“Both Elton and I were big fans of those duets on Motown by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and there hadn’t been any around for a bit—we thought we’d do one ourselves.”
– Kiki Dee
I can’t think of too many other songs that go better with a strong Colombian coffee on a Saturday morning to get me perked up for the day than this one. But it wasn’t always that way. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart was what my parents and their friends boogied to on a Saturday evening trying not to spill from their glasses of sherry – while us kids ran amok in the backyard or somewhere. Now the shoe’s on the other foot; this is what I listen to as my kids hide somewhere from the embarrassment. Well it’s not really like that, but you get the point. I like this song a lot more now as middle aged Dad than as a scrawny prepubescent teen. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart is music for ‘grown-ups’ which heralds back to a bygone era of music.
The song was written by Elton and his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, under their respective aliases Ann Orson and Carte Blanche (The names were meant to be a pun on the phrase “an horse and cart, blanche.”). According to producer Gus Dudgeon, John had to record his vocals twice: “Elton sang about three quarters of the song and gave Kiki about four lines. I said, ‘Hang on a minute, is this supposed to be a duet or a guest appearance?’ Elton replied, ‘A duet.’ Then you’ve got to give her at least 50 percent of the song.”
Don’t go breaking my heart
I couldn’t if I tried
Oh, honey, if I get restless
Baby, you’re not that kind
Don’t go breaking my heart
You take the weight off of me
Oh, honey, when you knocked on my door
Ooh, I gave you my key
[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, nobody knows it
When I was down, I was your clown
Ooh, nobody knows it (Nobody knows it)
Right from the start, I gave you my heart
Oh, I gave you my heart
[Chorus]
So don’t go breaking my heart
I won’t go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart (Read the remainder of the lyrics here)
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart became John’s first No 1 single in the UK and his sixth No 1 in the US. Despite being recorded while John worked on Blue Moves it wasn’t included on that album—it appeared on Elton John’s Greatest Hits Volume II. Another version of this song appeared on John’s 1993 album, Duets—but instead of Kiki Dee, it featured RuPaul.
References:
1. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Such a great song
That it is.
One of those songs that one…remind me of what I was a kid and two…makes me happy for some reason…it’s hard to be in a bad mood with this song.
Yes, it’s a very jovial and free spirited song. It always puts me in a good place too.
Great little upbeat tune.
I think I first heard “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” on an Elton John greatest hits sampler in the late ’70s/early ’80s and immediately liked it. While I wouldn’t count among my favorite Elton John songs, I still think it’s a pretty decent pop song.
Hi Christian. How did you come across a ”greatest hits sampler’? Were you working in radio?
I too wouldn’t count it in my favourite top 20 by him, but I would assess it as an excellent pop song.
As far as I can remember, my best childhood friend who I’m still friend with to this day, got an Elton John Greatest Hits compilation in the late ’70s, which included “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, along with other gems like “Crocodile Rock”, “Daniel” and “Rocket Man”. We were both into taping music on music cassette and lent vinyls and CDs to each other. I’ve tried to find that particular sampler on Discogs but haven’t been successful thus far. I see other greatest hits collections on there.
That’s a sweet recollection Christian. My parents had a lot of Elton records that we played on their old wooden turntable which looked like a dresser. I remember sitting at the front of the fireplace and putting down the needle on this these like a boy possesed..
I had an old friend who put me onto Springsteen at school and he gave out his music like they were lollypops. I think I told you about that.
In the mid to late 90’s I also had a league of Dylan friends around the globe where we did the same sending each other bootlegs via snail mail of rare interviews and concerts which are probably now freely available on fan forum sites. Those were the days.
A great song which, coincidentally, I thought about using for Jim Adams’ prompt for tomorrow’s Song Lyric Sunday which is to write about a duet by two well-known performers. Ultimately I chose another duet but it will be interesting to see who else went with Elton & Kiki.
You must be psychic.
Hello! That is quite a coincidence. Was Kiki Dee well known? Apart from this song I don’t think I’ve heard other music from her. I may well have,
We must be in sync since a recent post ‘Heaven’ by Bryan Adams was heavily influenced by Journey’s 1983 hit Faithfully, which is uncanny since you and I were just talking about Journey in relation to your post – Embrace the Journey. Adams had played over 100 dates with Journey during 1983.
I wouldn’t consider it one of his best songs, but I think it is one of his most emblematic tunes and I enjoy hearing it now.
Oh yes, I have seen Rocketman many times. In fact we saw it again last night. The kids love it. Cheers.
Gee, I’m not sure I’d call her a major star but she’s well-known enough to still be performing and drawing an audience!
Re the Journey business, it must be voodoo hoodoo! 😁
Have a great Sunday, Matt!
That’s great to hear. The last time I saw her was in the dvd release Elton John Madison Square Garden concert in 2000 which we played to death. I must admit I thought she was one of the weaker of the guest performances.
Sunday is drawing to a close. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. The kids and I had a great time.
Thanks, a rare Sunday babysitting day for our granddaughter. It was great!
Sounds lovely Nancy. I hope you get more time together.