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Sleeping with the Past

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Sleeping with the Past is the twenty-second studio album by English musician Elton John, released on 4 September 1989. It is his best-selling album in Denmark (where it was recorded) and is dedicated to his longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin. The album features "Sacrifice" and "Healing Hands", which were issued as a double A-side and became John's first solo number-one single in his home country of the UK. The single's success helped the album also hit number one there, his first since 1974's Elton John's Greatest Hits. It also became his first platinum album in the UK since 1985's Ice on Fire. In the US it was certified gold in October 1989 and platinum in April 1990 by the RIAA. Sleeping with the Past became John's best selling album of the 1980s.[9]

Sleeping with the Past
Cover of ‘Sleeping With the Past’ by Elton John
Studio album by
Elton John
Released4 September 1989[1]
RecordedNovember 1988 – March 1989
StudioPuk,[2] Randers, Denmark
GenrePop[3]
Length47:43
LabelMCA (US), Rocket (UK)
ProducerChris Thomas
Elton John chronology
Reg Strikes Back
(1988) 		Sleeping with the Past
(1989) 		The Very Best of Elton John
(1990)
Singles from Sleeping with the Past
  1. "Healing Hands"
    Released: August 1989[4]
  2. "Sacrifice"
    Released: October 1989
  3. "Club at the End of the Street"
    Released: April 1990
  4. "Whispers"
    Released: November 1990 (EU)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[5]
Chicago Tribune[6]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[7]
Hi-Fi News & Record ReviewA:1[8]
Los Angeles Times[3]

John and Taupin meant for the songs to reflect the style of 1960s R&B icons such as Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Sam Cooke, whom they admired.

Guy Babylon made his debut on this album and would continue to play keyboards with John for the next 20 years, while Fred Mandel left the band shortly after. John went into rehabilitation in 1990.[10]

Background

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With renewed creativity after 1988's Reg Strikes Back, Elton John and Bernie Taupin sought to create a cohesive album that had maintained a consistent theme. Inspired by the success of Billy Joel's 1983 album An Innocent Man, they decided to pay a similar tribute to the R&B sound of the 1960s and '70s that inspired them as youths. Taupin would listen to '60s soul songs and use those songs from the past to inspire new lyrics for their album. He would then write down which artists or songs influenced him. John would then use Taupin's lyrics as a guide to write a soul-influenced song based on the original source of inspiration.[11] As Taupin described to rock historian Steven P. Wheeler, "I said [to Elton] that we have to sit down and decide what we want to make, and make a cohesive album with a collection of songs that sound like they all fit together. So, we came up with the idea of going back and listening to the songs that inspired us when we first started writing songs, the time when R&B records were really great – the Chess days, the Stax records, and when Motown was at its peak. … So, I started dragging out all these old records and listening to them to get a feel, and we decided to basically make a white-soul album for the late ‘80s, and I think that’s what we’ve done.”[12]

Sleeping with the Past is the second of John's albums where he plays a Roland RD-1000 digital piano in place of his regular acoustic grand piano, which he used on all the songs except "Blue Avenue," on which he played the Bösendorfer piano at Puk Studios.[13] John used the Roland Digital on promotional appearances associated with the album and the subsequent tour. Davey Johnstone is the only member of John's "classic" band who appears on the album—Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson being notable absences. Keyboardist Guy Babylon makes his first appearance on an Elton John album, and also joined his touring band at the same time.

Months after the album's completion, John attributed its creative success to the certainty that some unpleasant chapters in his life, such as his battle with The Sun, were drawing to a close. In 1989 he said: "This is the first album I've made where I didn't have any pressures hanging over me...When I started it, I knew my personal life was going to be sorted out". Some years later he said: "I was sober when I recorded Sleeping with the Past - just". but that changed soon after: "I went off the rails when I did the tour afterwards". During the tour's first week, he collapsed onstage.[11]

The album was released late in John's 1989 American tour with little support from MCA records. John canceled tour shows and interviews. In New Haven, Connecticut, on October 18, 1989, he rushed through his performance rarely talking to the audience. Midway through his concert, he announced he would not perform material from the new album because MCA was not promoting it.[14]

In addition to "Sacrifice", "Healing Hands" and "Club at the End of the Street", which were singles in both the UK and US, the songs "Whispers" and "Blue Avenue" were released as singles in parts of Continental Europe. "Whispers" reached No. 11 in France,[15] whilst "Blue Avenue" managed to reach the Top 75 in the Netherlands. "Blue Avenue" describes his failed marriage to Renate Blauel.[16]

