Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is the seventh studio album by Elton John, released in 1973. It is regarded as one of his best and most popular, in addition to being his first double album. It was recorded at the Château d’Hérouville after problems recording at the intended location of Jamaica. Among the 17 tracks, the album contains the hits “Candle in the Wind”, “Bennie and the Jets”, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” plus “Funeral for a Friend” and “Harmony”.

Originally intended as a regular single album, the experience in transferring from Jamaica to the château proved to be conducive to producing such quality material, that it was decided to release the album as a double.

In 2003, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The album was ranked number 91 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and number 59 in Channel 4’s 2009 list of 100 Greatest Albums. The album has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Released: 5 October 1973

Recorded: Château d’Hérouville, Hérouville, France, May 1973 using a 16 track tape recorder

Genre: Rock, Pop rock

Length: 76:20

Label: MCA (US), DJM (UK)

Producer: Gus Dudgeon

Singles released from the Album:

“Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” Released in July 1973

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” Released in October 1973

“Candle in the Wind” Released in October 1973

“Bennie and the Jets” Released in February 1974