ELTON JOHN (October 15, 1973) – "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" b/w "Young Man's Blues" Format: 7" Single: USA
Released on October 15, 1973, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" was issued in the United States by MCA Records under catalogue number MCA-40148. The single featured the title track from Elton John's landmark Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album and was backed with "Young Man's Blues".
Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and produced by Gus Dudgeon, the release showcased one of the songwriting partnership's most celebrated compositions. The single paired the reflective and highly melodic title song with "Young Man's Blues", creating a release that highlighted the creative strengths of the Elton John and Bernie Taupin partnership during one of the most successful periods of their career.
The song would become one of the defining recordings associated with the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road era and remains among the most recognised compositions from Elton John's catalogue.
RECORDING
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
"Young Man's Blues" was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Both sides were produced by Gus Dudgeon.
Although not credited on the American single release, Del Newman served as arranger on the A-side.
STYLE & THEMES
"Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" presents a reflective songwriting approach, combining Elton John's melodic piano-driven style with Bernie Taupin's evocative lyric writing.
The recording became one of the signature songs from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road project and stands as one of the most enduring examples of the Elton John and Bernie Taupin songwriting partnership.
TRACK‑BY‑TRACK NOTES
• Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Issued as the A-side and taken from the album of the same name.
• Young Man's Blues — Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Selected as the American B-side release.
RELEASE HISTORY
The single was released in the United States on October 15, 1973 through MCA Records.
The release carried catalogue number MCA-40148 and was issued as a standard 7-inch vinyl single.
For the American market, "Young Man's Blues" was selected as the B-side. Source notes indicate that the same recording was issued in the United Kingdom under the title "Screw You".
PERSONNEL
Elton John — vocals, songwriter
Bernie Taupin — songwriter
Del Newman — arranger (A-side, uncredited on US release)
PRODUCTION
Produced by Gus Dudgeon
Label: MCA Records
NOTES
"Young Man's Blues" was issued in the United Kingdom under the title "Screw You".
Del Newman was the arranger of the A-side, although this credit did not appear on the American single release.
Both tracks were written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE
Artist | Title | Label | Country | Catalogue | Date | Format |
Elton John | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Young Man's Blues | MCA | USA | MCA-40148 | October 15, 1973 | 7" Single |
TRACKLIST TABLE (ALL FORMATS)
Format | Catalogue | Tracklisting |
7" Single | MCA-40148 | A. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road B. Young Man's Blues |
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2, RockfilesUK.
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