Released 22 September 1997 Length 52:13 Release date 22 September 1997 | Recorded Spring–Summer 1997 Genre Adult contemporary music | |
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Similar Elton John albums, Other albums | ||
Elton john long way from happiness
The Big Picture is the twenty-sixth studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John, released in 1997. It includes four worldwide singles: "Live Like Horses" (a duet with Luciano Pavarotti only for the single version), "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" (released later also as a double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997"), "Recover Your Soul" and "If the River Can Bend".
Contents
- Elton john long way from happiness
- Elton john the big picture
- Background
- Production
- Track listing
- Outtakes
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
Elton john the big picture
Background
The album has a strong orchestral emphasis with string arrangements written by Anne Dudley and John's then backup keyboardist Guy Babylon. In 2006, John revealed in an interview that Bernie Taupin, his longtime friend and lyricist, considers this his least favourite album they have created, while John believes that to be Leather Jackets from 1986. Taupin dislikes this album because of the overall quality of his lyrical contribution and because "the production is abysmally cold and technical".
The album was dedicated to John's friend, popular fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before the album's release. This was the last album to date to be produced by Chris Thomas, who had worked with John almost nonstop since 1981's The Fox. This is the only album in which neither Davey Johnstone nor bassist Bob Birch (during his tenure as Elton's bassist from 1992–2012) provide backing vocals. Drummer Charlie Morgan was let go from the band shortly after the album's release and soon replaced by Curt Bisquera and John's old drummer Nigel Olsson, who remains in the lineup to this day.
Production
Track listing
All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Outtakes
"Live Like Horses" was originally recorded in 1994 and intended for Elton's previous studio album, "Made In England" but lack of time for the inclusion ruled this out. The original single version of the song was a duet with Luciano Pavarotti released in 1996, but was performed solo for this album. "Past Imperfect" and an alternate version of "Recover Your Soul" were completed by John for inclusion on The Big Picture. Both songs have yet to see official release.
Personnel
Songs
1Long Way From Happiness4:46
2Live Like Horses5:02
3The End Will Come4:53