Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

On Caribou. Single released in May 1974. Peaked at #2. Elton hated his vocals and didn't want the song on the album. Time proved him wrong: the song earned him a Grammy nomination. For backing vocals, he brought an all-star cast, including Cat Stevens, Billy Preston, Dusty Springfield, Brian Wilson, and Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night. But the talents and egos did not blend. In the final version, Carl and Brian Wilson, Toni Tennille, Daryl Dragon, and others sang backup, with Bruce Johnston arranging. Re-recorded live in March 1991 in London as a duet with George Michael and released in December, the song hit #1. That version appeared in Duets. In addition, a live version by Elton appears on an "unplugged" collection released by MTV in 1994.