A Single Man
Encyclopedia
A Single Man is the twelfth studio album
by British singer/songwriter Elton John
, released in 1978, two years after his intended last album Blue Moves
, and one year after the release of Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II. It is the first album John created without his longtime collaborator
Bernie Taupin
or his longtime Producer Gus Dudgeon
. As Gary Osborne
was an unknown at the time, many people have misinterpreted the album's title to imply that Elton wrote the entire album himself. The only returning members of John's band are percussionist Ray Cooper
and guitarist Davey Johnstone
, the latter only played on one song on the album.
The hit "Song for Guy" was a tribute to Guy Burchett, a young Rocket Records
messenger who was killed in a motorcycle accident. The song was a near-global success, charting high everywhere except the United States and Canada, where Elton's label, MCA Records, didn't feel that it had hit potential, due to the recent success of the instrumental
"Music Box Dancer
".
The 1998 reissue has five bonus tracks, the first two being the 1978 flop-single "Ego", and its B-side "Flinstone Boy". The next two tracks are the B-sides of "Part-Time Love" and "Song for Guy" ("I Cry at Night" and "Lovesick" respectively), and the last track, "Strangers", originally B-side of his 1979 disco-album title track, "Victim of Love". Some releases of his 1980 album, 21 at 33
, also have "Strangers" as a bonus track. Paul Buckmaster would not appear on another Elton John Album until Made in England.
The photo for the front cover was taken in the Long Walk, which is part of Windsor Great Park
in Berkshire
. The back cover shows Elton in front of a Jaguar V12.
In the U.S. "A Single Man" was certified Gold on 10/24/1978 and Platinum on 11/15/1978 by the R.I.A.A.
, though it differed in two ways from its release elsewhere. First, the album was re-titled Poyot Elton John ["Elton John sings" in Russian]. Second, on some prints both "Big Dipper" and "Part-Time Love" were removed, due to the subject matter of the songs. Curiously, Elton had performed "Part-Time Love" at the USSR shows without objection from Soviet officials.
Singles – Billboard (North America)
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by British singer/songwriter Elton John
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, released in 1978, two years after his intended last album Blue Moves
Blue Moves
Blue Moves is the eleventh studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1976. It was also his second double album , and his first album released by his own Rocket Records Ltd...
, and one year after the release of Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II. It is the first album John created without his longtime collaborator
Collaboration
Collaboration is working together to achieve a goal. It is a recursive process where two or more people or organizations work together to realize shared goals, — for example, an intriguing endeavor that is creative in nature—by sharing...
Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
or his longtime Producer Gus Dudgeon
Gus Dudgeon
Angus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
. As Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
was an unknown at the time, many people have misinterpreted the album's title to imply that Elton wrote the entire album himself. The only returning members of John's band are percussionist Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
and guitarist Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
, the latter only played on one song on the album.
The hit "Song for Guy" was a tribute to Guy Burchett, a young Rocket Records
Rocket Records
The Rocket Record Company was a record label founded by Elton John, with Bernie Taupin, Gus Dudgeon and Steve Brown among others, in 1972. The name is from the hit, "Rocket Man"...
messenger who was killed in a motorcycle accident. The song was a near-global success, charting high everywhere except the United States and Canada, where Elton's label, MCA Records, didn't feel that it had hit potential, due to the recent success of the instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
"Music Box Dancer
Music Box Dancer
"Music Box Dancer" is an instrumental piece by Canadian musician Frank Mills that was an international hit in the late 1970s. It features a piano theme that is accompanied by other instrumentation, designed to resemble a music box....
".
The 1998 reissue has five bonus tracks, the first two being the 1978 flop-single "Ego", and its B-side "Flinstone Boy". The next two tracks are the B-sides of "Part-Time Love" and "Song for Guy" ("I Cry at Night" and "Lovesick" respectively), and the last track, "Strangers", originally B-side of his 1979 disco-album title track, "Victim of Love". Some releases of his 1980 album, 21 at 33
21 at 33
-Side two:...
, also have "Strangers" as a bonus track. Paul Buckmaster would not appear on another Elton John Album until Made in England.
The photo for the front cover was taken in the Long Walk, which is part of Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park is a large deer park of , to the south of the town of Windsor on the border of Berkshire and Surrey in England. The park was, for many centuries, the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle and dates primarily from the mid-13th century...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. The back cover shows Elton in front of a Jaguar V12.
In the U.S. "A Single Man" was certified Gold on 10/24/1978 and Platinum on 11/15/1978 by the R.I.A.A.
