Sigmund in Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes

[Michael Blake]

Bernie's lyrics refer to Sigmund in that song, and I was wondering what
is the meaning of the reference. Thanks.

-- mike

[Karen M]

Post by Michael Blake
Bernie's lyrics refer to Sigmund in that song, and I was wondering what
is the meaning of the reference. Thanks.
-- mike

"Sigmund" seems to be as elusive as "Alvin Tostig". I've been looking
for a ballet with a character called Sigmund since the question first
came up. I've found nothing.

There is a ballet called "The Red Shoes", based on the Hans Christian
Andersen fairy tale. The main character is a young girl, though.

[Michael Blake]

Thanks. It's comforting that at least the answer isn't a no-brainer.

-- mike

Post by Karen M

Post by Michael Blake
Bernie's lyrics refer to Sigmund in that song, and I was wondering what
is the meaning of the reference. Thanks.
-- mike

"Sigmund" seems to be as elusive as "Alvin Tostig". I've been looking
for a ballet with a character called Sigmund since the question first
came up. I've found nothing.
There is a ballet called "The Red Shoes", based on the Hans Christian
Andersen fairy tale. The main character is a young girl, though.

[MagicWhite]

Sigmund was a composer of ballets around the high point of ballets , back in
the 1940's and 50's. Go to google , type in Sigmund Ballet you will find it
there.

[Michael Blake]

Post by MagicWhite
Sigmund was a composer of ballets around the high point of ballets , back in
the 1940's and 50's. Go to google , type in Sigmund Ballet you will find it
there.

Very interesting. Thanks!

--mike

[Harmony]

Post by MagicWhite
Sigmund was a composer of ballets around the high point of ballets , back in
the 1940's and 50's. Go to google , type in Sigmund Ballet you will find it
there.

**Sorry, but I've been into ballet since before the King of England
died (1952) when my ballet lessons ended, and there is NO famous
person in the ballet world, named, Sigmund. There was Prince
Siefried, from Swan Lake, but no Sigmund.
(and there was no "high point" in ballet ~ it's always been popular,
since the 1800's I think.)

The only reference in Google about a Sigmund, is Sigmund Romberg the
composer, but he did not do ballets. (wrote The Student Prince ~ a
musical/light opera) The Desert Song and a few other famous and
popular songs. (such as "deep in my heart")

or this one, who is still alive and who no one's really heard of.
(certainly not famous, nor died of AIDS, as far as I know)

http://composers21.com/compdocs/lillebjs.htm

Mr. Sigmund Lillebjerka from Norway (born 1931)
STAGE: The Sea Monster (ballet music)

=====

Bernie MUST have been referring to the famous *Sigmund* Freud)

He wouldn't have used an unusual name like that, without referring to
someone world famous!

Why doesn't someone ask Bernie!!!!??????? (or Elton)


In fact, Bernie should write a book about his lyrics, since so many of
them are elusive!

Who the F*ck is he referring to!!!!!!????

It's driving me mad!!! ;-))

Brenda (the ballerina!:-))

[MagicWhite]

Sigmund Romberg IS exactly the reference "I FEEL" Taupin is making here. Name
another Sigmund related to Ballet? I can't so for now that is fine with me. How
many Sigmund's could there be? And frankly who cares, I think it's Kudo's to
Elton that he can sing such a silly name in a lyric! :)

[NUMBER1EJFAN]

Post by MagicWhite
Sigmund Romberg IS exactly the reference "I FEEL" Taupin is making here. Name
another Sigmund related to Ballet? I can't so for now that is fine with me. How
many Sigmund's could there be? And frankly who cares, I think it's Kudo's to
Elton that he can sing such a silly name in a lyric! :)

He also composed a song called "The Girl In Red Tights".
Laura

[MagicWhite]

Yes and back then she was Sigmalia. :)

[Knoc Knoc]

Hello Sir/Ma

Can I invest in your country through you?

I am an investor who is looking for a good company or any profitable investment projects in your country where he can invest with $450 Million.

