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Released: January 22, 1973


Rating: 3.794 (average of 20 ratings)


Genre: pop


Quotable: --


Album Tracks:

  1. Daniel
  2. Teacher I Need You
  3. Elderberry Wine
  4. Blues for My Baby and Me
  5. Midnight Creeper
  6. Have Mercy on the Criminal
  7. I’m Gonna Be a Teenage Idol
  8. Texan Love Song
  9. Crocodile Rock
  10. High Flying Bird


Sales:

sales in U.S. only 4 million
sales in U.K. only - estimated --
sales in all of Europe as determined by IFPI – click here to go to their site. --
sales worldwide - estimated 6 million


Peak:

peak on U.S. Billboard album chart 1 2
peak on U.K. album chart 1 6


Singles/Hit Songs:

  • Crocodile Rock (11/4/72) #1 US, #5 UK, #11 AC. Platinum single.
  • Daniel (1/20/73) #2 US, #4 UK, #1 AC. Gold single.


Notes: A CD reissue added three B-sides from singles that supported the next album, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. “Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady)” and “Jack Rabbit” were both from the “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” single while “Screw You (Young Man’s Blues)” was on the flip of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Also on the reissue is a piano version of “Skyline Pigeon,” a song first on Elton John’s debut album, Empty Sky.


Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only the Piano Player
Elton John
Review:
“One of the best entries from Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s remarkably successful mid-'70s run, this album still holds up well over a quarter of a century after its release. Even casual fans will recognize Daniel, Elderberry Wine, and Crocodile Rock, but Teacher I Need You, Have Mercy on the Criminal and I’m Going to Be a Teenage Idol are equally good” (Epstein).

“Elton’s backing band at the time (guitarist Davey Johnstone, bassist Dee Murray, and drummer Nigel Olsson) was easily his best, and producer Gus Dudgeon and orchestral arranger Paul Buckmaster bathed the tracks in a warm and enticing glow. The only complaint is that, due to its size, the CD reissue doesn’t remotely do justice to the colorful packaging of the original album” (Epstein).


Review Source(s):


Related DMDB Link(s):

Previous Album: Honky Chateau (1972) Elton John’s DMDB page Next Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)


Last updated January 31, 2009.