21 at 33
Elton John's 21st album, released at age 33.
21 at 33 is the fourteenth studio album by British musician Elton John, released on 23 May 1980 through MCA Records in the US and The Rocket Record Company elsewhere. Co-produced by John and Clive Franks, it was primarily recorded in August 1979 at Super Bear Studios in Nice, France. The album marked a tentative reunion with lyricist Bernie Taupin, who contributed to three songs, while John also collaborated with Gary Osborne, Tom Robinson, and Judie Tzuke. The title refers to it being John's 21st album release overall and his age of 33 at the time.
Quick Facts
- Artist
- Elton John
- Released
- 23 May 1980
- Recorded
- August 1979–March 1980
- Genre
- Rock
- Length
- 42:53
- Label
- Rocket, MCA
- Producer
- Elton John, Clive Franks
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
After the 1976 album Blue Moves, John and Taupin put their partnership on hold. John worked with lyricist Gary Osborne on A Single Man (1978), while Taupin co-wrote Alice Cooper's From the Inside. John's 1979 album Victim of Love, a disco move on which he only provided vocals, was a commercial and critical flop. In 1979, John traveled to the Soviet Union for concerts with percussionist Ray Cooper. The writing for 21 at 33 began in August 1979 in Grasse, France, where John invited Taupin and his wife. They wrote ten songs together, three of which made the album. John also wrote with Osborne, Tom Robinson, and Judie Tzuke. At one point, John considered a double album, but co-producer Clive Franks believed there was insufficient quality material. Most basic tracks were recorded at Super Bear Studios in Nice in August 1979, with overdubs and the track 'White Lady White Powder' recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in early 1980. Technical problems included a mixing console catching fire.
Reader's Guide
21 at 33 was a moderate success, reaching the top 20 on both the US Billboard 200 and UK Albums Chart, and proving far more successful than Victim of Love. The lead single 'Little Jeannie' peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 but stalled at number 33 in the UK. Critical reception was relatively warm, though some critics found the album inconsistent and lacking cohesion. The album marked the first appearance of musicians Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson on an Elton John album since Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975). Contributors included members of Toto and the Eagles. To promote the album, John toured North America and Oceania, including a free concert in Central Park. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA for US sales exceeding 500,000 copies. It represents a return to a more conventional pop and rock sound after the disco of Victim of Love, with a contemporary electronic sound due to synthesizers and electric piano.
Track listing
Side one
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chasing the Crown | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | 5:36 |
| 2 | Little Jeannie | John, Gary Osborne | 5:18 |
| 3 | Sartorial Eloquence | John, Tom Robinson | 4:44 |
| 4 | Two Rooms at the End of the World | John, Taupin | 5:37 |
| Total length | 21:15 | ||
Side two
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | White Lady White Powder | John, Taupin | 4:35 |
| 2 | Dear God | John, Osborne | 3:45 |
| 3 | Never Gonna Fall in Love Again | John, Robinson | 4:07 |
| 4 | Take Me Back | John, Osborne | 3:52 |
| 5 | Give Me the Love | John, Judie Tzuke | 5:19 |
| Total length | 21:38 | ||
Track listing from the source article.
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