Are you able to handle this investment? Please contact me for more details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Dr.Si Woo Kim
Executive Consultant
On behalf of Mr. Dong Sub Kim
President/CEO
Korea National Oil Corporation - KNOC(Woo: 44538)
Jongga-ro 305, Jung-gu, Ulsan Ulsan 305
Republic of Korea
www.knoc.co.kr

한 국 석유 공사 (KNOC). 하나 이상의 첨부 파일을 포함하지 않을 수있는이 전자 메일은 기밀 사항이며 권한있는 정보를 포함 할 수 있습니다. 개인의 이름 만 사용하도록되어 있습니다. 지정된 수취인이 아닌 경우이 전자 메일을 보급, 배포 또는 복사 할 수 없습니다. 이 전자 메일을 실수로받은 경우 전자 메일을 통해 즉시 보낸 사람에게 알리고 이후 시스템에서삭제하십시E-mail Disclaimer Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC). This email, which may include no, one or more attachments is strictly confidential and may c

[Knoc Knoc]

Hello Sir/Ma

Can I invest in your country through you?

I am an investor who is looking for a good company or any profitable investment projects in your country where he can invest with $450 Million.

Are you able to handle this investment? Please contact me for more details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Dr.Si Woo Kim
Executive Consultant
On behalf of Mr. Dong Sub Kim
President/CEO
Korea National Oil Corporation - KNOC(Woo: 44538)
Jongga-ro 305, Jung-gu, Ulsan Ulsan 305
Republic of Korea
www.knoc.co.kr

한 국 석유 공사 (KNOC). 하나 이상의 첨부 파일을 포함하지 않을 수있는이 전자 메일은 기밀 사항이며 권한있는 정보를 포함 할 수 있습니다. 개인의 이름 만 사용하도록되어 있습니다. 지정된 수취인이 아닌 경우이 전자 메일을 보급, 배포 또는 복사 할 수 없습니다. 이 전자 메일을 실수로받은 경우 전자 메일을 통해 즉시 보낸 사람에게 알리고 이후 시스템에서삭제하십시E-mail Disclaimer Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC). This email, which may include no, one or more attachments is strictly confidential and may c

[Crockrock]

Why doesn't someone ask Bernie!!!!??????? (or Elton)

****************

Bernie has already answered the question on EJ.COM.

Taupin on Ballad of the Boy in Red Shoes: "If you listen closely it's not
hard to figure out what it's about. OK, it's about a ballet dancer dying of
Aids, reflecting on when he was youthful and alive (...Back then I was
Sigmund...Hand me my Red Shoes I want to dance...") Get the picture? Also I
wanted to make as harsh a condemnation as I could of the Reagan White House
for initially ignoring the existence of this disease and refusing to fund
research. Listen and figure that one out, it's in there OK..."

[Noreen & Joe Romano]

I don't think Romberg is related to ballet. Please see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Romberg and
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046896/.

Neither is Lillebjerka. http://www.lillebjerka.com/

Sigmund Freud? I don't think so.

Nor does Bernie clear up the mystery with his comment on EJ.com.

Maybe "Sigmund" is simply a made-up name ala Alvin Tostig.

Cheers,
Noreen

[glenboy]

Here's some links to the British film from 1948 called "The Red Shoes"
that's about a Russian ballet company. It's based on the Hans
Christian Andersen tale as was mentioned earlier. I'm not sure but I
believe the lead character (a ballerina) wears the red shoes and has a
tragic ending.

http://homevideo.about.com/library/weekly/aafpr111301.htm

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000IPHT/102-8190667-8936118?v=glance&vi=contents

There's no one named Sigmund in the cast, but the credits list a bunch
of people as "Dancers." I would tend to agree that Sigmund is a made
up character, perhaps imagined to be one of the Dancers????

Bernie won't explain his lyrics, but there seems to be some references
from or connection to this film. Maybe he saw this film in his
childhood. Yes/No?
Glen

[Noreen & Joe Romano]

Kate Bush's last (I think) release was called "The Red Shoes." I believe
the title track was based on the British film.

