Songoftheday 9/5/13 - Guess there are times when we all need to share a little pain, and ironing out the rough spots Is the hardest part when memories remain...

Elton John - "Sad Songs (Say So Much)"
from the album Breaking Hearts (1984)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #5 (one week)
Weeks in the Top-40: 13

Today's Song of the Day is by Elton John, who's 1983 album Too Low For Zero brought him back into the American top-10 after a four-year drought with "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues", as well as two more top-40 hits that preceded that with "I'm Still Standing" and "Kiss The Bride". Right after the success of "I Guess..." in the beginning of 1984, Elton married his (female) recording engineer Renate Bluel in Australia. But even then most of the sentient world didn't buy it. Renate helped in the recording of Too Low For Zero, and again was in the studio for Elton's next record, Breaking Hearts. The set, with songs all written by Elton and writing partner Bernie Taupin, had the big push on MTV with the world premiere of the video for the first single, "Sad Songs (Say So Much)". Co-opted as a commercial tie-in for Sasson designer jeans, the extravagant clip had the gimmick of being in black and white save for Elton, along with a troupe of crazy-hot dancer boys and girls shimmying to this rather pedestrian of a pop song...

"Sad Songs (Say So Much)" made it to the American pop chart top-5 in August of 1984. It also reached the runner-up spot on the adult-contemporary (easy-listening) radio chart, and even made it to #24 on the rock radio format list. Internationally, the record made the top-10 in Canada (#4), Australia (#4), and his native England (#7).

Personally, it's one of those songs that I liked then more than I do now, especially how "product-y" it seems, though he gives it his all (and even goes without his glasses in the video at times, making him look a bit younger). Also, too, it's much too cheery for it's supposed love of the title subject - this ain't no "sad" anything...

(Click below to see the rest of the post)


Here's Elton live with the record (he's almost always better live) at Wembley in 1984...

...as well as a later concert at Knebworth...

..with fellow 80s icon Bryan Adams....

...and finally from a concert earlier this year...


Up Tomorrow:the soundtrack to a movie about the biggest dance fad of the time puts a Raydio man back in the top-10.