Elton John

Duets (1993)

1.Teardrops(w/k.d. Lang)
2.When I Think About Love (w/P.M. Dawn)
3.The Power (w/Little Richard)
4.Shakey Ground (w/Don Henley)
5.True Love (w/Kiki Dee)
6.If You Were Me (w/Chris Rea)
7.A Woman's Needs (w/Tammy Wynette)
8.Old Friend (w/Nik Kershaw)
9.Go On and On(w/Gladys Knight)
10.Don't Go Breaking My Heart (w/Ru Paul)
11.Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (w/ Marcella Detroit)
12.I'm Your Puppet (w/Paul Young)
13.Love Letters (w/Bonnie Raitt)
14.Born to Lose(w/Leonard Cohen)
15.Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (w/George Michael)
16.Duets For One

By the time Duets arrived in 1993, Elton John had little left to prove—and perhaps that was the point. Far from a calculated bid for critical acclaim or commercial resurgence, this sprawling, 16-track project plays more like a musical holiday: Elton stepping away from the pressure of narrative to indulge in a series of collaborations with artists from across the spectrum. Pop stars, soul legends, country icons, blues rockers—no genre is off limits, and no theme particularly unified. The result is, unsurprisingly, a bit of a mixed bag.

Direction? Focus? Cohesion? Not especially. But it’s doubtful that any were intended. Duets seems more an exercise in pleasure than purpose—less about crafting a definitive statement and more about Elton simply enjoying the company of peers, heroes, and admirers. That being said, this is not a record without moments of real musical merit.

The two original John/Taupin compositions are, not surprisingly, among the best things here. The Power, a spirited gospel romp with Little Richard, is a full-throttle celebration of rhythm and soul, brimming with energy and reverence. On the other end of the spectrum is A Woman’s Needs, a quiet, overlooked duet with Tammy Wynette that shows remarkable restraint from both performers. It’s tender, well-written, and among the finest “late period” ballads Elton had recorded up to that point.

Other highlights emerge here and there. If You Were Me with Chris Rea is tastefully done—subtle and understated, avoiding the bombast that sinks many of the weaker tracks. The inclusion of Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me with George Michael—by then a chart-topping live single—is understandable, though it sits a little awkwardly alongside the studio material. Still, it’s a powerful performance and a genuine moment in Elton’s ongoing story.

Then there’s the less fortunate material. Several pairings strain under the weight of mismatched styles and questionable choices. A dancefloor duet with k.d. lang? A funky groove with Don Henley? These might have sounded intriguing on paper, but the final results feel more like experiments than finished work. Most infamous, of course, is the misfire of a Don’t Go Breaking My Heart remake featuring RuPaul—a track so camp and chaotic it borders on parody. While the original with Kiki Dee remains a beloved classic, this version feels like a misguided attempt to update the magic with too much irony and not enough musicality. Kiki does reappear elsewhere, this time on a charming if lightweight cover of True Love, which at least feels more in keeping with her chemistry with Elton. The rest of the set settles into a mid-tempo haze—well-produced, well-performed, but rarely essential.

Ultimately, Duets isn’t trying to be a masterpiece—and that’s just as well. It’s a divertissement, a victory lap, a musical grab bag that reflects Elton’s enduring curiosity and collaborative spirit. He’d more than earned the right to indulge in such a project. If the listener lowers expectations accordingly, there’s enjoyment to be found. But it’s best approached as what it is: a collection of musical postcards rather than a full-fledged novel. Elton having fun, Elton sharing the mic, Elton reminding us—once again—that sometimes it really is just about the joy of making music.