Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is a song from the Elton John album Honky Château, released in 1972. The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin and was his take on New York City after hearing a gun go off near his hotel window during his first visit to the city. The song's lyrics were partly inspired by Ben E. King's "Spanish Harlem," written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector, in which he sings "There is a rose in Spanish Harlem." In response to this, Taupin writes, Now I knowSpanish Harlem are not just pretty words to sayI thought I knew,but now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City.

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is a song from the Elton John album Honky Château, released in 1972. The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin and was his take on New York City after hearing a gun go off near his hotel window during his first visit to the city. The song's lyrics were partly inspired by Ben E. King's "Spanish Harlem," written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector, in which he sings "There is a rose in Spanish Harlem." In response to this, Taupin writes, Now I knowSpanish Harlem are not just pretty words to sayI thought I knew,but now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City.