Elton John – Where To Now St. Peter

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  General Comment:It is generally thought that Taupin, the lyricist, had in mind a soldier killed on the battlefield, either in the (U.S.) Civil War or in World War I, and finding himself drifting toward the afterlife, asking (St. Peter), "What comes next?"

  Flag mbrachmanon February 13, 2012   Link

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  My Opinion:This was from a detailed review of the album and seems like a good explanation:
  
  "Where To Now St. Peter" benefits from some tremendous Gus Dudgeon production. The song, which features a soldier killed in action as he faces St. Peter, revolves around an ethereal theme, so Dudgeon adds echo to John's stunning falsetto vocals and swirls them around the speakers as Caleb Quaye's guitar licks flicker like the flames of hell itself."
  
  toptenreviews.com/scripts/eframe/…

  Flag dancingdallasdandyon June 25, 2011   Link

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  General Comment:I think it's about someone being executed by lethal injection and slipping off into death. The blue canoe is the gurney. They "took the paddles" because they're killing him, they "paralyzed his arms" because they're strapping him down. The change from day-to-day life in the prison to the silence of the execution chamber (away from the rifle range of the guards) is so sudden.

  Flag OpalEyedEssenceon May 05, 2011   Link

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    Also, it seems he's being executed for murder committed with a "sweet young foreign gun," taking something for nothing like that ends with a bad report, a conviction.

    Flag OpalEyedEssenceon May 05, 2011  

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    This song is on the album Tumbleweed Connection, which is a theme album based on the American "Old West." So, I think it has to be interpreted in that context. For that reason, I don't think its about lethal injection, but, like poetry, it can be interpreted however you want, so go with it.

    Flag dancingdallasdandyon June 25, 2011  

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    When Taupin wrote this song, lethal injection didn't exist, the concept was barely even known. "Blue Canoe" was probably LSD. It was suggested at the time that the song was about the assination of Robert Kennedy, the "sweet young foreign gun" being Sirhan Sirhan.

    Flag GuyPenguinon February 13, 2012  
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  General Comment:thats the second verse the first one is about an drug aduict

  Flag zameronon January 17, 2010   Link

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  General Comment:I love this song. I am not sure what the meaning is, but who cares.

  Flag kamakiriadon February 15, 2008   Link

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  General Comment:It's about someone who's been killed in war.

  Flag gweepson August 24, 2006   Link

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