Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Encyclopedia
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, released in 1973, is the seventh studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John
. It has come to be regarded as Elton John's best and most popular album, and is his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of at least 15 million copies.
Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville
, the album contains the Marilyn Monroe
tribute, "Candle in the Wind
", as well as three successful singles: "Bennie and the Jets
", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
, and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
".
The album was ranked number 91 on Rolling Stone
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
, and placed at number 59 in Channel 4
's 2009 list of 100 Greatest Albums.
wrote the lyrics in two and a half weeks, with John composing most of the music in 3 days while staying at the Pink Flamingo Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica
. Production on the album was started in Jamaica in January 1973, though after difficulties with the sound system and the studio piano, coupled with disturbance due to the Joe Frazier
and George Foreman
boxing match taking place in Kingston, and violent political tension due to the poor economic situation, the band decided to move before any productive work was done. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was recorded in two weeks at the Château d'Hérouville
in France, where John had previously recorded Honky Château
and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
. Only a version of "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" was recorded in Jamaica, but that recording was discarded and the final, released version of the song came from the sessions at the Château.
According to the album's producer, Gus Dudgeon, the album wasn't planned as a two-record collection. In total, John and Taupin composed 22 tracks for the album, of which 18 (if one includes both "Funeral For A Friend" and "Love Lies Bleeding") were used, enough that it was released as a double album, John's first (three more such albums would follow up to 2011). The songs, mostly around the theme of nostalgia for a more humble childhood and an older American culture as seen through eyes of the movies, included "Bennie and the Jets
", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
, and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
", using memories of a Market Rasen
pub Taupin frequented when younger, the 11-minute, "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
"; and the Marilyn Monroe
tribute, "Candle in the Wind
". "Grey Seal" was previously a b-side of the 1970 single, "Rock n' Roll Madonna
", and was re-recorded for the album.
"Harmony
", the album's final track, was considered as a fourth single, but was not issued
because the chart longevity of the album and its singles brought it too close to the upcoming releases of Caribou
and its proposed accompanying singles. "Harmony" was, however, popular on FM playlists of the day, especially Boston's
WBZ-FM
, whose top 40 chart allowed for the inclusion of LP
cuts and B-sides as voted for by listeners. "Harmony" spent three weeks at number one on WBZ-FM's chart in June 1974 and ranked number six for the year, with "Bennie and the Jets" at number one and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
” behind “Harmony” at number seven. “Harmony” was released as a single in Britain in 1980 and failed to chart, but has emerged as a fan favourite. Elton John has been known to play it live on occasion.
(2003) and DVD-Audio
(2004). These high resolution releases included the original stereo mixes, as well as 5.1 remixes produced and engineered by Greg Penny
.
, "Bennie and the Jets
", and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
".
It was certified Gold on 10/12/1973, Platinum through 5x Platinum on 3/23/1993, 6x Platinum on 9/11/1995 and 7x Platinum on 8/26/1998 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The album was ranked number 91 on Rolling Stone
magazine's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
. It was placed at number 59 in Channel 4
's 2009 list of 100 Greatest Albums.
Musicians
Additional Musicians
Production
}
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
. It has come to be regarded as Elton John's best and most popular album, and is his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of at least 15 million copies.
Recorded at the Château d'Hérouville
Château d'Hérouville
The Château d'Hérouville is a French château of the 18th century located in the village of Hérouville, in the Oise valley near Paris. The castle was built in 1740 by Gaudot, an architect of the school of Rome. In the 19th century, it was used as courier relay station and stabled a hundred...
, the album contains the Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
tribute, "Candle in the Wind
Candle in the Wind
"Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier....
", as well as three successful singles: "Bennie and the Jets
Bennie and the Jets
"Bennie and the Jets" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs....
", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (song)
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is a ballad performed by musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Its musical style and production is heavily influenced by 1970s soft rock...
, and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" is a rock song performed by musician Elton John and covered by W.A.S.P., Flotsam and Jetsam, Nickelback , Queen and The Who...
".
The album was ranked number 91 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
, and placed at number 59 in Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's 2009 list of 100 Greatest Albums.
Production
Under the working titles of Vodka and Tonics and Silent Movies, Talking Pictures, Bernie TaupinBernie 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...
wrote the lyrics in two and a half weeks, with John composing most of the music in 3 days while staying at the Pink Flamingo Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
. Production on the album was started in Jamaica in January 1973, though after difficulties with the sound system and the studio piano, coupled with disturbance due to the Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier
Joseph William "Joe" Frazier , also known as Smokin' Joe, was an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a one-fight comeback in 1981....
and George Foreman
George Foreman
George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...
boxing match taking place in Kingston, and violent political tension due to the poor economic situation, the band decided to move before any productive work was done. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road was recorded in two weeks at the Château d'Hérouville
Château d'Hérouville
The Château d'Hérouville is a French château of the 18th century located in the village of Hérouville, in the Oise valley near Paris. The castle was built in 1740 by Gaudot, an architect of the school of Rome. In the 19th century, it was used as courier relay station and stabled a hundred...
in France, where John had previously recorded Honky Château
Honky Château
Honky Château is the fifth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1972. In 2003, the album was ranked number 357 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. It was certified Gold on 7/24/1972 and Platinum on 10/11/1995 by the R.I.A.A...
and Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player is the sixth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John. It was released by DJM Records....
