The lyrics of "Harmony" seem to be addressed to a lover who has returned to the singer after a long absence.[2] He wonders whether she returned to him only because he is the only friend she has left, but expresses his love regardless.[2] Although the lyrics are optimistic, writer James Perone points out that aspects of the music, such as a modulation to a minor key, suggest that the singer's happiness may be only temporary.[2] The author of The Elton John Scrapbook, Mary Anne Cassata, interprets the song as a "two-minute forty-five second dirge of despair...that somehow soared with hope enough to make Brian Wilson proud."[3] Elton John biographer Elizabeth J. Rosenthal interprets the song more metaphorically.[4] Rosenthal views the song as being about John's "love affair with music".[4] In this interpretation, John is expressing his devotion to harmony, and the "luscious" harmonies in the song are confirmation of this devotion.[4] The drawing out of the song's last note suggest to Rosenthal that John's relationship with music will last.[4]
Rosenthal also notes a relationship between "Harmony" and John's 1998 song "If the River Can Bend". She compares lyrics from "Harmony":
Harmony and me
We're pretty good company
Looking for an island
In our boat upon the sea,
with lyrics in "If the River Can Bend" that link nautical images about a returning lover to the "harmony" the lover previously created.[4] Rosenthal thus interprets the theme of "If the River Can Bend" as expanding on that in "Harmony" to encompass the musical partnership between John and Taupin.[4]
Single release
"Harmony" was a candidate to be the fourth single from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, following the title song, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" and "Bennie and the Jets."[5] However, a fourth single would have been released too close to John's next album Caribou, so instead it was released as the B-side of "Bennie and the Jets" in the U.S.[5] John believes that it would have been a hit had it been released, and Rolling Stone critic Andy Greene concurs.[5][6]
"Harmony" was popular on American FM playlists of the day, especially WBZ-FM in Boston, whose top 40 chart allowed for the inclusion of LP cuts and B-sides as voted for by listeners. "Harmony" spent three weeks at no. 1 on WBZ-FM's chart in June 1974 and ranked no. 6 for the year, with "Bennie and the Jets" at no. 1 and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" behind "Harmony" at no. 7.
Reception
Despite its belated and limited single release, "Harmony" has been a fan favourite.[6] It made several radio stations' Top 40s, and ranked as the No. 1 song for three weeks by WBZ-FM in Boston.[5] It was also rated the No. 6 song of 1974 by WBZ.[5]
Cassata rates "Harmony" as one of "the best John-Taupin" compositions, describing it as "brief but ethereal."[3] Rosenthal praises John's piano playing, Nigel Olsson's drumming and Del Newman's orchestral arrangement.[4] Ultimate Classic Rock critic Matthew Wilkenning described "Harmony" as a "gorgeous ballad".[7] Classic Album Sunday's founder Colleen Murphy regards "Harmony" as a personal favourite, describing it as "poignant".[8]
John has often performed "Harmony" live in concert.[3] In 2000, John released a live solo piano version on Elton John – Live At Madison Square Garden, a fan club only CD, which was recorded during one of his two performances at the venue on October 15 & 16, 1999.[9]
Cover versions
Diana Ross released her version of "Harmony" on the 2012 expanded edition of her 1976 album Diana Ross.[10]Jesse Malin covered the song on his 2008 album On Your Sleeve.[11]Allmusic critic described this version as "a barfly with a smile's nocturnal take" on the song.[11] The Zac Brown Band covered the song on the 40th-anniversary deluxe edition of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.[12]
^ abcPerone, J.A. (2012). "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)". The Album: A Guide to Pop Music's Most Provocative, Influential, and Important Creations. Praeger. ASINB00BCR4JKC.
^ abcCassate, M.A. (2002). The Elton John Scrapbook. Citadel Press. pp. 96–97. ISBN9780806523224.
