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{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
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{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name = Blue Moves
| name = Blue Moves
| type = studio
| type = studio
| artist = [[Elton John]]
| artist = [[Elton John]]
| cover = Elton John - Blue Moves.jpg
| cover = Elton John - Blue Moves.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| released = 22 October 1976
| released = 22 October 1976
| recorded = March 1976
| recorded = March 23 to June 1976
| venue =
| venue =
| studio = *[[Abbey Road Studios|EMI]], [[London]], UK
| studio = Eastern Sound, [[Toronto]]; [[Abbey Road Studios|Abbey Road]], London; [[Sunset Sound]], Los Angeles; [[Brother Studios|Brother]], Santa Monica; remixed at [[Marquee Studios|Marquee]], London<ref>{{cite web |url=http://albumlinernotes.com/Blue_Moves.html |title=Blue Moves |website=albumlinernotes |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>
*[[Brother Studios|Brother]], [[Santa Monica, California]]
| genre = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[pop rock]], [[soft rock]], [[progressive rock]]
*[[Sunset Sound]], [[Los Angeles]], California
| length = 84:40
*Eastern Sound, [[Toronto]], Canada
| label = [[MCA Records|MCA]] / [[The Rocket Record Company|Rocket]] (US)<br />[[The Rocket Record Company|Rocket]] (UK)
| genre =
| length = 84:49
| label = {{hlist|[[The Rocket Record Company|Rocket]]|[[MCA Records|MCA]]}}
| producer = [[Gus Dudgeon]]
| producer = [[Gus Dudgeon]]
| prev_title = [[Here and There (Elton John album)|Here and There]]
| prev_title = [[Here and There (Elton John album)|Here and There]]
| prev_year = 1976
| prev_year = 1976
| next_title = [[Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II|Greatest Hits Volume II]]
| next_title = [[Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II]]
| next_year = 1977
| next_year = 1977
| misc = {{Singles
| misc = {{singles
| name = Blue Moves
| type = studio
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]
| single1date= 1 November 1976
| single1 = [[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]
| single2 = [[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)]]
| single1date = 1 November 1976
| single2date= 31 January 1977 (US)
| single2 = [[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)]]
| single3 = [[Crazy Water]]
| single2date = 31 January 1977
| single3date= 4 February 1977 (UK)
| single3 = [[Crazy Water]]
| single3date = 4 February 1977 (UK)
}}
}}
}}
}}


'''''Blue Moves''''' is the eleventh studio album by English singer-songwriter [[Elton John]]. It was released in October 1976. It was John's second double album (after ''[[Goodbye Yellow Brick Road]]'') and the first to be released by his own label, [[Rocket Records Ltd]]. The album reached number 3 in the US charts, ending a long streak of chart-topping albums for John that began with ''[[Honky Château]]'' in 1972.
'''''Blue Moves''''' is the eleventh studio album by English musician [[Elton John]]. It was released on 22 October 1976 through John's own [[Rocket Record Company]] (his first for the label), alongside [[MCA Records]] in certain countries. John's second double album, it was recorded at [[EMI Studios]], [[Brother Studios]], Eastern Sound and [[Sunset Sound Recorders]], and was his last to be produced by longtime collaborator [[Gus Dudgeon]] until ''[[Ice on Fire]]'' (1985). Additionally, the album would be the last collaboration between John and lyricist [[Bernie Taupin]] for the next few years{{efn|Aside from the 1978 non-album single "[[Ego (Elton John song)|Ego]]", originally written for but not included on ''Blue Moves''}} until a partial resumption of their working partnership with ''[[21 at 33]]'' (1980).

The music on ''Blue Moves'' is considered some of John's most experimental, fusing genres such as [[pop music|pop]], [[gospel music|gospel]], [[disco]] and [[jazz]] while also including [[orchestral]] elements and extended song lengths. Guests on the album include [[David Crosby]], [[Graham Nash]], [[Bruce Johnston]] and [[Toni Tennille]] contributing backing vocals, alongside performances by both the [[Martyn Ford Orchestra]] and [[London Symphony Orchestra]], the former of which performing string arrangements by [[Paul Buckmaster]].

Upon its release, ''Blue Moves'' received mixed reviews. Some critics found the album to be excessive, while others felt it did not include enough strong material to warrant its length. However, some retrospective reviews have been more positive, highlighting it as one of John's most underrated releases and praising its experimental nature, and John himself has declared it one of his favorites. ''Blue Moves'' reached number 3 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], breaking his streak of number one albums there, while it matched that position on the [[UK Albums Chart]]. The album's first single, "[[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]", reached the top 10 in the US and the top 20 in the UK, while further singles "[[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)]]" and "[[Crazy Water]]" (only released in the UK) both reached the top 30. The album would go on to be certified both [[music recording certification|Platinum]] by the [[RIAA]] and Gold by the [[British Phonographic Industry|BPI]].


==Background==
==Background==
John's previous album ''[[Rock of the Westies]]'' (1975) was his first since 1970's [[Elton John (album)|''Elton John'']] to not include any contributions from longtime [[Elton John Band]] members [[Dee Murray]] and [[Nigel Olsson]] on bass and drums respectively, as they had been fired after the recording of ''[[Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy]]'' (1975).<ref name="westies">{{cite web |last=Planer |first=Lindsay |title=Elton John – Rock of the Westies |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-of-the-westies-mw0000194371 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref> Both of these albums debuted at number one on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], the first two albums in history to do so,<ref name="udiscover2">{{cite web |last=Sexton |first=Paul |title='Rock Of The Westies': Yet Another Peak In Elton John's Stunning Career |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/elton-john-rock-of-the-westies-album/ |website=uDiscoverMusic |date=24 October 2022 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref> with the latter containing the US number four hit "[[Someone Saved My Life Tonight]]" and the former spawning the number one single "[[Island Girl]]".<ref name="billboard">{{cite magazine |title=Elton John Chart History |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/elton-john/chart-history/hsi/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref> In June 1976, "[[Don't Go Breaking My Heart]]", a duet with [[Kiki Dee]], was released as a standalone single and also topped the US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref name="billboard"/>
Having completed what he described as a "gruelling American tour",<ref>{{YouTube|SiUK73JfJCA}}</ref> John only gave a handful of performances at the time of release, and later announced (during a charity concert at [[Wembley Arena]] the following year), "I haven't been touring for a long time. It's been a painful decision, whether to come back on the road or not... I've made a decision tonight – this is going to be the last show... There's a lot more to me than playing on the road."<ref>{{YouTube|HsGd08-DfW0}}</ref> He accordingly left the touring/live performing scene for a brief period. [[Kenny Passarelli]], [[Caleb Quaye]], [[James Newton Howard]] and Roger Pope played their last shows together as part of the Elton John Band during John's seven-night engagement at [[Madison Square Garden]] at the conclusion of the [[Louder Than Concorde Tour]], and formally were let go from the band after the album's release. The shows were the last time Pope, Passarelli, Quaye and John played together. Howard would briefly rejoin John's touring band in 1980, and work with him on the 1986 [[Tour De Force (tour)]] shows in Australia and New Zealand. Only [[Davey Johnstone]] and [[Ray Cooper]] returned for roles on John's next album, ''[[A Single Man (album)|A Single Man]]'' and beyond.