Three other songs were recorded during the sessions: "Dancing In The End Zone" and "Love Is A Cannibal," both with Davey Johnstone as a co-writer, were released as B-sides to two of the album’s singles, and were later included as bonus tracks on CD re-issues of the album. "Love Is Worth Waiting For" had been demo’d during the Reg Strikes Back sessions the year before and was further worked on at Puk but has never been released. This song, however, was performed live at an Athletes and Entertainers for Kids event in Los Angeles in July 1988, making one of only two Elton John/Bernie Taupin songs to be performed live but never officially issued. Another song, "Sugar And Fire," also did not make it past the demo stage.[17] "Love Is a Cannibal" was featured in the 1989 film Ghostbusters II.[18]

Wynonna Judd recorded a contemporary country music cover version of "Stone's Throw from Hurtin" which was featured in the 1992 film Leap of Faith starring Steve Martin.[19]

The album was later re-mastered (by John's longtime producer Gus Dudgeon) as part of the Elton John: The Classic Years series in 1998; and the rerelease included the aforementioned "Dancing In the End Zone" and "Love Is A Cannibal" as bonus tracks.

Reception

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Sleeping with the Past received lukewarm reviews when the album was released in 1989. After peaking at No. 6 in October 1989 on the UK Albums Chart, the re-release of "Sacrifice" as a double A-side with "Healing Hands" in June 1990, and that single's rise to the #1 spot,[20] Sleeping with the Past was propelled back up to the #1 position on the UK Albums Chart shortly afterwards, giving John his first No. 1 album in his home country since 1977. The feat was repeated when the greatest hits compilation The Very Best of Elton John was released in the autumn of 1990.

The album became his highest-selling studio album in the UK, being certified 3× Platinum[21] and spawned his first solo No. 1 hit in his home country.

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."Durban Deep"5:32
2."Healing Hands"4:23
3."Whispers"5:28
4."Club at the End of the Street"4:49
5."Sleeping with the Past"4:58
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Stone's Throw from Hurtin'"4:55
2."Sacrifice"5:07
3."I Never Knew Her Name"3:31
4."Amazes Me"4:39
5."Blue Avenue"4:21
Total length:47:43
  • Sides one and two were combined as tracks 1–10 on CD reissues.
Bonus tracks (1998 Polygram International reissue)
No.TitleLength
11."Dancing in the End Zone"3:53
12."Love Is a Cannibal"3:52
Total length:55:28

Notes

  • The version of "Durban Deep" on the 1998 remaster features a different vocal mix and is slightly extended from the original album version (the fade out lasts about ten seconds longer). Conversely, "Stone's Throw from Hurtin'" fades out around 10 seconds earlier.

Personnel

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Musicians

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Track numbering refers to CD and digital releases of the album.

  • Elton John – vocals, Roland RD-1000 digital piano, backing vocals (1), acoustic piano (10)
  • Guy Babylon – keyboards
  • Fred Mandel – keyboards (1–3, 5, 7, 9, 10), guitars (1, 4, 8), organ (4), guitar solo (6)
  • Peter Iversen – Fairlight and Audiofile programming
  • Davey Johnstone – guitars, backing vocals (1, 2, 4–6, 8–10)
  • Romeo Williams – bass
  • Jonathan Moffett – drums
  • Vince Denham – saxophone (4)
  • Natalie Jackson – backing vocals (2, 5, 6, 8, 9)
  • Mortonette Jenkins – backing vocals (2, 5, 6, 8, 9)
  • Marlena Jeter – backing vocals (2, 5, 6, 8, 9)

Production

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  • Produced by Chris Thomas
  • Engineered by David Nicholas
  • Engineering assistance by Karl Lever
  • Mixed at Air Studios (London, England) and Puk Studios.
  • Mastered by Greg Fulginiti at Artisan Sound Recorders (Hollywood, California).
  • Album coordination – Steve Brown
  • Studio coordination – Adrian Collee and Dee Whelan
  • Technicians – Tom Pearce (keyboards), Rick Salazar (guitars) and Terry Wade (drums).
  • Design by Wherefore Art?
  • Photography by Herb Ritts

