I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues
| I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues | |
|---|---|
| Elton John | |
| publication | April 1983 (UK) November 1983 (US) |
| length | 4:45 |
| Genre (s) | skirt |
| text | Bernie Taupin |
| music | Elton John , Davey Johnstone |
| album | Too Low for Zero |
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues is a song released by Elton John in 1983 . It was composed by Elton John and his guitarist Davey Johnstone and written by Bernie Taupin . In the United States, it became one of Elton John's biggest hits in the 1980s, staying at number 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart for four weeks, and reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 .
Stevie Wonder plays a harmonica solo. The song appeared on the album Too Low for Zero.
Music video
The music video was directed by Russell Mulcahy from Australia . It tells the story of a young couple in the 1950s who were separated because the man was called up for military service, shows the trials and tribulations he experienced there and how they are reunited at the end of the song. It was shot in the Rivoli Ballroom in London. It contains one of the rare shots in which Elton John can be seen without glasses (from 2:40 and 3:26).
reception
The song received mostly positive reviews.
Allmusic's Bill Janovitz wrote:
“'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues' will likely stand the test of time as the standard. [...] John is a master of the mood; the song is a warm, nostalgic, calming and very emotional piece of melancholy. Reaching the heartbreaking climax in the chorus is the repeated - 'Wait for me, girl / cry in the night if it helps' - the melody alone moves the heart. [...] As for the lyrics, music has more than a touch of nostalgia, with a rhythm and blues - Shuffle in the style of the 50s, a jazzy piano theme and an inspired harmonica solo in the style of Toots Thielemans by Stevie Wonder. The ascending solo takes the song to new heights, the pain of feeling is palpable in every note. "