Ego (Elton John song)

"Ego"
Single by Elton John
B-side	Flinstone Boy  [ it ]
Released	31 March 1978 [1]
Recorded	January–March 1978
Genre	Glam rock [2]
Length	4:00
Label	MCA (US) Rocket (UK)
Songwriter(s)	Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Elton John singles chronology
"The Goaldigger's Song" (1977) "Ego" (1978) "Part-Time Love" (1978)

"Ego" is a 1978 song performed by English musician Elton John, written by John and Bernie Taupin. It was released in early 1978 as a standalone single, and did not appear on the album released in the same year, A Single Man . John played this song live from 1978 up until 1980. ^[3] The single reached #34 in both the UK and the US. ^[4]

The song was not available on CD until the 1990 release of To Be Continued box set. Later, in remastered form, it was added to the reissue of A Single Man along with four B-sides from the era.

Background

The song was written during the sessions for his 1976 album Blue Moves but was not included on that release.

It starts with a rollicking piano accompanied by a train whistle, making it sound like there's a train rolling down a track. The song then goes into a steady 4/4 beat, then breaks down and goes to the chorus. Later in the song it transforms into an uptempo waltz and then reverts to 4/4. It features synthesizers, and carnival-esque organs.^{[ citation needed ]}

Reception

Cash Box said that the "piano licks resemble Keystone Cop silent film score" and praised the vocals and guitar playing. ^[5] Record World called it "one of [John's] most complex songs," with "ironic lyrics and unusual chord progressions to make a powerful point." ^[6]

Music video

A music video was made, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, features John Emberton who played Elton John as a small boy in the video acting out a scene from Romeo & Juliet . John Emberton's sister Penny played a member of the audience.

Charts

Chart performance for "Ego"

Chart (1978)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [7]	40
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [8]	21
UK Singles (OCC) [9]	34
US Billboard Hot 100 [10]	34

Personnel

• Elton John – piano, vocals, synthesizers, organ
• Tim Renwick – guitars
• Clive Franks – bass guitar
• Steve Holley – drums
• Ray Cooper – tambourine, vibraphone, train whistle
• Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangements

References

1. "Music Week" (PDF). p. 58.
2. Kirkl, Justin (29 May 2019). "Neither 'Rocket Man' Nor 'Tiny Dancer' Is Elton John's Best Song". Esquire . Retrieved 10 August 2019.
3. "Ego by Elton John (Song Statistics)". setlist.fm. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
4. "Elton John | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. 23 January 1971. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
5. "CashBox Singles Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. 8 April 1978. p. 16. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
6. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 8 April 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
7. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. pp. 158–159. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
8. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4578a." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
10. "Elton John Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 December 2023.