Elton John: "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player" Album (1973)

Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player was released as an LP album in the UK by DJM Records (catalog number DJLPS 427) on January 22, 1973, marking his sixth studio album.

It was the first of two albums he put out in 1973, with "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" following nine months later. This album marked his second consecutive No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and his first No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.

The lead single "Crocodile Rock" gave John his first No. 1 hit in both the US and Canada. Another big track from the album, "Daniel," became his second Canadian No. 1 on the RPM Top Singles Chart, climbed to No. 2 on the US

Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, surpassing the position of "Crocodile Rock" by one spot.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Side one

1. "Daniel" 3:55

2. "Teacher I Need You" 4:10

3. "Elderberry Wine" 3:34

4. "Blues for Baby and Me" 5:39

5. "Midnight Creeper" 3:52

Side two

6. "Have Mercy on the Criminal" 5:58

7. "I'm Going to Be a Teenage Idol" 3:56

8. "Texan Love Song" 3:33

9. "Crocodile Rock" 3:55

10. "High Flying Bird" 4:12

Total length: 42:45

Bonus tracks (1995 Mercury and 1996 Rocket reissue)

No. Title Length

11. "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)" 4:43

12. "Jack Rabbit" 1:50

13. "Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady Again)" 2:51

14. "Skyline Pigeon" (Piano version) 3:56

Total length: 56:23