I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
Elton John · 1983
6 min · 2 tracks · pop rock
A blend of poignant melodies and rhythmic soul, capturing the essence of longing and heartbreak with a vibrant pop sensibility.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues — This track encapsulates the album’s core themes of love and sorrow with its rich piano arrangement and expressive lyrics, showcasing John's vocal prowess.
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Choc Ice Goes Mental — This energetic instrumental piece contrasts sharply with the emotional weight of the title track, highlighting John's versatility and creativity in composition.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The single showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks cohesion due to its contrasting tracks.
What we noticed
- The title track features a prominent piano melody that is complemented by a steady drumbeat and layered backing vocals.
- The second track has a more experimental sound, incorporating electronic elements and a faster tempo compared to the first.
- The title track's structure includes a clear verse-chorus format, while the second track employs a less conventional arrangement.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This single helped solidify Elton John's reputation in the early '80s.
- Themes
- heartbreak ballads· 1980s pop reinvention· longing and nostalgia
- Career context
- By 1983, Elton John was in a phase of reinvention following the commercial success of his previous albums. This release came just after the peak of his early '70s fame, marking a transition as he sought to adapt to the changing music landscape while still delivering heartfelt songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· Billy Joel· Queen
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
The shift from reminiscing about lost love to expressing hope in the chorus brings a dynamic contrast that captures both pain and optimism.
This transition emphasizes resilience amidst heartache, reflecting a nuanced understanding of emotional complexity within the song's narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues 4:40
- 2 Choc Ice Goes Mental 2:00
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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