Ball and Chain (Elton John song)
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| "Ball & Chain" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Elton John | ||||
| from the album Jump Up! | ||||
| B-side | "Where Have All the Good Times Gone" (alternate version) | |||
| Released | September 1982 | |||
| Recorded | September-October 1981 | |||
| Genre | Rock, acoustic pop | |||
| Length | 3:27 | |||
| Label | Geffen (US) Rocket (UK) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Elton John, Gary Osborne | |||
| Producer(s) | Chris Thomas | |||
| Elton John singles chronology | ||||
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"Ball & Chain" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the third track on his 1982 album Jump Up! and was released as a single in the United States in September that year. It features Pete Townshend of The Who on acoustic guitar.
Lyrical meaning
The song is basically about bad love, simply a relationship that is just not working. The singer feels that they have "a ball and chain hanging around [their] heart". Osborne also added some French words into the song.
Musical structure
The song opens with Pete Townshend's percussive guitar playing, and subtle piano from Elton John. The song then builds to a climactic finish, placing the final verse one tone higher.
Personnel
- Elton John - piano, vocals
- Pete Townshend - acoustic guitar
- Richie Zito - guitars
- Dee Murray - bass
- James Newton-Howard - synthesizer
- Jeff Porcaro - drums
- Steve Holly - tambourine
Covers
Country music artist Kathy Mattea covered the song on her 1985 album From My Heart.