Elton John (October 22, 1976) – Blue Moves Album UK: 2LP

Oct 21, 1976

3 min read

Blue Moves was released in the UK on October 22, 1976 by The Rocket Record Company. Issued as an 18-track double LP under catalogue number ROSP 122, it was Elton John's second double studio album.

The album presented a more reflective and melancholy direction, combining pop, rock, jazz and ballads and moving away from the predominantly upbeat character of many of Elton John's earlier hits.

Produced by Gus Dudgeon, Blue Moves also continued Elton John's creative partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin alongside contributions from a wider group of musicians.

STYLE & THEMES

Blue Moves is characterised by a reflective and eclectic musical approach, moving between pop, rock, jazz and ballad-based material across its four sides.

The album's more melancholy tone marked a change of pace from Elton John's earlier upbeat hits, giving the double album a distinctive place within his 1970s catalogue.

RELEASE HISTORY

Released in the United Kingdom on October 22, 1976 by The Rocket Record Company.

The original UK edition was issued as an 18-track double vinyl LP under catalogue number ROSP 122.

CHARTS & CERTIFICATIONS

AMERICA

United States Billboard 200: No. 3, 20 weeks

Canada RPM: No. 4, 15 weeks

EUROPE

United Kingdom Official Albums Chart: No. 3, 10 weeks

Netherlands Dutch Album Top 100: No. 7, 8 weeks

France SNEP: No. 12, 8 weeks

Sweden Sverigetopplistan: No. 18, 5 weeks

Norway VG-lista: No. 20, 4 weeks

Germany GfK: No. 22, 6 weeks

PACIFIC

Australia Kent Music Report: No. 8, 12 weeks

New Zealand RMNZ: No. 7, 10 weeks

CERTIFICATIONS

United Kingdom: BPI Gold, 100,000 copies sold

United States: RIAA Platinum, 1,000,000 copies sold

UK CHART PERFORMANCE

Chart Entry: November 6, 1976

Peak Position: No. 3, November 13, 1976

Weeks On Chart: 10

Chart Run:

November 6, 1976 – No. 4November 13, 1976 – No. 3November 20, 1976 – No. 4November 27, 1976 – No. 5December 4, 1976 – No. 6December 11, 1976 – No. 7December 18, 1976 – No. 8December 25, 1976 – No. 9January 1, 1977 – No. 10January 8, 1977 – No. 12

PRODUCTION

Produced by: Gus Dudgeon

Lyricist: Bernie Taupin

Label: The Rocket Record Company

Catalogue Number: ROSP 122

Release Date: October 22, 1976

Format: Double Vinyl LP

Tracks: 18

NOTES

• Released in the UK on October 22, 1976.

• Elton John's second double studio album.

• Original UK edition contains 18 tracks across two LPs.

• Produced by Gus Dudgeon.

• Features contributions from lyricist Bernie Taupin.

• Reached No. 3 on the UK Official Albums Chart.

• Reached No. 3 on the US Billboard 200.

• Certified Gold in the UK.

• Certified Platinum in the United States.

RELEASE VARIANTS TABLE

Artist	Title	Label	Country	Cat No.	Date	Format
Elton John	Blue Moves	The Rocket Record Company	UK	ROSP 122	October 22, 1976	2LP

TRACKLIST TABLE

LP1	LP2
SIDE ONE • Your Starter For... • Tonight • One Horse Town • Chameleon SIDE TWO • Boogie Pilgrim • Cage The Songbird • Crazy Water • Shoulder Holster	SIDE THREE • Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word • Out Of The Blue • Between Seventeen And Twenty • The Wide-eyed And Laughing • Someone's Final Song SIDE FOUR • Where's The Shoorah? • If There's A God In Heaven (What's He Waiting For?) • Idol • Theme From A Non-existent TV Series • Bite Your Lip (Get Up And Dance!)

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