Elton John’s Top 10 Albums: A Journey Through His Prolific Career
Elton John’s career began in the late 1960s, and by the 1970s, he had released an astounding 12 albums—six of which have made it into my top 10 favorites list. In 1971 alone, he released four albums, two of which are so exceptional they’ve earned spots here.
Please note, this is not a ranking of his top ten albums, but instead, a selection of Elton John’s top 10 albums, ordered chronologically.
1. Elton John (Self-Titled) – 1970
The album that introduced the world to “Your Song” is filled with other gems like “Sixty Years On.” It exudes a gentle, innocent, piano-based songwriter’s pop feel, defined by Paul Buckmaster’s superb string arrangements. Some tracks, such as “First Episode at Hienton” and “The King Must Die,” carry a quirky Elizabethan flair. While it had limited success in the UK, it received rave reviews in the US during Elton’s first American tour in 1971. This success not only broke him as an artist in the US but also established him as a singer-songwriter in the UK upon his return. Elton John may be a national treasure in the UK, but it was America that first recognized his genius.
2. Tumbleweed Connection – 1971
Diverging significantly from his self-titled album, “Tumbleweed Connection” incorporates more Americana and country influences. The opening track, “Come Down in Time,” is possibly one of the best ballads Elton and Bernie Taupin ever wrote, and, astonishingly, it hasn’t become a hit. The album is a favorite among niche music fans who appreciate its unique style.
3. Madman Across the Water – 1971
Featuring lesser-known songs like “Madman Across the Water,” “Levon,” and “Indian Sunset,” this album wasn’t hugely noticed at the time. Although “Tiny Dancer” has since become a well-known Elton John tune, the album as a whole gained legendary status only years after its release. New listeners might not immediately recognize these songs as Elton John’s due to their distinct style, but fans of “Tumbleweed Connection” will find much to love here.
4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973
Often seen as the masterpiece of his career, this 70-plus-minute album from the heart of the ’70s starts with the epic instrumental rock piece “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding,” serving as Elton John’s “Stairway to Heaven” moment. The record showcases remarkable versatility with massive hits like “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and the Jets,” and the title track “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” along with overlooked gems like “Harmony,” “I’ve Seen That Movie Too,” and “Grey Seal.” Written and recorded in just a few weeks in a French chateau, this album marks Elton’s evolution from a modest singer-songwriter to a glam rock superstar. The songwriting is some of the best of the ’70s, with each song telling its own story, almost as if it were a concept album—the best concept album that never claimed to be one.
5. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – 1975
The profound influence of Bernie Taupin is felt throughout this autobiographical album, without it ever feeling self-indulgent. Tracks like “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” and “We All Fall in Love Sometimes” define the record. Die-hard Elton fans often cite this album and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as the major highlights of his career, and they are certainly standouts in his ’70s discography.
6. Blue Moves – 1976
Vastly underrated, this unique album is certainly among his top five best works. Elton himself considers it his best-ever album. Released at the height of his ’70s career, it had no commercial aims and was produced as a double record featuring long instrumental pieces like “One Horse Town” and “Out of the Blue,” and soaring orchestral ballads such as “Tonight.” Other highlights include “Cage the Songbird,” a tribute to Edith Piaf, and the jazz-oriented “Idol,” a song about the demise of Elvis Presley. Many tunes combine glam rock elements with somber lyrics. Although highly uncommercial in format and length, it’s a must-listen for any true Elton fan.
In the early ’80s, Elton was in retreat, only occasionally writing songs with Bernie Taupin and collaborating with other lyricists like Gary Osborne and Tim Rice. While he produced a steady stream of hits during the ’80s, these are best enjoyed on a greatest hits album, as the individual albums contain many more disposable songs. The ’80s was a difficult decade for Elton John, as he battled alcohol and drug addictions and faced personal challenges. This affected his prolific songwriting, and despite still creating many great tracks, he did not release many great albums during this period. Only two made it onto my list:
7. The Fox – 1981
“The Fox” was not a commercially successful album but has aged well despite its early ’80s European sound. Tracks like “Carla/Etude,” “Chloe,” “Nobody Wins,” and “Elton’s Song” stand out and hold their own with some of his more famous work. It’s a niche record from a niche time in popular music history when many changes were taking place. While some fans argue that his 1983 album “Too Low for Zero” is better—certainly, it produced more hit numbers like “I’m Still Standing” and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues,” possibly featuring Elton’s best vocals—”The Fox” has an understated and unique tone, which is why I’ve included it as a “dark horse” in the list.
8. Sleeping with the Past – 1989
“Sleeping with the Past” was a comeback album that heralded the quality and commercial success of his ’70s work while entering a more contemporary adult pop genre. It followed some of the worst albums of Elton’s career, such as “Leather Jackets,” produced during some of his most challenging personal times. Even while still fighting addiction, “Sleeping with the Past” is a remarkable gift of inspiration. The album is highly inspired and flows with many great tracks. “Sacrifice” was a huge success, reaching number one on the UK charts, and other tracks like “Blue Avenue,” “Healing Hands,” and “Durban Deep” reflect diverse influences. It’s also a return to the highly charged, energetic songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin, to whom the album is dedicated.
9. Made in England – 1995
Compared to Elton’s outrageous performance costumes and elaborate album designs from the ’70s, this album has a more sophisticated, serious, and minimalistic feel. Consisting of many one-word titles, the songs are some of the best of his modern era. This album was somewhat overshadowed by the huge success of “The Lion King” soundtrack in 1994. This collaboration with Disney won over a new generation of fans who may not have appreciated or heard this release. This is the second studio album Elton released in the ’90s after achieving sobriety. The other record from this period, “The One,” is also worth mentioning as a masterclass in long-form contemporary songwriting. “Made in England” makes it onto the list because it features songs and performances unique to Elton’s discography, with powerful and emotional vocal performances and inspired orchestrations. Highlights include “Believe,” “Belfast,” “Latitude”—which includes a “Beatlesque” horn arrangement by George Martin—and “Blessed.”
In the first decade of the 2000s, Elton released three studio albums: “Songs from the West Coast,” “Peachtree Road,” and “The Captain & the Kid.” These albums have a less produced feel compared to his ’80s and ’90s work, almost returning to his early ’70s style of recording and songwriting, though with a deeper voice and smoother band performances lacking the youthful edginess of his earlier years.
10. Songs from the West Coast – 2001
“Songs from the West Coast” is the strongest of the three, in my opinion, in terms of its overall flow as an album. Radio tracks like “I Want Love,” “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore,” and “Dark Diamond” prove that, almost 40 years on, Elton is still relevant and producing great songs with Bernie Taupin.
Elton John’s discography is a testament to his enduring talent and adaptability as an artist. From his early days as a singer-songwriter to his evolution into a rock ‘n’ roll glam superstar, these albums capture the essence of his musical journey. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to his work, these ten albums offer a comprehensive look at one of music’s most iconic figures.