Cheers,
Noreen

[Stephen]

I think what probably happened is that when Bernie wrote the lyrics he
was thinking of Prince Siegfried from "Swan Lake" and made a mistake and
called him "Sigmund". Either that or he simply decided that "Sigmund"
scanned or fitted better in the song and left it that way. I know when
I heard the song for the first time and saw the discussions about it on
here I was sure the lead character in "Swan Lake" was Sigmund... but
obviously I was wrong. Not much of a ballet fan really <grin>
Anyway... thats what *I* think happened.

Steve

Post by Noreen & Joe Romano
I don't think Romberg is related to ballet. Please see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Romberg and
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046896/.
Neither is Lillebjerka. http://www.lillebjerka.com/
Sigmund Freud? I don't think so.
Nor does Bernie clear up the mystery with his comment on EJ.com.
Maybe "Sigmund" is simply a made-up name ala Alvin Tostig.
Cheers,
Noreen

[Noreen & Joe Romano]

I'd had a similar thought, that "Siegfried" may have been the original name
in the lyric but perhaps when Elton sat down with it he changed
it..."Sigmund" works better than "Siegfried."

We'll probably never know... :-)

Cheers,
Noreen

[j***@gmail.com]

Post by Noreen & Joe Romano
I'd had a similar thought, that "Siegfried" may have been the original name
in the lyric but perhaps when Elton sat down with it he changed
it..."Sigmund" works better than "Siegfried."
We'll probably never know... :-)
Cheers,
Noreen

If you go to "urbandictionary.com" you will have your answer...

Sigmund

A male with a huge penis, eyes, and hair
"Man that guy is a sigmund"

[Knoc Knoc]

Hello Sir/Ma

Can I invest in your country through you?

I am an investor who is looking for a good company or any profitable investment projects in your country where he can invest with $450 Million.

Are you able to handle this investment? Please contact me for more details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Dr.Si Woo Kim
Executive Consultant
On behalf of Mr. Dong Sub Kim
President/CEO
Korea National Oil Corporation - KNOC(Woo: 44538)
Jongga-ro 305, Jung-gu, Ulsan Ulsan 305
Republic of Korea
www.knoc.co.kr

한 국 석유 공사 (KNOC). 하나 이상의 첨부 파일을 포함하지 않을 수있는이 전자 메일은 기밀 사항이며 권한있는 정보를 포함 할 수 있습니다. 개인의 이름 만 사용하도록되어 있습니다. 지정된 수취인이 아닌 경우이 전자 메일을 보급, 배포 또는 복사 할 수 없습니다. 이 전자 메일을 실수로받은 경우 전자 메일을 통해 즉시 보낸 사람에게 알리고 이후 시스템에서삭제하십시E-mail Disclaimer Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC). This email, which may include no, one or more attachments is strictly confidential and may c

[Knoc Knoc]

Hello Sir/Ma

Can I invest in your country through you?

I am an investor who is looking for a good company or any profitable investment projects in your country where he can invest with $450 Million.

Are you able to handle this investment? Please contact me for more details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Dr.Si Woo Kim
Executive Consultant
On behalf of Mr. Dong Sub Kim
President/CEO
Korea National Oil Corporation - KNOC(Woo: 44538)
Jongga-ro 305, Jung-gu, Ulsan Ulsan 305
Republic of Korea
www.knoc.co.kr

한 국 석유 공사 (KNOC). 하나 이상의 첨부 파일을 포함하지 않을 수있는이 전자 메일은 기밀 사항이며 권한있는 정보를 포함 할 수 있습니다. 개인의 이름 만 사용하도록되어 있습니다. 지정된 수취인이 아닌 경우이 전자 메일을 보급, 배포 또는 복사 할 수 없습니다. 이 전자 메일을 실수로받은 경우 전자 메일을 통해 즉시 보낸 사람에게 알리고 이후 시스템에서삭제하십시E-mail Disclaimer Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC). This email, which may include no, one or more attachments is strictly confidential and may c

[Jane]

Sorry if this is obvious, but Sigmund was a dancer dying of AIDS. Who
exactly Sigmund was, I don't know, but the old man who wouldn't listen
was Ronald Reagan.

Post by Michael Blake
Bernie's lyrics refer to Sigmund in that song, and I was wondering what
is the meaning of the reference. Thanks.
-- mike

[Karen M]

Post by Jane
Sorry if this is obvious, but Sigmund was a dancer dying of AIDS.

