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The Big Picture
The Big Picture
Studio album by Elton John
Released	22 September 1997
Recorded	November 1996 – May 1997
Studio	Townhouse (London); AIR (London);
Genre	Pop rock
Length	52:08
Label	Rocket; A&M; Mercury;
Producer	Chris Thomas
Elton John chronology
Singles from The Big Picture
	"Something About the Way You Look Tonight"; Released: 13 September 1997; "Recover Your Soul"; Released: 2 February 1998; "If the River Can Bend"; Released: 1 June 1998;

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[2]
Entertainment Weekly	C^[3]
Los Angeles Times	^[4]
Rolling Stone	Positive^[5]
Uncut	^[6]

The Big Picture is the twenty-fifth studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released on September 22, 1997 through The Rocket Record Company and Mercury Records. The album was recorded at Townhouse Studios in London and is John's last release to date to be produced by Chris Thomas.

Upon its release, The Big Picture was a commercial success, reaching the top 5 in the UK and the top 10 in the United States and numerous other countries. Three songs—"Something About the Way You Look Tonight", "Recover Your Soul", and "If the River Can Bend"—were released as singles to promote the album, with the former being the most successful, particularly upon its re-release as a double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997", which became the best-selling single in Billboard history. Critical reception to the album was positive with praise being directed at its songwriting, though its production has been criticised and lyricist Bernie Taupin has declared it to be his least favorite album he and John have released. The album would go on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA on August 19, 1998 for US sales in excess of 1,000,000 copies.

Background

The album has a strong orchestral emphasis with string arrangements written by Anne Dudley and John's then backup keyboardist Guy Babylon. In 2006, John revealed in an interview that Bernie Taupin, his longtime friend and lyricist, considers this his least favourite album they have created, while John believes that to be Leather Jackets from 1986.^[7] Taupin dislikes this album because of the overall quality of his lyrical contribution and because "the production is abysmally cold and technical".^[7]

The album was dedicated to John's friend, popular fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before the album's release. This was John's last album to date to be produced by Chris Thomas, who had worked with John almost nonstop since 1981's The Fox. This is the only album in which neither Davey Johnstone nor bassist Bob Birch (during his tenure as John's bassist from 1992–2012) provide backing vocals. Drummer Charlie Morgan was let go from the band shortly after the album's release and soon replaced by Curt Bisquera and John's original drummer Nigel Olsson, who remains in the lineup to this day.

Track listing

All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Long Way from Happiness"	4:47
2.	"Live Like Horses"	5:02
3.	"The End Will Come"	4:53
4.	"If the River Can Bend"	5:23
5.	"Love's Got a Lot to Answer For"	5:02
6.	"Something About the Way You Look Tonight"	5:09
7.	"The Big Picture"	3:45
8.	"Recover Your Soul"	5:18
9.	"January"	4:02
10.	"I Can't Steer My Heart Clear of You"	4:10
11.	"Wicked Dreams"	4:39

Japanese Edition Bonus Track
No.	Title	Length
12.	"I Know Why I'm in Love"	4:32

Outtakes

"Live Like Horses" was originally recorded in 1994 and intended for John's previous studio album, Made in England, but lack of time for the inclusion ruled this out. The single version of the song, released in 1996, was a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, but the song is performed solo for this album. The version with Pavarotti was later included on the bonus disc edition of John's compilation Greatest Hits 1970–2002.

"Past Imperfect" and an alternate version of "Recover Your Soul" were completed by John for inclusion on The Big Picture. Both songs have yet to see official release.^[8]

Personnel

Musicians

Elton John – vocals, acoustic piano (all tracks), organ (1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11)
Guy Babylon – keyboards (1–9, 11), string arrangements
Paul Carrack – organ (6)
Matthew Vaughan – keyboards (10), percussion (10)
Davey Johnstone – guitars (all tracks)
John Jorgenson – guitars (all tracks)
Bob Birch – bass (all tracks)
Charlie Morgan – drums, percussion (all tracks)
Paul Clarvis – tabla (8)
Anne Dudley – string arrangements and conductor
Carol Kenyon – backing vocals (1, 6, 8)
Angel Voices Choir – choir (2)
East London Gospel Choir – choir (4)
Jackie Rowe – backing vocals (6, 8)

