Sorry seems to be the hardest word - Elton John

'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was one of the rare instances where Elton John himself wrote much of the lyric. The track was released in 1976 as a track on his album 'Blue moves'. When it was released as a single, it reached number 11 in the UK singles chart, number 6 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 14 in the Dutch Top 40.

In 2007, Marty Wilde released a cover version of this track on a compilation cd to commemorate his 50 years as a performing artist. It was a duet with his daughter Kim, a successful artist in her own right. Although their version is commendable, nothing beats the beauty of the original.

My collection: 7" single no. 612
Found: All that music, Leiden, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word' / 'Shoulder holster'

Your song - Elton John

Released in January 1972, 'Your song' was Elton John's eighth single release, but his first hit. The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song was part of a stockpile of songs John and Taupin wrote in 1969 while they were living together. John pinpoints his composition of the music to October 27. Supposedly, it took him only ten minutes. Taupin had penned the lyrics earlier that day over breakfast.

The single reached number 7 in the UK singles chart, number 8 in the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 10 in the Dutch Top 40.

My collection: 7" single no. 686
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1988
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Your song' / 'Into the old man's shoes'

Don't let the sun go down on me - George Michael and Elton John

'Don't let the sun go down on me' was originally a hit for Elton John in 1974. The single peaked at number 16 in the UK singles chart. However, it was this live version, performed together with George Michael, that made the song even more popular.

The track was recorded live at a concert in Wembley Arena on March 25, 1991, where Elton appeared as a surprise guest star of George Michael, the duet became a massive hit. It reached number 1 in the USA, the UK and the Netherlands. The proceeds from the single were divided among 10 different charities for children, AIDS and education.

The B-side of this single is a live performance of the Stevie Wonder song 'I believe (when I fall in love it will be forever)'. The first verse sounds a lot like Mel & Kim's 'Who's gonna catch you'. Or rather, I think it's the other way around...

My collection: 7" single no. 3256
Found: House of Rhythm, London, October 20, 2000
Cost: 60p
Tracks: 'Don't let the sun go down on me' / 'I believe (when I fall in love it will be forever)'

Candle in the wind (live) - Elton John

'Elton John live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra' was released in 1987. This single, a live version of 'Candle in the wind', the famous song dedicated to Marilyn Monroe, was taken from that album. The single reached number 5 in the UK and Canada.

While touring in Australia, the year before, Elton lost his voice. Shortly thereafter he underwent throat surgery. Several non-cancerous polyps were removed from his vocal cords, and John lost his famous falsetto, and he sang with a new voice.

My collection: 7" single no. 627
Found: Disco Market, Den Haag, 1987
Cost: 1 guilder
Tracks: 'Candle in the wind (live)' / 'Sorry seems to be the hardest word (live)'

Too low for zero - Elton John

'Too low for zero' was the title track of Elton John's 17th studio album, released in 1983. All the lyrics on the album were written by Bernie Taupin. At the insistence of Taupin, Elton decided to go back to basics and returned to working with Taupin full time.

Released as the third single from the album, it couldn't match the success of the previous two singles, 'I guess that's why they call it the blues' and 'I'm still standing'. Contrary to those two, this single did not chart.

My collection: 7" single no. 3810
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 28, 2009
Cost: 2 euro
Tracks: 'Too low for zero' / 'Dreamboat'

Nobody wins - Elton John

'Nobody wins' was a track on Elton John's 1981 album 'The fox'. The album was recorded partly during sessions for Elton's previous album '21 at 33' (1980). The track was not written as usual by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, but by Jean-Paul Dreau and Gary Osborne.

The single was a modest hit, reaching number 42 in the UK and number 31 in the Netherlands. Elton John actually said during a concert at Leeds Castle in 1999 that the album "went 'cardboard' in England", a sarcastic remark on how badly it had been received there.

My collection: 7" single no. 923
Found: Parkpop, Den Haag, June 25, 1989
Cost: 2 guilders
Tracks: 'Nobody wins' / 'Fools in fashion'

Don't go breaking my heart - Elton John and Kiki Dee

Elton John and Kiki Dee recorded and released the duet 'Don't go breaking my heart' in 1976. Like many of Elton John's singles from the Seventies, it was never included on any of his original albums (though it was recorded during the same sessions that produced 'Blue Moves'). The single was Elton John's first number 1 single in the UK. It was his sixth number one in the USA. In the Netherlands, it was just kept off the top spot by 'Kiss and say goodbye' (Manhattans) and 'Dancing queen' (Abba).

The song’s video is apparently one of the cheapest music videos ever produced. The director was found while filming a Rod Stewart television special. He was pulled aside, located an unused soundstage, hastily dressed it to give the appearance of a recording studio, set up three cameras and had the two singers pretend to record their vocals. Shot in a single take while being told to ‘improvise’, Elton John and Kiki Dee often missed their cues. Elton John’s attempt to lead Dee in a very haphazard dance sequence caught his companion off guard.

My collection: 7" single no. 3534

Found: Empire Records, January 9, 2009

Cost: 0,5 euro

Tracks: 'Don't go breaking my heart' / 'The snow queen'

Download: Album 'Stay with me - The Rocket Years' (Kiki Dee), including both tracks (part 1 / part 2)