Released September, 1982 Genre Rock, acoustic pop | Recorded September-October 1981 Length 3:27 | |
B-side "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" (alternate version) Label Geffen (US)
Rocket (UK) | ||
"Ball and Chain" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the third track on his 1982 album Jump Up! and was released as a single in the United States in September that year. It features Pete Townshend of The Who on acoustic guitar.
Contents
Lyrical meaning
The song is basically about bad love, simply a relationship that is just not working. The woman is simply not giving her piece in the relationship. The man feels that he has "A ball and chain hanging around his heart". Osborne also added some French words into the song.
Musical structure
The song opens with Pete Townshend's percussive guitar playing, and subtle piano from Elton John. The song then builds to a climactic finish, placing the final verse one octave higher.
Personnel
Covers
Country music artist Kathy Mattea covered the song on her 1985 album From My Heart.