Production

Produced by Chris Thomas
Recorded at The Townhouse, London, UK
Strings recorded at AIR Lyndhurst Hall, London, UK
Engineered by Pete Lewis
Assistant engineers – Andy Green, Ben Georgiades and Jay Reynolds
Studio coordinators – Adrian Collee and Pete Mills
Session coordinators – Maureen Hillier, Ranni Lewis and Derek Mackillop
Design – Rick Lecoat and Julian Schnabel
Painting and still life photography – Julian Schnabel
Portrait – Mario Testino

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for *The Big Picture*
Chart (1997–1998)	Peak position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[9]	5
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)^[10]	1
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)^[11]	10
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)^[12]	3
Canadian Albums (Billboard)^[13]	14
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)^[14]	1
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)^[15]	8
European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)^[16]	1
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)^[17]	4
French Albums (SNEP)^[18]	4
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[19]	8
Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)^[20]	13
Italian Albums (FIMI)^[21]	1
Japanese Albums (Oricon)^[22]	19
Malaysian Albums^[23]	10
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[24]	7
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)^[25]	2
Scottish Albums (OCC)^[26]	3
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)^[27]	5
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[28]	2
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)^[29]	1
UK Albums (OCC)^[30]	4
US Billboard 200^[31]	9

Year-end charts

Year-end chart performance for *The Big Picture*
Chart (1997)	Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)^[32]	61
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria Top 40)^[33]	30
Danish Albums (Tracklisten)^[34]	12
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)^[35]	45
UK Albums (OCC)^[36]	37

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[37]	Platinum	70,000^{^}
Austria (IFPI Austria)^[38]	Gold	25,000^*
Canada (Music Canada)^[39]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
Finland (Musiikkituottajat)^[40]	Gold	21,006^[40]
France (SNEP)^[41]	Gold	100,000^*
Hong Kong (IFPI Hong Kong)^[42]	Gold	10,000^*
New Zealand (RMNZ)^[43]	Gold	7,500^{^}
Norway (IFPI Norway)^[44]	Platinum	50,000^*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)^[45]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
Sweden (GLF)^[46]	Gold	40,000^{^}
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)^[47]	Platinum	50,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[48]	Platinum	300,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[49]	Platinum	1,000,000^{^}
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)^[50]	Platinum	1,000,000^*
^* Sales figures based on certification alone. ^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ ^a ^b https://www.allmusic.com/album/r312988
^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
^ Lanham, Tom (26 September 1997). "The Big Picture". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
^ Gardner, Elysa (21 September 1997). "ELTON JOHN, "The Big Picture," Rocket/A&M". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
^ Fricke, David (19 December 1997). "ELTON JOHN, "The Big Picture"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
^ Dee, Johnny (October 1997). "Elton John: The Big Picture". Uncut. No. 5. p. 77.
^ ^a ^b "The Lion King". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
^ Rocket Man: Elton John From A-Z, 1996 (ISBN 0275956989)
^ "Australiancharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Elton John Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Danishcharts.dk – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (11 October 1997). Billboard – 11 October – 1997. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 4 April 2012. elton john big picture. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
^ "Elton John: The Big Picture" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Lescharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1997. 43. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Italiancharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "ビッグ・ピクチャー". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (25 October 1997). Billboard – 25 October – 1997. Retrieved 4 April 2012. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Spanishcharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
^ "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
^ "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1997". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
^ TOP20.dk © 1997 Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
^ "Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997". Swiss Music Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
^ "UK best albums 1997". Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
^ "Austrian album certifications – Elton John – Big Picture" (in German). IFPI Austria.
^ "Canadian album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture". Music Canada.
^ ^a ^b "Elton John" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
^ "French album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
^ "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1997". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
^ "New Zealand album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
^ "Norwegian album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
^ Solo Exitos 1959-2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados > 1995-1999. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. 2005. ISBN 8480486392.
^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The Big Picture')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
^ "British album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture". British Phonographic Industry.
^ "American album certifications – John, Elton – The Big Picture". Recording Industry Association of America.
^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1997". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

External links

The Big Picture at Discogs (list of releases)

[allmusic-1] ttps://www.allmusic.com/album/r312988

[2] Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.

