A Single Man (album)

For the book by Christopher Isherwood, see A Single Man (book).

Untitled

A Single Man is an album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1978 (see 1978 in music). It is the first album John created without his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. As Gary Osborne was an unknown at the time, and is not known to have since written anything of note, many people have interpreted the album's title to imply that Elton wrote the entire album himself.

Hit "Song for Guy" was a tribute to Guy Burchett, Rocket Records messenger who was killed in a motorcyle accident.

Track listing

1. "Shine on Through" - 3:42
2. "Return to Paradise" - 4:13
3. "I Don't Care" - 4:21
4. "Big Dipper" - 4:02
5. "It Ain't Gonna Be Easy" - 8:23
6. "Part-Time Love" - 3:14
7. "Georgia" - 4:48
8. "Shooting Star" - 2:43
9. "Madness" - 5:51
10. "Reverie" (John) - 0:52
11. "Song for Guy" (John, Bernie Taupin) - 6:37

Bonus tracks (1998 CD reissue)

1. "Ego" (John, Taupin) - 4:00
2. "Flinstone Boy" (John) - 4:13
3. "I Cry at Night" (John, Taupin) - 3:16
4. "Lovesick" (John, Taupin) - 3:59
5. "Strangers" - 4:46

All songs by Elton John and Gary Osborne, except where noted.

Personnel

• Elton John - organ, piano, harmonium, keyboard, vocals, background vocals, clavinet, mellotron, polymoog, synthesizer strings
• Vicki Brown - vocals
• Paul Buckmaster - cello
• B.J. Cole - guitar, steel guitar
• Ray Cooper - percussion, conga, tambourine, tympani, vibraphone, shaker, rhythm box, wind chimes
• John Crocker - clarinet, electric piano, tenor saxophone, Fender Rhodes
• Herbie Flowers - bass, acoustic bass
• Clive Franks - bass, percussion, vocals
• Patrick Halcox - trumpet
• Steve Holly - drums, horn
• Davey Johnstone - synthesizer, guitar, vocals, background vocals
• Stevie Lange - vocals, background vocals
• Henry Lowther - trumpet
• Gary Osborne - vocals
• Tim Renwick - acoustic guitar, guitar, mandolin, electric guitar
• Jim Shepherd - trombone
• Joanne Stone - vocals, background vocals
• Chris Thompson - vocals, background vocals

Production

• Producers: Clive Franks, Elton John
• Supervising producer: Mike Gill
• Engineers: Phil Dunne, Stuart Epps, Clive Franks, Peter Mew
• Mixing: Phil Dunne, Stuart Epps, Clive Franks
• Mastering: Ian Cooper
• Digital remastering: Gus Dudgeon
• Coordination: Alex Foster
• Arranger: Joanne Stone
• Orchestral arrangements: Paul Buckmaster
• Sleeve design: David Costa
• Graphic design: Mike Storey
• Liner editor: John Tobler
• Liner notes: Chris White

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1978	Pop Albums	15

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1978	"Ego"	Pop Singles	34
1978	"Part-Time Love"	Pop Singles	22