<P> Taupin's lyric refers to a time in 1968, before John was popular as a musician, when John was engaged to be married to girlfriend Linda Woodrow . John and Woodrow were sharing a flat with Taupin in Furlong Road in Highbury, London, hence the opening line "When I think of those East End lights ." While having serious doubts about the looming marriage, John contemplated suicide . He took refuge in his friends, especially Long John Baldry, who convinced John to abandon his plans to marry in order to salvage and maintain his musical career . After "sticking his head in the gas oven, but with the windows open", his parents arrived the next day, in a van, to take him back to their apartment in Pinner . </P> <P> As a sign of respect and gratitude to Baldry, Taupin wrote him into the song as the "someone" in the title, and also as "Sugar Bear". </P> <P> Comparisons can be drawn to the earlier John / Taupin composition Skyline Pigeon - as both songs contain the metaphor of a creature flying free towards the sky to signify escape from marriage, with the creature in this case being a butterfly . </P> <P> Some radio stations altered the song or refused to play it due to the use of the phrase "Damn it" in the second verse . </P>

Who was someone saved my life tonight written about