I've Been Loving You

"I've Been Loving You" is the 1968 debut single by Elton John with lyrics credited to Bernie Taupin (although Elton later admitted that he wrote the song by himself, giving Bernie credit as an effort to earn Bernie his first publishing royalties). The B-side is "Here's to the Next Time", an Elton John composition. "I've Been Loving You" was the first single ever released under the name "Elton John". It was not originally included on any album and the single was withdrawn shortly after its release. Neither side appeared on any official album release until the 1992 "Rare Masters" box set (in a new stereo remix).

The single is extremely rare and a copy sold on eBay on October 18, 2009 for $782.73. An even rarer 4-song EP edition, released only in Portugal, contained two additional songs: "Thank You For All Of Your Loving" (written by Elton and then bandmate Caleb Quaye ) and "The Angel Tree" (which is the first true release of an Elton/Bernie composition). One of the few known existing copies of this version sold on eBay for $2,551 in 2007.

In 1976, the Canadian band Wednesday covered the song under the title ""Loving You Baby"".

References

• http://www.eltonography.com/singles/UK_7_1960.html