Studio Album · No. 25
The Big Picture Songwriting Credits by Elton John
Produced by Chris Thomas · Engineered by Pete Lewis
Holds writing credit on 11 of 11 tracks
Authorship Breakdown 11 / 11 documented
Scored across the 11 tracks with documented writers, by whether Elton John carries a lyricist or composer credit.
Share of the 11 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.
By the Numbers
The Big Picture has Elton John composing the music and Bernie Taupin writing all the lyrics, in a glossy adult-contemporary style. Its lead track, Something About the Way You Look Tonight, was released as a double A-side with Candle in the Wind 1997 and became the best-selling single in chart history.
The Big Picture is the twenty-fifth studio album by Elton John, released in September 1997 on Rocket Records and produced by Chris Thomas. The album was overshadowed by perhaps the most significant event of Elton's life in the decade: the death of Princess Diana, his close friend, just days before the album's release. He quickly re-recorded 'Candle in the Wind' with new lyrics by Bernie Taupin as a tribute to Diana, and the resulting single became the best-selling single in history outside of 'White Christmas,' raising enormous sums for charitable causes. The Big Picture itself received mixed reviews and performed modestly, struggling to compete with the cultural weight of the Diana tribute single. The album nonetheless shows Elton's continued professional dedication during an emotionally devastating period.
Track Listing & Credits 11 tracks
| # | Title | Lyricist(s) | Composer(s) | Producer(s) | Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Long Way from Happiness
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 2 |
Live Like Horses
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 3 |
The End Will Come
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 4 |
If the River Can Bend
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 5 |
Love's Got a Lot to Answer For
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 6 |
Something About the Way You Look Tonight
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 7 |
The Big Picture
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 8 |
Recover Your Soul
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 9 |
January
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 10 |
I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |
| 11 |
Wicked Dreams
|
Bernie Taupin | Elton John | Chris Thomas | Elton John (Lead Vocals, Piano) |