Soviet Release
A Single Man was Elton's first album ever to be officially released in the former USSR, though his previous releases had been smuggled into the country in various forms. It was released following the success of his A Single Man in Concert shows in Moscow and LeningradLeningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
, though it differed in two ways from its release elsewhere. First, the album was re-titled Poyot Elton John ["Elton John sings" in Russian]. Second, on some prints both "Big Dipper" and "Part-Time Love" were removed, due to the subject matter of the songs. Curiously, Elton had performed "Part-Time Love" at the USSR shows without objection from Soviet officials.
Side one
- "Shine on ThroughShine on Through"Shine on Through" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Gary Osborne. The song appears as the opening track on his 1978 album, A Single Man...
" – 3:45 - "Return to ParadiseReturn to Paradise (Elton John song)"Return to Paradise" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the second track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" – 4:15 - "I Don't CareI Don't Care (Elton John song)"I Don't Care" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the third track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" – 4:23 - "Big DipperBig Dipper (Elton John song)"Big Dipper" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the fourth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It gained notice for not being included on the Russian release of the album due to the meaning of the song.-Musical structure:...
" – 4:04 - "It Ain't Gonna Be EasyIt Ain't Gonna Be Easy"It Ain't Gonna Be Easy" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is one of his longest songs recorded, and is the fifth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It also ends side one.-Musical structure:...
" – 8:27
Side two
- "Part-Time LovePart-Time Love"Part-Time Love" is a song written by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the sixth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It is also the opening track of side two. It proved to be one of the most popular singles the couple wrote, along with 1982's "Blue Eyes". It was banned in the...
" – 3:16 - "GeorgiaGeorgia (Elton John song)"Georgia" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the seventh track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" – 4:50 - "Shooting StarShooting Star (Elton John song)"Shooting Star" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the eighth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" – 2:44 - "MadnessMadness (Elton John song)"Madness" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the ninth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" – 5:53 - "ReverieReverie (Elton John song)"Reverie" is an instrumental piece of music by Elton John. It is the tenth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It is the shortest track in his back catalogue, clocking at 52 seconds.-Musical structure:...
" (John) – 0:53 - "Song for GuySong for Guy"Song for Guy" is a mainly instrumental piece of music by Elton John. It is the closing track of his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:Elton said this in the sleeve notes of the 7" single:...
" (John) – 6:35
Bonus tracks (1998 Polydor reissue)
- "EgoEgo (Elton John song)"Ego" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was released as a single in early 1978, and did not appear on the album that came out that year, A Single Man. The song was however included along with all other non-album material from the time on the album's 1998 remaster.The single...
" (John, Bernie TaupinBernie TaupinBernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
) – 4:00 - "Flinstone BoyFlinstone Boy"Flinstone Boy" is a song by Elton John. For a change, John also wrote the lyrics to this song. It came out as the B-side to his 1978 single, "Ego", and appeared as a bonus track on the reissue of his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" (John) – 4:13 - "I Cry at NightI Cry at Night"I Cry at Night" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It appeared as the B-side to his 1978 single, "Part-Time Love".-Musical structure:...
" (John, Taupin) – 3:16 - "LovesickLovesick (Elton John song)"Lovesick" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It originally appeared as the B-side of his 1978 single, "Song for Guy", but was included as a bonus track on the 1998 reissue of his 1978 album, A Single Man.-Musical structure:...
" (John, Taupin) – 3:59 - "StrangersStrangers (Elton John song)"Strangers" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It was originally released as the B-side to his 1979 disco single "Victim of Love", but was recorded during the sessions for A Single Man. It appeared on that album's 1998 remaster as the last track.-Musical structure:The song is...
" – 4:46
B-sides
| Song | Format |
|---|---|
| "I Cry at Night" | Part Time Love 7" (US/UK) |
| "Lovesick" | Song for Guy 7" (US/UK) |
Personnel
- Elton John – PianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Pianos, HarmoniumHarmoniumA harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
, Church Organ, Vocals, Backing Vocals, ClavinetClavinetA Clavinet is an electrically amplified keyboard instrument manufactured by the Hohner company. It is essentially an electronically amplified clavichord, analogous to an electric guitar. Its distinctive bright staccato sound has appeared particularly in funk, disco, rock, and reggae songs.Various...
, MellotronMellotronThe Mellotron is an electro-mechanical, polyphonic tape replay keyboard originally developed and built in Birmingham, England in the early 1960s. It superseded the Chamberlin Music Master, which was the world's first sample-playback keyboard intended for music...
