Context

This line is sung by Elton John in the song "Someone Saved My Life Tonight," written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, from his album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975).

This song chronicles the difficult choice Sir Elton John had to make—whether to marry his fiancée or drop her and focus on the music. The decision was so tough, and he felt so trapped, he actually attempted suicide. A few of his friends, including co-writer Bernie Taupin, talked him out of the marriage, saving his music career (and his life). He escaped what would have been a humdrum existence, masking his true self, and instead opted for his true love: music! Sorry, sugar bear.

Where you've heard it

Your parents are probably more prone to playing this in the car on the morning commute than you'll ever be, but you can't deny Sir Elton's musical prowess. Kanye West, ever the connoisseur, sampled the song on "Good Morning."

Additional Notable References:

• The song was referenced multiple times by a character in Stephen King's book Wolves of the Calla, prompting one book reviewer to call it the theme song of the book.
• Sugar Bear is also the name of the mascot for Post's Golden Crisp cereal (formerly Sugar Crisp).
• It's also in the trailer for the movie Moonlight Mile (2002), featuring a young Jake Gyllenhaal.
• Apparently, there are "sugar bear" gummy vitamins to make your hair grow.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

If you're singing this line to a friend who's literally saved you from something (or someone), that's okay. Otherwise, you're walking a fine line of pretentiousness.