Elton John

Breaking Hearts (1984)

1.Restless
2.Slow Down Georgie (She's Poison)
3.Who Wears These Shoes?
4.Breaking Hearts (Ain't What it Used to Be)
5.Li'l 'Frigerator
6.Passengers
7.In Neon
8.Burning Buildings
9.Did He Shoot Her?
10.Sad Songs (Say So Much)

Released in 1984, Breaking Hearts arrived hot on the heels of Too Low for Zero, and wisely so. Rather than lose momentum, Elton John struck while the iron was still warm, delivering another strong set with the same personnel, the same studio, and—most importantly—the same renewed sense of purpose. If Too Low For Zero was the triumphant return, Breaking Hearts was the confident consolidation.

The classic lineup remained intact. Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray, Davey Johnstone, and producer Chris Thomas all returned, giving the album a continuity of sound that eluded many of Elton’s early ’80s releases. Bernie Taupin once again supplied all lyrics, and the result was a record that—while less stylistically varied than its predecessor—arguably flowed with greater cohesion.

The hits came quickly. Sad Songs (Say So Much), a deceptively simple meditation on the healing power of melancholy, became one of Elton’s most enduring singles. Its universal theme and unadorned delivery made it instantly relatable. The second major hit, Who Wears These Shoes, was a spirited, almost cheeky rocker—punchy, infectious, and very much at home on mid-’80s radio playlists.

The remainder of the album leans more heavily on rock than balladry. Opener Restless sets the tone with swagger and momentum, while Li’l ‘Frigerator is Elton at his most unabashedly playful—high tempo, big hook, and a knowing grin. Slower tracks like In Neon and Burning Buildings provide welcome contrast, lending a touch of atmospheric melancholy to the otherwise energetic proceedings. The title track, Breaking Hearts (Ain’t What It Used to Be), is a minimalist gem: just Elton and a piano, delivering a quietly devastating performance that is too often overlooked. Elsewhere, Passengers nods toward reggae without overcommitting, and Slow Down Georgie (She’s Poison) and Did He Shoot Her? offer well-structured narrative detours, rich in character and tone. No track overstays its welcome, and while the album doesn’t boast the same peaks as Too Low for Zero, it succeeds in maintaining a remarkably high standard from start to finish.

Ironically, this period—which yielded two of his strongest ’80s records—was personally among Elton’s darkest. Behind the polish and commercial success was a man quietly spiralling. In interviews years later, he would describe this era as the lowest point of his life: addicted to drugs and alcohol, gripped by depression, and rapidly losing control. Around the time of the album’s release, Elton married Renate Blauel—a decision he would later reflect on with candour and regret. The accompanying Breaking Hearts tour was announced as his “final” one, though, predictably, it was not.

Still, the work remained strong. Whatever personal chaos lay behind the curtain, the music of this period speaks with clarity, energy, and undeniable professionalism. If the mid-’80s saw Elton’s personal life begin to unravel, the same cannot be said of his studio output—at least not yet. Breaking Hearts stands as the final chapter of an impressively stable creative run, before the waters once again began to churn.

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