After embarking on the [[Rock of the Westies Tour]] and [[Louder Than Concorde Tour]] in 1975 and 1976, respectively, John decided to take an indefinite break from touring.<ref name="interview">{{cite magazine |last=Jahr |first=Cliff |title=Elton John Comes Out as Bisexual in Rolling Stone's 1976 Cover Story |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/elton-john-lonely-at-the-top-rolling-stones-1976-cover-story-238734/amp/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=7 October 1976 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref> In an October 1976 interview with ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', John expressed his desire to focus on other projects for the time being, saying he felt it would be "silly" to keep his band members under a contract for an additional year while not being sure what his plans for future performing would be.<ref name="interview"/> While [[Davey Johnstone]], [[Ray Cooper]], and [[James Newton Howard]] continued to collaborate with John following the release of ''Blue Moves'', the album marked the last time John worked with [[Caleb Quaye]] and drummer Roger Pope. In the same interview John came out publicly as [[bisexual]], stating "There's nothing wrong with going to bed with somebody of your own sex. I think everybody's bisexual to a certain degree"; he would later come out as [[Homosexuality|gay]] in 1992.<ref name="interview"/><ref name="variety">{{cite web |last=Malkin |first=Marc |title=Elton John Has a Message for Struggling LGBTQ Youth: 'Be Proud of Who You Are' |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/features/elton-john-on-being-gay-1203248152/ |website=Variety |date=20 June 2019 |access-date=13 January 2024}}</ref>


==Overview==
John has stated that ''Blue Moves'' is one of his favourites of the albums he has recorded.<ref>Elton John: ''Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra'', 1987.</ref> It was the last album [[Gus Dudgeon]] produced with John for almost a decade. The cover art is from a painting by British artist [[Patrick Procktor]], called "The Guardian Readers". In the U.S., it was certified gold in October and platinum in December 1976 by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]].
"Cage the Songbird" was a tribute to legendary French singer [[Edith Piaf]], and a year or so later was covered by [[Kiki Dee]] on an unreleased [[The Rocket Record Company|Rocket]] album ''Cage the Songbird'', which finally was issued in 2008. ("Songbird" originated as part of the ''Rock of the Westies'' sessions, but was not completed during them, probably because the song's acoustic, delicate sound did not fit with the more rock 'n' roll approach of the rest of the songs that made the ''Westies'' final track list.) [[The Beach Boys]] turned down "Chameleon" (which was written two years prior to the album's release), but [[Bruce Johnston]], a former Beach Boy, performed backing vocals on John's version, along with former Beach Boys touring member [[Toni Tennille]]. John also performed the song at [[Wembley Stadium]] in 1975, where he also performed the ''Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy'' album in its entirety. An excerpt from "Out of the Blue" was used for the closing titles on ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' until the end of that ''Top Gear'' format (in 2001).<ref>{{cite book |last=Roach |first=Martin |title=The Top Gear Story: The 100% Unofficial Story of the Most Famous Car Show . . . In the World |page=38 |publisher=John Blake |year=2012 |isbn=978-1857826623}}</ref> This is one of two John albums on which Davey Johnstone does not provide backing vocals; 1997's ''[[The Big Picture (Elton John album)|The Big Picture]]'' is the other.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}


The basic tracks for ''Blue Moves'' were recorded at Eastern Sound in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]. Additional overdubs were done at [[Abbey Road Studios|EMI Studios]] in [[Abbey Road, London|Abbey Road]], [[London]]; [[Brother Studios]] in [[Santa Monica, California]]; and Sunset Sound in [[Los Angeles]], California. The album was mixed at Marquee Studios in London.
"[[Cage the Songbird (song)|Cage the Songbird]]" was a tribute to legendary French songstress [[Edith Piaf]], and a year or so later was covered by [[Kiki Dee]] on an unreleased Rocket album, which finally was issued in 2008. ("Songbird" originated as part of the ''[[Rock of the Westies]]'' sessions, but was not completed during them, probably because the song's acoustic, delicate sound did not fit with the more rock 'n' roll approach of the rest of the songs that made the ''Westies'' final track list.) [[The Beach Boys]] turned down "Chameleon" (which was written two years prior to the album's release), but [[Bruce Johnston]], a former Beach Boy, performed backing vocals on John's version along with [[Toni Tennille]]. John also performed the song at [[Wembley Stadium]] in 1975, where he also performed the ''[[Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy]]'' album in its entirety. An excerpt from "Out of the Blue" was used for the closing titles on ''[[Top Gear (1977 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' until the end of that ''Top Gear'' format (in 2001). This was one of two albums in which [[Davey Johnstone]] does not provide backing vocals; 1997's ''[[The Big Picture (Elton John album)|The Big Picture]]'' would be the other.{{cn|date=June 2021}}


John has played several songs from ''Blue Moves'' live: "[[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]", "[[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)]]", "One Horse Town", "Tonight", "Idol" and "[[Crazy Water]]" have been played during various concert appearances through the years.
Basic tracks for ''Blue Moves'' were recorded at Eastern Sound in Toronto, Ontario. Additional overdubs were done at EMI Studios, Abbey Road in London, Brother Studio in Santa Monica, California and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California. The album was mixed at Marquee Studios in London.


