Studio Album · No. 21
Reg Strikes Back Songwriting Credits by Elton John
Produced by Chris Thomas · Engineered by Bill Price
Holds writing credit on 12 of 12 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 12 / 12 documented
Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Elton John carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
Reg Strikes Back, named after Elton John's birth name Reginald Dwight, has John on music and Bernie Taupin on lyrics across nearly all tracks. It marked his return after throat surgery, and the single I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That reached the US top five.
Reg Strikes Back is the twenty-first studio album by Elton John, released in June 1988 on Rocket Records and produced by Chris Thomas. After the critical and commercial failure of Leather Jackets, Elton had undergone surgery to repair his vocal cords, and the results were immediately audible: his voice sounds restored and confident throughout the album. The single 'A Word in Spanish' and the defiant 'I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That,' which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, demonstrated that Elton's commercial instincts were fully intact. Reg Strikes Back debuted in the top ten in both the UK and the United States, a genuine comeback achievement after the worst years of Elton's personal and professional life. The album's title was a pointed response to critics who had dismissed him, and its success was a satisfying vindication.
Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Town of Plenty
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 2 |
A Word in Spanish
#19
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 3 |
Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (Part Two)
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 4 |
I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That
#2
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 5 |
Japanese Hands
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 6 |
Goodbye Marlon Brando
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 7 |
The Camera Never Lies
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 8 |
Heavy Traffic
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton JohnDavey Johnstone | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 9 |
A Quartet of Angst
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 10 |
Poor Cow
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 11 |
Since God Invented Girls
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 12 |
Act of War
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |