Feeling Sorry For Elton
It wasn't until I glanced at the Top 200 Billboard album chart that I noticed a reentry of Elton John's Captain and the Kid. An appearance on QVC helped pump up sales. What was striking that it reentered after spending only five weeks on the chart. Five weeks!
Elton has been complaining that his record company didn't promote the CD. Although I've seen lots of print ads using blurbs from great reviews, I don't fully fault his label. If Elton wants to seen quantites he'll have to pull a Rod Stewart and go all covers-or duets. But Elton has said he has no interest in doing those types of albums. He did a duets album in the 90's and it bombed. But a hit machine like Elton John often has a hard time realizing that he no longer will have Hot 100 hits. Oh sure he might sneak onto the chart here and there, but the rapid Top 40 success is over. And anyway, Elton is now an AC chart guy. "The Bridge" from this album has charted there, but it won't drive sales.
So what should Elton do if he wants to avoid being taken over by Clive Davis and make substantial albums like his recent output? My suggestion is go Indie. Why not tell the majors, that you hate anyway, to take a hike and hitch a ride with Sub Pop or Anti- or Lost Highway and give your reputation a boost with the small labels.
A former hit machine who still wants to sell millions probably wouldn't pull the lever, but if Elton John wants the hype with some better sales he needs to rethink his position on the Major highway.
Elton has been complaining that his record company didn't promote the CD. Although I've seen lots of print ads using blurbs from great reviews, I don't fully fault his label. If Elton wants to seen quantites he'll have to pull a Rod Stewart and go all covers-or duets. But Elton has said he has no interest in doing those types of albums. He did a duets album in the 90's and it bombed. But a hit machine like Elton John often has a hard time realizing that he no longer will have Hot 100 hits. Oh sure he might sneak onto the chart here and there, but the rapid Top 40 success is over. And anyway, Elton is now an AC chart guy. "The Bridge" from this album has charted there, but it won't drive sales.
So what should Elton do if he wants to avoid being taken over by Clive Davis and make substantial albums like his recent output? My suggestion is go Indie. Why not tell the majors, that you hate anyway, to take a hike and hitch a ride with Sub Pop or Anti- or Lost Highway and give your reputation a boost with the small labels.
A former hit machine who still wants to sell millions probably wouldn't pull the lever, but if Elton John wants the hype with some better sales he needs to rethink his position on the Major highway.
posted by Tom Lane at 5:47 PM
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