All Quiet on the Western Front (song)
Encyclopedia
"All Quiet on the Western Front" is a song by Elton John
with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
. It is the closing track of his 1982 album, Jump Up!
. It was also released as a single in the U.K.
without charting.
The song is basically about World War I
, and could easily be influenced by the book of the same name
. The song also ends in a big orchestral finale including a beautiful church organ chord sequence played by James Newton-Howard on a synthesizer, which could be reminiscent of his earlier album closers such as "The King Must Die
" and "Burn Down the Mission
". In the sleeve notes of the compilation album "Elton John Song Book"' , the then recent Falkands Conflict was cited as a major influence for the song being written.
The song's only live performances came during John's world tour during 1982. At a concert on Christmas Eve
, 1982 at the Hammersmith Apollo
, London
, John announced that, at the time, it was "the worst-selling single in Phonogram's
history".
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...
. It is the closing track of his 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...
. It was also released as a single in the U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
without charting.
The song is basically about World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, and could easily be influenced by the book of the same name
All Quiet on the Western Front
All Quiet on the Western Front is a novel by Erich Maria Remarque, a German veteran of World War I. The book describes the German soldiers' extreme physical and mental stress during the war, and the detachment from civilian life felt by many of these soldiers upon returning home from the front.The...
. The song also ends in a big orchestral finale including a beautiful church organ chord sequence played by James Newton-Howard on a synthesizer, which could be reminiscent of his earlier album closers such as "The King Must Die
The King Must Die (song)
"The King Must Die" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It is the closing track of his 1970 self-titled album. As with the rest of the album, the backing was assembled by session musicians.-Lyrical meaning:...
" and "Burn Down the Mission
Burn Down the Mission
"Burn Down the Mission" is the tenth and final song on Elton John's album Tumbleweed Connection, released in 1970.-Song information:"Burn Down the Mission" is musically driven by the story told by Bernie Taupin's lyrics, as is common in John/Taupin collaborations.The lyrics themselves, while...
". In the sleeve notes of the compilation album "Elton John Song Book"' , the then recent Falkands Conflict was cited as a major influence for the song being written.
The song's only live performances came during John's world tour during 1982. At a concert on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, 1982 at the Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainment venue located in Hammersmith, London. Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, being re-named the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, John announced that, at the time, it was "the worst-selling single in Phonogram's
Phonogram Records
Phonogram Records was started in 1962 as a joint venture between Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. In 1972, Phonogram was merged with Polydor Records into PolyGram....
history".