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Sartorial Eloquence (Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More?)

"Sartorial Eloquence" is a song by British musician Elton John with lyrics written by Tom Robinson. It is the third track of his 1980 studio album, 21 at 33. In the UK, it was issued as "Sartorial Eloquence", and in the US as "Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More?".[1] It reached No. 39 on the Billboard Hot 100[2] and No. 45 Adult Contemporary,[3] falling just short of the Top 40 in the UK (#44), and making lesser showings in Canada (#57) and Australia (#91).

"Sartorial Eloquence"
Single by Elton John
from the album 21 at 33
B-side
  • "White Man Danger"
  • "Cartier"
ReleasedJuly 1980
RecordedAugust 1979
Length4:44
LabelRocket
Songwriter(s)Elton John, Tom Robinson
Producer(s)Elton John, Clive Franks
Elton John singles chronology
"Little Jeannie"
(1980) 		"Sartorial Eloquence"
(1980) 		"Dear God"
(1980)

According to Elizabeth Rosenthal in her book, His Songs: The Musical Journey of Elton John, the song evokes the disappointment of a man left behind which grows in volume and despondency.[4]

Reception

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Billboard said the song was highlighted with "a melodic hook" and "steady beat". They also said that Tom Robinson's lyrics on this song should get attention.[1] Record World called it a "vintage John ballad."[5]

B-sides

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Like another of John's songs, "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting", the single had two b-sides, "White Man Danger" and "Cartier" – a 54-second long commercial-like anthem about expensive jewelry.

"Cartier" later appeared on John's 1990 box set, To Be Continued, in addition to the 2020 box set Jewel Box, which also contained "White Man Danger".

Charts

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Chart (1980) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6] 91
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[7] 57
UK Singles (OCC)[8] 44
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 39
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[10] 45

References

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  1. ^ a b "Review: Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More? – Elton John" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 85, no. 32. 9 August 1980. p. 70. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 24 May 2020 – via American Radio History.
  2. ^ Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 – ISBN 0-89820-089-X
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 122.
  4. ^ Elizabeth Rosenthal, His Song: The Musical History of Elton John.
  5. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Record World. 9 August 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 20 February 2023.
  6. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. pp. 158–159. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  7. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0255b." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  9. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
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