, PolymoogPolymoogThe Polymoog is a polyphonic analog synthesizer that was manufactured by Moog Music from 1975 to 1980. The Polymoog was based on divide-down oscillator technology similar to electronic organs and string synthesizers of the time, and this led to a certain lack of flexibility compared to later...
, Solina String Synthesizer - Ray CooperRay CooperRay Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
– Congas, TambourineTambourineThe tambourine or marine is a musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame, often of wood or plastic, with pairs of small metal jingles, called "zils". Classically the term tambourine denotes an instrument with a drumhead, though some variants may not have a head at all....
, Tympani, VibraphoneVibraphoneThe vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
, Shakers, Wind ChimesWind Chimes"Wind Chimes" is a song composed by Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks for the American rock band The Beach Boys. The original version of the song was written and recorded for the aborted 1966 album Smile. The band completely re-recorded the song for inclusion on their next album, Smiley Smile... - Vicki BrownVicki Brown (singer)Vicki Brown was an English pop, rock and contemporary classical singer. She is best known for her membership of both The Vernons Girls and The Breakaways, and as one of the UK's most enduring backing vocalists...
– Backing Vocals - Paul BuckmasterPaul BuckmasterPaul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
– Orchestra Arrangement, ARP - B.J. Cole – Steel GuitarSteel guitarSteel guitar is a type of guitar or the method of playing the instrument. Developed in Hawaii in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a steel guitar is usually positioned horizontally; strings are plucked with one hand, while the other hand changes the pitch of one or more strings with the use...
- John Crocker – ClarinetClarinetThe clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, Electric PianoElectric pianoAn electric piano is an electric musical instrument.Electric pianos produce sounds mechanically and the sounds are turned into electrical signals by pickups. Unlike a synthesizer, the electric piano is not an electronic instrument, but electro-mechanical. The earliest electric pianos were invented...
, Tenor SaxophoneTenor saxophoneThe tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
, Fender Rhodes - Herbie FlowersHerbie FlowersHerbie Flowers is an English musician specialising in bass guitar, double-bass and tuba. He is noted as a member of Blue Mink, T...
– Acoustic BassDouble bassThe double bass, also called the string bass, upright bass, standup bass or contrabass, is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed string instrument in the modern symphony orchestra, with strings usually tuned to E1, A1, D2 and G2... - Clive Franks – Bass
- Rhythm Box – Rhythm Box
- Patrick Halcox – Trumpet
- Steve Holly – Drums, Horn
- Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
– Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals - Stevie Lange – Backing Vocals
- Henry Lowther – Trumpet
- Gary OsborneGary OsborneGary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
– Backing Vocals - Tim RenwickTim RenwickTimothy John Pearson 'Tim' Renwick is an English guitarist.-Career:Renwick started playing guitar in the 1960s. He performed with many bands, including Little Women, Wages of Sin, Junior's Eyes, The Hype, Quiver and Lazy Racer...
– Acoustic Guitar, MandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, Electric GuitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, Leslie Guitar - Jim Shepherd – TromboneTromboneThe trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
- Joanne Stone – Backing Vocals
- Chris Thompson – Backing Vocals
- Watford Football Club – Backing Vocals
Production
- Producers: Clive Franks, Elton John
- Supervising producer: Mike Gill
- Engineers: Phil Dunne, Stuart EppsStuart EppsStuart Epps is a British record producer and audio engineer. During his career, he has worked with: Kiki Dee, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Oasis, Twisted Sister and Chris Rea...
, Clive Franks, Peter MewPeter MewPeter Mew is a British music audio engineer at Abbey Road Studios where he is now senior mastering engineer. He came to Abbey Road in 1965 as a tape operator and has since worked with many artists at the studio... - Mixing: Phil Dunne, Stuart Epps, Clive Franks
- Mastering: Ian Cooper
- Digital remastering: Gus DudgeonGus DudgeonAngus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
- Coordination: Alex Foster
- Arranger: Joanne Stone
- Orchestral arrangements: Paul BuckmasterPaul BuckmasterPaul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
- Sleeve design: David Costa
- Graphic design: Mike Storey
- Liner editor: John ToblerJohn ToblerJohn Hugen Tobler is a British rock music journalist, writer, occasional broadcaster, and record company executive.With Pete Frame, he was one of the founders of ZigZag magazine in April 1969...
- Liner notes: Chris White
Charts
Album – Billboard (North America)| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Pop Albums | 15 |
Singles – Billboard (North America)
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Ego" | Pop Singles | 34 |
| 1978 | "Part-Time Love" | Pop Singles | 22 |