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Made in England (1995)

Where the lyrics of Made in England take you, and where it was really made.

This album was recorded at AIR Studios London, a studio that George Martin once owned.

Key places

Recording at AIR Studios London (1995)

Recording site Wild Bunch Studios (London) — The album was recorded at AIR Studios London, which George Martin owned. The point shows the London city centre, not the studio building itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Made in England: 24th studio album by British musician Elton John
• Released in 1995
• Produced by Greg Penny and Elton John
• First album since Leather Jackets without producer Chris Thomas
• Dedicated to John's boyfriend and future husband David Furnish
• Also dedicated to the memory of Denis Gauthier and Peter Williams

Background

• Ray Cooper was the last regular Elton John Band percussionist on an album until 2016's Wonderful Crazy Night
• With this album, Bob Birch became John's full-time recording and touring bass player, until his death in 2012
• In September 1994, while promoting his work for The Lion King soundtrack, John debuted "Believe" on opening night of a concert tour with Ray Cooper in Phoenix, Arizona
• "Believe" was released as a single five months after that debut
• A tour followed in November that covered Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, Poland, France, Italy, the UK, Japan and other countries
• Several songs from the album joined the later Made in England Tour playlist: "Believe," "Made in England," "House," "Blessed," "Lies" and "Pain"

Recording

• The album was recorded at AIR Studios London, which George Martin owned
• George Martin wrote the horn and string arrangement on "Latitude"
• Paul Buckmaster handled orchestral arrangements, his first project with John since 1978's A Single Man
• "Belfast" originally ended with John singing its last line
• Buckmaster felt the song needed a more uplifting ending and added the outro
• John was reportedly wary of the idea at first
• Buckmaster said John changed his mind after hearing it and approved the new coda for the final version
• John and Guy Babylon are credited as arrangers on "Man," which includes organ by Paul Carrack
• Mastering was done by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood, California

Cover

• Photography by Greg Gorman
• Design by Wherefore Art?

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, Middlesex, on 25 March 1947.
• Won a junior scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11.
• Formed the blues band Bluesology in 1962; took the name Elton John in 1967.
• Joined DJM Records as a staff songwriter with lyricist Bernie Taupin in 1968.

Members

• Partnered with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967; Taupin writes lyrics and John composes the music.
• Backing band over the years included Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray and Ray Cooper.

Career

• Debut album Empty Sky (1969); Honky Château (1972) became his first US number-one album.
• Seven consecutive US number-one albums between 1972 and 1975.
• Composed The Lion King and Aida with Tim Rice; won Academy Awards and a Tony Award.
• Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour (2018–2023) was the highest-grossing tour at the time.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Released in 1995 as Elton John's 24th studio album
• Produced by Greg Penny and Elton John, his first album without Chris Thomas since Leather Jackets
• With this album, Bob Birch became John's full-time recording and touring bass player
• The album was the last to feature regular Elton John Band percussionist Ray Cooper until 2016

Reappraisal

• The song "Please" was covered by bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent and country singer Dolly Parton
• That cover appeared on the 2018 tribute album Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin
• Many outtakes exist from the album's sessions, and some have circulated on YouTube

Records

• "Believe" reached No. 15 on the UK singles chart and No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100
• "Believe" was the only American hit from the album to reach the top 20
• "Believe" was released as a single five months after its live debut in September 1994

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• "Believe" debuted live in September 1994, five months before it was released as a single
• The outro of "Belfast" was added by Paul Buckmaster, and John was reportedly wary of it at first
• "Building a Bird" was recorded by Nigel Olsson for his 2001 Move the Universe album, released only in Japan
• "Hell" and the original cut of "Live Like Horses" have circulated on YouTube
• "Red" was later released on the French compilation Sol En Si

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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