Elton John Album Reviews: 21 at 33 (1980)

[@TravelinBand747]

Love “Little Jeannie,” as Elton’s vocals are excellent. It’s the kind of song you might hear in a grocery store now, or a department store. Brings back memories of when that kind of sound that passed for “easy listening” or “adult contemporary” in the 80s was so prominent.

[@安田浩之]

Two Rooms 🎶😍😃

[@dazednotconfused1503]

Give me the love. Chasing the crown.

[@ejshelby5460]

Love your channel!

[@k9burnouts544]

Take Me Back is a cute little tune,always liked his country stuff. also- Dear God is simple,honest and sweet, you know ? But , as an Elton freak at the time , I needed this album ! Even Elton said "this is more of what elton john is about" Little Jeanie" sweet , pretty , soulful . Saw that tour- Fri. Oct !0 -1980.

[@drumsnpiano8957]

My grandfather bought this album back in the day. It was the first EJ album he bought since Blue Moves. I would rank this album as EJ's best in the 80s after SWTP,The Fox and TLFZ

[@eltonmusicfan]

I think your ranking is pretty spot on. Things started to improve a little with The Fox, and we seem to be moving away from the disco influence.

[@davywavy2141]

Thanks John, I have always liked this album ever since I bought it on vinyl back in 1980 and play it regularly. My fav. tracks are "Little Jeannie" and "Sartorial Eloquence" but there aren't any that I dislike, (although I take your point about "White Lady".

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks. Excellent choices. What do you make of the title? Would you change it?

[@markharris1125]

Hi John KZbin must know somehow that I like Elton John (like! hah!) and it recommended your channel, and this album, this morning, What a great idea to do all EJ's albums. And you don't need to play them, I certainly can play every song in my head if I want to. Plus, on my phone, laptop or tablet! You're much better at talking about the music than I would be, since I'm completely unmusical. But I have subscribed and now will start going back over the preceding videos to see what you thought. I hope it's okay to give my thoughts on the albums - I don't have any other outlet! 1) Chasing the Crown. It's not a metaphor, it's surely a straight talk from the Devil. Still, I love the start, and the rest, and it's a 7 for me 2) Little Jeannie. Nice song, bit long, 7. I remember hearing this while at University in Norwich and thinking this was going to be a great album when it came out. I wasn't wrong. 3) Sartorial Eloquence. Really like this song, the different lyricist makes Elton do something different, 8 for me. 4) Really excellent song for the reasons you say, surprised it's only 5 from you, it's 7 from me, 5) Proof Rolling Stone knows nothing. Great song. I have no idea why you think it's glorifying drugs. "High-priced madness pays the tab "I've scraped too much of nothing from your plastic bag "I'm a catatonic son of a bitch who's had "A touch too much of white powder." 'Scraped too much of nothing from your plastic bag' - the desperate addict hoping to find something in a bag he knows is empty, like the alcoholic taking an empty swig from a bottle. This is not glorification, this is telling the truth behind the 'glamour'. 9 for me. 6) Yes, this should have been left off. I never got it, just terrible lyrics. It's nicely made, I must say, but those other religious songs you mention are better. Not much time for any of them, to be honest. Skip. 1 from me. 7) Yes, this is a nice song and I really like the tone he puts in his voice for this, have never been able to precisely say what it is. I would have thought that being compared to Barry Manilow is quite the accolade. 7 for me. 8) This is my second least favourite, though it is quite catchy and I wouldn't skip it. 4 from me. 9) Now, this is an interesting one because it's easily in my top 10 Elton songs, often hovering near the top. I loved it when I first heard it and I love it to this day. I love the strings and the words and the sentiment and the backing vocals and the growled 'ggggimmee the love'. The idea of having a longer version - oh now you're talking. An 'It Ain't Gonna Be Easy' eight minutes of 'Give Me the Love'? I'll take that in a heartbeat. Don't often give 10s for anything but this is perfect. 10 from me. So that's a score of 60 out of 90, 6.7 per song. If you asked me to score the album on it's own, I'd give it an 8.5, really love this album. It's Dear God that takes it down. Looks like you've done quite a few albums so I have some work to do to catch up. Great video, liked and subscribed.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you are enjoying the reviews. Please catch up with your marks on the other ones. I must take a closer look at White Lady, White Powder - you could be right there. I think we agree on the quality of that closing track. I was really pleased to be re-united with it when I did the review.

