B-side "Conquer the Sun" Recorded August 1979 | Released 1 May 1980 (US) Label Rocket | |
Genre Rock, Pop, Adult Contemporary Length 4:46 (single)
5:08 (album) | ||
"Little Jeannie" (spelled "Little Jeanie" on the cover of the single) is a song by Elton John and Gary Osborne, recorded by John and released as a single in 1980 from John's album 21 at 33. It reached number three on the Billboard pop chart in the United States, becoming the singer's biggest U.S. hit since 1976's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (a duet with singer Kiki Dee), and his highest-charting solo hit since 1975's "Island Girl".
It became John's fifth #1 on the U.S. Adult contemporary chart, and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It peaked at #3 in both Billboard and Cash Box.
In Canada, it hit #1 one on the RPM 100 national singles chart.
Composed in the key of B flat, which allowed its notable saxophone solo to ring out, the song can be described as an uptempo ballad similar in feel, with its electric piano, to his earlier 1973 hit, "Daniel". In the US, it would be Elton's highest-charting single co-written with Gary Osborne, while in the UK, where the song only reached number 33, "Blue Eyes" would eventually hold that honour.
Despite its impressive performance in the US charts, Elton has rarely performed "Little Jeannie" live, doing so only on his 1980 tour and during 2000's One Night Only concerts.