I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Encyclopedia
"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a song by British singer Elton John
(with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
) featuring Stevie Wonder
on harmonica
. The song received largely favourable reviews, with Bill Janovitz of Allmusic declaring the song "likely to stand the test of time as a standard
." It has gone on to be one of John's most-played songs on radio selections from the 1980s portion of his career. It is also quite well known for being played at Chelsea F.C.
's home matches.
UK 7" single
. Released as a single in April 1983, the song reached number five in the UK chart and number four in the US chart six months later. The song was also featured on the film soundtrack to Peter's Friends
in 1992.
The music video features two young lovers that are separated when he leaves for military training, and then finally reunited at the end of the song. It was filmed in the Rivoli Ballroom
in London and is marked as one of the very few times John has been filmed or videotaped without wearing his trademark eyeglasses.
It was performed live by Mary J. Blige
and Elton John, and this version of the song was part of the Mary J. Blige & Friends
EP. A live version of the song with Mary J. Blige also appeared on John's One Night Only – The Greatest Hits live compilation, recorded in Madison Square Garden in October 2000. Another live version, this one featuring just Elton and basic rhythm section, was recorded live in Verona in 1996 during Elton's appearance with Luciano Pavarotti as part of the master tenor's Pavarotti and Friends for War Child benefit concerts. Produced by Phil Ramone, this version of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" was included as a B-side on the Rocket Records maxi CD single of "Live Like Horses", which also included Elton John's original studio version from 1997's The Big Picture
album, and studio and live versions of a duet of "Horses" by John and Pavarotti.
A fan favorite, John has also performed it live numerous times, occasionally playing it as part of a medley along with his hit "Blue Eyes" (from the 1982 album Jump Up!
).
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
(with lyrics by 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...
) featuring Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
on harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
. The song received largely favourable reviews, with Bill Janovitz of Allmusic declaring the song "likely to stand the test of time as a standard
Traditional pop music
Traditional pop or classic pop or standards music denotes, in general, Western popular music that either wholly predates the advent of rock and roll in the mid-1950s, or to any popular music which exists concurrently to rock and roll but originated in a time before the appearance of rock and roll,...
." It has gone on to be one of John's most-played songs on radio selections from the 1980s portion of his career. It is also quite well known for being played at Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
's home matches.
In media
- The song appeared in an episode of Max and Paddy's Road to NowhereMax and Paddy's Road to NowhereMax and Paddy's Road to Nowhere was an award-winning British comedy television show on Channel 4 starring and written by Peter Kay and Patrick McGuinness. All the episodes were also directed by Kay. It began on 12 November 2004 and ran for six 30 minute episodes up until 17 December 2004, with each...
in 2004. - In 2007, the Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
episode "No Meals on WheelsNo Meals on Wheels"No Meals on Wheels" is the fourteenth episode of the fifth season of the animated comedy series Family Guy. It originally aired on Fox in the United States on March 25, 2007. The episode features the Griffin family opening a restaurant, and eventually become overwhelmed by Joe Swanson and his...
" featured the song as the soundtrackSoundtrackA soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to a montage of Peter GriffinPeter GriffinPeter Griffin is a fictional character and the protagonist of the animated comedy series Family Guy and the patriarch of the Griffin family. He is voiced by cartoonist Seth MacFarlane and first appeared on television, along with the rest of the family in the 15-minute short on December 20, 1998....
's difficulties during 45 minutes of life in a wheelchairWheelchairA wheelchair is a chair with wheels, designed to be a replacement for walking. The device comes in variations where it is propelled by motors or by the seated occupant turning the rear wheels by hand. Often there are handles behind the seat for someone else to do the pushing...
. - The song appeared in a Verizon wireless ad in early February 2010.
- In this same year, this song was used as a tribute to Disney's 50th Animated Motion Picture, showing all the characters, including the main protagonists of Tangled.
- In 2011, Paul McDonaldPaul McDonald (musician)Paul McDonald is an American singer-songwriter from Huntsville, Alabama, who as of 2011 resides in Nashville, Tennessee...
sang this song on the tenth season of American IdolAmerican Idol (season 10)The tenth season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2011 and concluded on May 25, 2011, on Fox. The show underwent a number of changes from season nine, including the reduction of the judging panel to its original number of just three judges , a returning executive producer, a new music...
for "Year They were Born Week".
