Elton John's Greatest Hits Vol. 3

Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume III 1979-1987
Greatest hits album by Elton John
Released	12 November 1987
Recorded	1977–1986
Genre	Pop, rock
Length	56:50
Label	Geffen
Producer	Chris Thomas, Thom Bell, Elton John, Clive Franks, Gus Dudgeon
Elton John chronology
Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1987) Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume III 1979-1987 (1987) Reg Strikes Back (1988)

Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume III is the twenty-seventh album release for Elton John. Released in 1987, 10 years after Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II, this compilation album featured his greatest hits from 1979–86 and was made available only in the United States and Canada. All of the songs featured had previously been released on a previous album.

History

Greatest Hits Volume III was initially released under Geffen Records after Elton returned to his US label; Geffen was later bought out by MCA Records in 1990. Elton had just left MCA after the label released Greatest Hits Vol. 2.

One-third of Greatest Hits Volume III was composed of songs from Too Low for Zero, John’s 1983 album that received the most critical and commercial acclaim for the early 1980s, including the songs "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" and "I'm Still Standing". Some of the artist’s less successful songs were also included on the track-listing because they had been released in the past year. Greatest Hits Volume III reached Gold status by February in 1989, went Platinum in November 1991, and was certified 2x Platinum in October 1995 by the RIAA.

In 1992, two years after MCA purchased Geffen, Greatest Hits Volume III was removed from Elton’s repertoire and replaced with the famed album Greatest Hits 1976-1986, and due to copyright issues, two tracks from Greatest Hits Volume II (these being "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word") were moved to Greatest Hits 1976-1986 and replaced with "Tiny Dancer" and "I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)".

Featured Songs

"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" Originally featured on Too Low for Zero, Bernie Taupin wrote the song for his wife, Toni Russo. The album itself was a turning point in Elton’s relationship with Taupin, as the singer/songwriter duo had taken a break from 1977 to 1979, a time in which Taupin worked with other artists. Too Low for Zero was when the two reunited and created the album together.

"Mama Can't Buy You Love" Originally featured on the EP The Thom Bell Sessions in 1979, it was one of three of Elton’s R&B records to reach No. 1. The artist had considered the producer for the album, Thom Bell, to be an idol of his and looks back fondly on that era of his career. The song was written by LeRoy Bell and Casey James, of Bell and James.

"Little Jeannie" Included originally on 21 at 33, it was written by Gary Osborne. This album was composed half and half of songs from Osborne and Taupin, marking the beginning of Elton's break from Taupin. 21 at 33 contained roughly half and half songs from the two lyricists. For this particular song, the melody was written before the lyrics.

"Sad Songs (Say So Much)" From Breaking Hearts and written by Taupin. Even with its upbeat rhythm, it is about losing someone and was meant to help those grieving by listening to classic sad songs.

"I'm Still Standing" Also written by Bernie Taupin off of Too Low for Zero, this song was aimed at a former lover. Contrary to popular belief of it being a statement of Elton’s resilience in the face of adversity for his flamboyant and non-traditional flair, Taupin actually wrote the song with a specific ex-lover in mind.

"Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" From the album Jump Up!, and written as a tribute to the late John Lennon. The lyrics were first written by Taupin, while Elton later composed the music. Elton has been quoted saying that he felt a particular connection to the song, being that he had been good friends with Lennon and is even the godfather of Lennon’s younger son, Sean.

"Heartache All Over the World" The first song completed for Leather Jackets, written by Bernie Taupin, and in which Elton sang about the appeals of 'the opposite sex'. Elton later reported feeling dishonest about the track as he came out as openly gay in 1988, two years after the song was released.

"Too Low for Zero" First appearing on the album of the same name, the lyrics were written by Taupin while the music was composed by Elton. This song has a catchy energy despite its darker lyrics.

"Kiss the Bride" Released initially as a single and then on the album Too Low For Zero, it featured lyrics by Taupin and music by Elton. The song is upbeat and is reported to be a popular song choice to play at weddings.

"Blue Eyes" From Jump Up!, the lyrics to the song were written by Gary Osborne while Elton wrote the music. The song was nominated for a Grammy in 1983 for Best Male Vocal Pop Performance.

"Nikita" Originally appearing on Ice on Fire, Elton sings of being in love with an East German Border guard during the Cold War, but their love is forbidden because he is unable to enter the country. Taupin wrote the lyrics and the song featured George Michael and Nik Kershaw on backup vocals.

"Wrap Her Up" Also from Ice on Fire, the song again featured George Michael and was originally released as a single; it is famous for its name dropping of multiple famous women. John and Taupin collaborated with Charlie Morgan, Paul Westwood, and Fred Mandal. At 6:04, this is by far the longest song featured on the album.

In 1992, Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume III was deleted and replaced with Greatest Hits 1976–1986. MCA had taken over Geffen Records, and control of copyrights had shifted such that 1977's Greatest Hits Volume II could no longer be presented as before. Two of its songs, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" and "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", were shifted to the new third volume, which now also included 1984's "Who Wears These Shoes?". To make room for these additions, the 1986 non-hit "Heartache All Over the World" and 1983's album-only track "Too Low for Zero" were eliminated.

Track Listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Album	Length
1.	"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"	Elton John/Bernie Taupin/Davey Johnstone	Too Low for Zero (1983)	4:42
2.	"Mama Can't Buy You Love"	LeRoy Bell/Casey James	The Thom Bell Sessions (1979)	4:02
3.	"Little Jeannie"	John/Gary Osborne	21 at 33 (1980)	4:46
4.	"Sad Songs (Say So Much)"	John/Taupin	Breaking Hearts (1984)	4:48
5.	"I'm Still Standing"	John/Taupin	Too Low for Zero	3:03
6.	"Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)"	John/Taupin	Jump Up! (1982)	5:05
7.	"Heartache All Over the World"	John/Taupin	Leather Jackets (1986)	4:01
8.	"Too Low for Zero"	John/Taupin	Too Low for Zero	5:44
9.	"Kiss the Bride"	John/Taupin	Too Low for Zero	4:20
10.	"Blue Eyes"	John/Osborne	Jump Up!	3:27
11.	"Nikita"	John/Taupin	Ice on Fire (1985)	4:54
12.	"Wrap Her Up"	John/Taupin/Charlie Morgan/Paul Westwood/Johnstone/Fred Mandal	Ice on Fire	6:04

Credits

• Album coordinators – John David Kalodner & Robin Rothman
• Originally mastering – Greg Fulginiti
• Art direction/Design – Laura Lipuma
• Management – John Reid

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