🔘 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Single: Sep. 1973

Elton John
Sep 21, 1973
3 min read

A sweeping, elegant pop masterpiece, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” stands as one of Elton John’s most beloved ballads — wistful, cinematic, and carried by one of his finest vocal performances.

Released on September 21, 1973, the single arrived as the second UK release from the landmark double album *Goodbye Yellow Brick Road*. Issued by DJM Records under catalogue number DJS 285, the track showcased Elton and Bernie Taupin at the height of their creative powers, blending orchestral pop, reflective lyricism, and a soaring melodic structure. Backed with “Screw You” (retitled “Young Man’s Blues” in some regions), the single demonstrated Elton’s ability to balance emotional depth with pop accessibility. Entering the UK Singles Chart in late September, it climbed into the Top 10 and became one of his signature songs.

Label: DJM Records

Catalogue Number: DJS 285

Format: 7" Vinyl Single (Solid Centre)

Released: September 21, 1973 (UK)

🔘 Track List

UK 7" Single — DJM – DJS 285 — 1973

A. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

B. Screw You (Young Man’s Blues)

Written by: Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Produced by: Gus Dudgeon

Recorded: 1973

🔘 Key Highlights

• Released September 21, 1973

• A-side: Second UK single from *Goodbye Yellow Brick Road*

• B-side: Retitled “Young Man’s Blues” in some territories

• Chart debut: Late September 1973

• Performed on: UK pop‑TV rotation

• Recorded at: 1973 DJM sessions

🔘 The Story

Following the success of “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting,” Elton John released “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” as the second UK single from his monumental 1973 double album. The track’s lush arrangement, introspective lyrics, and soaring chorus made it an instant standout.

Bernie Taupin’s words — reflecting on fame, identity, and the desire to return to something real — paired perfectly with Elton’s expressive vocal and Gus Dudgeon’s rich production. The B‑side, “Screw You,” offered a sharp, upbeat contrast, showcasing Elton’s versatility and sense of humour.

Commercially, the single performed strongly, entering the UK charts in late September and rising into the Top 10. Over time, it has become one of Elton’s most enduring classics, frequently cited among his greatest recordings.

🔘 Variants (UK)

• 7", 45 RPM, Single — DJM – DJS 285 — UK — 1973

• 7", 45 RPM, Demo — DJM – DJS 285 — UK — 1973

• Issued in standard DJM company sleeve

🔘 Chart Performance

UK — Official Singles Chart

34 — September 29, 1973

22 — October 6, 1973

14 — October 13, 1973

10 — October 20, 1973

9 — October 27, 1973

13 — November 3, 1973

22 — November 10, 1973

33 — November 17, 1973

Total Weeks: 8

🔘 Context & Notes

• A-side: One of Elton’s most iconic ballads

• B-side: Retitled “Young Man’s Blues” in some regions

• Production: Gus Dudgeon

• Sleeve notes: Standard DJM company sleeve

• Historical placement: A defining single from Elton’s peak era

• Reissues / compilation appearances: Featured on numerous Elton John anthologies

🔘 Related Material

• *Goodbye Yellow Brick Road* (1973)

• “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” (1973)

• “Candle in the Wind” (1974)

• “Bennie and the Jets” (1974)

🔘 Discography

Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting — 1973

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — 1973

Candle in the Wind — 1974

Bennie and the Jets — 1974

🔘 Mini‑Timeline

✦ 1973 — Recorded during DJM sessions

✦ Sep 21, 1973 — UK single released

✦ Sep 29, 1973 — Enters UK Singles Chart

✦ Oct 27, 1973 — Peaks at No. 9

✦ Nov 17, 1973 — Completes 8‑week chart run

🔘 Glam Flashback

A lush, emotional pop classic — timeless, elegant, and one of Elton John’s defining masterpieces.

#ReleaseChronicle #EltonJohn #GoodbyeYellowBrickRoad #1973 #DJMRecords #GlamPop

🔘 Sources

Primary reference sources: DJM Records, Discogs, Official Charts Company, contemporary music‑press documentation, archival references.

🔘 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.

The single was also released in the following countries.