Track listing
US 7" single- "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
- "The Retreat"
UK 7" single
- "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
- "Choc Ice Goes Mental"
Song life
The song appeared on the album Too Low for ZeroToo Low for Zero
Too Low for Zero is the 17th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1983. For the first time since Blue Moves in 1976, all lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, who has continued in this role to the present day. At the insistence of Taupin, John decided to go back to...
. Released as a single in April 1983, the song reached number five in the UK chart and number four in the US chart six months later. The song was also featured on the film soundtrack to Peter's Friends
Peter's Friends
Peter's Friends is a 1992 British comedy-drama film written by Rita Rudner and her husband Martin Bergman, and directed and produced by Kenneth Branagh....
in 1992.
The music video features two young lovers that are separated when he leaves for military training, and then finally reunited at the end of the song. It was filmed in the Rivoli Ballroom
Rivoli Ballroom
The Rivoli Ballroom is one of the few remaining ballrooms in London, England. It is at 350 Brockley Road London SE4 2BY, opposite Crofton Park overground rail station. It started life as the Crofton Park Picture Palace in July 1913 and was converted into a ballroom in 1957, reopening in 1959 with...
in London and is marked as one of the very few times John has been filmed or videotaped without wearing his trademark eyeglasses.
It was performed live by Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
and Elton John, and this version of the song was part of the Mary J. Blige & Friends
Mary J. Blige & Friends
Mary J. Blige & Friends is a compilation album released by Mary J. Blige. It was sold exclusively in Circuit City starkt, and includes tracks featuring guest artists such as Sting, Robin Thicke, and Nas...
EP. A live version of the song with Mary J. Blige also appeared on John's One Night Only – The Greatest Hits live compilation, recorded in Madison Square Garden in October 2000. Another live version, this one featuring just Elton and basic rhythm section, was recorded live in Verona in 1996 during Elton's appearance with Luciano Pavarotti as part of the master tenor's Pavarotti and Friends for War Child benefit concerts. Produced by Phil Ramone, this version of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" was included as a B-side on the Rocket Records maxi CD single of "Live Like Horses", which also included Elton John's original studio version from 1997's The Big Picture
The Big Picture (Elton John album)
-Outtakes:The original single version of "Live Like Horses" was a duet with Luciano Pavarotti in 1996, but was performed solo for this album. "Past Imperfect" and an alternate version of "Recover Your Soul" were completed by Elton John for inclusion on The Big Picture...
album, and studio and live versions of a duet of "Horses" by John and Pavarotti.
A fan favorite, John has also performed it live numerous times, occasionally playing it as part of a medley along with his hit "Blue Eyes" (from the 1982 album Jump Up!
Jump Up!
Jump Up! is the 16th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1982 on Rocket Records except in the US and Canada, where it was released on Geffen Records. It features such songs as "Empty Garden ", a tribute to John Lennon...
).
Charts
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Germany (Media Control AG Media Control Charts The official music charts in Germany are gathered and published by the company Media Control GfK International on behalf of Bundesverband Musikindustrie... ) |
22 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade Swiss Music Charts The Swiss Music Charts are Switzerland's main music sales charts. The charts are a record of the highest-selling singles and albums in various genres in Switzerland.The Swiss Charts include:* Singles Top 75... ) |
12 |
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Adult Contemporary | 1 |
| Canadian Top Singles | 9 |
Personnel
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
: 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...
, keyboards, vocals - Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
: guitars, backing vocals - Dee MurrayDee MurrayDee Murray was an English bassist, best known as a member of Elton John's original rock band.-Biography:Murray was born David Murray Oates in Southgate, London in 1946...
: bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, backing vocals - Nigel OlssonNigel OlssonNigel Olsson is an English rock drummer, who is best known for his work with Elton John. Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as one of the first members of John's band, on drums, percussion and backing vocals. When not working with Elton, Olsson has taken up the role of a session musician...
: drums, backing vocals - Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
: harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
External links
- Video on AOLAOLAOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
website - Fanlisting
- Lyrics for "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" at Bernietaupin.com