In the summer of 2011, [[George Michael]] embarked on what would be his final tour, the orchestral [[Symphonica Tour]] of Europe, the UK, and Australia. From the 19 September concert at [[Budapest Sports Arena]], Michael performed "Idol" in place of "[[Older (George Michael album)|It Doesn't Really Matter]]" on the setlist. At a special gig in the [[Royal Albert Hall]] raising money for the [[Elton John AIDS Foundation]], Michael introduced the song, saying: "This next song was written by someone I hope has made it in here already – Elton. It's a song he wrote in the late 70s and it's about an ageing pop star. Funny that." As Michael cast his gaze around the audience, John waved from the stalls, where he sat beside his civil partner [[David Furnish]] and broadcaster [[Janet Street-Porter]]. Having already recorded his own version of "Tonight" for the ''[[Two Rooms]]'' album in 1991, Michael's vocals at that concert ended up on 2014's ''[[Symphonica (George Michael album)|Symphonica]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/george-michael-sings-for-elton-john-6365271.html?amp|title=George Michael sings for Elton John|date=11 April 2012}}</ref>
John has played several songs from ''Blue Moves'' live: "[[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]", "[[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)|Bite Your Lip]]", "[[One Horse Town]]", "Tonight", "Idol" and "[[Crazy Water]]" have been played during various concert appearances through the years.


==Reception==
==Reception==
{{Album ratings
{{Album ratings
|rev1 = [[Allmusic]]
|rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Planer">{{cite web |last=Planer |first=Lindsay |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10470/review |pure_url=yes}} |title=Blue Moves – Elton John |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>
|rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Planer">{{cite web |last=Planer |first=Lindsay |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10470/review |pure_url=yes}} |title=Blue Moves – Elton John |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=7 February 2012}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2 = ''[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies|Christgau's Record Guide]]''
|rev2Score = C<ref name="CG">{{cite book|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|year=1981|title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]]|publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]]|isbn=089919026X|chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: J|chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=J&bk=70|access-date=February 27, 2019|via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
|rev2Score = C<ref name="CG">{{cite book |last=Christgau |first=Robert |author-link=Robert Christgau |chapter=Consumer Guide '70s: J |chapter-url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/get_chap.php?k=J&bk=70 |title=[[Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies]] |publisher=[[Ticknor & Fields]] |year=1981 |access-date=27 February 2019 |isbn=089919026X |via=robertchristgau.com}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev3 = ''[[The Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]''
| rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref>{{cite book|last=Larkin|first=Colin|chapter=John, Elton|title=The Encyclopedia of Popular Music|title-link=Encyclopedia of Popular Music|publisher=Omnibus Press|location=London|edition=5th concise|year=2011|isbn=978-0-85712-595-8|page=2,003}}</ref>
|rev3score = (not rated)<ref name="Blue Moves Album Review">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/blue-moves-19761230 |title=Blue Moves Album Review |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>
|rev4 = [[Sputnik Music]]
|rev4 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
|rev4score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/30427/Elton-John-Blue-Moves/ |title=Elton John - Blue Moves (album review) |website=[[Sputnikmusic]] |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>
|rev4score = (not rated)<ref name="Blue Moves Album Review">{{cite magazine |title=Blue Moves Album Review |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/blue-moves-19761230 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>
|rev5 = Sputnik Music
|rev5score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/30427/Elton-John-Blue-Moves/ |title=Elton John – Blue Moves (album review) |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>
}}
}}
''Blue Moves'' has received mixed reviews since its release. A contemporary review for ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' said the album "contains nowhere near enough good songs to justify the extended length" and that the interludes and instrumentals were done "to the exclusion of sense."<ref name="Blue Moves Album Review"/> ''[[Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] described it as "impossibly weepy" and "excessive".<ref name="CG"/> Lindsay Planer of Allmusic later said the album showed the "inevitable fatigue" of John's "immense creativity" that had helped create the previous albums of his career.<ref name="Planer"/>
''Blue Moves'' has received mixed reviews since its release. A contemporary review for ''Rolling Stone'' said the album "contains nowhere near enough good songs to justify the extended length" and that the interludes and instrumentals were done "to the exclusion of sense".<ref name="Blue Moves Album Review"/> ''[[Village Voice]]'' critic [[Robert Christgau]] described it as "impossibly weepy" and "excessive".<ref name="CG"/> Lindsay Planer of [[Allmusic]] later said the album showed the "inevitable fatigue" of John's "immense creativity" that had helped create the previous albums of his career.<ref name="Planer"/>


