Comments for John, Elton, Breaking Hearts

In 1984, after a short semi-come-back, Elton announced that the 1984 "Breaking Hearts Tour" was going to be his last tour for some time. For that reason, his Wembley Stadium concerts were filmed and released on video. This tour was to feature songs from two albums: "Too Low for Zero" which was released in 1983 and "Breaking Hearts" released in 1984. Expectations that this indeed would be Elton's last tour gave a special excitement to an already charged typical "Elton John Tour".

Breaking Hearts --Sad Songs (say so much) --Who wears these shoes? --In Neon This album maintained Elton's momentum following "Too Low for Zero." It begins with the rocker "Restless," moves into the fun and admonition of "Slow Down George, She's Poison" and kicks in to the hit "Who wears these shoes?," a nice mid-tempo song with a low key hook. After that point, the album is a bit varied--losing at various points its glitter country rock feel. "Breaking Hearts" teeters on being boring, "Did he shoot her?" is rather inane, "Burning Buildings" is a cool song but also rather strange in its haughty, overdone "classical" production. Other songs do much better. "In Neon" has a nice chorus buildup, "Lil Frigerator" rocks, and "Sad Songs (say so much) is just a gem of an Elton John pop song (the video for it was also very cool using colored objects and people on a black and white video). Overall, this is a good album and shows the strength of Dee Murray, Nigel Olson and Davey Johnstone as Elton's backup band. Jim Hanson

With the exception of a few EJ standout classics (Sad Songs, Burning Buildings), this album would fall in the category of Elton's 80s throwaway pop sound. It isn't marked by the synth trash sound of say, Leather Jackets, but it does mark a stark difference from the smooth sounds of the 70s Elton. A good CD to have simply for completion's sake, as well as the three or four tracks that you'll listen to over and over again. The others (like "Did He Shoot Her?") can just be programmed over.

Breaking Hearts is one of my favorite albums of the 80's. EJ brought back the rock edge that seemed to have been lost with A Single Man, 21 at 33, The Fox and Jump Up. Not quite the lyrical or musical depth of 2 Low 4 Zero, but nonetheless some of my most favorite EJ tracks appear hear. Standout cuts such as Burning Buildings (his most aggressive rock ballad in the 80's), Did He Shoot Her with its great grooves and classic feel only EJ could add to synthesized drums (which I actually normally can't stand), Li'l 'Frigerator (with it's hats off to Led Zeppelin riffs- does a one up on "whipping boy"). Restless is an all out Stones type rocker. Actually, there isn't really a weak song on this album. I love it.

A fine CD from beginning to end, "Breaking Hearts" has one of the best EJ/BT songs ever, "Burning Buildings." It''s a fantastic rock ballad with agression on those ivories like I''ve never heard. Probably his finest song of the 80s next to "Nikita" and "Stones Throw From Hurtin''."

This was the last time he made it to Calgary, Alberta, Canada.Singles were Sad Songs and Restless although the titlecut (Breaking Hearts) was a semi-hit.

I believe Breaking Hearts is one of Elton's best albums. In my opinion maybe his third best album after Captain Fantastic and Yellow Brick Road. Why? Some of his best vocals-- Burning Buildings, In Neon, Breaking Hearts.... The best drumming from Nigel since Captain Fantastic. A highly underrated album by Elton.