. Only a version of "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" was recorded in Jamaica, but that recording was discarded and the final, released version of the song came from the sessions at the Château.
According to the album's producer, Gus Dudgeon, the album wasn't planned as a two-record collection. In total, John and Taupin composed 22 tracks for the album, of which 18 (if one includes both "Funeral For A Friend" and "Love Lies Bleeding") were used, enough that it was released as a double album, John's first (three more such albums would follow up to 2011). The songs, mostly around the theme of nostalgia for a more humble childhood and an older American culture as seen through eyes of the movies, included "Bennie and the Jets
Bennie and the Jets
"Bennie and the Jets" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs....
", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (song)
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is a ballad performed by musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Its musical style and production is heavily influenced by 1970s soft rock...
, and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" is a rock song performed by musician Elton John and covered by W.A.S.P., Flotsam and Jetsam, Nickelback , Queen and The Who...
", using memories of a Market Rasen
Market Rasen
Market Rasen is a town and civil parish within the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. It lies on the River Rase northeast of Lincoln, east of Gainsborough and southwest of Grimsby. According to the 2001 census, it has a population of 3,200....
pub Taupin frequented when younger, the 11-minute, "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding
"Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" is the opening song on the double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John. The first part, "Funeral for a Friend", is an instrumental created by John while thinking of what kind of music he would like at his funeral...
"; and the Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, model and showgirl who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful motion pictures during the 1950s....
tribute, "Candle in the Wind
Candle in the Wind
"Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier....
". "Grey Seal" was previously a b-side of the 1970 single, "Rock n' Roll Madonna
Rock n' Roll Madonna
"Rock and Roll Madonna" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. The song was released as a single in Britain in 1970, where it never charted. It appeared on several bootlegs and rarities compilations before it appeared on the 1995 remaster of his self-titled album. The song...
", and was re-recorded for the album.
"Harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
", the album's final track, was considered as a fourth single, but was not issued
because the chart longevity of the album and its singles brought it too close to the upcoming releases of Caribou
Caribou (album)
Caribou is the 8th studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1974 . It was John's 4th chart-topping album in the U.S. and his 3rd in the U.K. The album contains the singles, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", which reached # 16 in the UK Singles Chart and # 2 in the U.S.,...
and its proposed accompanying singles. "Harmony" was, however, popular on FM playlists of the day, especially Boston's
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
WBZ-FM
WBZ-FM
WBZ-FM is a sports radio station known as "98.5 The Sports Hub" and broadcasting on 98.5 MHz in Boston, Massachusetts. Owned by CBS Radio, the current WBZ-FM began on August 13, 2009 and competes with AM sports talk stations WEEI and competed with the ESPN Radio pair of WAMG and WLLH before their...
, whose top 40 chart allowed for the inclusion of LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
cuts and B-sides as voted for by listeners. "Harmony" spent three weeks at number one on WBZ-FM's chart in June 1974 and ranked number six for the year, with "Bennie and the Jets" at number one and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is the first single from British musician Elton John's 1974 album Caribou; it was released that year during the latter half of May in the United Kingdom, and on 10 June in the United States.-Lyrics and music:...
” behind “Harmony” at number seven. “Harmony” was released as a single in Britain in 1980 and failed to chart, but has emerged as a fan favourite. Elton John has been known to play it live on occasion.
Release
The original 1973 LP, when released on CD, were released on two discs, while the 1995 CD remaster put the album on one disc as it was slightly less than 80 minutes. The 30th anniversary edition followed the original format, splitting the album across two discs to allow the inclusion of the bonus tracks, while a DVD on the making of the album was also included. The album has also been released by Mobile Fidelity as a single disc 24 karat gold CD. The album (including all four bonus tracks) was released on SACDSuper Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
(2003) and DVD-Audio
DVD-Audio
DVD-Audio is a digital format for delivering high-fidelity audio content on a DVD. DVD-Audio is not intended to be a video delivery format and is not the same as video DVDs containing concert films or music videos....
(2004). These high resolution releases included the original stereo mixes, as well as 5.1 remixes produced and engineered by Greg Penny
Greg Penny
Greg Penny is an American record producer, recording engineer, mixing engineer, musician, songwriter and artist best known for his work as a producer for Elton John and kd lang, as well as his 5.1 surround sound production and mixing...
