Bernie Taupin and the Narrative Strength of Venezuela

Bernie Taupin and the Narrative Strength of “Venezuela” on He Who Rides the Tiger (1980)

In 1980, Bernie Taupin entered a new phase of his artistic life with the release of He Who Rides the Tiger, his first official album as a lead vocalist and primary songwriter after more than a decade working as Elton John’s lyricist. Issued by Elektra/Asylum Records, the LP marked Taupin’s effort to assert his own creative identity beyond the partnership that had made him internationally renowned.

The album features songs written by Bernie Taupin in collaboration with American musician Dennis Tufano, who composed all of the music. Among its tracks, “Venezuela” stands out for its vivid, concrete storytelling, rooted in the cultural and maritime landscape of the Venezuelan coast. The lyrics evoke fishermen, shrimp boats, the sea route between Caracas and Trinidad, driftwood fires used to cook fresh fish, and seafaring tales involving pirate wrecks and the Mary Celeste. Taupin’s writing is direct rather than metaphorical, presenting a carefully constructed portrait of Caribbean coastal life and its rhythms.

“Venezuela” reflects a period in which Taupin sought more cinematic narratives, shifting away from the pop ballad format often associated with his work alongside Elton John. At the time, his personal and professional life was also undergoing significant transformation. In an interview published in People magazine on June 23, 1980, Taupin described experiencing a creative and emotional crisis following years of extraordinary success. The article documents his temporary separation from Elton John, his struggles with alcohol, and the process that led to the creation of He Who Rides the Tiger—a project he viewed as a moment of artistic rebirth.

The album was released on vinyl by Elektra/Asylum Records under the catalog number 6E-263, as listed in contemporary discographic records. All lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, and all music was composed by Dennis Tufano. Musically, the LP blends California rock, Caribbean percussive elements and landscapes, and Taupin’s signature narrative detail, resulting in one of the most distinctive works in his catalog.

The original interview referenced in this article can be accessed in full at the People magazine digital archive:

https://archive.org/details/people-magazine-1980-06-23-john-travolta-red/page/n54/mode/1up

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