Reg Strikes Back is the twenty-first studio album by British singer-songwriter Elton John, released in 1988. It was his self-proclaimed comeback album, and his own way of fighting back against bad press.[1] The "Reg" in Reg Strikes Back refers to John's birth name, Reginald Kenneth Dwight.
This was the last album that bassist Dee Murray appeared on prior to his death in 1992. The tracks "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" and "A Word in Spanish" peaked at No. 2 and No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. John brought back record producer Chris Thomas for the album. This is the first studio album to be recorded and released after John's throat surgery the previous year. The album cover featured costumes and props from John's collection that he decided to put up for auction.
In the US the album was certified gold in August 1988 by the RIAA.
Contents[]
Track listing[edit][]
All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.
Side one[edit][]
- "Town of Plenty" – 3:40
- "A Word in Spanish" – 4:39
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two" – 4:12
- "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" – 4:35
- "Japanese Hands" – 4:40
Side two[edit][]
- "Goodbye Marlon Brando" – 3:30
- "The Camera Never Lies" – 4:36
- "Heavy Traffic" (John/Taupin/Davey Johnstone) – 3:30
- "Poor Cow" – 3:50
- "Since God Invented Girls" – 4:54
Bonus tracks (1998 PolyGram International reissue)[edit][]
- "Rope Around a Fool" – 3:48
- "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" (Shep Pettibone Mix) – 7:16
- "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That" (Just Elton and His Piano Mix) – 4:37
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two" (The Renaissance Mix) – 6:19
B-sides[edit][]
| Song | Format |
|---|---|
| "Rope Around a Fool" | I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That 12"/CD (UK) / 7" (US/UK) |
| "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That (Shep Pettibone Mix)" | I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That 12"/CD (US/UK) |
| "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That (The Pub Dub)" | I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That 12"/CD (US) |
| "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That (Just Elton and His Piano Mix)" | I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That 12"/CD (US) |
| "I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That (Just for Radio Mix)" | I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That 12" (US) |
| "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two (The Renaissance Mix)" | Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two 12" (US) |
| "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two (The Da Vinci Version)" | Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two 12" (US) |
| "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two (Self Portrait Instrumental)" | Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Part Two 12" (US) |
'Rope Around a Fool' was recorded during these sessions, as was an unused track, 'Love Worth Waiting For', which Elton would perform at some US shows around the time of the album's release, but has yet to see official release on any format.
Personnel[edit][]
- Elton John: keyboards, vocals, harmonies, backing vocals
- Fred Mandel: synthesiser
- Davey Johnstone: guitars, backing vocals
- Pete Townshend: guitar on "Town of Plenty"
- David Paton: bass guitar
- Charlie Morgan: drums
- Ray Cooper: tambourine, maracas, timbales
- Freddie Hubbard: trumpet, flugelhorn
- Dee Murray: backing vocals
- Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
- Adrian Baker: backing vocals
- Bruce Johnston: backing vocals
- Carl Wilson: backing vocals
Production[edit][]
- Producer: Chris Thomas
- Recorded and engineered by Michael Mason, Peter Mew and Bill Price
- Assistant engineer: Karl Lever
- Second engineer: Paul Wertheimer
- Mastered by Tim Young
Charts[edit][]
Chart positions[edit][]
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Year-end charts[edit][]
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Certifications[edit][]
| Region | Certification | Sales/shipments |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada)[20] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
| France (SNEP)[21] | Gold | 100,000
|
| Italy (FIMI)[22] | 3× Platinum | 300,000
|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[23] | Silver | 60,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[24] | Gold | 500,000^ |
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