Sigmund is not a dancer dying of AIDS. "I" is the dying dancer.

Karen

just flashed on another, non-ballet character Sigmund theory. Will
report back if I can make any sense out of it.

[Chris Del-Manso]

This is obviously not the correct answer, as someone would have easily
come up with it by now if it was, but when I listen to it I imagine
that it means roughly the male equivalent of "ingenue" - so the young
male lead in the ballet.

chris

Post by Karen M

Post by Jane
Sorry if this is obvious, but Sigmund was a dancer dying of AIDS.

Sigmund is not a dancer dying of AIDS. "I" is the dying dancer.
Karen
just flashed on another, non-ballet character Sigmund theory. Will
report back if I can make any sense out of it.

[Knoc Knoc]

Hello Sir/Ma

Can I invest in your country through you?

I am an investor who is looking for a good company or any profitable investment projects in your country where he can invest with $450 Million.

Are you able to handle this investment? Please contact me for more details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Dr.Si Woo Kim
Executive Consultant
On behalf of Mr. Dong Sub Kim
President/CEO
Korea National Oil Corporation - KNOC(Woo: 44538)
Jongga-ro 305, Jung-gu, Ulsan Ulsan 305
Republic of Korea
www.knoc.co.kr

한 국 석유 공사 (KNOC). 하나 이상의 첨부 파일을 포함하지 않을 수있는이 전자 메일은 기밀 사항이며 권한있는 정보를 포함 할 수 있습니다. 개인의 이름 만 사용하도록되어 있습니다. 지정된 수취인이 아닌 경우이 전자 메일을 보급, 배포 또는 복사 할 수 없습니다. 이 전자 메일을 실수로받은 경우 전자 메일을 통해 즉시 보낸 사람에게 알리고 이후 시스템에서삭제하십시E-mail Disclaimer Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC). This email, which may include no, one or more attachments is strictly confidential and may c

[Jane]

This makes it sound fictional.

"Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes" is the best of the rest that fall
between rediscovery and self-homage. Former Madonna collaborator
Patrick Leonard helps John re-create the muscular orchestration of
"Tiny Dancer" to metaphorically suit Taupin's tale of a male ballet
master thinking back on former glories and family frustrations as AIDS
claims his once-agile body. John can't always send his music soaring
the way it used to, but its spirit and ambition have finally come back
home.

http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=2043124&cf=

Post by Karen M

Post by Jane
Sorry if this is obvious, but Sigmund was a dancer dying of AIDS.

Sigmund is not a dancer dying of AIDS. "I" is the dying dancer.
Karen
just flashed on another, non-ballet character Sigmund theory. Will
report back if I can make any sense out of it.

[MagicWhite]

I still can't help wonder how that reviewer, could not hear a 5 star review
when listening to this album. He was almost accurate, the album did reinstate
Elton to his old magic, and wonderfully so. Either you like Old Elton John or
you don't. That's the whole key to this. Mansfield is not everyone's cup of tea
nor is Birds or wasteland..fans of Too Low or Zero and Sad Songs Elton may not
find much to grasp here, oh darn. Maybe he can address that on this next studio
album, but he should not side step what he has accomplished already with this
album. It was a wonder and a marvel the day of its release to us and it remains
that for this fan.

[Komer Growl]

Post by MagicWhite
I still can't help wonder how that reviewer, could not hear a 5 star review
when listening to this album. He was almost accurate, the album did reinstate
Elton to his old magic, and wonderfully so. Either you like Old Elton John or
you don't. That's the whole key to this. Mansfield is not everyone's cup of tea
nor is Birds or wasteland..fans of Too Low or Zero and Sad Songs Elton may not
find much to grasp here, oh darn. Maybe he can address that on this next studio
album, but he should not side step what he has accomplished already with this
album. It was a wonder and a marvel the day of its release to us and it remains
that for this fan.

Remember Taupin's OTHER reference to "Red Shoes" was in the song FASCIST FACES. In that song, the "Red Shoes" meant
"communist leanings"