Elton John Announces ‘Diamonds’
Ultimate Greatest Hits Compilation Out November 10, 2017
● Available on four physical formats; 1CD, 2CD, 3CD limited edition boxset and 2LP gatefold vinyl, plus digital formats
● 2CD format contains 34 tracks, and 10 page illustrated booklet
● 3CD limited edition boxset contains 34 tracks over two discs, plus 17 bonus tracks of personal favorites curated by Elton himself. Also contains 72 page hardback book containing annotations for the stories from each song plus a set of 5 postcard illustrations of Elton
● 2LP gatefold contains 21 tracks, pressed on 180 gram vinyl and gatefold artwork
Elton John today announces the forthcoming release of ‘Diamonds.’ Released on November 10, 2017 through UMe, ‘Diamonds’ is the ultimate greatest hits collection from Elton John and will be available on 1CD, 2CD, 3CD limited edition boxset, 2LP heavy-weight gatefold vinyl and digital formats.
Kicking off with the ever-stunning ‘Your Song,’ this definitive collection brings together all the landmark hits of one of the greatest song books of all time, including ‘Tiny Dancer,’ ‘Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time),’ ‘Candle In The Wind,’ ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,’ ‘Sacrifice,’ ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight.’
‘Diamonds’ coincides with the 50th anniversary of Elton’s phenomenal song writing partnership with Bernie Taupin. Meeting in 1967 through a music magazine advert seeking songwriters, Elton and Bernie went on to become one of the most enduring song writing duos of all time, achieving a sustained level of success that puts them head and shoulders above the competition. Catapulted into the limelight as a song writing force in 1971 with ‘Your Song,’ the duo never stood still creatively, defining an era with their run of back-to-back classic 1970’s albums. While ‘Candle In The Wind’ topped the charts in three different decades and 2016’s critically acclaimed ‘Wonderful, Crazy, Night’ was a top ten hit in the US, their legacy is one that is unrivalled in terms of longevity, creativity and commercial success.
Speaking about their relationship, Elton says: ‘We are at 50 years, and our relationship is healthier than it’s ever been. There have been times in our relationship when we’ve written with other people, but it still didn’t stop the love. I love Bernie more than I’ve ever done and I think he probably feels the same way about me, because we’ve both led separate lives; we both write in separate rooms. We have an amazing respect and love for each other that’s only grown.’
Bernie Taupin says: ‘We still get a kick out of what we do; it’s what we do – when we come together and write something, it still has that magical quality to it – it doesn’t get any better than that. That feeling hasn’t aged.’
Available in the US to pre-order now on four physical formats (plus digital formats), the 1CD version of ‘Diamonds’ contains 17 songs, the 2CD version of ‘Diamonds’ contains 34 songs, a 10-page booklet with contemporary illustrations of iconic Elton looks, while the 2LP version is pressed onto heavy-weight 180 gram vinyl and contains gatefold artwork. Housed in an attractive lidded box, the 3CD limited edition boxset version of ‘Diamonds’ also contains a 72-page hardback book containing annotations for the stories behind each track plus a set of five postcards of illustrations of Elton. As well as a collection of some of the best loved songs of all time, all illustrations in these four formats are by contemporary artist Richard Kilroy.
The announcement of this definitive package comes at a time when Elton’s enduring legacy and relevance across the worlds of music, fashion and entertainment continues to burn as brightly as ever. Just last week Gucci unveiled their Spring Summer 2018 collection designed by Alessandro Michele and inspired by Elton’s inimitable style, referencing original items taken from the style icon’s archives. Elton also attended the world premiere of global box office number one sensation Kingsman: The Golden Circle, a film in which he appears as himself in a critically lauded, hilariously tongue-in-cheek role. Kingsman: The Golden Circle also features some of the classic tracks which can be found on ‘Diamonds,’ including ‘Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting.)’
An unparalleled career that has forever changed the cultural landscape, Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s music continues to fill stadiums, top charts and win new fans across the generations.
DIAMONDS
1CD STANDARD (U.S. Only)
1. Your Song
2. Tiny Dancer
3. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
4. Crocodile Rock
5. Daniel
6. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
7. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
8. Candle In The Wind
9. Bennie And The Jets
10. Philadelphia Freedom
11. Island Girl
12. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
13. Mama Can’t Buy You Love
14. I’m Still Standing
15. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
16. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
17. Can You Feel The Love Tonight
STANDARD (2CD, DIGITAL)
CD1
1. Your Song
2. Tiny Dancer
3. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
4. Honky Cat
5. Crocodile Rock
6. Daniel
7. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
8. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
9. Candle In The Wind
10. Bennie And The Jets
11. The Bitch Is Back
12. Philadelphia Freedom
13. Island Girl
14. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
15. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
16. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
17. Little Jeannie
CD2
1. Song For Guy
2. Blue Eyes
3. I’m Still Standing
4. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
5. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
6. Nikita
7. I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That
8. Sacrifice
9. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
10. Something About The Way You Look Tonight
11. I Want Love
12. Can You Feel The Love Tonight
13. Are You Ready For Love?
14. Electricity
15. Home Again
16. Looking Up
17. Circle Of Life
DELUXE (3CD, DIGITAL)
CD1
1. Your Song
2. Tiny Dancer
3. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
4. Honky Cat
5. Crocodile Rock
6. Daniel
7. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
8. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
9. Candle In The Wind
10. Bennie And The Jets
11. The Bitch Is Back
12. Philadelphia Freedom
13. Island Girl
14. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
15. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
16. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
17. Little Jeannie
CD2
1. Song For Guy
2. Blue Eyes
3. I’m Still Standing
4. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
5. Sad Songs (Say So Much)
6. Nikita
7. I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That
8. Sacrifice
9. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
10. Something About The Way You Look Tonight
11. I Want Love
12. Can You Feel The Love Tonight
13. Are You Ready For Love?
14. Electricity
15. Home Again
16. Looking Up
17. Circle Of Life
CD3
1. Skyline Pigeon
2. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
3. Pinball Wizard
4. Mama Can't Buy You Love
5. Part-Time Love
6. Victim of Love
7. Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)
8. Kiss The Bride
9. That's What Friends Are For [Dionne Warwick with Elton John, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder]
10. The One
11. True Love [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
12. Believe
13. Live Like Horses [Elton John and Luciano Pavarotti]
14. Written In The Stars [Elton John and LeAnn Rimes]
15. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore
16. Good Morning To The Night [Elton vs PNAU]
17. Step Into Christmas
2LP
Side A
1. Your Song
2. Tiny Dancer
3. Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
4. Crocodile Rock
5. Daniel
Side B
1. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
2. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
3. Candle In The Wind
4. Bennie And The Jets
5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
Side C
1. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart [Elton John and Kiki Dee]
2. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
3. Song For Guy
4. Blue Eyes
5. I’m Still Standing
6. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
Side D
1. Nikita
2. Sacrifice
3. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me [George Michael and Elton John]
4. Can You Feel The Love Tonight
5. Are You Ready For Love?
