The Story Behind "The Greek Song"

Rufus Wainwright composes and performs songs marked by intelligence, humor, and pathos. In his rendition, his songs are at once achingly plaintive and hip, their frank romanticism only barely mediated by a light dose of irony.

In a concert in Los Angeles, Wainwright was joined on-stage by Elton John, with whom he sang a duet of "Greek Song." It's a song about representatives of two different societies, an American guy and a Greek guy, meeting each other and having a brief sexual relationship and motorcycle adventure, and their different expectations of life.

Wainwright guest on Elton John 's "American Triangle," a tribute to Matthew Shepard, the gay University of Wyoming student who was brutally murdered in 1998 because of his sexual orientation. The two openly gay singer/pianists didn't meet during the recording, as Wainwright was in New York and Elton was in Los Angeles. But after Wainwright laid down the backing vocals for the chorus, he did receive a phone call from Elton.

When he had his addiction troubles, seeking guidance, he telephoned his friend Elton John, who persuaded him to check in to rehab at the Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota. He detoxed and underwent therapy at the facility, which he has stated in several interviews gave him "a second chance".

On 20th October, on stage at The New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City, they will be performing Elton John's famed "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" from start to finish, in the "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" tribute live show.

Greek Song Lyrics:

"You who were born with the sun above your shoulders
You turn me on you turn me on
You have to know
You who were born where the sun she keeps her distance
You turn me on you turn me on
But so does she

You who were born there where beauty is existence
You turn me on you turn me
Your body heals my soul

You who were born where you shiver and you shudder
You turn me on the girl is gone so come on
Lets go

All the pearls of china
Fade astride a volta
Dont sew beelines to anybodys hide
Save your poison for a lover who is on your side

One way is rome and the other way is mecca
On either side on either side
Of our motorbike
One way is home and the other way is papa
On either side on either side and
Prepared to strike

When I get back I will bleed after my beating
Dont leave me here dont leave me here
Im scared to death

All the pearls of china
Fade astride a volta
Dont sew beelines to anybodys hide
Save your poison for a lover who is on your side

All the pearls of china
Fade astride a volta
Dont sew beelines to anybodys hide
Save your poison for a lover who is on your side"