Grimsby

Album: Caribou (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In Barry Toberman's biography of Elton, it is claimed that he prompted his lyricist, Bernie Taupin, into writing "Grimsby" because Randy Newman had written a song about Cleveland. There was some suggestion they could make it sound like The Beach Boys. Grimsby is an unprepossessing fishing port on the Lincolnshire coast, so this was probably a private joke.

    In His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John, Elizabeth Rosenthal writes: "The joke has probably been lost on many non-British listeners" who may have taken it literally. Taupin was born on a farm near Sleaford, which is about 50 miles from Grimsby. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander - London, England
  • Elton John included "Grimsby" in his setlists from time to time until 1976, when he stopped playing it. It's an album cut from Caribou, the fourth in a run of six #1 albums in America. The singles from the album were "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" and "The Bitch Is Back."

Comments: 3

  • Eltonfan from UkIt annoys me when songwriters downplay the songs they wrote. Some fans actually like the songs the songwriters trash. Grimsby is one of my fav elton john songs and would have been a better single than the dreary don't let the sun go down on me
  • Catherine from London Ontario It matters to people in Grimsby Ontario, lol
  • Gregpry Mckinney from Glendale Ca UsaYes, this is just another "throwaway" from the Caribou LP from Elton John. And like the other non-releases from this album, it sits like a jewel hovering over just about anything else of its day. Pop radio was so full of wondrous music and spotless production at that time that even this phenomenal track was not even considered Top 40 material.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jimmy Webb

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Desmond Child

Desmond ChildSongwriter Interviews

One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.