Elton John: Blue Moves Album (1976)

A Melancholy Masterpiece

Elton John’s Blue Moves double LP, was released in the UK on October 22, 1976, on The Rocket Record Company (catalogue: ROSP 122). This 18-track album, his second double studio release, showcased a reflective and eclectic blend of pop, rock, jazz, and ballads, marking a shift from his earlier upbeat hits. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, with contributions from lyricist Bernie Taupin and a stellar band, the album peaked at No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart for 10 weeks. Issued in a gatefold sleeve with moody artwork, it’s a landmark of Elton’s mid-’70s introspection.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: The Rocket Record Company (UK).

Formats: Double vinyl LP, cassette; later CD reissues (detailed below).

℗ & ©: 1976 This Record Co. Ltd. Recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto, Brother Studio, Santa Monica, and EMI Studios, London, 1976. Matrix numbers (e.g., ROSP 122 A-1) confirm authenticity.

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Blue Moves was released in the UK in 1976 as a double vinyl LP and double play cassette, with CD reissues later.

1976: Double Vinyl LP UK (Catalogue: ROSP 122):

A1 Your Starter For...

A2 Tonight

A3 One Horse Town

A4 Chameleon

B1 Boogie Pilgrim

B2 Cage The Songbird

B3 Crazy Water

B4 Shoulder Holster

C1 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

C2 Out Of The Blue

C3 Between Seventeen And Twenty

C4 The Wide-eyed And Laughing

C5 Someone's Final Song

D1 Where's The Shoorah?

D2 If There's A God In Heaven (What's He Waiting For?)

D3 Idol

D4 Theme From A Non-existent TV Series

D5 Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!)

Packaging: 33⅓ RPM, stereo, in a gatefold sleeve with moody artwork and lyrics insert.

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1976: Double Play Cassette UK (Catalogue: TC2-ROSP 1)

A1 Your Starter For...

A2 Tonight

A3 Crazy Water

A4 Out Of The Blue

A5 Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!)

A6 Cage The Songbird

A7 One Horse Town

A8 Shoulder Holster

B1 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

B2 Chameleon

B3 If There's A God In Heaven (What's He Waiting For?)

B4 The Wide-Eyed And Laughing

B5 Someone's Final Song

B6 Where's The Shoorah?

B7 Between Seventeen And Twenty

B8 Idol

B9 Theme From A Non-Existent TV Series

B10 Boogie Pilgrim

Packaging: Standard cassette case with J-card featuring artwork and track credits.

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1976: 8-Track Cartridge UK (8X2-ROSP 1)

A1 Your Starter For 1:25

A2 Tonight 8:02

A3 Crazy Water 5:47

A4 Out Of The Blue 5:27

B1 Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance) 6:03

B2 Cage The Songbird 3:28

B3 One Horse Town 5:42

B4 Shoulder Holster 4:20

C1 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word 3:43

C2 Chameleon 6:10

C3 If There's A God In Heaven (What's He Waiting For?) 5:10

C4 The Wide-Eyed And Laughing 3:20

C5 Someone's Final Song 4:00

D1 Where's The Shoorah 4:30

D2 Between Seventeen And Twenty 4:20

D3 Idol 4:10

D4 Theme From A Non-Existent T.V. Series 1:20

D5 Boogie Pilgrim

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1988: Compact Disc EU (822 818-2)

1 x CD, Album, Reissue

Country: Europe

Released: Jun 29 1988

1 Your Starter For...

2 Tonight

3 One Horse Town

4 Chameleon

5 Boogie Pilgrim

6 Cage The Songbird (For Edith Piaf)

7 Crazy Water

8 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

9 Between Seventeen And Twenty

10 Someone's Final Song

11 Where's The Shoorah?

12 If There's A God In Heaven (What's He Waiting For?)

13 Idol

14 Theme From A Non-Existent Tv Series

15 Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!)

The tracks "Shoulder Holster", "Out Of The Blue" and "The Wide-eyed And Laughing" were omitted from the original double-LP

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1996: Compact Disc EU (532 467-2)

2 x CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered, Stereo.

