The Overlooked Songs From Each Elton John Album
via Elton John/YouTube
Musical Gems
With a career spanning almost six decades, Sir Elton John has a massive catalog full of hits. As one of the best-selling artists of all time, he has sold more than 300 million records worldwide with over fifty Top 40 hits in the US and UK. But with so many albums, there’s bound to be several overlooked gems in his discography.
Let’s check them out.
30. The Captain & the Kid (2006) – “Just Like Noah’s Ark”
It’s what rock ‘n roll is about.
29. Leather Jackets (1986) – “I Fall Apart”
Beautifully written.
28. Wonderful Crazy Night (2016) – “Tambourine”
From his most recent studio album, Elton John proved he still has it.
27. Peachtree Road (2004) – “Weight of the World”
How this has been largely forgotten is beyond us.
26. Victim of Love (1979) – “Warm Love in a Cold World”
Even his most ardent fans have mixed feelings about this but the song grows on you.
25. Ice on Fire (1985) – “Soul Glove”
It definitely deserves more appreciation.
24. The Diving Board (2013) – “My Quicksand”
As unforgettable as his more popular works.
23. The Big Picture (1997) – “Love’s Got a Lot to Answer For”
We love the diversity of his music but his ballads are truly something else.
22. The Fox (1981) – “Elton’s Song”
Based on its title, you can tell this is pretty personal to him. The lyrics tell the story of a teenage boy who has a crush on another teenage boy. Elton John told Rolling Stone, “It was the first gay song that I actually recorded as a homosexual song.”
21. Reg Strikes Back (1988) – “Heavy Traffic”
Absolutely catchy!
20. Made in England (1995) – “Cold”
Overshadowed by the other tracks on the album, “Cold” is hands-down perfect.
19. Sleeping with the Past (1989) – “Blue Avenue”
It’s about John’s failed marriage to Renate Blauel which lasted only three years.
18. Breaking Hearts (1984) – “Burning Buildings”
That flawless vocal performance.
17. The One (1992) – “When A Woman Doesn’t Want You”
One of his songs that make you feel nostalgic.
16. Jump Up! (1982) – “Where Have All the Good Times Gone?”
Lyricist and longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin may have called “Jump Up!” as “one of our worst albums” but this one’s a gem.
15. Rock of the Westies (1975) – “Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future)”
John once said that he wanted this as the LP’s first single because for him, it had more commercial appeal. In the end, it wasn’t released as a single.
14. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) – “I’ve Seen That Movie Too”
The LP spawned several classic hits which is why this has been forgotten.
13. Elton John (1970) – “The Greatest Discovery”
It hits you right in the feels.
12. Madman Across the Water (1971) – “Indian Sunset”
He revealed to Rolling Stone magazine that it’s one of his favorite songs to perform live. He said, “I do ‘Indian Sunset’ with Ray Cooper. Nobody knows that song at all, it’s an obscure track from Madman Across the Water, and it gets a standing ovation every night. It’s a six-minute movie in a song.”
11. Tumbleweed Connection (1970) – “My Father’s Gun”
According to John, it’s one of Bob Dylan’s favorite songs.
10. Blue Moves (1976) – “Crazy Water”
The musicianship here is insane.
9. Songs from the West Coast (2001) – “The Boy in the Red Shoes”
From the lyrics to the delivery, it will move you to tears.
8. Caribou (1974) – “I’ve Seen the Saucers”
Co-written with Taupin, this touches on his fascination with science fiction.
7. Too Low for Zero (1983) – “Cold as Christmas”
Even his underrated tracks are awesome.
6. Empty Sky (1969) – “Empty Sky”
The album is often remembered for “Skyline Pigeon” but its title track is just as enjoyable.
5. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975) – “(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket”
Just phenomenal.
4. Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (1973) – “Blues for Baby and Me”
One of his greatest songs, no doubt.
3. A Single Man (1978) – “Song for Guy”
John wrote, “As I was writing this song one Sunday, I imagined myself floating into space and looking down at my own body. I was imagining myself dying. Morbidly obsessed with these thoughts, I wrote this song about death. The next day I was told that Guy [Burchett], our 17-year-old messenger boy, had been tragically killed on his motorcycle the day before. Guy died on the day I wrote this song.”
2. 21 at 33 (1980) – “White Lady White Powder”
It’s magical.
1. Honky Château (1972) – “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters”
It’s one of his “all-time favourites” and it’s pretty easy to see why.
