Elton John's, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" references what children's book and movie?

Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” references The Wizard of Oz, especially its famous yellow brick road leading to the Emerald City. The song uses that imagery to express a desire to leave glamour and public success behind.

The song was written by Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin and released in 1973 as the title track of John’s seventh studio album. Taupin’s lyrics contrast the fantasy world of Oz with a more grounded life, including the image of returning to a farm. The Wizard of Oz connection is therefore both literary and symbolic.

The original source is L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The story became even more culturally recognizable through the 1939 MGM film, whose depiction of the yellow brick road is the version many listeners picture. Strictly speaking, the song’s reference encompasses both Baum’s book and the familiar film tradition, making “The Wizard of Oz” the fair quiz answer.