1-1 Your Starter For 1:22

1-2 Tonight 7:52

1-3 One Horse Town 5:56

1-4 Chameleon 5:27

1-5 Boogie Pilgrim 6:03

1-6 Cage The Songbird 3:25

1-7 Crazy Water 5:42

1-8 Shoulder Holster 5:08

2-1 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word 3:47

2-2 Out Of The Blue 6:14

2-3 Between Seventeen And Twenty 5:17

2-4 The Wide Eyed And Laughing 3:27

2-5 Someone's Final Song 4:10

2-6 Where's The Shoorah? 4:09

2-7 If There's A God In Heaven (What's He Waiting For?) 4:25

2-8 Idol 4:08

2-9 Theme From A Non-Existent TV Series 1:19

2-10 Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!) 6:41

Packaging: Double CD jewel case with booklet featuring liner notes, photos, and credits. The album was released in several countries with minor variations:

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Album Chart Performance

Blue Moves charted successfully:

UK:

Entry Date: November 6, 1976 (Official Albums Chart).

Peak: No. 3 (November 13, 1976).

Weeks on Chart: 10 (Nov 6, 1976–Jan 8, 1977).

Chart Run: No. 4 (Nov 6), No. 3 (Nov 13), No. 4 (Nov 20), No. 5 (Nov 27), No. 6 (Dec 4), No. 7 (Dec 11), No. 8 (Dec 18), No. 9 (Dec 25), No. 10 (Jan 1, 1977), No. 12 (Jan 8).

Certification: Gold (100,000 copies sold, BPI).

US: No. 3 (Billboard 200, 20 weeks), Platinum (1,000,000 copies sold, RIAA).

Australia: No. 8 (Kent Music Report, 12 weeks).

Canada: No. 4 (RPM, 15 weeks).

Germany: No. 22 (GfK, 6 weeks).

Netherlands: No. 7 (Dutch Album Top 100, 8 weeks).

New Zealand: No. 7 (RMNZ, 10 weeks).

France: No. 12 (SNEP, 8 weeks).

Sweden: No. 18 (Sverigetopplistan, 5 weeks).

Norway: No. 20 (VG-lista, 4 weeks).

Other Countries: No chart entries in Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Japan, or

Finland due to limited promotion.Production and Context

Produced by Gus Dudgeon, recorded at Eastern Sound, Toronto, Brother Studio, Santa Monica, and EMI Studios, London, in 1976. The lineup featured Elton John (vocals, piano), Davey Johnstone (guitar), Caleb Quaye (guitar), James Newton Howard (keyboards), Kenny Passarelli (bass), Roger Pope (drums), and Ray Cooper (percussion), with backing vocals by The Brecker Brothers and others. Blue Moves was a departure from the glam-pop of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, embracing introspective and jazzy tones, reflecting Elton’s personal struggles post-stardom. Released amid the punk rock rise, it competed with Fleetwood Mac and Rod Stewart, maintaining Elton’s chart dominance.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Blue Moves spawned two singles:

“Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” (1976, Rocket ROKN 517):

UK Chart Data: Entry November 13, 1976; Peak No. 11; 10 weeks.

Chart Run: No. 35 (Nov 13), No. 20 (Nov 20), No. 14 (Nov 27), No. 11 (Dec 4), No. 12 (Dec 11), No. 13 (Dec 18), No. 15 (Dec 25), No. 17 (Jan 1, 1977), No. 20 (Jan 8), No. 25 (Jan 15).

International: US No. 6 (Billboard Hot 100, 12 weeks), Australia No. 19, Canada No. 3, Ireland No. 3, New Zealand No. 4.

“Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!)” (1977, Rocket ROKN 520):

UK Chart Data: Did not chart.

International: US No. 28 (Billboard Hot 100, 8 weeks), Canada No. 51.

Legacy and Collectibility

Blue Moves is a soulful milestone, with “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” a timeless ballad. Original UK double vinyls fetch £10–£30 on Discogs, with Japanese pressings (£20–£50) prized for obi strips. Cassettes (£5–£15) and CDs (£5–£20, e.g., 1997 Rocket/Mercury) are common. First pressings with intact gatefold sleeves are valued—verify catalogue ROSP 122. Streams on Spotify preserve the analog warmth. This LP is a must-have for Elton John fans and ‘70s pop collectors.

Do you have Blue Moves in your vinyl stack? Which track tugs at your heartstrings? Share in the comments!

Sources

Discogs: Blue Moves (1976)

Official Charts Company: Elton John Albums

AllMusic: Blue Moves Discography

Wikipedia: Blue Moves

Billboard Chart History: Elton John