The Greatest Hits 1970-2002

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Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9. Greatest Hits no. 135". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011 . Retrieved 15 July 2021. a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrateded.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p.158. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. Elton’s strangest hit, penned as he imagined looking down at his dead body. The next day, he was told that his 17-year old messenger boy, Guy Burchett, had been killed on his bike 24 hours earlier. The (mostly) instrumental’s sole words – “Life isn’t everything” – glide over one of his most heartbreaking, haunting melodies. 8. Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word (1976) Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II is the sixteenth official album release for English musician Elton John, and the second compilation. The original 1977 US version features one song from 1971 and two songs from 1974 that were not on the first greatest hits album. It also features several hit songs from 1975 and two hit singles from Elton's last year of performing in 1976. The cover photograph was taken by Gered Mankowitz.

American album certifications – Elton John". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 12 September 2020. Elton’s fortunes initially upped after meeting his lyricist of many decades, Bernie Taupin, through an advert. Elton (on harpsichord here) later re-recorded this stirring, hymn-like song, which he has described as “the first one of ours we got excited about”. 31. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (1994) The Official UK Charts Company: ALBUM CHART HISTORY". Archived from the original on 16 December 2007 . Retrieved 16 December 2007. What do I have to do to make you love me?” sings Elton, perhaps the most disconsolate opening line of his career. By the mid-70s, touring and drug use were taking a toll, but Elton and Bernie both contribute lyrics to a song about dying love that’s as beautiful as it is sad. 7. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (1972)Elton’s first ever US performance was supporting the late Leon Russell, who shared vocal tips and decades later, joined Elton for the album The Union. This is a beautiful song about a fading love. 43. Believe (1995) Elton famously sang Whatever Gets You Through the Night with his friend John Lennon at Madison Square Garden in 1974. Eight years later, the “garden” stands empty as the former Beatle’s 1980 shooting provides melancholy inspiration for one of Elton’s most affecting ballads. He still performs it. 9. Song for Guy (1978) Photography By [Front Cover Sleeve Illustration Based Upon Original Photograph By] – Terry O'Neill (2)

With the crazy outfits, barmy glasses and wheelbarrows of cocaine of the 70s far behind him, the post-throat op Elton uses his deeper range and older man’s gravitas to maximum effect. 42. Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future) (1975) Another lovely ballad and one of Elton’s biggest, most popular hits. The “Daniel, you’re a star!” vocal flourish is glorious. 23. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee) (1976) Producer Gus Dudgeon always claimed that this gritty song about escape was inspired by Levon Helm, drummer from the Band, whose 1968 album Music From Big Pink had a big impact on Elton and Bernie. But the lyricist insists he “just liked the name”. Elton does too, naming his first son (with husband David Furnish, via a surrogate mother) Zachary Levon Furnish-John. 16. Rotten Peaches (1971) This trademark big ballad about unrequited love was initially a hit in 1974 before the combined star power of G&E gave them a trans-Atlantic 90s No.1. 32. Skyline Pigeon (1969)Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Greatest Hits" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved April 4, 2023. Ubiquity shouldn’t sully the innocent purity of this haunting ballad about a vulnerable Marilyn Monroe, as worshipped by a “kid” from afar. Twenty-three years later, a visibly upset Elton sang a rewritten version at close friend Princess Diana’s funeral, which was subsequently released to become the biggest-selling UK single ever. 10. Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) (1982) Japanese album certifications – エルトン・ジョン – Greatest Hits" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 29 August 2022. Select 1996年7月 on the drop-down menu Japanese album certifications – エルトン・ジョン – エルトン・ジョン・グレイテスト・ヒッツ" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 29 August 2022. Select 2000年12月 on the drop-down menu Elton starts a six-year break from otherwise career-long songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. New lyricist Gary Osbourne doesn’t yet conjure the same magic. 48. Honky Cat (1972)