.
Reception
Initially regarded as having some good tracks, but being too diverse, not holding together, and being too long and patchy, it has come to be regarded as Elton John's best and most popular album, and is his best selling studio album with worldwide sales of at least 31 million copies. Three singles were released in the U.S.A.: "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (song)
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is a ballad performed by musician Elton John. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and composed by John for his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Its musical style and production is heavily influenced by 1970s soft rock...
, "Bennie and the Jets
Bennie and the Jets
"Bennie and the Jets" is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song is written in the key of G major and first appeared on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album in 1973. "Bennie and the Jets" has been one of John's most popular songs....
", and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting
Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting
"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" is a rock song performed by musician Elton John and covered by W.A.S.P., Flotsam and Jetsam, Nickelback , Queen and The Who...
".
It was certified Gold on 10/12/1973, Platinum through 5x Platinum on 3/23/1993, 6x Platinum on 9/11/1995 and 7x Platinum on 8/26/1998 by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The album was ranked number 91 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine's 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
"The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" is the title of a 2003 special issue of American magazine Rolling Stone, and a related book published in 2005.Related news articles:...
. It was placed at number 59 in Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
's 2009 list of 100 Greatest Albums.
Disc one
Disc two
Bonus tracks (2003 Deluxe edition)
Personnel
According to the album's liner notes:Musicians
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
– vocals, piano (1–6,8–17), electric piano (5,6), organ (3), organs (7), Farfisa organ (5,13), mellotron (5,6,11), Leslie piano (11) - 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...
– bass - Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
– acoustic, electric, Leslie, slide and steel guitars, banjo - 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 - Ray CooperRay CooperRay Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
– tambourine, congas
Additional Musicians
- Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson – backing vocals (tracks 1, 2, 4, 10, 13, 17)
- Del Newman – orchestral arrangement (tracks 4, 8, 9, 10, 15, 17)
- Leroy Gomez – Saxophone solo on "Social Disease"
- David Hentschel – A.R.P. synthesiser (tracks 1 and 12)
- Kiki DeeKiki DeeKiki Dee is an English singer with a career spanning more than 40 years....
– Backing Vocals on "All the Girls Love Alice"
Production
- Producer: Gus DudgeonGus DudgeonAngus Boyd Dudgeon , most commonly known as Gus Dudgeon was an English record producer, most notable for production of many of Elton John's recordings.-Early career:...
- Engineer: David HentschelDavid HentschelDavid Hentschel is an English recording engineer, writer and music producer who engineered on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass and Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, as well as with artists including Genesis, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Queen, Marti Webb, Andy Summers, Mike Oldfield, Peter...
- Assistant engineers: Peter Kelsey, Andy Scott
- Tape operator: Barry Sage
- Orchestra contractor: David Katz
- Arranger: Del Newman
- Art direction: David Larkham, Michael Ross
- Artwork: David Larkham, Michael Ross, Ian BeckIan BeckIan Archibald Beck is an English children's illustrator and author. In addition to his numerous children's books, he is also most famous for his cover illustration on Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album...
- Liner notes: Gus Dudgeon, John ToblerJohn ToblerJohn Hugen Tobler is a British rock music journalist, writer, occasional broadcaster, and record company executive.With Pete Frame, he was one of the founders of ZigZag magazine in April 1969...
Chart positions
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart Kent Music Report The Kent Music Report was a weekly record chart of Australian music singles and albums which was compiled by music enthusiast David Kent from May 1974 through to 1998... |
1 |
| Canadian RPM Albums Chart RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... |
1 |
| Italian Albums Chart | 5 |
| Japanese Oricon LP Chart Oricon , established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc... |
22 |
| Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart VG-lista VG-listen is a Norwegian record chart. It is weekly presented in the newspaper VG and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation program Topp 20. It is considered the primary Norwegian record chart, charting albums and singles from countries and continent around the world. The data is collected by... |
5 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
1 |
| West German Media Control Albums Chart | 41 |
Certifications
}}
Year-end charts
| Chart (1973) | Position |
|---|---|
| Italian Albums Chart | 36 |
| Chart (1974) | Position |
| Australian Albums Chart | 2 |
| Canadian Albums Chart RPM Year-End RPM Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or album's performance in Canada, based upon the RPM magazine charts during any given chart year.-RPM year-end number ones:... |
37 |
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
7 |
| U.S. Billboard Year-End Billboard Year-End Billboard Year-End charts are a cumulative measure of a single or album's performance in the United States, based upon the Billboard magazine charts during any given chart year. Billboard's "chart year" runs from the first week of December to the final week in November... |
1 |