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| all_writing = [[Elton John]] and [[Bernie Taupin]], except where noted
| all_writing =
| headline = Side one
| headline = Side one
| title1 = Your Starter For...
| title1 = Your Starter For...
Line 65: Line 76:
| length1 = 1:23
| length1 = 1:23
| title2 = Tonight
| title2 = Tonight
| writer2 = {{hlist|[[Elton John]]|[[Bernie Taupin]]}}
| length2 = 7:52
| length2 = 7:52
| title3 = [[One Horse Town]]
| title3 = One Horse Town
| writer3 = John, [[James Newton Howard]], Taupin
| writer3 = {{hlist|John|Taupin|[[James Newton Howard]]}}
| length3 = 5:56
| length3 = 5:56
| title4 = Chameleon
| title4 = Chameleon
| writer4 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length4 = 5:27
| length4 = 5:27
}}
}}
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = Side two
| headline = Side two
| title5 = Boogie Pilgrim
| title1 = Boogie Pilgrim
| writer5 = John, [[Davey Johnstone]], Quaye, Taupin
| writer1 = {{hlist|John|Taupin|[[Davey Johnstone]]|Quaye}}
| length5 = 6:05
| length1 = 6:05
| title6 = Cage the Songbird
| title2 = Cage the Songbird
| writer6 = John, Johnstone, Taupin
| writer2 = {{hlist|John|Taupin|Johnstone}}
| length6 = 3:52
| length2 = 3:27
| title7 = [[Crazy Water]]
| title3 = [[Crazy Water]]
| writer3 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length7 = 5:42
| length3 = 5:42
| title8 = Shoulder Holster
| title4 = Shoulder Holster
| length8 = 5:10
| writer4 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length4 = 5:10
}}
}}
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = Side three
| headline = Side three
| title9 = [[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]
| title1 = [[Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length9 = 3:48
| length1 = 3:48
| title10 = Out of the Blue
| title2 = Out of the Blue
| length10 = 6:14
| writer2 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| title11 = Between Seventeen and Twenty
| length2 = 6:14
| write11 = John, Johnstone, Quaye, Taupin
| title3 = Between Seventeen and Twenty
| length11 = 5:17
| writer3 = {{hlist|John|Taupin|Johnstone|Quaye}}
| title12 = The Wide Eyed and Laughing
| length3 = 5:17
| writer12 = John, Johnstone, Howard, Quaye, Taupin
| title4 = The Wide-Eyed and Laughing
| length12 = 3:27
| writer4 = {{hlist|John|Taupin|Newton Howard|Johnstone|Quaye}}
| title13 = Someone's Final Song
| length13 = 4:10
| length4 = 3:27
| title5 = Someone's Final Song
| writer5 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length5 = 4:10
}}
}}
{{tracklist
{{tracklist
| headline = Side four
| headline = Side four
| title14 = Where's the Shoorah?
| title1 = Where's the Shoorah?
| writer1 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length14 = 4:09
| length1 = 4:09
| title15 = If There's a God in Heaven (What's He Waiting For?)
| title2 = If There's a God in Heaven (What's He Waiting For?)
| writer15 = John, Johnstone, Taupin
| writer2 = {{hlist|John|Taupin|Johnstone}}
| length15 = 4:25
| title16 = Idol
| length2 = 4:25
| length16 = 4:08
| title3 = Idol
| writer3 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| title17 = Theme From a Non-Existent TV Series
| length17 = 1:19
| length3 = 4:08
| title4 = Theme From a Non-Existent TV Series
| title18 = [[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)]]
| writer4 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length18 = 6:43
| total_length = 84:40
| length4 = 1:19
| title5 = [[Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)]]
| writer5 = {{hlist|John|Taupin}}
| length5 = 6:43
| total_length = 85:07
}}
}}
'''Notes'''
* Initial CD versions of the album maintain the same running order, but omit the following tracks: ''Shoulder Holster'', ''The Wide Eyed and Laughing'', ''Out of the Blue'', and ''Where's the Shoorah?''. It has since been remastered and re-released as a 2-CD set retaining the original LP track listing.


'''Note:''' Initial CD versions of the album maintain the same running order, but omit various combinations of the following tracks: "Cage the Songbird", "Shoulder Holster", "The Wide-Eyed and Laughing" and "Where's the Shoorah?".<ref name="single cd">{{cite AV media notes |title=Blue Moves |author=Elton John |type=liner notes |date=1988}}</ref> It has since been remastered and re-released as a 2-CD set retaining the original LP track listing.
==Personnel==

== Personnel ==
Track numbering refers to the 2-CD and digital releases of the album.
Track numbering refers to the 2-CD and digital releases of the album.
*[[Elton John]] – piano <small>(1-5, 7-10, 13-16, 18)</small>, vocals <small>(2-9, 12-16, 18)</small>, vocalese <small>(11)</small>, [[Pump organ|harmonium]] <small>(14)</small>, [[harpsichord]] <small>(17)</small>
*[[Curt Becher]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 10, 11, 13)</small>, BGV arrangement <small>(11, 13)</small>
*[[Harry Bluestone]] – strings leader <small>(18)</small>
*[[Michael Brecker]] – saxophone <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
*[[Randy Brecker]] – trumpet <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
*[[Paul Buckmaster]] – string arrangements and conductor <small>(3, 7, 15)</small>, brass arrangements <small>(7)</small>
*[[Cindy Bullens]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 11)</small>
*Clark Burroughs – backing vocals <small>(13)</small>
*[[Joe Chemay]] – backing vocals <small>(11, 13)</small>
*[[Rev. James Cleveland]] – choir director <small>(5, 14, 18)</small>
*[[Ray Cooper]] – glockenspiel <small>(1, 17)</small>, marimba <small>(1, 17)</small>, gong <small>(3)</small>, tambourine <small>(3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 15)</small>, vibraphone <small>(3, 4, 9, 10)</small>, bells <small>(3)</small>, shaker <small>(4, 6, 11)</small>, triangle <small>(6)</small>, finger cymbals <small>(6)</small>, congas <small>(7, 10, 11, 15, 18)</small>, [[rototom]] <small>(12)</small>
*The Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church and the [[Southern California Community Choir]] – choirs <small>(5, 14, 18)</small>
*[[David Crosby]] – backing vocals <small>(6, 12)</small>
*[[Daryl Dragon]] – BGV arrangement <small>(7)</small>
*[[Martyn Ford|The Martyn Ford Orchestra]] – [[String instrument|strings]] <small>(3, 7, 15)</small>, brass <small>(7)</small>
*Carl Fortina – [[accordion]] <small>(8)</small>
*Ron Hicklin – backing vocals <small>(4, 7)</small>
*Michael Hurwitz – cello <small>(3)</small>
*[[Bruce Johnston]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 10, 11, 13)</small>, BGV arrangement <small>(4, 11, 13)</small>
*[[Davey Johnstone]] – [[mandolin]] <small>(2, 11, 17)</small>, electric guitar <small>(3, 7, 10, 15)</small>, [[slide guitar]] <small>(5, 18)</small>, [[acoustic guitar]] <small>(6)</small>, [[dulcimer]] <small>(6)</small>, [[sitar]] <small>(12)</small>, slide guitar <small>(18)</small>
*Jon Joyce – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 11)</small>
*[[London Symphony Orchestra|The London Symphony Orchestra]] – strings <small>(2, 9)</small>
*Gene Morford – backing vocals <small>(4, 7)</small>
*[[Graham Nash]] – backing vocals <small>(6, 12)</small>
*[[James Newton Howard]] – synthesizer <small>(1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18)</small>, [[piano]], Fender Rhodes <small>(3, 9, 13, 17)</small>, [[Hammond organ]] <small>(5, 11, 15)</small>, [[mellotron]] <small>(6)</small>, [[clavinet]] <small>(7)</small>
*[[Gene Page|The Gene Page Strings]] – strings <small>(18)</small>
*[[Kenny Passarelli]] – bass guitar <small>(1, 3-5, 7-11, 14-18)</small>
*Roger Pope – drums <small>(1, 3-5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15-18)</small>
*[[Caleb Quaye]] – acoustic guitar <small>(1, 4, 6, 12, 17)</small>, electric guitar <small>(3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 15, 18)</small>, guitar solo <small>(3, 10, 15)</small>, [[twelve-string guitar]] <small>(12)</small>
*[[Barry Rogers]] – trombone <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
*[[David Sanborn]] – saxophone <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
*Richard Studt – strings leader <small>(3, 7, 12, 15), brass leader (7)</small>
*[[Toni Tennille]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 10, 13)</small>


