Elton John’s Most Overlooked ’80s Singles — And Why They Still Hit
No rock artist ruled the pop landscape of the 1970s quite like Elton John. His dominance during that decade was so overwhelming that it often overshadows just how successful he remained in the 1980s. Far from fading away, John continued to deliver hit after hit and proved himself one of the era’s most reliable chart forces.
Because he released so many well-known songs in the ’80s, several strong singles from that period have slipped through the cracks over time. Still, these four lesser-celebrated tracks deserve a second look from anyone who appreciates his catalog.
“Blue Eyes”
John’s legendary songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin produced countless classics, but the two briefly went their separate ways in the late ’70s and early ’80s. During that interval, John worked with other lyricists, while Taupin wrote for different artists. When the 1982 album Jump Up! arrived, Taupin had returned in a limited role, but the lyrics for “Blue Eyes” came from Gary Osborne. The result is a moody, late-night ballad that wouldn’t sound out of place in Frank Sinatra’s songbook. Today, it’s often eclipsed by the John Lennon tribute Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny), which appeared on the same album. At the time, however, “Blue Eyes” was actually the bigger hit in both the U.S. and the U.K.
“Kiss the Bride”
Many fans consider Too Low for Zero, released in 1983, to be John’s strongest album of the decade. That assessment isn’t surprising, as it marked Taupin’s full-time return and reunited John with much of the band that powered his early-’70s classics. The record’s major singles—I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues and I’m Still Standing—dominated attention, leaving little room for the third single, “Kiss the Bride.” Still, the song captures John at his most spirited. It tells the story of a man watching a former lover marry someone else, knowing her history but lacking the courage to interrupt her moment.
“In Neon”
While critics were less enthusiastic, Breaking Hearts (1984) confirmed that John’s commercial resurgence was no fluke. The album’s standout hit was Sad Songs (Say So Much), while “In Neon” quietly peaked at No. 38 on the U.S. charts before disappearing from view. Its low profile is understandable—it doesn’t immediately grab the listener. But its understated beauty reveals itself over time. Taupin’s lyrics paint a poignant portrait of an aspiring actress chasing fame, and John builds from hushed verses to a soaring, emotional chorus.
“A Word in Spanish”
The title Reg Strikes Back hinted at a major comeback, though the 1988 release stops short of being a full return to classic form. It did, however, produce a huge hit with I Don’t Want to Go On with You Like That. By contrast, “A Word in Spanish” has largely vanished from the cultural conversation, despite reaching No. 19 in the U.S. at the time. It’s a graceful and underrated track, colored by Latin-inspired touches that suit its theme. In the song, John struggles to articulate the depth of his feelings, ultimately leaning on a foreign word he doesn’t fully understand—one borrowed from a film that left a lasting impression.
