🎼 Are You Ready For Love – Single: Apr. 1979
- Elton John
- Apr 13, 1979
- 3 min read
Released during Elton John’s late‑70s transitional period, “Are You Ready For Love” emerged from his Philadelphia soul sessions with Thom Bell — a collaboration that pushed Elton into lush, orchestrated disco‑soul textures far removed from his early‑decade rock sound. The single stands as one of the most distinctive stylistic departures in his catalogue.
Issued in the UK on 13 April 1979, the release presented two parts of the Thom Bell‑produced recording, edited into separate A‑ and B‑side versions. Although it later became a major hit in the 2000s, the original 1979 UK release had only a modest chart impact.
🔘 The Story
Recorded with legendary producer, arranger, and conductor Thom Bell, the track originated from Elton’s 1977 Philadelphia sessions — a period where he immersed himself in the sound of The Spinners, The Delfonics, and the broader Philly soul movement. Bell’s influence is unmistakable: sweeping strings, warm bass, layered harmonies, and a rhythmic sophistication that contrasted sharply with Elton’s earlier work.
The 1979 single release split the recording into Part 1 and Part 2, offering two distinct edits of the same session. Mixed by Elton John and Clive Franks, the single showcased the richness of Bell’s arrangements while highlighting Elton’s adaptability as a vocalist.
Despite its later cultural resurgence, the 1979 UK release charted only briefly, peaking at No. 47 and spending six weeks on the chart. Its rediscovery decades later — culminating in a 2003 No. 1 reissue — underscores how ahead of its time the original recording was.
Internationally, the single appeared in several European territories, though without significant chart impact at the time.
🔘 Personnel
• Elton John – vocals, mixing
• Thom Bell – producer, arranger, conductor
• Clive Franks – mixing
• James – writer
• L. M. Bell – writer
• T. Bell – writer
• Sackville Productions Ltd. – recording
• Mighty Three – publisher
• Carlin Music Corp. – publisher
🔘 Key Highlights
• Produced, arranged, and conducted by Thom Bell
• Features two edited parts from the 1977 Philadelphia sessions
• Original 1979 UK release peaked at No. 47
• Later became a major hit on reissue (not included here per data rules)
Label: The Rocket Record Company
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single (small centre hole)
Released: 13 April 1979 (UK)
A Are You Ready For Love - Part 1
B Are You Ready For Love - Part 2
🔘 UK Variants
• The Rocket Record Company – XPRES 13 – 7", 45 RPM, Single, Small Centre Hole
• The Rocket Record Company – XPRES 13 – 7", 45 RPM, Large Centre Hole
🔘 UK Chart Performance
• No. 47, 6 weeks on the UK Singles Chart (1979)
First Chart Date:
12/05/1979
6 weeks — 12/05/1979 to 16/06/1979
65 12/05/1979
48 19/05/1979
42 26/05/1979
51 02/06/1979
47 09/06/1979 peak
64 16/06/1979
Last Chart Date:
16/06/1979
Total Weeks:
6
Peak Position:
No. 47 (1 week)
🔘 International Variants (selective)
• Netherlands – The Rocket Record Company – 6079 678 – 7", 45 RPM, Single (1979)
• France – The Rocket Record Company – 6079 678 – 7", 45 RPM, Single (1979)
🔘 International Chart Performance
[No international chart data available]
🔘 Context & Notes
• Recorded during Elton’s Philadelphia soul period
• Original 1979 release had modest UK chart impact
• Later reissues (2003 onward) achieved major success — not included here
• Produced by Thom Bell, a key figure in the Philly soul movement
🔘 Discography
Part-Time Love — 1978
Are You Ready For Love — 1979
Mama Can’t Buy You Love — 1979
🔘 Related Material
Additional material connected to this entry is listed in the tag index at the foot of the page.
🔘 Glam Flashback
A velvet‑smooth slice of Philly soul that waited decades for the world to catch up to its brilliance.
🔘 Sources
Discogs, 45cat, Wikipedia, Billboard, BBC Charts.
🔘 Copyright Notice
All magazine scans, photographs, and original text excerpts referenced in this entry remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This Chronicle entry is a transformative, non‑commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference. No ownership of the original material is claimed or implied.
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