Sartorial Eloquence (Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More?)

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"Sartorial Eloquence"
Sartorial Eloquence - Elton John.jpg
Single by Elton John
from the album 21 at 33
B-side
  • "White Man Danger"
  • "Cartier"
ReleasedJuly 1980
RecordedAugust 1979
Length4:44
Label Rocket
Songwriter(s) Elton John, Tom Robinson
Producer(s) Elton John, Clive Franks
Elton John singles chronology
"Little Jeannie"
(1980)		"Sartorial Eloquence"
(1980)		"Dear God"
(1980)

"Sartorial Eloquence" is a song by British musician Elton John with lyrics written by Tom Robinson. It is the third track of his 1980 studio album, 21 at 33 . In the UK, it was issued as "Sartorial Eloquence", and in the US as "Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More?". [1] It reached No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 [2] and No. 45 Adult Contemporary, [3] falling just short of the Top 40 in the UK (#44), and making lesser showings in Canada (#57) and Australia (#91).

Contents

According to Elizabeth Rosenthal in her book, His Songs: The Musical Journey of Elton John, the song evokes the disappointment of a man left behind which grows in volume and despondency. [4]

Reception

Billboard said the song was highlighted with "a melodic hook" and "steady beat". They also said that Tom Robinson's lyrics on this song should get attention. [1] Record World called it a "vintage John ballad." [5]

B-sides

Like another of John's songs, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", the single had two b-sides, "White Man Danger" and "Cartier" – a 54-second long commercial-like anthem about expensive jewelry.

"Cartier" later appeared on John's 1990 box set, To Be Continued , in addition to the 2020 box set Jewel Box , which also contained "White Man Danger".

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [6] 91
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [7] 57
UK Singles (OCC) [8] 44
US Billboard Hot 100 [9] 39
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [10] 45

References

  1. 1 2 "Review: Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More? – Elton John" (PDF). Billboard . Vol. 85, no. 32. 9 August 1980. p. 70. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved 24 May 2020– via American Radio History.
  2. ↑ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  3. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 122.
  4. ↑ Elizabeth Rosenthal, His Song: The Musical History of Elton John.
  5. ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Record World. 9 August 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  6. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. pp. 158–159. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  7. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0255b." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  9. ↑ "Elton John Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  10. ↑ "Elton John Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 September 2022.


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