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I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
| cover = I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues Single.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Elton John
| album = Too Low for Zero
| B-side =
| released = April 1983 (UK)
November 1983 (US)
| recorded = September 1982
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length =
| label = Rocket
Geffen (US)
| writer = Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone
| producer = Chris Thomas
| prev_title = All Quiet on the Western Front
| prev_year = 1982
| next_title = I'm Still Standing
| next_year = 1983
| misc =
}}
"'I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues'" is a song by English musician Elton John, with music by John and Davey Johnstone and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It is the first single from John's 17th studio album 'Too Low for Zero'. In the United States, it became one of John's biggest hits of the 1980s, holding at No. 2 for four weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart, and reaching No. 4 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100. It also reached the top ten in five countries including the UK, peaking at number five. It was the first single since 1975 to feature the classic lineup of the Elton John Band.
It features Stevie Wonder on harmonica. The song received largely favourable reviews, with Bill Janovitz of AllMusic declaring the song "likely to stand the test of time as a standard." The song was also featured on the film soundtrack to 'Peter's Friends' in 1992.
Performances
John has performed the song, a fan favourite, live numerous times, occasionally playing it as part of a medley with his hit "Blue Eyes" (from the 1982 album 'Jump Up!').
The song was later performed live by Mary J. Blige and Elton John, and this version of the song was part of the 'Mary J. Blige & Friends' EP. A live version of the song with Mary J. Blige also appeared on John's 'One Night Only The Greatest Hits' live compilation, recorded in Madison Square Garden in October 2000. Another live version, this one featuring just Elton John and basic rhythm section, was recorded live in Verona in 1996 during John's appearance with Luciano Pavarotti as part of the master tenor's Pavarotti and Friends for War Child benefit concerts.
Music video
The original music video, one of twenty directed for John by Australian Russell Mulcahy, tells the story of two 1950s-era young lovers who are separated when the man is forced to leave for National Service, depicting the trials and tribulations he experiences there, and then are finally reunited at the end of the song. It was filmed in the Rivoli Ballroom in London and at Colchester Garrison Barracks, Essex.
Track listings
'US 7-inch single'
# "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
# "The Retreat"
'UK 7-inch single'
# "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
# "Choc Ice Goes Mental"
Personnel
* Elton John vocals, acoustic piano, keyboards
* Davey Johnstone electric guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
* Dee Murray bass, backing vocals
* Nigel Olsson drums, backing vocals
* Stevie Wonder harmonica
Charts and certifications
Certifications
Covers
*The song was covered by James Blunt and released in the UK on the compilation album 'BBC Radio 2: Sounds of the 80s' on 7 November 2014.
*Canadian singer Alessia Cara covered the song for the 2018 tribute album 'Revamp & Restoration'.
References
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