A Single Man

Product Information

John announced in 2018 that he would retire from live performances after the farewell tour so he could spend more time with his family, having done over 4,000 concert performances in more than 80 countries. As for myself, I consider A Single Man to be not only exceptional but a must-own for all Elton John fans for it is criminally underrated and if given another chance, I’ve no doubt it will reach a broader audience. Yes, Shooting Star is another album-only tune, but when listened to in the linear album structure, the smoothness of Shooting Star makes perfect sense. 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".

A Single Man (album) - Wikipedia

John stopped wearing his trademark glasses in public for a period during the late 1970s, and the album photo reflects this. Unlike previous compositions in which lyrics came first, John started writing melodies at a piano, and an album unintentionally came about from this. A Single Man is the first of Elton John's albums to not include work by lyricist Bernie Taupin, and the first since his debut Empty Sky without producer Gus Dudgeon.The single subsequently hit number one in every country that it charted in and became the biggest-selling single of all time since the UK and US charts began in the 1950s, with worldwide sales of 33 million. While it may not boast the same chart-topping hits as some of his previous albums, A Single Man is a testament to Elton John's musical versatility and ability to adapt to the evolving musical landscape of the late ‘70s. As with many of John's releases of the late 1970s and the 1980s, it received generally mixed reviews from critics. Also featured on these tracks are the backing vocals of the female staff from Rocket Records, credited as 'The South Audley Street Girls' Choir'.

A Single Man - Elton John

Shooting Star,” a moody wisp of a ballad, and “Song for Guy,” a synthesized instrumental of the sort you might hear in a dentist’s office, round out the debacle. A Single Man demonstrates just how thin the line really is between disposable radio pop and elevator music, and suggests that for all of Elton John’s public whining about not being taken seriously, the only thing that’s ever mattered to him is that the hits keep coming. The epitome, of ready-made pop, they’re as hummable as they are hackneyed, but because the singer treats them more seriously than they deserve, they sound lifeless. Elton gets a new lyricist and a new tailor, but it speaks volumes that the second single was an instrumental.John's critical and commercial success was at its peak in the 1970s, when John released a streak of chart-topping albums in the US and UK which began with Honky Château (1972) and culminated with Blue Moves (1976) , and also included his best-selling album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) and concept album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975). Don’t let that deter you, however, as John is a consummate musician and A Single Man is a stunning release, from his back catalogue, that is severely underrated. Even the best tune, “Shine On Through,” is marred by hopelessly trite words (“Oh my love/I have cursed the stars above”) and a dull, slogging arrangement. Sine from Above" did not enter the main chart in the United Kingdom but entered the download component chart at number 59.

Review] Elton John: A Single Man (1978) - Progrography [Review] Elton John: A Single Man (1978) - Progrography

He has collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 and is one of the most successful artists of all time, having sold over 300 million records worldwide in a six-decade career in music. From starting his music career in 1969 to retiring from touring in 2023, John did over 4,000 concert performances in more than 80 countries. In 1970, a year after starting his solo career, John released his first hit single, " Your Song", which became his first top ten in both the UK and the US. While the length of It Ain't Gonna Be Easy ensured it wouldn’t be heard over the airwaves, unless truncated to a radio edit, music lovers ultimately missed out on one of the very best songs of the 70s.With its funky pop-infused rhythm and catchy melody, there’s little doubt as to why Part Time Love has endured as a fan favourite throughout the decades; an incredible tune!