Released 16 years ago this October
The Union
Elton John · 2010
71 min · 16 tracks · pop rock
A harmonious blend of classic rock influences and soulful balladry, steeped in nostalgia and emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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If It Wasn’t for Bad Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its poignant lyrics about regret and resilience, capturing the essence of the album’s emotional landscape.
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Gone to Shiloh — Featuring heartfelt harmonies between Elton John and Leon Russell, this track reflects on loss and longing, showcasing their chemistry beautifully.
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When Love Is Dying — The haunting melody paired with introspective lyrics delves deep into themes of heartbreak, embodying the album's overarching narrative of love's complexities.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate rich vocal harmonies between Elton John and Leon Russell, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- 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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6/10
- 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
Known within its scene. 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
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- heartfelt ballads for introspective moments
- wave-like pacing for reflective listening
- rich storytelling across diverse tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone singles over cohesion
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Showcases creative resurgence and collaboration, reflecting continued artistic vitality.
- Themes
- musical legacy· Southern storytelling· nostalgic collaboration
- Career context
- Released in 2010, The Union marked a collaborative effort between Elton John and Leon Russell during a time when both artists were experiencing a creative resurgence. This album followed Elton's 2006 release, The Captain & the Kid, and showcased his dedication to reviving Russell's legacy while reaffirming his own musical relevance.
- Stylistic neighbors
- David Bowie· Billy Joel· Queen
Tracklist
- 1 If It Wasn’t for Bad Start here 3:42
- 2 Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes 3:21
- 3 Hey Ahab 5:38
- 4 Gone to Shiloh 4:49
- 5 Hearts Have Turned to Stone 3:47
- 6 Jimmie Rodgers’ Dream 3:41
- 7 There’s No Tomorrow 3:44
- 8 Monkey Suit 4:45
- 9 The Best Part of the Day 4:43
- 10 A Dream Come True 5:04
- 11 I Should Have Sent Roses 5:18
- 12 When Love Is Dying 4:49
- 13 My Kind of Hell 3:13
- 14 Mandalay Again 4:51
- 15 Never Too Old (to Hold Somebody) 4:57
- 16 In the Hands of Angels 4:42
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Carney
Leon Russell
Shares the same Southern storytelling vibe with bluesy rock influences and heartfelt melodies.
The Next Day
David Bowie
Explores themes of legacy and collaboration with a rich, layered production reminiscent of rock.
The Stranger
Billy Joel
Combines pop rock with introspective lyrics and a nostalgic feel, echoing the emotional depth of 'The Union.'
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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