American album certifications – Elton John". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 12 September 2020. A record award presented to songwriter Bernie Taupin to commemorate sales in the U.K. of the 1977 Elton John album Elton John's Greatest Hits: Volume II" . Retrieved 12 March 2023. What do I have to do to make you love me?” sings Elton, perhaps the most disconsolate opening line of his career. By the mid-70s, touring and drug use were taking a toll, but Elton and Bernie both contribute lyrics to a song about dying love that’s as beautiful as it is sad. 7. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (1972) Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrateded.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p.158. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II is the sixteenth official album release for English musician Elton John, and the second compilation. The original 1977 US version features one song from 1971 and two songs from 1974 that were not on the first greatest hits album. It also features several hit songs from 1975 and two hit singles from Elton's last year of performing in 1976. The cover photograph was taken by Gered Mankowitz.

Elton starts a six-year break from otherwise career-long songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. New lyricist Gary Osbourne doesn’t yet conjure the same magic. 48. Honky Cat (1972)From the film Songs from the West Coast – starring Justin Timberlake as peak glam lunacy era Elton – is this prime Elton ballad. Get the scarves out. 34. Elderberry Wine (1973) Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1sted.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5. In the US, it was certified gold in September 1977, platinum in November 1977, 3× platinum in March 1993, 4× platinum in September 1995, and 5× platinum in August 1998 by the RIAA. Elton famously sang Whatever Gets You Through the Night with his friend John Lennon at Madison Square Garden in 1974. Eight years later, the “garden” stands empty as the former Beatle’s 1980 shooting provides melancholy inspiration for one of Elton’s most affecting ballads. He still performs it. 9. Song for Guy (1978)

Japanese album certifications – エルトン・ジョン – Greatest Hits" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 29 August 2022. Select 1996年7月 on the drop-down menu Elton’s fortunes initially upped after meeting his lyricist of many decades, Bernie Taupin, through an advert. Elton (on harpsichord here) later re-recorded this stirring, hymn-like song, which he has described as “the first one of ours we got excited about”. 31. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (1994)

Recommendations

A chocolate effigy of Sir Elton John at Madame Tussauds in 2015. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images 11. Candle in the Wind (1974) Another lovely ballad and one of Elton’s biggest, most popular hits. The “Daniel, you’re a star!” vocal flourish is glorious. 23. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee) (1976)

A touching song from Made in England, which finds Elton in the role of elder statesman with nothing to prove except his capacity for love, and pleading “let me grow old with you”. 44. When Love Is Dying (with Leon Russell) (2010) Greatest Hits no. 135". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011 . Retrieved 15 July 2021. Recorded when Sir Elton Hercules John was still Pinner, Middlesex teenager Reg Dwight, a classically trained pub pianist and occasional session musician. A fine early career effort from his youthful rhythm and blues outfit. 46. The Ballad of Blind Tom (2013)Japanese album certifications – エルトン・ジョン – エルトン・ジョン・グレイテスト・ヒッツ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 29 August 2022. Select 2000年12月 on the drop-down menu This trademark big ballad about unrequited love was initially a hit in 1974 before the combined star power of G&E gave them a trans-Atlantic 90s No.1. 32. Skyline Pigeon (1969)

Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9. Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Greatest Hits" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 4, 2023. Elton John live at Nippon Budokan, February 1st, 1974, Tokyo, Japan. Photograph: Shinko Music/Getty Images 41. Blue Eyes (1982)

Reviews

Elton and Bernie barely put a foot or note wrong between 1970’s Elton John and 1975’s Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, producing so many great songs that some almost got trampled in the rush. This lesser-known story of a prisoner, missing home, is an underrated gem from Madman Across the Water. 15. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (1975)