Lady Samantha

Album: Empty Sky (1969)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One of the earliest Elton John/Bernie Taupin collaborations, this one is a ghost story, telling the tale of the banshee-like Lady Samantha, who glides like a tiger in the night. Although instilling fear in everyone who hears her cry, she is tragic rather than evil. Shades of "Lady Jay"/"Kitty Jay" perhaps?
  • "Lady Samantha" was Elton John's first single in America and his second in the UK, following the short-lived "I've Been Loving You." He recorded it during sessions for his debut album, Empty Sky, but left it off the album until 1995 when it was included as a bonus track on the re-issue.
  • Elton didn't have a band when he recorded this, so he used session musicians, including Caleb Quaye on guitar and Roger Pope on drums. Pope played on several more Elton John albums, and Quaye joined his band in 1975.
  • On October 28, 1968, the song was performed with Caleb Quaye on guitar, in what was Elton's first ever live performance at the BBC.
  • In 1972, "Lady Samantha" was re-released as the B-side of "Honky Cat" in the UK, coupled with "It's Me That You Need."
  • Three Dog Night covered this in 1969 on their album Suitable for Framing. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for all above

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired Men

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Female Singers Of The 90s

Female Singers Of The 90sMusic Quiz

The ladies who ruled the '90s in this quiz.

Penny Ford of Snap!

Penny Ford of Snap!Songwriter Interviews

The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.