== Production ==
=== Musicians ===
* [[Elton John]] – acoustic piano <small>(1–5, 7–10, 13–16, 18)</small>, vocals <small>(2–9, 12–16, 18)</small>, [[vocalese]] <small>(11)</small>, [[Pump organ|harmonium]] <small>(14)</small>, [[harpsichord]] <small>(17)</small>
* Producer and Liner Notes – Gus Dudgeon
* [[Curt Becher]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 10, 11, 13)</small>, BGV arrangements <small>(11, 13)</small>
* Engineers – Arun Chakraverty, Gus Dudgeon, Mark Howlett, John Kurlander, Earle Mankey and John Stewart.
* [[Harry Bluestone]] – strings leader <small>(18)</small>
* [[Michael Brecker]] – saxophone <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
* [[Randy Brecker]] – trumpet <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
* [[Paul Buckmaster]] – string arrangements and conductor <small>(3, 7, 15)</small>, brass arrangements <small>(7)</small>
* [[Cindy Bullens]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 11)</small>
* Clark Burroughs – backing vocals <small>(13)</small>
* [[Joe Chemay]] – backing vocals <small>(11, 13)</small>
* [[Rev. James Cleveland]] – choir director <small>(5, 14, 18)</small>
* [[Ray Cooper]] – [[glockenspiel]] <small>(1, 17)</small>, [[marimba]] <small>(1, 17)</small>, [[gong]] <small>(3)</small>, tambourine <small>(3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 15)</small>, [[vibraphone]] <small>(3, 4, 9, 10)</small>, bells <small>(3)</small>, shaker <small>(4, 6, 11)</small>, triangle <small>(6)</small>, [[finger cymbals]] <small>(6)</small>, congas <small>(7, 10, 11, 15, 18)</small>, [[rototom]] <small>(12)</small>
* The Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church and the [[Southern California Community Choir]] – choirs <small>(5, 14, 18)</small>
* [[David Crosby]] – backing vocals <small>(6)</small>
* [[Daryl Dragon]] – BGV arrangements <small>(7)</small>
* [[Martyn Ford|The Martyn Ford Orchestra]] – strings <small>(3, 7, 15)</small>, brass <small>(7)</small>
* Carl Fortina – [[accordion]] <small>(8)</small>
* Ron Hicklin – backing vocals <small>(4, 7)</small>
* Michael Hurwitz – cello <small>(3)</small>
* [[Bruce Johnston]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 10, 11, 13)</small>, BGV arrangements <small>(4, 11, 13)</small>
* [[Davey Johnstone]] – [[mandolin]] <small>(2, 11, 17)</small>, electric guitar <small>(3, 7, 10, 15)</small>, [[slide guitar]] <small>(5, 18)</small>, acoustic guitar <small>(6)</small>, [[dulcimer]] <small>(6)</small>, [[sitar]] <small>(12)</small>, [[slide guitar]] <small>(18)</small>
* Jon Joyce – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 11)</small>
* [[The London Symphony Orchestra]] – strings <small>(2, 9)</small>
* Gene Morford – backing vocals <small>(4, 7)</small>
* [[Graham Nash]] – backing vocals <small>(6)</small>
* [[James Newton Howard]] – synthesizers <small>(1, 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18)</small>, [[Fender Rhodes]] <small>(3, 9, 13, 17)</small>, [[Hammond organ]] <small>(5, 11, 15)</small>, [[mellotron]] <small>(6)</small>, [[clavinet]] <small>(7)</small>
* [[Gene Page|The Gene Page Strings]] – strings <small>(18)</small>
* [[Kenny Passarelli]] – bass guitar <small>(1, 3–5, 7–11, 14–18)</small>
* Roger Pope – drums <small>(1, 3–5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15–18)</small>
* [[Caleb Quaye]] – acoustic guitar <small>(1, 4, 6, 12, 17)</small>, electric guitar <small>(3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 15, 18)</small>, guitar solo <small>(3, 10, 15)</small>, 12-string guitar <small>(12)</small>
* [[Barry Rogers]] – trombone <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
* [[David Sanborn]] – saxophone <small>(5, 8, 16)</small>
* Richard Studt – strings leader <small>(3, 7, 12, 15)</small>, brass leader <small>(7)</small>
* [[Toni Tennille]] – backing vocals <small>(4, 7, 10, 13)</small>

=== Production ===
* Producer and liner notes – [[Gus Dudgeon]]
* Engineers – Arun Chakraverty, Gus Dudgeon, Mark Howlett, John Kurlander, [[Earle Mankey]] and John Stewart
* Mixing – Phil Dunne
* Mixing – Phil Dunne
* Remixing – Gus Dudgeon and Phil Dunne
* Remixing – Gus Dudgeon and Phil Dunne
* Cutting Engineer – Arun Chakraverty
* Cutting engineer – Arun Chakraverty
* Art Direction and Coordination – [[David Costa (graphic designer)|David Costa]]
* Art direction and coordination – [[David Costa (graphic designer)|David Costa]]
* Photography – David Nutter
* Photography – David Nutter
* Painting – Patrick Procktor
* Painting – [[Patrick Procktor]]
* Management – [[John Reid (music manager)|John Reid]]


==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 170: Line 193:


