Elton John: A Single Man Album (1978)

Elton John’s A Single Man: A Bold New Chapter from 1978

In the whirlwind of the late 1970s, Elton John was navigating personal and professional reinvention. Released on October 16, 1978, through The Rocket Record Company in the UK (TRAIN 1) and MCA Records in the US (MCA-3065), A Single Man marked his twelfth studio album and a daring departure from his golden-era formula. This was Elton’s first full collaboration with lyricist Gary Osborne, replacing longtime partner Bernie Taupin, and the first without producer Gus Dudgeon since his 1969 debut Empty Sky. Amid a backdrop of Elton shedding his flamboyant image—ditching his iconic glasses and exploring a more introspective style—the album captured a transitional phase, blending piano-driven pop-rock with moody ballads and experimental touches.

The Background:

Reinvention and New Collaborations

By 1978, Elton John had conquered the charts with a string of extravagant 1970s hits, but burnout loomed. Fresh off the double album Blue Moves (1976), which featured a sprawling orchestra and mixed reviews, Elton sought a fresh start. He parted ways with Taupin for the first time on a full album, turning to Gary Osborne—a lesser-known songwriter whose straightforward, emotional lyrics suited Elton’s evolving melodies. Unlike their usual process (lyrics first, music second), Elton composed at the piano before adding words, flipping the script and infusing the record with raw, piano-centric intimacy.Recorded at Superbear Studios in France and The Mill in Berkshire, England, the album was co-produced by Elton and Clive Franks. The band lineup shifted dramatically: Only percussionist Ray Cooper returned fully, with guitarist Davey Johnstone appearing on just one track.

New additions included Tim Renwick (guitar), Herbie Flowers (bass), and Steve Holley (drums), bringing a crisp, less orchestral sound. String arrangements came from Paul Buckmaster (Elton’s longtime collaborator), while Watford Football Club staff (Elton was chairman at the time) and Rocket Records employees provided quirky backing vocals on tracks like "Big Dipper" and "Georgia."

The album’s title sparked misconceptions—many assumed it meant Elton wrote everything solo, given Osborne’s obscurity. The cover, shot by Terry O’Neill, featured Elton sans glasses, leaning against a tree in Windsor Great Park, symbolizing his "single man" phase amid personal changes, including his separation from manager John Reid. A Single Man was also Elton’s first official release in the Soviet Union (retitled Poyot Elton John in 1979), though censored versions omitted "Big Dipper" and "Part-Time Love" for their suggestive themes—despite Elton performing the latter live in Moscow without issue.

Original Track Listing (1978 Vinyl LP)

A Single Man runs about 48:46 across 11 tracks on its original vinyl release, split into two sides. Most songs are Elton John-Gary Osborne collaborations, with two instrumentals by Elton alone. The vibe shifts from upbeat pop to reflective ballads, showcasing Elton’s vocal range and piano prowess. Here’s the original track listing:

Side A:

Shine on Through (3:45) – An uplifting opener with gospel-tinged harmonies.

Return to Paradise (4:00) – A soaring, melodic rocker with lush strings.

Madness (6:09) – A funky, experimental groove with a nod to disco influences.

Reverie (Geno's Theme) (1:01) – A brief, dreamy instrumental.

Spiteful Child (4:14) – A biting, mid-tempo track about resentment.

Georgia (4:35) – A soulful tribute to the American South, with choir-like backing.

Side B:

Shooting Star (3:12) – A heartfelt ballad about lost dreams.

Part-Time Love (3:14) – The lead single, a catchy plea for commitment.

Big Dipper (4:00) – A rollicking, carnival-esque rocker with football chant vocals.

It Ain't Gonna Be Easy (8:25) – An epic, emotional closer about love’s hardships.

Song for Guy (6:38) – A haunting, piano-led instrumental tribute to Elton’s deceased sound engineer Guy Burrows.

Reissue Track Listings

A Single Man has been reissued in various formats, often with remastering and bonus tracks from outtakes and B-sides. The 1998 Mercury edition, remastered by Gus Dudgeon at Abbey Road, added five bonuses, making it the definitive expanded version. Later pressings (e.g., 2005–2012 represses) follow suit.

Here are key reissues:

1998 Mercury CD Remaster (Universal/Island) Original 11 tracks as above.

Bonus tracks: Ego (3:58) – A flop single from 1978, co-written with Bernie Taupin (his only credit here).

Flinstone Boy (3:47) – B-side to "Ego."

Man of the World (3:23) – B-side to "Part-Time Love."

Stranger's Eyes (4:08) – B-side to "Song for Guy."

I Cry at Night (3:09) – A piano-vocal outtake from the sessions.

Total tracks: 16; runtime: ~65:00.

2017 Vinyl Reissue:

(180g Remastered LP, Elton John Official Store) Remastered by Bob Ludwig from original tapes, cut by Sean Magee at Abbey Road.

Original 11 tracks only, no bonuses.

Runtime: ~48:46.

2018 Universal Remastered CD/Digital:

(Streaming on Apple Music/Spotify) Original 11 tracks.

Bonus tracks: Same as 1998 (tracks 12–16).

Total tracks: 16; runtime: ~65:00.

This is the standard streaming version today.

Regional variants, like the 2013 Japanese SHM-CD, mirror the 1998 edition.

Note: Some early 1980s CDs lack bonuses and use the original master.

Chart Positions

"A Single Man" may not have reached Elton John's mid-1970s heights, but it performed well, becoming his 15th US Top 20 album and 14th in the UK. It earned gold certification in the US on October 25, 1978, and platinum by November.

Key chart positions (the album spent 9 weeks on the UK chart and 20 in the US):

Album Charts Peak Position Weeks on Chart Certification Notes

US Billboard 200 15 20 Platinum (1x)

UK Albums (OCC) 8 9 Silver

Canadian RPM Top Albums 17

Australian Kent Music Report 29

Dutch Album Top 100 13

Singles Charts

Three singles were released, with "Song for Guy" becoming a surprise hit (a rare instrumental for Elton). "Part-Time Love" was the lead single, and "Return to Paradise" had limited promotional release.

Single Release Date US Billboard Hot 100 UK Singles (OCC) Other Notes

"Part-Time Love" Oct. 1978 22 15 No. 1 in Netherlands; Elton's last US Top 25 single of the 1970s

"Song for Guy" Dec. 1978 110 (Bubbling Under) 4 No. 1 in Switzerland; Top 10 in France, Ireland, Netherlands

"Return to Paradise" Feb. 1979 - - Promo-only in most regions; No. 31 in Netherlands

"Song for Guy" was initially rejected by MCA for US release due to its instrumental nature but later charted modestly.

The Music: Standout Tracks and Singles

The album’s singles highlighted its diverse sound:

"Part-Time Love" brought funky, horn-driven pop with a call for deeper commitment, peaking during Elton’s US chart success. "Song for Guy," a six-minute piano piece dedicated to sound engineer Guy Burrows (who tragically drowned at age 31), became a touching instrumental classic, often featured in Elton’s solo performances.

"Return to Paradise" offered a dreamy tropical vibe, while fan favorites like the anthemic "Shine on Through" (previewed live in 1977) added to the album's charm.