All The Girls Love Alice by Elton John

Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

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"All The Girls Love Alice" is a look into the gay lifestyle of England through the eyes and lyrics of Bernie Taupin, Elton John's songwriting partner. He made up the tragic story of a young lesbian who dies in the streets.
This song marked the first time Elton sang about a gay character, although it had nothing to do with him personally. The first time he sang from the perspective of a gay man was in 1981 on his track "Elton's Song," which had lyrics by Tom Robinson - a gay man.
Elton didn't try to obscure the subject matter of this song, saying it was "about a young girl who gets seduced by the naughty ladies."
The song is part of Elton's double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which contains hits like "Candle In The Wind" and "Bennie And The Jets" as well as favorites like "Harmony" and "Grey Seal." The lyrics were printed on an insert, so there was no doubt about what Elton was singing about in "Alice."
The lyric is daring, and the music is similarly ambitious, with a distorted guitar by Davey Johnstone and a rollicking piano by Elton. The rattle is a tambourine, played by Ray Cooper.

You'll also hear a synthesizer in the slow parts, which didn't come easy in 1973. Only a few studios had synths, and only a few people knew how to use them properly. One of those was David Hentschel at Trident Studios in London. At Trident, he overdubbed synthesizer (an ARP 2500 model) on "All The Girls Love Alice" as well as the album opener, "Funeral For A Friend / Love Lies Bleeding." Elton first used him a year earlier on his song "Rocket Man."
Many Album Oriented Rock (AOR) stations added this track to their playlists, as it fit the format's criterion of less-popular songs by famous artists. One theory posited by some radio folks, who had plenty of time to ponder this song over smoke breaks, was that it had something to do with Alice Cooper - perhaps it was based on the shock rocker's female fans. Cooper was an acquaintance of Elton, and Bernie Taupin would later write lyrics for Alice's 1978 album From the Inside, but we haven't found any hard evidence that Cooper was an inspiration for this song.
The backup singer on this one is Kiki Dee, who a few years later sang with Elton on the hit duet "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."

Comments: 20

Greg Stars from Long IslandBernie is one of the greatest lyricist that ever put pen to paper. His songs are deep natural and very haunting at times. Just really listen to the lyrics as the music plays.. god bless. I have lived in these times….
Motomac1197 from Castro Valley, CaAlice alone does not define the meaning … Was she tender or dear in wonderland?
Miss Terry from Washington U.s.ait HAS NOTHING to do with Alice Cooper. It's a reference to Alice in wonderland, in that she falls into the wonderland of sexual adventures with women. Bernie who wrote it says thats hwere the name comes from and he should know.
Bennitron from Wisconsin U.s.of AWell let me tell ya, GoodbyeY.brick was or is a brilliant buffet of cinematic genius. All the songs tell a distinct story. What grey seal was about I have to look up. But you listen to "untitled" the song called untitled.. It's astounding. And I've seen that movie too" is eerie, haunting, sends chills. All the young girls love Alice is very dark also. The beginning of song wt maybe Johnstone on guitar sounds sharp, scrappy, and sets the scene of the streets in a big scary city. B.Taupins descriptions of a sad, abused young girl in a whirlwind of big city dykes that use her and almost sounds judgemental of lesbianism. (Getting your kicks in another girls bed) well maybe Taupins had to make it sound harsh, because it was a harsh narrative. But he himself certainly wasn't judging, these two fellas Elton and Bernie are geniuses and were meant to be. I love you gentlemen. Thank you.
Classiceockman56 from 77590I saw Sir Elton John in 73 and '74 Quite the performer entertainer!! This is my favorite "Alice" song.
Seventhmist from 7th HeavenI always wondered if it was also a subtle dig at Alice Cooper, who was certainly loved by many young girls.
Tricia Green from Cincinnati, OhioI recently lost my beautiful daughter, Terri Leann, and she had a Mona leza smile , I use too sit in a room with my cousin Johnny , he would play this Album I loved this song and, I would wonder what happened to Alice? I just found out in the lyrics, I thought it was suicide as they say happens toy sweet baby girl, but it's not true, I still don't know the truth but when I here Tiny Dancer, (I still break down) it was her lulalby. Thank you Sir John.
Mellissa from Southern CaliforniaBernie and Elton were war babies of WWII or in America, Baby Boomers. When the men are away, the women will play. These were young women after all. An old expression is known as a "sewing circle," was a double entendre meaning on one hand women who gathered to sew and on the other hand but it was also a place for secret bisexual or lesbian sexual liaisons. This was particularly the case in times of war. Alice was the younger and hotter young girl who would service the wives of servicemen.
Tom from Los AngelesI dabbled a little in lyric writing some years ago, but I would have never come up with rhyming Soho and yo-yo. Gosh, that is funny. Hats off to Bernie
Cee from DetroitSong was inspired by Alice Cooper and his performances. As mentioned by Sir Elton John in "Super Duper Alice Cooper," an Alice Cooper documentary.
Chezchez from New York, NyYou gotta remember that in the early 70's this song was quite graphic compared to others in this era. Elton is a genius and so is Bernie none the less and are you listening to the music, THE MUSIC IS KICK ASS AWESOME for that time. - chezchez, Bronx, NY
Tom from Dallas, TxDidn't Bernie Taupin write almost all of the lyrics to Elton's songs the first 3 or 4 albums including all the lyrics on Goodbye Yellow Brick Road?
Cyberpope from Richmond, CanadaLots of arists singing, "Alice? Who the f--k is Alice?" (Smokie, Gompie, Dr. Hook, Eagles)
Pianowizzy from Denver, CoReply to Kevin: I don't this "Texan Love Song" is too bad.
Kevin from Reading , PaThe music is pretty driving, but this is a really unappealing song due to the lyrics and subject matter. I guess it's supposed to be shocking, but I think it's just awful. Taupin occasionally writes some really horrific lyrics, this being one. "Texan Love Song" from "Don't Shoot Me" comes quickly to mind as well.
Coffeegod from Brandon, MsYou mean this song isn't about a dancer from LA that Elton met who later had his child and disappeared into oblivion? *smirk*
Bill from Houston, TxBasically I heard the same thing years ago Stephanie Magura and that is that it was a tragic story of a lesbian. In the early 70's that life style was coming our of the closet then in the late 70's Queen blew the door frame off the wall........
Michael from Wallington, NjHey Leya, they ARE two dykes in the illustration for the song. Drag queens are cross dressing men.
Leya Qwest from Anchorage, AkIf you can get hold of the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road double record album cover, it opens up and inside there are illustrations that correspond with the respective lyrics of each tune. Alongside the lyrics of ATGLA there's a drawing of a pretty young girl, Alice, with two dyke-looking drag queens on each side of her. Guessing these two are but a few of the many lezzies who crave the attention of our girl as this song avows.
Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScI always thought the song was the tragic story of a lesbian. I just wasn't sure though. i had never heard songs like that before.

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