===Weekly charts===
===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1976–77)
! scope="col"| Chart (1976–1977)
!Peak position
! scope="col"| Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Kent Music Report|Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart]]<ref name="auchart">{{Cite book |title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 }}</ref>
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |edition=illustrated |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|8
| 8
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|4|chartid=5136a|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[RPM (magazine)|Canadian ''RPM'' Albums Chart]]<ref>[http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5136a&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 Library and Archives Canada.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315040027/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php |date=15 March 2012 }} Retrieved 29 February 2012</ref>
|4
|-
|-
|align="left"|Danish Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web |url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=2429 |title=danskehitlister.dk |website=danskehitlister.dk |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Danish Albums ([[Hitlisten]])<ref>{{cite web |title=danskehitlister.dk |url=http://danskehitlister.dk/?song_id=2429 |website=danskehitlister.dk |access-date=6 March 2019}}</ref>
|5
| 5
|-
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|7|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[MegaCharts|Dutch Mega Albums Chart]]<ref name="nlchart">{{cite web |title=dutchcharts.nl Elton John – Blue Moves |publisher=[[MegaCharts]] |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Elton+John&titel=Blue+Moves&cat=a |work=Hung Medien |language=nl |format=ASP |access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>
|7
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts]])<ref name=FINI>{{cite book |last=Pennanen |first=Timo |title=Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 |publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava |location=Helsinki |edition=1st |year=2006 |isbn=978-951-1-21053-5 |language=fi}}</ref>
|align="left"|[[Finnish Albums Chart]]<ref>source:
| 22
Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. {{ISBN|9789511210535}}. page: 280</ref>
|align="center"|22
|-
|-
{{album chart|Germany4|39|id=6739|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|French SNEP Albums Chart]]<ref name="fracharts">{{cite web|url=http://infodisc.fr/Album_J.php |title=InfoDisc : Tous les Albums classés par Artiste > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste : Elton John |publisher=infodisc.fr |language=fr |format=PHP |access-date=29 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910214521/http://infodisc.fr/Album_J.php |archive-date=10 September 2013 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|6
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Italian Albums (''[[Musica e Dischi]]'')<ref>{{cite web |title=Classifiche |url=http://www.musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php |work=[[Musica e Dischi]] |access-date=25 March 2024 |language=it}} Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".</ref>
|align="left"|[[Oricon|Japanese Oricon LP Chart]]<ref name="Jachart">{{cite book |title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 |publisher=Oricon Entertainment |location=[[Roppongi]], Tokyo |year=2006 |isbn=4-87131-077-9}}</ref>
|53
| 9
|-
|-
|align="left"|[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand|New Zealand Albums Chart]]<ref name="NZchart">{{cite web |title=charts.nz Elton John – Blue Moves |work=Hung Medien |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of New Zealand]] |url=https://charts.nz/showitem.asp?interpret=Elton+John&titel=Blue+Moves&cat=a |format=ASP |access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>
! scope="row"| Japanese Albums ([[Oricon]])<ref name="JPN">{{cite book |title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 |publisher=[[Oricon Entertainment]] |location=Roppongi, Tokyo |year=2006 |isbn=4-87131-077-9 |language=ja}}</ref>
|7
| 53
|-
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|7|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[VG-lista|Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart]]<ref name="Nochart">{{cite web |title=norwegiancharts.com Elton John – ''Blue Moves'' |work=Hung Medien |publisher=VG-lista |format=ASP |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Elton+John&titel=Blue+Moves&cat=a |access-date=28 February 2012}}</ref>
|5
|-
|-
{{album chart|Norway|5|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[Spanish Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st |date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
|align="center"|10
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Spanish Albums ([[AFYVE]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri |first=Fernando |title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 |publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE |location=Spain |edition=1st |date=September 2005 |isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
|align="left"|[[Sverigetopplistan|Swedish Albums Chart]]<ref name="sechart">{{cite web |title=swedishcharts.com Elton John – ''Blue Moves'' |publisher=[[Sverigetopplistan]] |format=ASP |url=http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Elton+John&titel=Blue+Moves&cat=a |access-date=29 February 2012}}</ref>
|12
| 10
|-
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|12|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[UK Albums Chart]]<ref name="UKchart">{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Blue%20Moves |title=The Official Charts Company – Elton John – ''Blue Moves'' |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |format=PHP |access-date=28 February 2012}}</ref>
|3
|-
|-
{{album chart|UK2|3|date=19761107|refname=UK albums|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]<ref name="USchart">{{cite web |title=allmusic ((( Blue Moves > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums ))) |publisher=allmusic.com |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r10470/charts-awards|pure_url=yes}} |access-date=28 February 2012}}</ref>
|3
|-
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|3|artist=Elton John|refname=Billboard 200|rowheader=true|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|[[Media Control Charts|West German Media Control Albums Chart]]<ref name="dechart">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.de/album.asp?artist=Elton+John&title=Blue+Moves&cat=a&country=de |title=Album Search: Elton John – ''Blue Moves'' |language=de |publisher=Media Control |format=ASP |access-date=28 February 2012}}</ref>
|39
|}
|}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}


