Legal Boys

On Jump Up! Tim Rice, who co-wrote Jesus Christ Superstar, contributed the lyrics. Elton composed a melody -- even recorded a harpsichord instrumental version of the song -- and then received Rice's lyrics in the mail. Fittingly, the words have a theatrical feel. (A-Z)

Another strong cut was "Legal Boys," Elton's first collaboration with one of the world's most successful lyricists, Tim Rice. "It was originally written for something I was going to do with Andrew [Lloyd Webber] for Tell Me On A Sunday," says Sir Tim, "but then Andrew decided to do it with the lyricist Don Black and the singer Marti Webb. I was left with this lyric and I knew that Elton liked lyrics first, so I sent it to him. To my amazement, he did it." The song was a sad story of a divorce, with legal language inserted into a salutary tale of what happens when love lost turns into financial gain for the legal profession: "It says something for the legal boys / But nothing much for us / That all we had together / Is so quickly ended thus." (Buckley)

Lyrics (Tim Rice):
Your accountant called this morning / There was springtime in his heart / He couldn't wait to tell me / How he'd pulled our lives apart / And the letter from your lawyer / Lies unopened on the tray / I may get around to reading it later today

Walking round the lonely rooms / I see everything the same / But suddenly it matters / What was purchased in my name / Whether this or that was paid for / Belongs to me or you / Can the seven years together be divided by two

It says something for the legal boys / But nothing much for us / That all we had together / Is so quickly ended thus / The legal boys have won again / And you and I have lost / They can't tell us how it happened / But they'll let us know the cost / Oh they'll let us know the cost, oh yeah''

There's a lot I'd like to tell you / But I can't get past your guards / I do not speak their language / And they hold all the cards / I would rather call you darling / Than defendant in the case / But lovers left here long ago / And clients took their place

©1982 Big Pig Music Limited

Musicians

 * Music: Elton John
 * Lyrics: Tim Rice
 * Vocals: Elton John
 * Piano: Elton John
 * Bass: Dee Murray
 * String Arrangements: James Newton Howard
 * Synthesizers: James Newton Howard
 * Drums: Jeffrey Porcaro
 * Guitars: Richie Zito
 * Backing Vocals: Gary Osbourne
 * Backing Vocals: Dee Murray