Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)

Elton John

About Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)

"Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and originally performed by Elton John. The song first appeared on Elton John's 1982 album Jump Up!. The song is a tribute to John Lennon, who had been assassinated 18 months earlier.


Year:
1990
5:11
632 
#2

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What happened here
As the New York sunset disappeared
I found an empty garden among the flagstones there
Who lived here
He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
And now it all looks strange
It's funny how one insect can damage so much grain

And what's it for
This little empty garden by the brownstone door
And in the cracks along the sidewalk nothing grows no more
Who lived here
He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
And we are so amazed, we're crippled and we're dazed
A gardener like that one no one can replace

And I've been knocking but no one answers
And I've been knocking most of the day
Oh and I've been calling, oh hey hey Johnny
Can't you come out to play

And through their tears
Some say he farmed his best in younger years
But he'd have said that roots grow stronger, if only he could hear
Who lived there
He must have been a gardener that cared a lot
Who weeded out the tears and grew a good crop
Now we pray for rain, and with every drop that falls
We hear, we hear your name

And I've been knocking but no one answers
And I've been knocking most of the day
Oh and I've been calling, oh hey hey Johnny
Can't you come out to play

And I've been knocking but no one answers
And I've been knocking most all the day
Oh and I've been calling, oh hey hey Johnny
Can't you come out, can you come out to play, Johnny
Can't you come out to play in your empty garden, Johnny
Can't you come out to play in your empty garden, Johnny
Can't you come out to play in your empty garden, Johnny
Can't you come out to play in your empty garden, Johnny
Can't you come out to play in your empty garden, Johnny
Can't you come out to play in your empty garden, Johnny

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Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947) is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor. He has worked with lyricist Bernie Taupin as his songwriter partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. more »

44 fans

Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Song Background
"Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" is a song performed by the legendary English musician, Elton John.
Album Feature
The song appears on his 1982 album "Jump Up!" This album is regretted by John and Bernie Taupin due to its rushed writing process, even though "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" was still a great success.
Tribute Song
The ballad was written as a tribute to John Lennon, the former Beatles member who was tragically killed in December 1980.
Songwriting Partnership
This hugely emotional song, like most of Elton John's music, is a product of his longtime songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin.
Garden Metaphor
The song's title "Empty Garden" represents the loss of John Lennon, with the "garden" being a metaphor for his life and his unique talent for songwriting, now left empty by his death.
Lyrics Interpretation
The lyrics "Who lived here?" express the disbelief and grief at Lennon's sudden demise, hinting at the unresolved emotions left by his absence.
Chart Success
Upon its release, "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" peaked at No.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States, making it a significant hit.
Live Performance
Elton John performed "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" in Central Park, New York in 1982, a location that was poignant due to its proximity to where John Lennon was murdered.
Reception
The song was well-received by both critics and fans, especially due to its emotional melody and heartfelt lyrics.
Limited Performance
Elton John has mentioned in interviews that he finds it hard to perform this song due to the close friendship he had with Lennon, and as a result, it is seldom included in his live setlists.
Music Video
The music video shows Elton John performing the song live at the Royal Albert Hall, highlighting the raw emotion behind the lyrics.
Notable Cover
Pianist Roger Williams did a cover of this song which surpassed the original on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at No.7.

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    Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)

    1.2M
    5,939     286

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1982

    Billboard #13


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