Levon

Elton John's song 'Levon' delves into the complexities of legacy, identity, and the desire for freedom. The character Levon is portrayed as a man who wears his past and his struggles like a crown, symbolizing both pride and burden. Naming his child Jesus, Levon seems to be seeking a sense of significance or redemption, perhaps reflecting his own aspirations and the weight of expectations he carries. The lyrics suggest that Levon is financially successful, yet his life is monotonous and confined, as he spends his days counting money in a garage by the motorway.

The song also touches on generational expectations and the cyclical nature of life. Levon was born into a modest background on a Christmas Day, a day symbolically rich with themes of birth and renewal. The mention of the New York Times declaring 'God is dead' and the beginning of a war adds a layer of existential crisis and societal upheaval to Levon's birth. His father, Alvin Tostig, names him Levon, setting the stage for a life that is expected to follow a 'family plan' of being a 'good man.' This tradition and expectation seem to trap Levon in a life that, while successful on the surface, lacks true fulfillment.

The character of Jesus, Levon's son, represents a contrasting desire for freedom and escape. While Levon is entrenched in the family business of selling cartoon balloons, Jesus dreams of going to Venus, symbolizing a yearning for a life beyond the mundane and the inherited responsibilities. This generational conflict highlights the tension between duty and the pursuit of one's own dreams. As Levon slowly dies, both literally and metaphorically, Jesus's aspirations to leave signify a hope for breaking free from the cycle of expectations and finding personal liberation.