"The Union" is a collaborative studio album by Elton John and Leon Russell, released on October 19, 2010, in the US and October 25 in the UK. This album marks John’s second collaboration project, following Duets in 1993, and is notable for being his first studio release without his regular band members since 1979's Victim of Love.
The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, making it John's highest-charting studio album since 1976's Blue Moves, and it also represents Russell's highest chart position since 1972's Carney. The Union received critical acclaim, landing at No. 3 on Rolling Stone's list of the 30 Best Albums of 2010.
Featuring contributions from notable artists like Booker T. Jones, Neil Young, Robert Randolph, and Brian Wilson, the album showcases a rich blend of styles. It was dedicated to Guy Babylon, John’s keyboard player who passed away a year prior to its release. The track "If It Wasn't for Bad" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, while "Hey Ahab" became a concert staple for John, further cementing the album's impact.