===Year-end charts===
===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Chart (1976)
! scope="col"| Chart (1976)
!Position
! scope="col"| Position
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|34|chartid=5175|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|refname=CAN1|access-date=25 March 2024}}
|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart<ref name="auchart" />
|51
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Dutch Albums ([[Album Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1977 |url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1976&cat=a |publisher=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=2 April 2014}}</ref>
|align="left"|[[RPM Year-End|Canadian Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5175&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 |title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1976 |magazine=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |access-date=24 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224000534/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.5175&type=1&interval=20&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 |archive-date=24 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|34
| 41
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! scope="col"| Chart (1977)
|align="left"|Dutch Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1976&cat=a |title=Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1977|publisher=Dutchcharts.nl |access-date=2 April 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col"| Position
|41
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Australian Albums ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name="aus" />
|align="left"|French Albums Chart<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/B-CD_1976.php |title=Les Albums (CD) de 1976 par InfoDisc |language=fr |format=PHP |publisher=infodisc.fr |access-date=24 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120521233518/http://infodisc.fr/B-CD_1976.php |archive-date=21 May 2012 |df=dmy }}</ref>
|51
| 61
|-
|-
{{album chart|Canada|53|chartid=5558|artist=Elton John|album=Blue Moves|rowheader=true|refname=CAN2|access-date=25 March 2024}}
!Chart (1977)
!Position
|-
|-
! scope="row"| US ''[[Billboard 200]]''<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Pop Albums of 1977 |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855680?imw=Y |magazine=Billboard |access-date=12 August 2011}}</ref>
|align="left"|Australian Albums Chart<ref name="auchart" />
|61
| 80
|-
|align="left"|Canadian Albums Chart<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.5558&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=mhe12pta2k83e08udtq66ot062 |title=RPM Top 100 Albums of 1977 |magazine=RPM |date=31 December 1977 |access-date=24 February 2012}}</ref>
|53
|-
|align="left"|U.S. Billboard Pop Albums<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/archivesearch/article_display/855680?imw=Y|title=Top Pop Albums of 1977|publisher=billboard.biz|access-date=12 August 2011}}</ref>
|80
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Certifications==
==Certifications==
{{certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|region=Australia|award=Platinum|relyear=1976|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-12-04.pdf|title=Blue Moves to Platinum|magazine=Cash Box|via=World Radio History|page=50|volume=38|issue=29|date=4 December 1976|access-date=15 August 2020}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|region=Australia|award=Platinum|relyear=1976|certyear=1977|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Blue Moves to Platinum |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1976/Cash-Box-1976-12-04-OCR-Page-0050.pdf |magazine=Cashbox |volume=38 |issue=29 |page=50 |date=4 December 1976 |access-date=15 August 2020 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=Canada|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=Canada|award=Gold}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=France|award=Gold|salesamount=157,000|salesref=<ref name=FRGD>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/CDCertif_O.php?debut=1500|title=Les Albums Or|publisher=[[SNEP]]|work=infodisc.fr|access-date=18 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018011439/http://www.infodisc.fr/CDCertif_O.php?debut=1500|archive-date=18 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>|certyear=1977|recent=false}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=France|award=Gold|certyear=1977|source=infodisc}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|region=Netherlands|award=Gold|relyear=1976|certyear=1977|certref=<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Holland Reaction |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/70s/1977/CB-1977-01-01-OCR-Page-0039.pdf |magazine=Cashbox |page=39 |date=1 January 1977 |access-date=18 March 2023 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold}}
{{certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=United States|award=Platinum}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=United Kingdom|award=Gold|id=970-2982-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|title=Blue Moves|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1976|region=United States|award=Platinum}}
{{certification Table Bottom|nosales=yes}}
{{Certification Table Bottom}}


== See also ==
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
* [[Album era]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Discogs master|type=album|30558|name=Blue Moves}}

{{Elton John}}
{{Elton John}}


Revision as of 21:43, 19 November 2024

Blue Moves
Studio album by
Elton John
Released22 October 1976
RecordedMarch 23 to June 1976
Studio
Length84:49
Label
ProducerGus Dudgeon
Elton John chronology
Here and There
(1976) 		Blue Moves
(1976) 		Elton John's Greatest Hits Volume II
(1977)
Singles from Blue Moves
  1. "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
    Released: 1 November 1976
  2. "Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)"
    Released: 31 January 1977 (US)
  3. "Crazy Water"
    Released: 4 February 1977 (UK)

Blue Moves is the eleventh studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released on 22 October 1976 through John's own Rocket Record Company (his first for the label), alongside MCA Records in certain countries. John's second double album, it was recorded at EMI Studios, Brother Studios, Eastern Sound and Sunset Sound Recorders, and was his last to be produced by longtime collaborator Gus Dudgeon until Ice on Fire (1985). Additionally, the album would be the last collaboration between John and lyricist Bernie Taupin for the next few years[a] until a partial resumption of their working partnership with 21 at 33 (1980).

The music on Blue Moves is considered some of John's most experimental, fusing genres such as pop, gospel, disco and jazz while also including orchestral elements and extended song lengths. Guests on the album include David Crosby, Graham Nash, Bruce Johnston and Toni Tennille contributing backing vocals, alongside performances by both the Martyn Ford Orchestra and London Symphony Orchestra, the former of which performing string arrangements by Paul Buckmaster.

Upon its release, Blue Moves received mixed reviews. Some critics found the album to be excessive, while others felt it did not include enough strong material to warrant its length. However, some retrospective reviews have been more positive, highlighting it as one of John's most underrated releases and praising its experimental nature, and John himself has declared it one of his favorites. Blue Moves reached number 3 on the US Billboard 200, breaking his streak of number one albums there, while it matched that position on the UK Albums Chart. The album's first single, "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", reached the top 10 in the US and the top 20 in the UK, while further singles "Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)" and "Crazy Water" (only released in the UK) both reached the top 30. The album would go on to be certified both Platinum by the RIAA and Gold by the BPI.

Background

John's previous album Rock of the Westies (1975) was his first since 1970's Elton John to not include any contributions from longtime Elton John Band members Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson on bass and drums respectively, as they had been fired after the recording of Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975).[1] Both of these albums debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, the first two albums in history to do so,[2] with the latter containing the US number four hit "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and the former spawning the number one single "Island Girl".[3] In June 1976, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", a duet with Kiki Dee, was released as a standalone single and also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.[3]

After embarking on the Rock of the Westies Tour and Louder Than Concorde Tour in 1975 and 1976, respectively, John decided to take an indefinite break from touring.[4] In an October 1976 interview with Rolling Stone, John expressed his desire to focus on other projects for the time being, saying he felt it would be "silly" to keep his band members under a contract for an additional year while not being sure what his plans for future performing would be.[4] While Davey Johnstone, Ray Cooper, and James Newton Howard continued to collaborate with John following the release of Blue Moves, the album marked the last time John worked with Caleb Quaye and drummer Roger Pope. In the same interview John came out publicly as bisexual, stating "There's nothing wrong with going to bed with somebody of your own sex. I think everybody's bisexual to a certain degree"; he would later come out as gay in 1992.[4][5]

Overview

"Cage the Songbird" was a tribute to legendary French singer Edith Piaf, and a year or so later was covered by Kiki Dee on an unreleased Rocket album Cage the Songbird, which finally was issued in 2008. ("Songbird" originated as part of the Rock of the Westies sessions, but was not completed during them, probably because the song's acoustic, delicate sound did not fit with the more rock 'n' roll approach of the rest of the songs that made the Westies final track list.) The Beach Boys turned down "Chameleon" (which was written two years prior to the album's release), but Bruce Johnston, a former Beach Boy, performed backing vocals on John's version, along with former Beach Boys touring member Toni Tennille. John also performed the song at Wembley Stadium in 1975, where he also performed the Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy album in its entirety. An excerpt from "Out of the Blue" was used for the closing titles on Top Gear until the end of that Top Gear format (in 2001).[6] This is one of two John albums on which Davey Johnstone does not provide backing vocals; 1997's The Big Picture is the other.[citation needed]

The basic tracks for Blue Moves were recorded at Eastern Sound in Toronto, Ontario. Additional overdubs were done at EMI Studios in Abbey Road, London; Brother Studios in Santa Monica, California; and Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, California. The album was mixed at Marquee Studios in London.

