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With a contract that obliges you to release at least two LPs a year, it's very easy to get lost in a career that sadly leans towards safe limbos characterized by repeated clichés.
That's what will happen to Elton John for most of the '80s and which is already foreshadowed in some of his somewhat bland works from the '70s. The '80s, which will be lost in the horrible "Ice On Fire" ('85) and "Leather Jackets" ('86), begin with one of the albums with certainly the most curious titles, "21 at 33". The title references the number of LPs released up to that point, twenty-one, and the age of the composer, thirty-three, and it is one of John's most balanced works. Decidedly pleasant and easy to listen to, "21 at 33" immediately becomes enjoyable for some tracks of definite impact that enhance its overall vigor, opening with the brilliant "Chasing The Crown", which is the right start with lively and danceable tones. "Little Jeanie" is the somewhat sugary ballad that almost never disappoints, especially the ending fascinates with the intervention of female backing vocals weaving a delicate sound tapestry. The most impactful track is the magnificent "Sartorial Eloquence" which earns a deserved place among the best songs by the British artist; "Two Rooms at The End Of The World" and "White Lady White Powder" are two other delightful and playful pieces. The rest of the LP remains on enjoyable paths as demonstrated by the intense "Dear God".
Recorded in Nice with a large number of musicians and with lyrics by Taupin and Osborne, "21 at 33" eventually does not disappoint, and Elton John demonstrates that he can open the new decade with a good work capable of anticipating future productions, perhaps with even greater artistic depth. With the subsequent "The Fox" ('81), Elton John will stay on the same level as "21 at 33"; with "Jump Up" ('82), he will create a well-sold but almost uninteresting product, and with the release of "Too Low For Zero" ('83), he will become appreciable again, then the traumatic and at times decidedly embarrassing collapse.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Little Jeannie (05:10)
Oh little Jeannie
You got so much love
Little Jeannie
And you take it where it strikes
and give it to the likes of me
Oh little Jeannie
She got so much love
Little Jeannie
So I see you when I can
You make me all a man can be
And I want you to be my acrobat
I want you to be my lover
Oh there were others who would treat you cruel
And oh little Jeannie
You were always someone's fool
Little Jeannie
You got so much time
Little Jeannie
Though you've grown beyond your years
You still retain the fears of youth
Oh little Jeannie
You got so much time
Little Jeannie
But you're burning it up so fast
Searching for some lasting truth
And I want you to be my acrobat
I want you to be my lover
Oh there were others who would treat you cruel
But oh Jeannie
I will always be your fool
[Saxophone solo]
And I want you to be my acrobat
I want you to be my lover
Oh there were others
and I've known quite a few
But oh oh Jeannie
I'm still in love with you...
(You stepped into my life from a bad dream)
(Making the life that I had seem suddenly shiny and new)
Oh Jeannie(Oh Jeannie...) I'm so in love with you...
(You stepped into my life from a bad dream)
(Making the life that I had seem suddenly shiny and new)
Oh Jeannie(Oh Jeannie...) I'm so in love with you...
(You stepped into my life from a bad dream)
(Making the life that I had seem suddenly shiny and new)
Oh Jeannie(Oh Jeannie...) I'm so in love with you...
(You stepped into my life from a bad dream)So...
(Making the life that I had seem) suddenly shiny and new
Oh Jeannie(Oh Jeannie...) I'm so in love
[fading]
I'm so...(You stepped into my life from a bad dream)...in love
(Making the life that I had seem) suddenly shiny and new
Oh Jeannie(Oh Jeannie...) I'm so in love
I'm so...(You stepped into my life from a bad dream)...in love
03 Sartorial Eloquence (04:45)
You've a certain sartorial eloquence
And a style that's almost all your own
You've got the knack of being so laid back...
It's like talking to the great unknown.
You've got a self-sufficient swept-back hair-do
Pretty certain that you've got it made...
Oh, your lifestyle shows in the clothes you chose
Sitting pretty in the masquerade...
Singing, don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
You remain the only main contender
Though you never, you never meant to lose at all.
Down and out, yet I'm surrounded...
Adamant before the fall.
Oh, when you go, you know
I might be lonesome
But I keep it under close control...
Go and get your kicks, and Babe,
Let's call it quits
I believe I'm feeling indisposed.
Singing, don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play this game?
Don't you wanna play this game?
Oh, when you go, you know I might be lonesome...
But I keep it under close control.
Go and get your kicks
And babe let's call it quits...
I believe I'm feeling indisposed.
Come on, sing it, don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play this game no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
Don't you wanna play no more?
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