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Certifications and sales for Sleeping with the Past
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[44] 4× Platinum 280,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[45] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[45] Gold 25,000*
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[46] Gold 100,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[47] 2× Platinum 200,000^
France (SNEP)[49] Platinum 700,000[48]
Germany (BVMI)[50] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[45] 2× Platinum 370,000[51]
Japan — 112,900[52]
Netherlands (NVPI)[53] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[54] 2× Platinum 30,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[55] Gold 50,000[55]
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[56] Platinum 100,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[57] 2× Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[21] 3× Platinum 1,000,000[58]
United States (RIAA)[59] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "New Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 2 September 1989. p. 49. Retrieved 7 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Legendary Danish Studio Used By JUDAS PRIEST, GARY MOORE And MESHUGGAH Destroyed In Fire". blabbermouth.net. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  3. ^ a b Boehm, Mike (27 August 1989). "Elton John "Sleeping With the Past" MCA". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 September 2011.
  4. ^ "New Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 5 August 1989. p. 41. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  5. ^ Ruhlmann, William. Sleeping with the Past at AllMusic
  6. ^ Caro, Mark (30 November 1989). "Elton John Sleeping with the Past (MCA)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 20 October 2011.
  7. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
  8. ^ Farmer, Neville (December 1989). "Review: Elton John — Sleeping with the Past" (PDF). Hi-Fi News & Record Review (magazine). Vol. 34, no. 12. Croydon: Link House Magazines Ltd. p. 141. ISSN 0142-6230. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 27 September 2021 – via World Radio History.
  9. ^ Bernardin, Claude; Stanton, Tom (1996). Rocket Man: Elton John from A – Z. Praeger. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-275-95698-1.
  10. ^ Bernardin, Claude; Stanton, Tom (1996). Rocket Man: Elton John From A - Z (Paperback ed.). Praeger. pp. 1. ISBN 978-0-275-95698-1. rocket man: elton john from a-z since 1990, when he began treatment for addictions.
  11. ^ a b Rosenthal, Elizabeth J. (2001). His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John. United States of America: Billboard Books. pp. 312–318. ISBN 0-8230-8893-6.
  12. ^ "'Sleeping with the Past' turns 30".
  13. ^ Bösendorfer
  14. ^ Bernardin, Claude; Stanton, Tom (1996). Rocket man: Elton John from A-Z. Praeger. p. 142.
  15. ^ "lescharts.com - Elton John - Whispers". lescharts.com. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  16. ^ Bernardin, Claude; Stanton, Tom (1996). Rocketman: Elton John from A - Z. Praeger. p. 170. ISBN 9780275956981.
  17. ^ "'Sleeping with the Past' turns 30".
  18. ^ Patrin, Nate (30 June 2016). "Something Strange Indeed: The Music Of Ghostbusters". stereogum. Archived from the original on 24 May 2019.
  19. ^ "House of Pain's Erik Shrody just started". Los Angeles Times. 1 November 1992. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Sacrifice/Healing Hands - No.1". On Official Charts Company.
  21. ^ a b "British album certifications – Elton John – Sleeping With The Past". British Phonographic Industry.
  22. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  24. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6588". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  25. ^ "Elton John - Sleeping with the Past (danskehitlister.dk)".
  26. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – J". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2012. Select Elton John from the menu, then press OK.
  28. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  29. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1991. 9. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 20 July 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".
  31. ^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  32. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  33. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  34. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – Sleeping with the Past". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  38. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 6625". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  39. ^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1989 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
  40. ^ "Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1989". Swiss Music Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  41. ^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Albums 1990". aria.com.au. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  42. ^ "Dutch charts jaaroverzichten 1990" (ASP) (in Dutch). Retrieved 2 April 2014.
  43. ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  44. ^ "1990 ARIA Albums Chart". Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  45. ^ a b c "Phonogram Congratulate Elton John" (PDF). Music and Media. worldradiohistory.com. 28 July 1990. p. 1. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  46. ^ "Brazilian album certifications – Elton John – Sleeping With The Past" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  47. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Elton John – Sleeping With The Past". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  48. ^ "Marketing to A&R" (PDF). Billboard. 27 July 1991. p. F-17. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
  49. ^ "French album certifications – Elton John" (in French). InfoDisc. Select ELTON JOHN and click OK. 
  50. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elton John; 'Sleeping With The Past')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  51. ^ White, Chris (22 December 1990). "Elton John – Record Man Across The Water" (PDF). Music and Media. worldradiohistory.com. p. 45. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  52. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  53. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Elton John – Sleeping With The Past" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 26 August 2020. Enter Sleeping With The Past in the "Artiest of titel" box.
  54. ^ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts: 1966–2006. Maurienne House. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
  55. ^ a b "Bernie Taupin's Gold Record for Elton John's Sleeping with the Past". 20 August 2024.
  56. ^ White, Chris (22 December 1990). "Elton John – Record Man Across The Waters" (PDF). Music and Media. worldradiohistory.com. p. 45. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  57. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Sleeping With The Past')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  58. ^ "Market Report 1990 - Mainstream - Albums" (PDF). Music Week. 22 December 1990. p. 10. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  59. ^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Sleeping With The Past". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
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