John has played several songs from Blue Moves live: "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", "Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)", "One Horse Town", "Tonight", "Idol" and "Crazy Water" have been played during various concert appearances through the years.

In the summer of 2011, George Michael embarked on what would be his final tour, the orchestral Symphonica Tour of Europe, the UK, and Australia. From the 19 September concert at Budapest Sports Arena, Michael performed "Idol" in place of "It Doesn't Really Matter" on the setlist. At a special gig in the Royal Albert Hall raising money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Michael introduced the song, saying: "This next song was written by someone I hope has made it in here already – Elton. It's a song he wrote in the late 70s and it's about an ageing pop star. Funny that." As Michael cast his gaze around the audience, John waved from the stalls, where he sat beside his civil partner David Furnish and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter. Having already recorded his own version of "Tonight" for the Two Rooms album in 1991, Michael's vocals at that concert ended up on 2014's Symphonica.[7]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[8]
Christgau's Record GuideC[9]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[10]
Rolling Stone(not rated)[11]
Sputnik Music[12]

Blue Moves has received mixed reviews since its release. A contemporary review for Rolling Stone said the album "contains nowhere near enough good songs to justify the extended length" and that the interludes and instrumentals were done "to the exclusion of sense".[11] Village Voice critic Robert Christgau described it as "impossibly weepy" and "excessive".[9] Lindsay Planer of Allmusic later said the album showed the "inevitable fatigue" of John's "immense creativity" that had helped create the previous albums of his career.[8]

Track listing

Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Your Starter For..."Caleb Quaye1:23
2."Tonight"
7:52
3."One Horse Town"
5:56
4."Chameleon"
  • John
  • Taupin
5:27
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Boogie Pilgrim"
6:05
2."Cage the Songbird"
  • John
  • Taupin
  • Johnstone
3:27
3."Crazy Water"
  • John
  • Taupin
5:42
4."Shoulder Holster"
  • John
  • Taupin
5:10
Side three
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"
  • John
  • Taupin
3:48
2."Out of the Blue"
  • John
  • Taupin
6:14
3."Between Seventeen and Twenty"
  • John
  • Taupin
  • Johnstone
  • Quaye
5:17
4."The Wide-Eyed and Laughing"
  • John
  • Taupin
  • Newton Howard
  • Johnstone
  • Quaye
3:27
5."Someone's Final Song"
  • John
  • Taupin
4:10
Side four
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Where's the Shoorah?"
  • John
  • Taupin
4:09
2."If There's a God in Heaven (What's He Waiting For?)"
  • John
  • Taupin
  • Johnstone
4:25
3."Idol"
  • John
  • Taupin
4:08
4."Theme From a Non-Existent TV Series"
  • John
  • Taupin
1:19
5."Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!)"
  • John
  • Taupin
6:43
Total length:85:07

Note: Initial CD versions of the album maintain the same running order, but omit various combinations of the following tracks: "Cage the Songbird", "Shoulder Holster", "The Wide-Eyed and Laughing" and "Where's the Shoorah?".[13] It has since been remastered and re-released as a 2-CD set retaining the original LP track listing.

Personnel

Track numbering refers to the 2-CD and digital releases of the album.

Musicians

Production

  • Producer and liner notes – Gus Dudgeon
  • Engineers – Arun Chakraverty, Gus Dudgeon, Mark Howlett, John Kurlander, Earle Mankey and John Stewart
  • Mixing – Phil Dunne
  • Remixing – Gus Dudgeon and Phil Dunne
  • Cutting engineer – Arun Chakraverty
  • Art direction and coordination – David Costa
  • Photography – David Nutter
  • Painting – Patrick Procktor

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[32] Platinum 50,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[33] Gold 50,000^
France (SNEP)[34] Gold 100,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[35] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[36] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[37] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. ^ Aside from the 1978 non-album single "Ego", originally written for but not included on Blue Moves

References

  1. ^ Planer, Lindsay. "Elton John – Rock of the Westies". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  2. ^ Sexton, Paul (24 October 2022). "'Rock Of The Westies': Yet Another Peak In Elton John's Stunning Career". uDiscoverMusic. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Elton John Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Jahr, Cliff (7 October 1976). "Elton John Comes Out as Bisexual in Rolling Stone's 1976 Cover Story". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  5. ^ Malkin, Marc (20 June 2019). "Elton John Has a Message for Struggling LGBTQ Youth: 'Be Proud of Who You Are'". Variety. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  6. ^ Roach, Martin (2012). The Top Gear Story: The 100% Unofficial Story of the Most Famous Car Show . . . In the World. John Blake. p. 38. ISBN 978-1857826623.
  7. ^ "George Michael sings for Elton John". 11 April 2012.
  8. ^ a b Planer, Lindsay. "Blue Moves – Elton John". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  9. ^ a b Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: J". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 27 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  10. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  11. ^ a b "Blue Moves Album Review". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  12. ^ "Elton John – Blue Moves (album review)". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  13. ^ Elton John (1988). Blue Moves (liner notes).
  14. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  15. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5136a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  16. ^ "danskehitlister.dk". danskehitlister.dk. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  17. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – Blue Moves" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  18. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  19. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Blue Moves" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  20. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 25 March 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".
  21. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  22. ^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – Blue Moves". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  23. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Blue Moves". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  24. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  25. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – Blue Moves". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  26. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  28. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5175". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1977". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  30. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5558". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  31. ^ "Top Pop Albums of 1977". Billboard. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  32. ^ "Blue Moves to Platinum" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. 38, no. 29. 4 December 1976. p. 50. Retrieved 15 August 2020 – via World Radio History.
  33. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Elton John – Blue Moves". Music Canada.
  34. ^ "French album certifications – Elton John – Blue Moves" (in French). InfoDisc. Select ELTON JOHN and click OK. 
  35. ^ "Holland Reaction" (PDF). Cashbox. 1 January 1977. p. 39. Retrieved 18 March 2023 – via World Radio History.
  36. ^ "British album certifications – Elton John – Blue Moves". British Phonographic Industry.
  37. ^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Blue Moves". Recording Industry Association of America.
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