[@007koko007]

It's one of those obscure albums that simply exists. Not bad at all, not brilliant, but somehow a unique and charming album. My version of the vinyl had 'White Lady White Powder' and 'Dear God' replaced with 'Conquer the Sun' and 'White Man Danger' and I think those are much better choices than what is on the international version. My ratings: 1. Chasing the Crown - An ok rock song. Nothing special, yet certainly not bad. 5.5/10 2. Little Jeannie - Such a sweet song. I like it more and more with time. Nice lyrics and beautiful melody. I like horns here. 9.5/10 3. Sartorial Eloquence - Great song. Melody in the verse and bridge is great, while the chorus is really catchy. I also like the synths. 9/10 4. Two Rooms at the End of the World - I really never knew what to think about this song. I like it, it's unique and interesting, yet repetitive. 6.5/10 5. White Lady White Powder - An ok song about drugs I guess, but not one of my favorites. 6/10 6. Dear God - I never liked this one. It has some formulaic melody that works, but that's it. Lyrics could have been better considering the theme, I guess. 4/10 7. Never Gonna Fall in Love Again - I kinda like this one. Very nice melody in the style of 'Little Jeannie'. Not that good, but still a fine song. 7/10 8. Take Me Back - Generic country song. Not bad, certainly not great. Ok. 5.5/10 9. Give Me the Love - I like the production and vibe of this one. It really sounds like something from 1980 and dated today, but I like it. 7/10 Bonus tracks (B-sides, outtakes, etc.): 10. White Man Danger - Cool riff. I like this song. Lyrics are so simple and yet so effective and sad - straight to the point. Musically it's also simplistic, but I like it. 7/10 11. Conquer the Sun - I really love this love song. I think it's brilliant. There's some sadness about it that's hard to describe. Very beautiful melody. In my opinion one of the best Elton songs. 10/10 12. Cartier - I guess these lyrics are some kind of parody. I guess a song for rich people. I really don't care about this short jingle. 2/10 13. Love So Cold - This is a really fun song with some really hilarious lyrics and nice melody. It's unlike anything else Elton composed. 8/10 14. Steal Away Child - It's an ok tune. Slightly similar to the much superior 'Reach Out to Me' song. 5.5/10 15. Les Aveux (feat. France Gall) - French version of 'Reach Out to Me' - I love this song. Great melody, great duet. 9.5/10 16. Donner Pour Donner (feat. France Gall) - Very nice ballad. I don't understand words and probably even better - I was always more interested in music than words. 8/10 17. Basque (demo) - Piano demo version I have is brilliant. Melancholic, emotional! 9/10 18. Tactics - Great instrumental. It should have been longer. Really good melody and development. 9/10

[@eltonmusicfan]

Well, I've got some work to do on 10-18. I was reading about the session which produced these. I have already reviewed Tactics but that is the only one. I think your ratings for 1-9 are pretty spot on but the whole thing suffers from too many lyricists, the God song, and the country-by-numbers song.

[@lexirhapsodyrose4785]

Cool Review. Love this album. White Lady White Powder is actually about Bernie Taupins Drug Addiction to cocaine & the problems it caused him & the perils of addiction. The song actually talks about the perils of addiction & warns us about this & the song is also about Bernie overcoming that addiction. Read the Lyrics & again & carefully & what the song is about comes to light, is revealed. Much Love from Sydney Australia. Love your Reviews 💚💃💃💃💃💚

[@thestorysongsnl9397]

Jump up was a great album! One of his best! I find it better then 2 low for zero!

[@mariocastoldi612]

Hi John, I totally agree with your votes and comments about this interesting album! I like Sartorial eloquence, expecially in the 1980 Central Park great concert version! In D flat like Sacrifice...and The bridge!!!, , I like Dear God,, Little Jeanie, Take me back, Never fall......In conclusion a good album. Thank's John, it's always a pleasure to watch your channel! See you soon!!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks for your comments. I must look up the Central Park performance.

[@cootmaster]

I LOVE FOX empty sky breaking hearts and reg strikes back 2 rooms and little jeanie great so is S.EQL

[@eltonmusicfan]

A lot of good tracks there.

[@MichaelABruce-ew8zs]

I like this album a lot. Sounds nothing like victim of Love I think it's the sister album to jump up or shall I say it jump up is the sister album to this one. Although I like jump up better. I don't mind this album at all but victim of love? Forget about it.

[@wojciechmo1540]

13:30 Religion on Ice on Fire? ;)

[@eltonmusicfan]

Too Low for Zero, I think.

[@mahanaghaei1]

Two Rooms is my favorite song from this album!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Yes, it's a fascinating story and I really like it when a song is about something real that happened.

[@gaelitos.s4392]

I actually believe this album is one of his most interesting! At first sight the album cover does seem bland and nothing special, however it does make sense, because notice how most of the songs form up a love story throughout the whole album, including the b sides, and the album cover actually represents a very popular frase or at least here in my country its very well known: "Love is like pocker, if you dont bet, you wont win" And this is also seen because most of the songs talk about a love story, about a guy and a woman, and of you look closely, one hand is of a man and the other of a woman, (seen because one hand has its nails done). I do agree the title could have been better, but this album tells a story as a whole, and it ties it up with the cover that represents a phrase about ehat the album is about! Maybe this is just my opinion, i havent seen it discussed anywhere, but the songs are progressive with the story as the album continues, as said, including the b sides.

[@eltonmusicfan]

That's really interesting. I hadn't seen them coming together but you might have something. Do you think they had that in mind? It's interesting that the next album, The Fox, has a video featuring all the songs and a very loose, underlying story.

[@gaelitos.s4392]

@@eltonmusicfan Well, as to if they had it planned, i think it could have, since, not to be rude to Bernie, but i dont think most of his songs are particularly written in a way that they connect a full story, and since Bernie only wrote a few songs here, I think since we got other artists writing the lyrics, it could have been a new take for Elton to try and make a story based album.

