Don't Go Breaking My Heart
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" | ||
|---|---|---|
 |
||
| Single by Elton John with Kiki Dee | ||
| from the album 'Greatest Hits 1970-2002' | ||
| Released | 1976, North America | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Length | 4:28 | |
| Label | Rocket Records Ltd./MCA Records | |
| Writer(s) | Ann Orson Carte Blanche |
|
| Producer(s) | Gus Dugeon | |
| Chart positions | ||
|
||
"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" was a duet by Elton John and Kiki Dee. It was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin under the pseudonyms "Ann Orson" and "Carte Blanche" (a pun on the expression 'carte blanche'), and intended as an affectionate pastiche of the Tamla Motown style, notably the various duets recorded by Marvin Gaye and singers such as Tammi Terrell and Kim Weston.
Like many of Elton John's singles from the 1970s, it was never included on any of his original albums (though it was recorded during the same sessions that produced Blue Moves.) However it was included on the original version of Greatest Hits Volume 2 in 1977. It has since been shifted to the "Volume 3" compilation, Greatest Hits 1976-1986. In 2002, it also appeared on Elton John's 2-disc greatest hits album, Greatest Hits 1970-2002.
It was also John's first No. 1 single in the UK, topping the chart for six weeks in the summer of 1976. He would not enjoy a solo British chart-topper until 1990.
Almost 20 years later, John re-recorded the song with RuPaul and re-issued it. He also performed it with the Spice Girls on his ITV tribute programme An Audience With Elton John.
| Preceded by "Kiss And Say Goodbye" by The Manhattans |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single August 7, 1976 |
Succeeded by "You Should Be Dancing" by Bee Gees |
| Preceded by "The Roussos Phenomenon EP" by Demis Roussos |
UK number one single July 24, 1976 |
Succeeded by "Dancing Queen" by ABBA |