Elton John, singer/songwriter, 1970's pop superstar, a classic rock icon, flamboyant, knight, multi-millionaire, rock and roll clown, Hercules, a rock and roll legend. These days, Sir Elton means different things to different folks but one cannot deny the unbelievable success and critical acclaim old Reggie had received in the 1970s. In 1974, he released his first Greatest Hits album which sold millions and millions. By the time 1977 came around Elton earned four more #1 singles and four more Top Ten singles, so it would be only prudent to cash in and release a Greatest Hits Volume II. Plus it would give Elton a chance to dress up in his cricket uniform and pose slightly bent over on a field for the album cover.

Despite Elton’s pop icon status at the time of this release, his second crop of chart-toppers pales when compared to the first Greatest Hits release. The CD’s opener, The Bitch Is Back is forgettable bubblegum pop/rock. Surely the provocative title lent to the song’s top 10 status. Elton often referred to his music as disposable pop, he conceivably even coined the expression, and this first track magnificently illustrates his point.

An unnecessary cover of The Beatles classic Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is next. This sugary interpretation is listenable for a listen or two, but you soon realize that he bastardized a classic rock gem. To give credit to Elton’s superstardom, the song went to #1, proving that Elton John could have done no wrong. Author John Lennon plays guitar and sings background on this, and my guess it was his idea to input the reggae style break in the middle.

Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word is classic song from Blue Moves. The song is a ballad with some French overtones with the accent of an accordion. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart, a pop duet with back-up singer Kiki Dee earned Elton another #1. The question is, which version do you like more – the original or the duet with Elton and Rupal?

Someone Saved My Life Tonight another emotional piano ballad and the only song on this CD that comes from the Captain Fantastic album earned Elton another Top 10 single. Bernie Taupin’s beautiful lyrics easily make this song my favorite from GH2. Philadelphia Freedom, a non-album track, is a well-crafted song with timely lyrics that perhaps gave the song an edge to become a #1 single in the US.

Levon is taken from Elton's earlier album Madman Across the Water, and I'm not sure why it was left off of the first Greatest Hits album. Levon is a power ballad with storytelling lyrics that fans love to try and interpret. It is said that the name Levon comes from the drummer from The Band, Levon Helm. Island Girl and Grow Some Funk of Your Own seem like songs in the same vain as Bitch Is Back, raunchy rockers, or more disposable pop.

Greatest Hits 2 does not have the impact that the original Greatest Hits, the songs do not come close to the masterful Daniel or Rocket Man, yet on it’s own it stands as a brief era in Elton’s career when Elton created his own brand of disposable pop, and it’s good stuff.


the songs
1. Bitch Is Back
2. Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
3. Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word
4. Don't Go Breaking My Heart
5. Someone Saved My Live Tonight
6. Philadelphia Freedom
7. Island Girl
8. Grow Some Funk of Your Own
9. Levon
10. Pinball Wizard


Recommended: Yes