A Single Man by Elton John - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

After a dozen albums with lyrical collaborator Bernie Taupin, A Single Man (1978) represents Elton John's first full-length release away from their decade-long partnership. John's initial intent was to complete work on a Taupin-era remnant that had been on the back burner, titled Ego. However, he found himself with some interesting melodies and eventually teamed up with former Vigrass & Osborne member Gary Osborne. Also contributing to this album's different approach is producer Gus Dudgeon -- who had worked with John as far back as his debut long-player, Empty Sky (1969). The infusion of new musical associates takes notable effect on songs such as the opener, "Shine on Through," which John had previously worked up during the Thom Bell Philly soul sessions that produced the hit "Mama Can't Buy You Love." (That version is available as one of three previously unissued sides on the Complete Thom Bell Sessions EP.) Among the other standouts are the gospel-tinged "Georgia," the lengthy blues-rocker "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy," and the ultra campy, if not lightweight, "Big Dipper." The single "Part-Time Love" only made a nominal chart impact despite its catchy and danceable melody.
© Lindsay Planer /TiVo

1. Shine On Through

Background Vocals: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Performer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Gary Osborne
Clive Franks
Steve Holly; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other

2. Return To Paradise

Trumpet: Henry Lowther; Performer
Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Background Vocals: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Performer
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Marimba: Ray Cooper; Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Henry Lowther
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Tim Renwick
Gary Osborne
Clive Franks
Steve Holly; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production

3. I Don't Care

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Background Vocals: Stevie Lange
Chris Thompson
Vicky Brown
Gary Osborne
Joanne Stone; Performer
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Clavichord: Elton John; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Performer: Stevie Lange
Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Chris Thompson
Tim Renwick
Vicky Brown
Gary Osborne
Clive Franks
Steve Holly
Joanne Stone; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other

4. Big Dipper

Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Elton John
Gary Osborne
Watford Football Club
The South Audley Street Girl's Choir; Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Tim Renwick
Jim Shepherd
Gary Osborne
Clive Franks
Pat Halcox
Steve Holly
Watford Football Club
The South Audley Street Girl's Choir
John Crocker; Performer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Clarinet: John Crocker; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Electric Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Trombone: Jim Shepherd; Performer
Trumpet: Pat Halcox; Performer
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other
Unknown Contributor Role: Steve Holly; Other

5. It Ain't Gonna Be Easy

Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Background Vocals: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Performer
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Electric Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Tim Renwick
Gary Osborne
Clive Franks
Steve Holly; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vibraphone: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other

6. Part Time Love

Background Vocals: Stevie Lange
Davey Johnstone
Chris Thompson
Vicky Brown
Gary Osborne
Joanne Stone; Performer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Electric Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Guitar: Davey Johnstone; Performer
Performer: Stevie Lange
Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Davey Johnstone
Ray Cooper
Chris Thompson
Tim Renwick
Vicky Brown
Gary Osborne
Clive Franks
Steve Holly
Joanne Stone; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other
Conga: Ray Cooper; Other
Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production

7. Georgia

Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Harmonium: Elton John; Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
B.j. Cole
Tim Renwick
Clive Franks
Steve Holly
Watford Football Club
The South Audley Street Girl's Choir; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Background Vocals: Watford Football Club
The South Audley Street Girl's Choir; Performer
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Electric Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Mandolin: Tim Renwick; Performer
Organ: Elton John; Performer
Pedal Steel: B.j. Cole; Performer
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other

8. Shooting Star

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Acoustic Guitar: Herbie Flowers; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Keyboard: Elton John; Performer
Percussion: Ray Cooper; Performer
Performer: Herbie Flowers
Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Steve Holly
John Crocker; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Tenor Saxophone: John Crocker; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other

9. Madness

Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Strings Arrangement: Paul Buckmaster; Composer
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Elton John
Ray Cooper
Tim Renwick
Clive Franks
Steve Holly; Performer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Clavichord: Elton John; Performer
Drums: Steve Holly; Performer
Electric Guitar: Tim Renwick; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Tambourine: Ray Cooper; Performer
Timpani: Ray Cooper; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other
Conga: Ray Cooper; Other

10. Reverie

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Performer: Paul Buckmaster
Elton John; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Synthesizer: Paul Buckmaster; Performer
Composer: Elton John; Composer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production

11. Song For Guy

Mellotron: Elton John; Performer
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Bass Guitar: Clive Franks; Performer
Percussion: Ray Cooper; Performer
Performer: Elton John
Ray Cooper
Clive Franks; Performer
Piano: Elton John; Performer
Synthesizer: Elton John; Performer
Vocals: Elton John; Performer
Composer: Elton John; Composer
Engineer: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Mixing: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Studio Personnel: Stuart Epps
Clive Franks
Phil Dunne; Production

12. Ego

Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Composer: Bernie Taupin
Elton John; Composer
Composer Lyricist: Bernie Taupin
Elton John; Other

13. Flinstone Boy

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Composer: Elton John; Composer
Producer: Elton John
Clive Banks; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John; Other

14. I Cry At Night

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Composer: Elton John; Composer
Author: Bernie Taupin; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Banks; Production

15. Lovesick

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Composer: Elton John; Composer
Author: Bernie Taupin; Production
Producer: Elton John
Clive Banks; Production

16. Strangers

Primary Artist: Elton John; Main Performer
Composer: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Composer
Producer: Elton John
Clive Franks; Production
Composer Lyricist: Elton John
Gary Osborne; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

16 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

1 hour, 9 minutes and 28 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 640x640 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

14/16 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

8/16 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock

Label

EMI

Music Distribution Service

Unknown

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1997

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

73145584742