Tiny Dancer

Song Meaning of Tiny Dancer by Elton John

Maxine Feibelman, at the time the lyricist Bernie Taupin's wife, was the "seamstress for the band" mentioned in the lyrics.

"I had been into ballet as a little girl, and I sewed patches on Elton's jackets and jeans," she recalled. Taupin was so seduced by Feibelman upon their arrival in Los Angeles in late 1970 that he penned the fervent "Tiny Dancer" for her.

The lyrics of the song were influenced by Taupin's first trip to the US in 1970 and were written to portray the spirit of California, when he discovered that the ladies there were very different from the ones he had known back in England.

Paul Buckmaster's strings and Rick Wakeman, who would later join prog-rockers Yes, played organ in support of John's soaring melody.

The song was revived by Almost Famous about 30 years after it was originally released. At the time, it wasn't a big hit and didn't make the Top 40 in its shortened radio edit.

Tiny Dancer lyrics by Elton John

Blue-jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band

Pretty-eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man

Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand

And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

Jesus freaks out in the street

Handing tickets out for God

Turning back, she just laughs

The boulevard is not that bad

Piano man, he makes his stand

In the auditorium

Looking on, she sings the songs

The words she knows, the tune she hums

But, oh, how it feels so real

Lying here with no one near

Only you and you can hear me

When I say softly slowly

Hold me closer, tiny dancer

Count the headlights on the highway

Lay me down in sheets of linen

You had a busy day today

Hold me closer, tiny dancer

Count the headlights on the highway

Lay me down in sheets of linen

You had a busy day today

Blue-jean baby, L.A. lady, seamstress for the band

Pretty-eyed, pirate smile, you'll marry a music man

Ballerina, you must've seen her dancing in the sand

And now she's in me, always with me, tiny dancer in my hand

Oh, how it feels so real

Lying here with no one near

Only you and you can hear me

When I say softly slowly

Hold me closer, tiny dancer

Count the headlights on the highway

Lay me down in sheets of linen

You had a busy day today

Hold me closer, tiny dancer

Count the headlights on the highway

Lay me down in sheets of linen

You had a busy day today

Ooh