The Dreamer's Pen

As a musician, I’m always fascinated by the layers that make up a song, the tiny details that often go unnoticed in the full mix. So imagine my excitement when I stumbled across this incredible YouTube video that deconstructs one of my all time favorite Elton John songs, I’m Still Standing.

In this video, each instrument is isolated, track by track, and then gradually layered back together. Hearing the song this way is like peeking behind the curtain at the craftsmanship of every musician involved. The piano, the drums, the bass, the backing vocals, each has its own story, its own voice, and yet they all come together to create that unstoppable energy we know and love. I am obsessed with the bass. Dee Murphy was a legend.

As a violist, I’m particularly drawn to the inner voices, the parts that aren’t always front and center, but that add depth, texture, and emotional resonance. There’s something magical about hearing each musician’s contribution in isolation, like getting to sit in the studio with them and experience their choices up close. It makes me appreciate not only Elton John’s genius but also the incredible skill of everyone playing alongside him.

If you’re a musician, or even just someone who loves music on a deeper level, this kind of video is pure joy. It reminds me why I love music so much: the way all these voices come together to create something bigger than themselves, something timeless.