Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)" is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin for the album Reg Strikes Back.

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)"
Single by Elton John
from the album Reg Strikes Back
B-side"A Word in Spanish"
Released1988 (U.S.)
Recorded1987
GenreRock
Length4:12 (album version)
6:19 (12" version)
LabelRocket
Songwriter(s)Elton John , Bernie Taupin
Producer(s)Chris Thomas
Elton John singles chronology
"A Word in Spanish"
(1988)		 "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)"
(1988)		 "Through the Storm"
(1989)

It was released as a 12" single in 1988 (only in U.S.). The single did not include the basic version from Reg Strikes Back album.

The song is about New York City and is a continuation of the song "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" from the 1972 album Honky Château. Although the song follows the same meaning of its predecessor, it has a very different tempo and instrumental arrangement, and is in many ways a more complex song, with a variety of key changes and unusual chords throughout the song. There is also a brief homage to the Beatles' song "Drive My Car" that can be heard during the trumpet solo at 2:18, where Elton and the backup singers interject "beep beep, beep beep, yeah!".

Although not a particularly popular song, some critics judged it "most intriguing" song or "brightest moment" of the album.[1][2] Elton John played both versions of the song sequentially in concerts from the release of "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two" in 1988 through to 1993.

Track listing
12"

A.

  1. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two (The Renaissance Mix)" — 6:15
  2. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two (The Da Vinci Version)" — 4:47

B.

  1. "A Word in Spanish" — 4:35
  2. "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Part Two (Self Portrait Instrumental)" — 4:55

Personnel
  • Elton John: Roland RD-1000 digital piano, vocals
  • Freddie Hubbard: trumpet, flugelhorn
  • Davey Johnstone: guitars, backing vocals
  • Fred Mandel: synthesizers
  • Charlie Morgan: drums
  • Dee Murray: backing vocals
  • Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
  • David Paton: bass
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References
  1. Grein, Paul (3 July 1988). "Elton: Second Wind". articles.latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  2. Holden, Stephen (17 July 1988). "RECORDINGS; Three Veteran Rock-and-Rollers Spin New Disks". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 29 January 2012.


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