Elton John

The Big Picture (1997)

1.Long Way from Happiness
2.Live Like Horses
3.The End Will Come
4.If the River Can Bend
5.Love's Got a lot to Answer For
6.Something About the Way You Look Tonight
7.The Big Picture
8.Recover Your Soul
9.January
10.I Can't Steer my Heart Clear of You
11.Wicked Dreams

Released in 1997, The Big Picture arrived on the heels of a milestone—Elton John had just turned 50—and with it came a sense of calm, maturity, and introspection that permeates nearly every track. While some critics at the time labeled the album a step down from the rich textures of Made in England, such a comparison overlooks the record’s quieter virtues. There’s no reinvention here, but that seems to be the point. This is Elton John at peace with his place in the world, crafting music not out of urgency but from a place of contented reflection.

The tone is notably subdued—gone are the arena rockers or upbeat diversions. In their place is a palette of gentle ballads, mid-tempo musings, and gospel-tinged warmth. It’s an album of grace rather than grandeur. The atmosphere is soft, yes, but far from soft-headed. The emotional weight comes not from volume, but from the quiet honesty that runs through both Elton’s performance and Bernie Taupin’s lyrics.

Take Live Like Horses, for example. Originally recorded as a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, the version here strips things back to a solo performance. It’s a majestic track—dignified, sweeping, and deeply personal. In tone and message, it recalls The One, though it never leans too heavily on past formulas. That it failed to make much commercial impact is unfortunate, though not entirely surprising. By this stage in Elton’s career, new material was often viewed through the rearview mirror—overshadowed by the catalogue that came before.

Other highlights include Recover Your Soul, a graceful, mid-tempo piece that blends introspection with optimism. If the River Can Bend brings gospel elements into the mix, offering a much-needed lift in tempo and spirit. January and Wicked Dreams gently raise the energy without abandoning the album’s contemplative mood.

Lyrically, the album often leans toward the darker side of the emotional spectrum. With titles like Long Way from Happiness and Love’s Got a Lot to Answer For, there’s little doubt that Taupin was plumbing deeper waters. Still, the melancholy is never oppressive—it’s shaded with perspective, not despair.

Musically, the “new” Elton John Band—now well-seasoned from the Made in England sessions—returns with tasteful, understated accompaniment. Producer Chris Thomas keeps the arrangements smooth and spacious, allowing Elton’s voice and piano to lead, without unnecessary embellishment.

Sadly, The Big Picture found itself released under the shadow of global tragedy. Just as the album was preparing for launch, the sudden death of Princess Diana changed everything. Elton’s emotional performance of Candle in the Wind at her funeral—and the subsequent re-recording of the song—became a cultural event. The single, paired with Something About the Way You Look Tonight (also from this album), went on to become the biggest-selling record of all time. But the attention it drew left The Big Picture itself adrift—an unintended casualty of its own context.

It’s a shame, really. The album deserved more. While it may not feature the stylistic peaks or commercial punch of earlier efforts, The Big Picture is an elegant, dignified work by an artist no longer chasing trends, but rather telling the truth as he sees it—quietly, thoughtfully, and with unmistakable heart.

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