Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player Album: 1973

The Piano Player That Hit No. 1

Released as an LP album in the UK by DJM Records (catalogue: DJLPS 427) on January 22, 1973, Elton John’s Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player was his sixth studio album. The first of two albums in 1973 (followed nine months later by Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), it marked his second consecutive No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and his first No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart. The lead single "Crocodile Rock" gave John his first No. 1 hit in both the US and Canada. Another big track, "Daniel," became his second Canadian No. 1 on the RPM Top Singles Chart, climbed to No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at No. 4 on the UK Singles Chart, surpassing "Crocodile Rock" by one spot.

Track Listing

All tracks written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Side One

"Daniel" – 3:55

"Teacher I Need You" – 4:10

"Elderberry Wine" – 3:34

"Blues for Baby and Me" – 5:39

"Midnight Creeper" – 3:52

Side Two

6. "Have Mercy on the Criminal" – 5:58

7. "I'm Going to Be a Teenage Idol" – 3:56

8. "Texan Love Song" – 3:33

9. "Crocodile Rock" – 3:55

10. "High Flying Bird" – 4:12

Total Length: 42:45

Bonus Tracks (1995 Mercury and 1996 Rocket reissue)

11. "Screw You (Young Man's Blues)" – 4:43

12. "Jack Rabbit" – 1:50

13. "Whenever You're Ready (We'll Go Steady Again)" – 2:51

14. "Skyline Pigeon" (Piano version) – 3:56

Total Length with Bonuses: 56:23

Production and Context

Produced by Gus Dudgeon. Engineered by Robin Cable and David Hentschel. Recorded at Trident Studios, London. Elton’s sixth album, it solidified his superstar status with a mix of rockers and ballads.

Chart Performance

UK Albums Chart: No. 1

US Billboard 200: No. 1

Singles Released and Chart Performance

"Crocodile Rock" – US No. 1 / Canada No. 1 / UK No. 5

"Daniel" – US No. 2 / Canada No. 1 / UK No. 4

Legacy

Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player is Elton’s breakthrough double-album year opener — packed with hits and showcasing his songwriting peak with Bernie Taupin.

Do you have Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player in your collection? Ready for Crocodile Rock? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia and BBC Official Charts Company