[@drumsnpiano8957]

@@gaelitos.s4392 You mean - like a concept album?

[@gaelitos.s4392]

@@drumsnpiano8957 Yeah, and i think it was very nice to se Elton have a take on that kind of stuff, though it didnt really get much fame, it is defenetly something us true fans enjoy.

[@danielhkhk7283]

One of the strongest Elton John/ Gary Osborne collaborations IMO is Sweetheart on Parade, which never got released. Only a demo version exists and a few good covers.

[@eltonmusicfan]

I haven't got to that yet but will put it on the list.

[@jhill2704]

Two Rooms at The End of The World 😁😉

[@citywoof]

I love this record...but when it comes to EJ, I make a terrible critic, I'm just an enormous and loyal fan.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Thanks for this. Many good tracks but two or three let the album down, perhaps.

[@stephencorbett2862]

Two Rooms would have been a superb title over 21 at 33

[@eltonmusicfan]

I'm glad you agree! Perhaps a reissue is needed.

[@Curban27]

I love White Lady White Powder. So disappointed it failed on your chart. It’s not a drug song it’s a moment song. That’s how I see it.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Fair enough. As I said, the music is fine. Do you think it is more about addiction than glorifying the drug?

[@pianoman6512]

hello John and curban 27 indeed this song is the apology of this dangerous drug in 1980 I am a very big fan of Sir Elton John since 1980 with the discovery of the album 21 at 33 which means `` 21 albums composed in 33 years old '' if you can find his rare book '' the gentleman musician '' (1980) he talks intimately about this album, its debuts in an interview in Paris and singing in French ELTON ELTON MY PASSION 💚

[@citywoof]

I can't believe you have Captain Fantastic so low.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Quite a few people have said that. I am currently considering returning to it with another review. It's never been a favourite of mine - some good songs, but lacking the consistency of Madman, Tumbleweed, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Don't Shoot Me. Just my opinion!

[@christy140]

@@eltonmusicfan I give seven out of ten….

[@dirksdiamonds]

I think you need to do a direct comparison with Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirst Cowboy and this one - this one sitting just above that is wrong - just wrong - in my opinion anyway! Does your mood on the day affect your ratings? Only asking because I wonder if a rethink is waranted, particularly in light of that. Go on, listen to them both together, and see if your view shifts a little!

[@eltonmusicfan]

Funny you should say this. I did notice that and have been considering a re-visit to Captain Fantastic. As you know, it's not a favourite of mine but many people love it. I try not to be affected by moods, and I never add the scores up until the end of each album, so the average mark is always a surprise. But your idea is a good one.

[@dirksdiamonds]

@@eltonmusicfan I do wonder if too many numbers, 1-10, skews things a little. What about a simple 5 star approach 1 terrible, 2 tollerable, 3 average, 4 above average, 5 magnificent, with maybe a John Howe seal of approval for those particularly special ones - 5 stars with a "seal of approval" stamp on it or something? Well, I realise it's set in stone, you're approach, as you've done a bunch of vids with it. I guess I would go for a 5 star thing.

[@chrisbooth3417]

I already made some comments on this album in one of your other videos. I think that it is interesting that Elton doesn't like to play little Jeanie live. I like chasing the crown a but more than you do. I wish the rest of the album had that energy. Satorial Eloquence is good but too wordy,if that makes sense. I also like White Lady but your point about drugs is really good. For some reason Never Gonna Fall in Love is a little annoying to me and one of my least favorite Elton songs. Take me back sounds like a country parody to me. Also where is the falsetto? None on the whole album. The fox I think is a better album. But like you said every Elton album has something to be played decades later.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Yes, I've read those, thank you. I will try to include them in my follow-up video. It's a pity he never re-visits this album in live concerts. Imagine Give my the Love live. I think it would work well, and Little Jeannie is as worthwhile as Sacrifice.

[@chrisbooth3417]

@@eltonmusicfan I agree. Elton has so much great material. The more dedicated fans would love to hear something from 21 at 33 or a lot of other things that he never plays.Thanks again for all the great videos.

[@ejshelby5460]

I originally hated the tunnel sound of many of the tracks, and I don’t particularly like Elton’s nasal vocal. But he got really nasal in the early 80s, culminating in Still Standing I guess. Or, well, leather jacket, Too low, Breaking hearts are not nasal, but Reg got really nasal again! I do love little Jeanie and Sartorial

[@cootmaster]

religion is on to low for zero not ice on fire

[@danielferguson3784]

I take 'White Lady, White Powder', to be anti-drug, not promoting them, in an ironic way. It's a much better song than you give it credit for.

[@elliemenzel7939]

It's not the worst album, it's not the greatest. Aside from the hits, Two Rooms and White Lady it's very forgettable.

[@eltonmusicfan]

Definitely a mixed bag. What do you make of Give me the Love? A good closer?

[@cootmaster]

your saying 21 at 33 doesnt meen anything what about ice on fire, jump up! those dont tell you anything