🎼 Friends – Single: Apr. 1971

Issued in the UK on 23 April 1971 on DJM Records (catalogue DJS 244), “Friends” was the title track and theme song from the film *Friends* starring Sean Bury, marking Elton John’s third US hit and second Top 40 entry after the breakthrough success of “Your Song”.

🔘 The Story

Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and produced by Gus Dudgeon with arrangements by Paul Buckmaster, “Friends” was recorded for the soundtrack of the 1971 film *Friends*. The UK 7" single paired the title track with the B-side “Honey Roll”. It was released on the DJM label during a period when Elton was rapidly rising following the success of his self-titled album and the single “Your Song”.

In the UK the single appeared in multiple centre-hole variants. While it did not chart in the UK, “Friends” performed strongly in North America, reaching No. 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 13 on the Canadian singles chart. The song also gained airplay on Adult Contemporary formats in both countries.

This release sits at an important early moment in Elton John’s career — bridging his breakthrough phase with soundtrack work that helped expand his visibility beyond pure pop singles.

🔘 Personnel

• Elton John – vocals, piano

• Paul Buckmaster – arranger, conductor

• Gus Dudgeon – producer

🔘 Key Highlights

• Title track and theme song from the 1971 film *Friends*

• UK 7" release on DJM DJS 244

• Follow-up to the hit “Your Song”

• Reached No. 34 on the US Billboard Hot 100

• Strong Adult Contemporary airplay in the US and Canada

🔘 UK Variants

• 7" Single, Solid Centre – DJM Records – DJS 244 – UK – 1971

• 7" Single, Four-Prong Push-Out Centre – DJM Records – DJS 244 – UK – 1971

🔘 UK Chart Performance

Did not chart in the UK

🔘 International Variants (selective)

• Argentina – Producciones Fermata – 3F-0397 – 7" 33⅓ RPM Single – 1971

• Argentina – Producciones Fermata – 3F-0397 – 7" 33⅓ RPM Single, Promo – 1971

• Australia – DJM Records – DJK-4179 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Belgium – Supreme Records – 312 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Canada – UNI Records – UNI 55277 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• France – DJM Records – 17576 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Germany – Hansa Record / DJM Records – 10 099 AT – 7" 45 RPM Single, Stereo – 1971

• Iran – Royal – RT 708-200 / RT 708 – 7" 45 RPM EP, Unofficial Release, Stereo – 1971

• Italy – DJM Records – SIR DJ 20156 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Japan – DJM Records – FR-2801 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Promo, Stereo – 1971

• Japan – DJM Records – FR-2801 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Stereo – 1971

• Japan – DJM Records – FR-2801 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Red Vinyl – 1971

• Lebanon – Columbia – SCRL 95 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Mexico – Fermata – C-70-35 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Netherlands – DJM Records – 6102 305 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• New Zealand – DJM Records – DJK-4179 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Mono – 1971

• Peru – Fermata – 15002 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Peru – Fermata – 310 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Philippines – Paramount Records – PARA-1004 – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

• Philippines – Paramount Records – PARA-1004 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Promo – 1971

• Portugal – DJM Records – 8E 006-92 490 M – 7" 45 RPM Single, Mono – 1971

• Scandinavia – DJM Records – DJS 244 – 7" 45 RPM Single, three-prong push-out centre – 1971

• Singapore / Malaysia / Hong Kong – DJM Records – DJS 244 – 7" 45 RPM Single, three-prong push-out centre – 1971

• South Africa – DJM Records – DJS 320 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Push-out Centre – 1971

• South Africa – DJM Records – DJS 320 – 7" 45 RPM Single, Solid Centre – 1971

• Spain – DJM Records – 1 J 006-92.490 M – 7" 45 RPM Single – 1971

🔘 International Chart Performance

US Billboard Hot 100 – Peak: 34

Canada – Peak: 13

🔘 Context & Notes

• Theme song from the film *Friends* (1971)

• Produced by Gus Dudgeon with arrangements by Paul Buckmaster

• Part of Elton John’s early breakthrough period following “Your Song”

🔘 Discography

Your Song – 1970

Friends – 1971

Levon – 1971

🔘 Related Material

Additional material connected to this entry is listed in the tag index at the foot of the page.

🔘 Glam Flashback

A gentle, cinematic ballad that showed the world Elton John could do far more than just rock — “Friends” added a tender, orchestral dimension to his rapidly growing catalogue.

#ReleaseChronicle #EltonJohn #Friends #1971 #DJMRecords

🔘 Sources

Discogs, 45cat, Official Charts Company, Billboard.

🔘 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.