21 at 33 is the fourteenth studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1980. It was his 21st album in total, made when John was 33 years old, hence the title.[4][5] Three singles were released from the album, including "Little Jeannie", his highest-charting U.S. single in 5 years. The album sold over 900,000 copies in the United States, missing a Platinum certification.[6]
21 at 33 | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 13 May 1980 | |||
Recorded | September 1979 – March 1980[1] | |||
Studio |
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Genre | Pop rock[1] | |||
Length | 43:07 | |||
Label | MCA (US) Rocket (UK) | |||
Producer | Elton John, Clive Franks | |||
Elton John chronology | ||||
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Singles from 21 at 33 | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
Rolling Stone | Unrated[2] |
Smash Hits | 7/10[3] |
The album was recorded at Super Bear Studios, Nice, France, in September 1979 and at Rumbo Recorders and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California, from January to March 1980.
The two other founding members of the original Elton John Band (active 1969–1975), drummer Nigel Olsson and bass player Dee Murray, reunited with him for two songs. His keyboardist James Newton Howard returned and performed on almost every track, as was the case on Rock of the Westies and Blue Moves. Other musicians included members of the Eagles and Toto, as well as Peter Noone from Herman's Hermits and Bill Champlin and Toni Tennille of Captain & Tennille.
The title is derived from the fact that this was John's 21st album and was recorded at the age of 33. According to the liner notes in the remastered edition of the album, the count includes thirteen previous studio albums, two greatest hits compilations, two live albums, as well as the soundtrack release Friends, the three-song 12-inch EP The Thom Bell Sessions and the UK-only rarities collection Lady Samantha.
John has not played any of the material in concert since touring in 1980, with the exception of "Little Jeannie", which, despite having been a huge North American hit (#3 Pop and #1 Adult Contemporary in the United States, and #1 in Canada), was included only in the two concerts from 2000 titled One Night Only, and the warm up gig for the two Madison Square Garden concerts in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.[7]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Chasing the Crown" | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | 5:36 |
2. | "Little Jeannie" | John, Gary Osborne | 5:14 |
3. | "Sartorial Eloquence" | John, Tom Robinson | 4:45 |
4. | "Two Rooms at the End of the World" | John, Taupin | 5:40 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "White Lady White Powder" | John, Taupin | 4:34 |
2. | "Dear God" | John, Osborne | 3:47 |
3. | "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" | John, Robinson | 4:09 |
4. | "Take Me Back" | John, Osborne | 3:52 |
5. | "Give Me the Love" | John, Judie Tzuke | 5:30 |
Notes
Track numbering refers to CD and digital releases of the album.
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Australia (ARIA)[22] | Platinum | 50,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[23] | Gold | 50,000^ |
France (SNEP)[24] | Gold | 100,000* |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[25] | Gold | 7,500^ |
United States (RIAA)[26] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |