Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me Single UK: 1991

A Wembley Live Charity No. 1 Duet

Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 25, 1991, on Epic Records (catalogue: 657646 7), George Michael & Elton John’s “Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me” was a live duet recorded at Wembley Arena on March 23, 1991. Backed with George’s “I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever),” this charity release (proceeds to London Lighthouse & Rainbow Trust) stormed to No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart for 2 weeks. Issued in solid centre, large hole, 12-inch, CD, and cassette formats. A landmark ‘90s charity No. 1.

Single Overview

Release Details

Label: Epic Records.

Formats: Vinyl 7" (solid/large hole centre), 12", CD, cassette.

Full Track Listing by Format

7" Vinyl (657646 7) – UK

Side A

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Live) (5:48) – Written-By: Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Side B

I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) (7:01) – Written-By: S. Wonder, Y. Wright

12" Vinyl (657646 5) – UK

Side A

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Live) (5:48)

Side B

1. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) (7:01)

2. Last Christmas (Wham!) (4:24)

CD Single (657646 2) – UK

1. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Live) (5:48)

2. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever) (7:01)

3. If You Were My Woman (4:03)

4. Fantasy (5:00)

Cassette Single (657646 4) – UK

Both sides identical

1. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (Live)

2. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)

Reissues & Global Variants (all supplied)

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Solid Centre – Epic 657646 7 – UK – 1991

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo, Large Hole – Epic 657646 7 – Europe – 1991

- 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Promo – Epic ARIE 3071 – Spain – 1991

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – Columbia 38-74086 – US – 1991

- 7", 45 RPM, Single, Large Hole – Epic 657646 7 – Europe – 1991

- 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single – Epic 76.001 – Brazil – 1991

- 7", 45 RPM, Single – Columbia QCL45-10389 – Philippines – 1991

- 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single – Epic 52.221 – Brazil – 1991

Production and Context

Live duet recorded at Wembley Arena, March 23, 1991. Engineered by Chris Porter. Arranged/Produced by George Michael. Charity release for London Lighthouse & Rainbow Trust Children's Charity.

Official Singles Chart Data

Peak position: 1

10 weeks – December 7, 1991 to February 8, 1992

1 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 8 → 24 → 42 → 56 → 70

Legacy and Collectibility

“Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” is George Michael & Elton John’s charity live No. 1 masterpiece. Original UK Epic pressings fetch £5–£20 on eBay/Discogs. Verify catalogue 657646 7. Streams on Spotify preserve the Wembley magic. This single is a must-have for ‘90s charity collectors.

Do you have Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me in your vinyl stack? Did the sun stay up? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube

What’s the next classic vinyl you’d like to feature? Share in the comments!

Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, mistakes do happen. Simply leave a comment and the post will be updated. Thank you.