Last year, Texas native Maren Morris was one of a couple dozen artists chosen to cover Elton John’s greatest hits in a double, tribute album titled Revamp and Restoration. It did not take long for Maren to decide to cover “Mad Hatters and Mona Lisas.”
“It had always been one of those roadtrip songs from my childhood that made me want to get out of my comfort zone and experience the world,” Morris told Taste of Country. “The way Bernie and Elton wrote this song about their first time visiting New York City is so similar to how I felt when I moved to Nashville. Exhilarated, terrified, determined, lonely…”
Luckily for the talented country singer, she received the great honor of meeting Bernie Taupin and Elton John after the 2018 Grammy Awards. “I met Elton and he was wearing a red Gucci jacket and red-tinted frames and we drank tea and he told me about his love for country music and how in another life he was Southern,” Morris continued. “I met Bernie Taupin and I couldn’t imagine a more humble, genius poet. I mean, holy s–t, there are writers on Music Row that have had one hit and think they’re entitled to everything. Not Bernie. He was such a genuine soul.”
Revamp and Restoration were released on April 6th. The first half of the record was reserved for pop stars, while the second half of the project was saved for country stars.
Listen to Maren Morris’ beautiful rendition of “Mad Hatters and Mona Lisas” below…
“Mad Hatters and Mona Lisas” Lyrics
And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow in New York City
Until you’ve seen this trash can dream come true
You stand at the edge while people run you through
And I thank the Lord there’s people out there like you
I thank the Lord there’s people out there like you
While Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light
This Broadway’s got
It’s got a lot of songs to sing
If I knew the tunes I might join in
I’ll go my way alone
Grow on my own seeds shall be sown in New York City
Subway’s no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can ride and the hobo he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found
While Mona Lisas and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light
And now I know
Spanish Harlem are not just pretty words to say
I thought I knew
But now I know that rose trees never grow
in New York City
Subway’s no way for a good man to go down
Rich man can hide and the hobo, he can drown
And I thank the Lord for the people I have found
I thank the Lord for the people I have found
While Mona Lisas and mad hatters
Sons of bankers, sons of lawyers
Turn around and say good morning to the night
For unless they see the sky
But they can’t and that is why
They know not if it’s dark outside or light
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