I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues

"I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" is a song by British singer Elton John (with lyrics by Bernie Taupin) featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica. The song received largely favourable reviews, with Bill Janovitz of Allmusic declaring the song "likely to stand the test of time as a standard."^[1] It has gone on to be one of John's most-played songs on radio selections from the 1980s portion of his career. It is also quite well known for being played at Chelsea F.C.'s home matches.

In media

• The song appeared in an episode of Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere in 2004.
• In 2007, the Family Guy episode "No Meals on Wheels" featured the song as the soundtrack to a montage of Peter Griffin's difficulties during 45 minutes of life in a wheelchair.
• The song appeared in a Verizon wireless ad in early February 2010.
• In this same year, this song was used as a tribute to Disney's 50th Animated Motion Picture, showing all the characters, including the main protagonists of Tangled.
• In 2011, Paul McDonald sang this song on the tenth season of American Idol for "Year They were Born Week".

Track listing

US 7" single

1. "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
2. "The Retreat"

UK 7" single

1. "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
2. "Choc Ice Goes Mental"

Song life

The song appeared on the album Too Low for Zero. Released as a single in April 1983, the song reached number five in the UK chart and number four in the US chart six months later. The song was also featured on the film soundtrack to Peter's Friends in 1992.

The music video features two young lovers that are separated when he leaves for military training, and then finally reunited at the end of the song. It was filmed in the Rivoli Ballroom in London and is marked as one of the very few times John has been filmed or videotaped without wearing his trademark eyeglasses.

It was performed live by Mary J. Blige and Elton John, and this version of the song was part of the Mary J. Blige & Friends EP. A live version of the song with Mary J. Blige also appeared on John's One Night Only – The Greatest Hits live compilation, recorded in Madison Square Garden in October 2000. Another live version, this one featuring just Elton and basic rhythm section, was recorded live in Verona in 1996 during Elton's appearance with Luciano Pavarotti as part of the master tenor's Pavarotti and Friends for War Child benefit concerts. Produced by Phil Ramone, this version of "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" was included as a B-side on the Rocket Records maxi CD single of "Live Like Horses", which also included Elton John's original studio version from 1997's The Big Picture album, and studio and live versions of a duet of "Horses" by John and Pavarotti.

A fan favorite, John has also performed it live numerous times, occasionally playing it as part of a medley along with his hit "Blue Eyes" (from the 1982 album Jump Up!).

Charts

Personnel

• Elton John: piano, keyboards, vocals
• Davey Johnstone: guitars, backing vocals
• Dee Murray: bass, backing vocals
• Nigel Olsson: drums, backing vocals
• Stevie Wonder: harmonica

References

1. ^ I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues at Allmusic
2. ^ "Chartverfolgung / JOHN, ELTON / Single" (in German). http://www.musicline.de/de/chartverfolgung_summary/artist/JOHN%2C+ELTON/single.  Media Control Charts. PhonoNet GmbH.
3. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (in Dutch). Mega Single Top 100. Hung Medien / hitparade.ch.
4. ^ "Charts.org.nz – Elton John – I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues". Top 40 Singles. Hung Medien.
5. ^ "Elton John – I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues – Hitparade.ch". http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?interpret=Elton+John&titel=I+Guess+That%27s+Why+They+Call+It+The+Blues&cat=s.  Singles Top 75. Hung Medien.
6. ^ "Archive Chart" UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company.
7. ^ "Contemporary Adult". RPM Vol. 39 (No. 22). 4 February 1984. ISSN 0315-5994. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.4455&type=2&interval=20&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3. Retrieved 21 June 2011. 
8. ^ "50 Singles". RPM Vol. 39 (No. 23). 11 February 1984. ISSN 0315-5994. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.4457&type=2&interval=24&PHPSESSID=m89iq841abagb37ld9c0fdc1f3. Retrieved 21 June 2011. 
9. ^ "Elton John Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Elton John. Prometheus Global Media.

External links

• Video on AOL website
• Fanlisting
• Lyrics for "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" at Bernietaupin.com
• "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" at Discogs (list of releases)