Elton John and Kiki Dee – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, as originally released on 21 June 1976, was not part of any album. It was a huge international success, topping the charts in a number of countries, including France, Italy, Australia and Canada. Elton and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin wrote this song using the pseudonyms Ann Orson and Carte Blanche.

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” was the first No. 1 single in the UK for both John and Kiki Dee, topping the chart for six weeks in mid 1976.

This is another Elton John classic which was written by the singer alongside Bernie Taupin. And another regular collaborator of the Rocketman, the late Gus Dudgeon (1942-2002), produced the track.

In fact one of the labels this track was released under, The Rocket Record Company, was a joint venture between Elton, Bernie and Gus.

And when the trio put this song together, they were trying to emulate the Motown sound (i.e. the classis duets between Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell). And with that in mind, Kiki Dee holds the distinction of in fact being “the first White British artist signed to Motown”.

However, by the time this song came out, she was rather signed to The Rocket Record Company.

However, as originally composed, the song was intended to rather be a duet between Elton John and Dusty Springfield (1939-1999). But Dusty was reportedly too sick to participate.

Unlike many of John’s singles from the 1970s, it was never included on an original album (although it was recorded during the Blue Moves sessions). In the same year, John and Taupin received the 1976 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.

Musicians: Based on information on the Elton John official website
Elton John – lead vocals and backing vocals, electric piano
Kiki Dee – lead vocals and backing vocals
James Newton Howard – acoustic piano and orchestral arrangements
Caleb Quaye – electric guitar
Kenny Passarelli – bass
Roger Pope – drums
Ray Cooper – tambourine, congas and bongos
Kiki Dee, Curt Boettcher, Cindy Bullens, Ken Gold, Jon Joyce – uncredited backing vocals

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Single by Elton John and Kiki Dee
Songwriters Elton John and Bernie Taupin
Producer Gus Dudgeon
Charted: No.1 US; No.1 UK; No.1 Ireland; No.1 Canada; No.1 Australia; No.3 Belgium; No.2 Netherlands; No.5 Wesy Germany.