CAFFE` LATTE` TOP 2000 TRACKS

THE TOP 100

#36 TONIGHT

ELTON JOHN & THE MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

(1987)

Writers: Elton John & Bernie Taupin

Elton John toured Australia with the 88 piece Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 1986, playing 37 shows. His concert on December 14 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre was its last night. The performance was recorded for a live album which was issued the following year. Among the songs that were enhanced in the live orchestrated portion of the show is the beautiful ballad "Tonight". 
The song was originally included on John's 1976 album 'Blue Moves'. It finds a man involved in a fractured relationship who longs for an end to the hostility from his partner. The music composed by John is gentle and reflects the protagonist's mood. Bernie Taupin's lyrics convey the longing for a rapprochement between the 2 characters. 
Gus Dudgeon produced the live version of "Tonight" with the M.S.O. James Newton Howard conducted the London Symphony on the original studio recording and he did so again on the Australian tour with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. At the time of this performance, John's voice was affected by his need for throat surgery. Its limitations added more emotion to his performance. He was operated on in Australia. The surgery proved successful.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites. 
Each weekday, a new song from the remaining Top 100 is added, while another 2 are also included from positions 1501-2000. Check back here  for an update of the 2000.