Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)

License This Song 

• Why's it never light on my lawn?
  Why does it rain and never say "Good day" to the new-born?
  On the big screen they showed us the sun
  But not as bright in life as the real one
  It's never quite the same as the real one
  
  And tell me grey seal
  How does it feel to be so wise?
  To see through eyes that only see what's real
  Tell me, grey seal
  
  I never learned why meteors were formed
  I only farmed in schools that were so warn and torn
  If anyone can cry then so can I
  I read books and draw life from the eye
  All my life is drawings from the eye
  
  And tell me grey seal
  How does it feel to be so wise?
  To see through eyes that only see what's real
  Tell me, grey seal
  
  Your mission bells were wrought by ancient men
  The roots were formed by twisted roots
  Your roots were twisted then
  I was re-born before all life could die
  The phoenix bird will leave this world to fly
  If the phoenix bird can fly then so can I
  
  And tell me grey seal
  How does it feel to be so wise?
  To see through eyes that only see what's real
  Tell me, grey seal Writer/s: Bernie Taupin, Elton John
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

• Robin from BerkshireA lot of it was about his poor schooling at a dodgy comprehensive near Grimsby. And his escape from that life
• Rob Mcgowan from San DiegoLife is often cloudy. Yet, the grey seal sees what is real. He is peaceful, happy, wise. Non-duality. Artists create visions of non-dualistic love without knowing.
• Pat from Saint Paul, MnI heard this song on the radio today. What I really like about the song is Elton's piano playing, especially in the final verse. It is top notch! I can picture his hands gliding across the keyboard.
• Jz from BeatWhat he said, the author.
• Mcwillie from HamptonsGrey Seal was written in response to Elton John finding out that the 5'8" round faced brown eyed James Paul McCartney was replaced by 5'11" green eyed long faced William Shepherd as the Beatles bass player after Revolver.
• Tim Burton from UkGrey Seal - Walrus - I am the walrus? It’s a piss take of John Lennon and his pontificating: perhaps.
• Clint from 18510I think it alludes to a dystopian future not unlike Rush's 2112 where in the character finds that he has been told lies by the priests and there is a whole beautiful world and rich past out there that he knows nothing about the character in Grey seal has been sheltered all his life and told lies by the Grey seal who ever and whatever that may be

More Songfacts:

ChandelierSia

Sia planned to quit her solo career after her 2014 album 1000 Forms of Fear, but the "Chandelier" video proved so popular it drew her back in.

Street HassleLou Reed

Lou Reed's 11-minute "Street Hassle" features a spoken part by Bruce Springsteen.

La Isla BonitaMadonna

It wasn't one of her biggest hits, but "La Isla Bonita" (from 1986) emerged as one of Madonna's top songs in the age of streaming thanks to widespread usage on TikTok. Creators who visit an island or just want that mood often use it as a soundtrack.

Ebony and IvoryPaul McCartney

Paul McCartney wrote "Ebony and Ivory," his duet with Stevie Wonder, after a tiff with his wife Linda. "It was like, 'Why can't we get it together- our piano can,'" he explained.

TornNatalie Imbruglia

"Torn" by Natalie Imbruglia was first recorded by the group Ednaswap in 1993. It was written by Ednaswap's Anne Previn and Scott Cutler, who went on to write some hits for Miley Cyrus.

It's My PartyLesley Gore

One of the first teenage stars of the Rock Era was Lesley Gore, who was just 16 when she recorded "It's My Party," a huge hit in 1963. It gave us the iconic phrase, "It's my party, I'll cry if I want to."

Editor's Picks

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.

David Paich of TotoSongwriter Interviews

Toto's keyboard player explains the true meaning of "Africa" and talks about working on the Thriller album.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.