me home
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight, someone saved my life tonight
Someone saved my life tonight
So save your strength and run the field you play alone