If we’ve ever talked about my favorite musical artists, Elton John probably came up within seconds. Case in point: I have an incredibly embarrassing video of 16-year-old me playing and singing “Your Song” in my childhood room. Maybe I’ll share it below if I’m feeling brave.

One of my favorite Elton albums is Tumbleweed Connection. Not because it’s packed with huge hits, but because of its concept. This was Elton’s third studio album, following the massive success of his self-titled release featuring the iconic “Your Song.” Instead of chasing a formulaic hit album, Elton and his lyricist partner Bernie Taupin created a concept album inspired by themes of country, western, and Americana — even old western films.

Interestingly, many people assumed Tumbleweed Connection came from firsthand experience with America, but that’s not true. Neither Elton nor Bernie had ever set foot in the U.S. when they created the album. Bernie mentioned that it was heavily influenced by The Band’s Music From Big Pink, and he credited Marty Robbins’ “El Paso” as the song that first inspired him to start writing lyrics for songs. “It was the perfect meshing of melody and storyline,” Bernie said. “I thought, here’s something that marries rhythm and the written word completely.”

One of my personal favorites from this album is “Country Comfort.” For many, it might be a first-time listen since none of the tracks on Tumbleweed Connection became major hits. The closest was “Burn Down the Mission,” which Elton performed nightly during his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (2022–2023).

While the album was well-received upon its release and has held up decently over time, I think it deserves to be heard by many more people.

One reviewer summed it up perfectly:

“Tumbleweed Connection needs no improvement; it is one of the best country-rock albums ever written by London cowboys.”

Album Cover Fun Fact: While the album cover clearly evokes the feel of the American Old West, it was ironically photographed at Sheffield Park railway station in Sussex, England.

Embarrassing Video Link: When I was 16 I recorded this embarrassing cover of “Your Song” by Elton John. Please excuse so many things.

I hope you enjoy Country Comfort!

Soon the pines will be falling everywhere
Village children fight each other for a share
And the 6:09 goes roaring past the creek
Deacon Lee prepares his sermon for next week

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I saw grandma yesterday down at the store
Well she’s really going fine for eighty four
Well she asked me if sometime I’d fix her barn
Poor old girl she needs a hand to run the farm

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And it’s good old country comfort in my bones
Just the sweetest sound my ears have ever known
Just an old-fashioned feeling fully-grown
Country comfort’s in a truck that’s going home

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My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. Sorry if there are any mistakes.

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