[EW_review-3] Lanham, Tom (26 September 1997). "The Big Picture". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 30 August 2011.

[4] Gardner, Elysa (21 September 1997). "ELTON JOHN, "The Big Picture," Rocket/A&M". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 31 August 2011.

[5] Fricke, David (19 December 1997). "ELTON JOHN, "The Big Picture"". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 January 2022.

[6] Dee, Johnny (October 1997). "Elton John: The Big Picture". Uncut. No. 5. p. 77.

[mojo-7] "The Lion King". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 4 October 2011.

[8] Rocket Man: Elton John From A-Z, 1996 (ISBN 0275956989)

[ac_Australia_Elton_John-9] "Australiancharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Austria_Elton_John-10] "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Flanders_Elton_John-11] "Ultratop.be – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Wallonia_Elton_John-12] "Ultratop.be – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_BillboardCanada_Elton_John-13] "Elton John Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Denmark_Elton_John-14] "Danishcharts.dk – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Netherlands_Elton_John-15] "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[bb971011-16] Nielsen Business Media, Inc (11 October 1997). Billboard – 11 October – 1997. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 4 April 2012. elton john big picture. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)

[ac_Finland_Elton_John-17] "Elton John: The Big Picture" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_France_Elton_John-18] "Lescharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Germany4_Elton_John-19] "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Hungary_Elton_John-20] "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1997. 43. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Italy_Elton_John-21] "Italiancharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[22] "ビッグ・ピクチャー". Oricon.co.jp. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[bb971025-23] Nielsen Business Media, Inc (25 October 1997). Billboard – 25 October – 1997. Retrieved 4 April 2012. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)

[ac_New_Zealand_Elton_John-24] "Charts.nz – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Norway_Elton_John-25] "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Scotland_-26] "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Spain_Elton_John-27] "Spanishcharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Sweden_Elton_John-28] "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[ac_Switzerland_Elton_John-29] "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – The Big Picture". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[UK_albums-30] "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[Billboard_200-31] "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.

[AUSYearend-32] "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 100 Albums 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 24 September 2011.

[33] "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1997". Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 September 2011.

[34] TOP20.dk © 1997 Archived 21 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine

[35] "Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1997". Swiss Music Charts. Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 September 2011.

[UKYearend-36] "UK best albums 1997". Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2011.

[AustraliaElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-37] "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.

[AustriaElton_JohnBig_PicturealbumCertRef-38] "Austrian album certifications – Elton John – Big Picture" (in German). IFPI Austria.

[CanadaElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-39] "Canadian album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture". Music Canada.

[FinlandElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-40] "Elton John" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.

[FranceElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-41] "French album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.

[Hong_KongElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-42] "IFPIHK Gold Disc Award − 1997". IFPI Hong Kong. Retrieved 2 October 2019.

[New_ZealandElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-43] "New Zealand album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 30 May 2019.

[NorwayElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-44] "Norwegian album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.

[Spanish_certifications_1995-1999-45] Solo Exitos 1959-2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados > 1995-1999. Iberautor Promociones Culturales. 2005. ISBN 8480486392.

[SwedenElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-46] "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.

[SwitzerlandElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-47] "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('The Big Picture')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.

[United_KingdomElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-48] "British album certifications – Elton John – The Big Picture". British Phonographic Industry.

[United_StatesJohn,_EltonThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-49] "American album certifications – John, Elton – The Big Picture". Recording Industry Association of America.

[EuropeElton_JohnThe_Big_PicturealbumCertRef-50] "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1997". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

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PROFILPELAJAR.COM

The Big Picture (Elton John album)

Background

Track listing

Outtakes

Personnel

Musicians

Production

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

References

External links

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