I’ve been back home in Philadelphia this weekend for a party, and to show my in-laws around. We hit all the essential places (Independence Hall, Reading Terminal Market, Jim’s Steaks, etc.). There’s lots of great music from Philadelphia — enough that I believe Philadelphia was more deserving of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than Cleveland. There are even some songs about my hometown. While walking near Rittenhouse Square, Elton John’s “Philadelphia Freedom” came to mind, so I decided to make it this week’s lyric. The song was a big hit in the 1970s, and has an interesting history, and here is how it begins.
I used to be a rolling stone
You know if the cause was right
I’d leave to find the answer on the road
I used to be a heart beating for someone
But the times have changed
The less I say the more my work gets done`Cause I live and breathe this Philadelphia freedom
From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag
Philadelphia freedom took me knee-high to a man
Yeah gave me peace of mind my daddy never had
The full lyrics, credited to long-time Elton John collaborator Bernie Taupin, are here.