The effects of Tiny Dancer upon mankind

Or, at least, on me...

I was busy putting my playlist together for tonight's Rock n Roll trivia session that I'm guest hosting with Jono at 200 Orchard, and I automatically added Elton John's Tiny Dancer to the list, not even thinking if it has any relevance to the trivia questions at all (it does, in a round-about kind of way). And I realised that this is just one of those songs that provides immediate comfort and a feeling of happiness. I know it's not only me, it works in the same way on many people.

For example, a few years ago, Rosie and I were sitting at a table at Darkroom. The place wasn't too busy for an early Friday night, but not empty either. We twisted Aurelio's arm and got him to play Tiny Dancer, and the whole bar started singing along. I still get goosebumps thinking about it today. Once the song ended everyone went back to what they were doing, but for a few minutes there was a real feeling of unison between a group of strangers.

Another time I remember leaving work in the summer, after a highly stressful day, and decided to walk down Park Avenue. I put my ipod on, and Tiny Dancer started up, and I just started to smile. To this day I will always put the song on when I feel like I am going to have a panic attack or if my stress level is getting too high.

When Cameron Crowe used Tiny Dancer in the tour bus scene, making it into the song that brings everyone back together, he knew exactly what effect it was going to have on the viewers.

Sit back and enjoy:


Trivia is from 8-10 pm tonight at 200 Orchard.