Gershwin Prize

(piano plays) LUSK: Good evening saints and friends, we are gathered here tonight in the good ole church of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

We gather tonight to celebrate, to consecrate, and to elucidate their incredible contributions to our heritage.

Elton John and Bernie Taupin... two masters of the popular music genre who have meant so much to our musical world and to our lives.

All right now, let's get into one of their greatest collaborations, from the book of the Jets... Let's get to know a hero of biblical proportions.

And his name is Bennie!

(Scatting).

Hey kids, shake it loose together.

The spotlight's hitting something.

That's been known to change the weather.

(Scatting).

We'll kill the fatted calf tonight.

So, so, so, stick around.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

You're gonna hear electric music, Solid walls of sound.

Say Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet?

Oh, but they're so spaced out.

B-B-B-B-B- Bennie and the Jets.

Oh, but they're weird and they're wonderful.

Oh, Bennie, she's really keen.

She's got electric boots, a mohair suit.

You know I read it in a magazine, oh!

B-B-B-B-B- Bennie and the Jets.

Hey kids, plug into the faithless.

Maybe they're blinded, But Bennie makes them ageless.

We shall survive, let us take ourselves along.

Where we fight our parents out in the streets.

To find who's right and who's wrong.

Say Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet?

Oh, but they're so spaced out.

B-B-B-B-B- Bennie and the Jets.

Oh, but they're weird and they're wonderful.

Oh, Bennie, she's really keen.

She's got electric boots, a mohair suit.

You know I read it in a magazine, oh!

B-B-B-B-B- Bennie and the Jets.

Say Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet?

Oh, but they're so spaced out.

B-B-B-B-B- Bennie and the Jets.

Oh, but they're weird and they're wonderful.

Oh, Bennie, she's really keen.

She's got electric boots, a mohair suit.

You know I read it in a magazine, oh!

B-B-B-B-B- Bennie and the Jets.

Bennie, Bennie and the Jets, yes!

Come on, y'all.

Help me out!

I said, Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie.

(Bennie and the Jets) Hey!

Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie and the Jets!

Oh, Bennie, (Bennie) Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie and the Jets!

I said Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie, (Bennie).

Bennie and the Jets!

Ah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Oh!

(song ends) (audience applause).

Love you, Elton.

Love you.

(audience applause).