Caribou (album)

Caribou
Studio album by Elton John
Released	28 June 1974
Recorded	Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado, January 1974
Genre	Rock, pop
Length	45:15
Label	This Record CompanyMCA Records Island Records Rocket Records Mercury Records
Producer	Gus Dudgeon
Elton John chronology
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) Caribou (1974) Elton John's Greatest Hits (1974)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Robert Christgau	(B+)
Rolling Stone	(not rated)

Caribou is the eighth album by the English singer-songwriter Elton John, released in 1974 (see 1974 in music). It was John's 4th chart-topping album in the U.S. and his 3rd in the U.K. The album contains the singles, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", which reached # 16 in the UK Singles Chart and # 2 in the U.S., and "The Bitch Is Back", which reached # 15 in the U.K. and # 4 in the U.S. Both these singles reached # 1 in Canada on the RPM 100 national Top Singles Chart (as did the album itself). The album was named for the Caribou Ranch recording studio, where the album was recorded. In the U.S. the album was certified Gold on 7/5/1974 and was certified Platinum and 2x Platinum on 23 March 1993 by the R.I.A.A.

In the liner notes to the 1995 CD re-release, John described the album as being quickly recorded in January 1974, with only about 9 days to get everything recorded, as he and the band "were under enormous pressure" to finish the album and then immediately embark on a Japanese tour. Producer Gus Dudgeon would later add additional backing vocals, horns and other overdubs after John and the band had finished their work.

In addition to the obvious hit singles, John has over the years played several others songs from this album in concert, including "Grimsby," "You're So Static," "Ticking" and "Dixie Lily."

The 1995 CD reissue contains 4 songs from the general period in and around the "Caribou" release, though only two of them, the b-sides "Sick City" and "Cold Highway," were recorded during the album's sessions. "Step Into Christmas" was recorded during a previous one-off single session, and "Pinball Wizard" was recorded at The Who's studio in England during the sessions for the "Tommy" movie score and soundtrack album.

Track listing

All songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

Side one

1. "The Bitch Is Back" – 3:44
2. "Pinky" – 3:54
3. "Grimsby" – 3:47
4. "Dixie Lily" – 2:54
5. "Solar Prestige a Gammon" – 2:52
6. "You're So Static" – 4:52

Side two

7. "I've Seen the Saucers" – 4:48
8. "Stinker" – 5:20
9. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" – 5:36
10. "Ticking" – 7:33

Bonus tracks (1995 Mercury and 1996 Rocket reissue)

11. "Pinball Wizard" (Pete Townshend) – 5:09
12. "Sick City" – 5:23
13. "Cold Highway" – 3:25
14. "Step into Christmas" – 4:32

When MCA Records re-issued this album, on cassette tape, in the 1980s, "You're So Static" and "Stinker" were swapped in the album's running order. You're So Static also featured an early fade out. (Just before he sings for the final time)

At one point, the title of this album was to be "Ol' Pink Eyes Is Back" a pun on Frank Sinatra's "Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back".

On the 1995 CD, "You're So Static" is spelled incorrectly as "Your're So Static".

B-sides

Song	Format
"Sick City"	Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me 7" (US/UK)
"Cold Highway"	The Bitch is Back 7" (US/UK)

Personnel

• Elton John – vocals, piano
• Davey Johnstone- acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin
• Dee Murray – bass, phased Pignose bass
• Nigel Olsson- drums
• Ray Cooper- tambourine, congas, whistle, vibes, snare, castanets, watergong, bells

Additional musicians

• Bruce Johnston – backing vocals track 9
• Carl Wilson – backing vocals track 9
• Davey, Dee, and Nigel – backing vocals (tracks 2, 3, 7)
• Clydie King, Sherlie Matthews, Jessie Mae Smith, Dusty Springfield, Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Toni Tennille, Billy Hinsche – additional backing vocals
• Brass – Tower of Power Horn Section
• Dave Hentschel – A.R.P. synthesiser
• Lenny Pickett – tenor sax, soprano sax, clarinets
• Chester Thompson- Organ

Production

• Producer: Gus Dudgeon
• Engineers: Clive Franks, David Hentschel
• Assistant engineer: Peter Kelsey
• Arrangers: Daryl Dragon, Davey Johnstone, Del Newman
• Liner notes: John Tobler
• Recorded at: Caribou Ranch

Charts

Chart positions

Chart (1974)	Peak position
Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart	1
Canadian RPM Albums Chart	1
Danish Albums Chart	1
Italian Albums Chart	8
Japanese Oricon LP Chart	20
New Zealand Albums Chart	20
Norwegian VG-lista Albums Chart	6
Swedish Albums Chart	3
UK Albums Chart	1
U.S. Billboard 200	1
West German Media Control Albums Chart	33
Yugoslavian Albums Chart	5

Year-end charts

Chart (1974)	Position
Australian Albums Chart	4
Canadian Albums Chart	7
Italian Albums Chart	45
UK Albums Chart	15
U.S. Billboard Year-End	65
Chart (1975)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Year-End	77

Certifications

Region	Certification
United Kingdom (BPI)	Gold
United States (RIAA)	2× Platinum

Chart procession and succession

Preceded by The Singles: 1969-1973 by The Carpenters	UK number-one album 13 – 20 July 1974	Succeeded by Band on the Run by Paul McCartney and Wings
Preceded by Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot	US Billboard 200 number-one album 13 July – 9 August 1974	Succeeded by Back Home Again by John Denver
Preceded by Diamond Dogs by David Bowie	Canadian RPM 100 number-one album 10–17 August 1974	Succeeded by Back Home Again by John Denver
Preceded by The Sting (soundtrack) by Various artists	Australian Kent Music Report number-one album 12 August – 20 October 1974	Succeeded by Quatro by Suzi Quatro