The One is the twenty-third studio album by the English singer-songwriter Elton John, released on June 22, 1992. It was recorded at Studio Guillame Tell in Paris, produced by Chris Thomas and managed by John Reid. The album was dedicated to Vance Buck, and its cover artwork was designed by Gianni Versace.
The One spent three consecutive weeks at #2 without reaching #1 in the UK, being kept off the top spot by Lionel Richie’s Back to Front compilation. However, it was John’s biggest selling album in the US since 1975. The One was certified 2x platinum in the US by the RIAA.
Olle Romo collaborated with John and lyricist Bernie Taupin on one song, “Runaway Train”, on which Eric Clapton sings a duet with John. Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour makes an appearance playing guitar on “Understanding Women”. John’s long-standing drummer, Nigel Olsson and female backing vocalist Kiki Dee (who had duet with John on the hit song “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”) and longtime guitarist Davey Johnstone provided backing vocals on a few songs.
This was John’s first album project since his rehabilitation from drug and alcohol addictions and bulimia in 1990. This is the last studio album to feature his Roland RD-1000 digital piano. John started playing a Yamaha Disklavier piano shortly after.
“Simple Life” – 6:25
“The One” – 5:53
“Sweat It Out” – 6:38
“Runaway Train” – 5:23 (Duet with Eric Clapton)
“Whitewash County” – 5:30
“The North” – 5:15
“When a Woman Doesn’t Want You” – 4:56
“Emily” – 4:58
“On Dark Street” – 4:43
“Understanding Women” – 5:03
“The Last Song” – 3:21
“Suit of Wolves” – 5:37
“Fat Boys and Ugly Girls” – 4:13
Sleeping with the Past is the 22nd studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released on August 29, 1989. It is his best-selling album in Denmark (where it was recorded for tax purposes) and is dedicated to his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin. The album featured his first solo #1 single, “Sacrifice”, in his home country of the UK, which helped the album also hit #1 there. John and Taupin meant for the songs to reflect the style of 1960’s R&B icons such as Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, whom they admired. It also became his first platinum album in the UK since 1983’s Too Low for Zero, and was also certified Platinum in the U.S. by the RIAA. Guy Babylon made his debut on this album and would continue to play keyboards with John for the next 20 years. Fred Mandel left the band shortly after.
Reg Strikes Back, released June 24, 1988, is the twenty-first studio album by Elton John. It was his self-proclaimed comeback album, and his own way of fighting back against bad press. The “Reg” in Reg Strikes Back refers to John’s birth name, Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
Leather Jackets, released October 15, 1986, is the twentieth studio album by Elton John. Recorded at Sol Studios in England and Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands, it was his first album not to have any top 40 singles in either the US or the UK since 1970’s Tumbleweed Connection, which had no singles released from it. It is also the poorest-charting album of his career.
Ice on Fire, released November 4,1985, is the nineteenth studio album by Elton John. Recorded at Sol Studios, it was his first album since Blue Moves produced by his original long-time producer, Gus Dudgeon. David Paton and Charlie Morgan appear for the first time on bass and drums respectively, replacing original band members Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. Fred Mandel, who had played with John during the Breaking Hearts tour, also contributed guitar and keyboards. George Michael, then of Wham!, appears on two tracks on the album: “Nikita” and “Wrap Her Up”. Other notable guests include Nik Kershaw, Sister Sledge, Pino Palladino, Mel Gaynor and Millie Jackson, who duetted with John on “Act of war”. Roger Taylor and John Deacon of Queen play drums and bass guitar on “Too Young”.
Breaking Hearts, released June 18, 1984, is the eighteenth studio album release for Elton John. It features the quartet of John, Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. There were four top-40 singles from the album: “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” (US #5), “Who Wears These Shoes” (US #16), “In Neon” (US #38), and the UK No. 5 hit “Passengers”.