Released 40 years ago this October
Leather Jackets
Elton John · 1986
46 min · 11 tracks · pop rock
A blend of soft rock and glam influences, punctuated by vibrant melodies and reflective lyrics that mark a transitional phase for Elton John.
Top tracks — play these first
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Leather Jackets Start here — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of toughness and vulnerability, featuring a catchy chorus and showcasing John's distinctive vocal style.
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Heartache All Over the World — This song blends upbeat instrumentation with poignant lyrics about universal heartache, making it both danceable and reflective.
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Slow Rivers — Featuring a duet with Cliff Richard, this track highlights a softer side of John’s songwriting, focusing on yearning and nostalgia amid lush melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a mix of strong melodies and reflective lyrics but lacks cohesion and impact compared to earlier works.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a prominent guitar riff, setting a bold tone that contrasts with the softer melodies in later songs.
- The lyrics often reflect personal struggles and relationships, with recurring themes of trust and heartache woven throughout the tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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5/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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4/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- reflective moments of vulnerability
- flamboyant and playful energy
- for evening relaxation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer high-energy tracks
- seek quick gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Represents a transitional phase but lacks significant impact compared to earlier works.
- Themes
- flamboyant resilience· nostalgic freedom
- Career context
- Released in 1986, Leather Jackets was Elton John's 21st studio album and came after his commercial peak in the early '80s with The Fox and Jump Up!. At this point in his career, John was navigating a complex landscape of personal challenges and shifting musical styles, seeking to redefine himself while still maintaining mainstream appeal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· Billy Joel· Queen
Tracklist
- 1 Leather Jackets Start here 4:14
- 2 Hoop of Fire 4:15
- 3 Don’t Trust That Woman 4:59
- 4 Go It Alone 4:30
- 5 Gypsy Heart 4:45
- 6 Slow Rivers 3:07
- 7 Heartache All Over the World 4:16
- 8 Angeline 3:55
- 9 Memory of Love 4:08
- 10 Paris 4:00
- 11 I Fall Apart 4:00
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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