Sacrifice (song)

Single
Name = Sacrifice
Type = Single
Artist = Elton John
from Album = Sleeping with the Past
B-side = "Love is a Cannibal"
(first release)
"Healing Hands"
(second release)


Released = 1989 (first release)
1990 (second release)
Genre = Pop
Length = 5:07
Label = Rocket Records MCA Records (US/Canada)
Writer = Elton John
Bernie Taupin
Producer = Chris Thomas
Certification = Silver France, 1990
Last single = "Healing Hands" (1989)
This single = "Sacrifice" (1990)
Next single = "Club at the End of the Street" (1990)"Sacrifice" is a ballad performed by musician Elton John. The lyrics are by Bernie Taupin and music by Elton John. The song appears on the 1989 album "Sleeping with the Past". It was first released in October of 1989, then in 1990, and was the second single from the album. It achieved success, particularly in France and UK.

Background and writing

"Sacrifice" is inspired both by the Aretha Franklin song "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and said to be like a Percy Sledge song by Elton. The influence of Percy Sledge is present in Elton's vocals. The song is beloved by both Elton John and Bernie Taupin and deemed a bookend of sorts to their first hit "Your Song". Bernie has said he is surprised he wrote it, and said in a interview that "I think "Sacrifice" is one of the best songs we've written". The song is not a typical love song, but rather a song about a breakup of a marriage where the loss of the relationship is 'no sacrifice'. Bernie Taupin was going through marital problems at the time which served as inspiration for the song.

Although the single was successful, Elton John did not tour Europe in both 1989-1990 to support the "Sleeping with the Past" album (with exception to one appearance in Knebworth Park on June 30, 1990). Elton only toured the U.S. and Australia in 1989-1990 to promote the album. The 1989 Tour that was done in Europe was in support of the "Reg Strikes Back" album with no material representing "Sleeping with the Past". In all shows that were done to support the album for "Sleeping with the Past" in 1989-1990, Elton played this song solo on his RD-1000 Roland Digital Piano.

Music video

It features a man and woman having relationship problem after being married and raising a daughter. after they go in their separate ways, the father raises his daughter alone.

Cover versions

"Sacrifice" was soon thereafter covered by Sinéad O'Connor for the 1991 "" tribute album.

The song was also covered by the German music project Gregorian (band), for their 3rd album.

Chart performances

The song was initially released as a single in 1989, but stalled at #55 in the UK charts and at #18 in the US charts. By the next year English DJ, Steve Wright, started to play the song on BBC Radio 1, followed by many more Radio DJs. The song was then re-released as a double a-side single along with "Healing Hands", reaching #1 in England on or about late June/early July 1990. Thus it became John's first independent number-one single along with "Healing Hands" on the UK Singles Chart, remaining on the top spot for six weeks, as it became his first hits of the 1990s. With this re-release, Elton John also got his first number one in France and stayed on the chart for 26 weeks.

Track listings

; First release;; 12" single - UK
# "Sacrifice" — 5:07
# "Love Is a Cannibal" (From the Columbia Motion Picture "Ghostbusters II") — 3:53

;; CD single - U.S.
# "Sacrifice" — 5:07
# "Love Is a Cannibal" (from the Columbia Motion Picture "Ghostbusters II") — 3:53
# "Durban Deep"

; Second release;; 12" single - UK
# "Sacrifice" — 5:07
# "Healing Hands" — 4:22

Certifications and sales

References