The Big Picture (Elton John album)
Elton John's 25th studio album, featuring orchestral arrangements and a Versace dedication.
The Big Picture is the twenty-fifth studio album by British musician Elton John, released on 22 September 1997 through The Rocket Record Company and Mercury Records. It reached the top five of the UK Albums Chart and the top ten of the US Billboard 200, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 1998. The single 'Something About the Way You Look Tonight', re-released as a double A-side with 'Candle in the Wind 1997', became the best-selling single in Billboard history.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Elton John
- Released
- 22 September 1997
- Recorded
- November 1996 – May 1997
- Studio
- The Townhouse and Air Lyndhurst (London, UK)
- Genre
- Pop rock
- Length
- 52:07
- Label
- Rocket
- A&M
- Mercury
- Producer
- Chris Thomas
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Way from Happiness | 4:47 |
| 2 | Live Like Horses | 5:03 |
| 3 | The End Will Come | 4:52 |
| 4 | If the River Can Bend | 5:21 |
| 5 | Love's Got a Lot to Answer For | 5:02 |
| 6 | Something About the Way You Look Tonight | 5:11 |
| 7 | The Big Picture | 3:44 |
| 8 | Recover Your Soul | 5:18 |
| 9 | January | 4:00 |
| 10 | I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You | 4:09 |
| 11 | Wicked Dreams | 4:40 |
| Total length | 52:07 | |
Track listing from the source article.
Background
The album features strong orchestral emphasis, with string arrangements by Anne Dudley and Guy Babylon. In a 2006 interview, John stated that lyricist Bernie Taupin considers The Big Picture his least favourite of their albums, citing the quality of his lyrics and what he called 'abysmally cold and technical' production; John himself regards Leather Jackets as their weakest. The album is dedicated to fashion designer Gianni Versace, murdered months before its release. It is John's last album produced by Chris Thomas, and the only one where neither Davey Johnstone nor Bob Birch contribute backing vocals. Drummer Charlie Morgan was dismissed shortly after the album's release.
Outtakes
'Live Like Horses' was originally recorded in 1994 for Made in England but omitted due to time constraints; a 1996 duet version with Luciano Pavarotti was released as a single, while the album features a solo performance. Two completed tracks, 'Past Imperfect' and an alternate version of 'Recover Your Soul', have not been officially released.
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